Glen Lake Honors Three of Its Elders with Elders Wisdom™
Glen Lake Elementary School will host an Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song celebration honoring three community elders in their gym on Thursday, May 7, 2015, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Address: 4801 Woodridge Road, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
Elder Wisdom, Children’s Song™ is brought to you by Community Celebration of Place (501-C-3) in partnership with Hopkins Public Schools and the West Metro Education Program (WMEP).
Larry Long, Smithsonian Folkways Recording Artist and creator of Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song, and Anthony Galloway, Student Learning Program Specialist for WMEP, have been working with the 6th grade classes of Colette Kastner and Robb Trenda, Patty O’Reilly, and Cecelia Morris, and studying with music specialist Teri Larson, to collectively write songs that honor the life stories of three community elders:
- Johann Arthur Jack: Born in Trinidad and Tobago. Moved to Massachusetts and ran track at Lexington HS. Awarded full athletic scholarship to Boston U, graduating with a degree in American History. Masters in Education - U of Mn, and a year of doctoral studies. Served in the US Marines. Works at the Minneapolis VA Hospital as an Admin Officer. Still holds multiple records for sprinting in New England. World ranked IAAF competitor. Represented Trinidad on the European International Circuit. Olympic Caliber National Athlete. Has run with Team USA, USA Paralympics as a Guide. His biggest accomplishments are with his wife Alicia - their four children.
- Dominique Pierre-Toussaint: Grew up in a family of accomplished Haitian and Dominican immigrants in Brooklyn, NYC. Awarded an athletic scholarship to Dickinson U (ND) where he studied Art Education. Has served youth for 20 years as an educator and advocate. Committed to affecting real change in the lives of children - as father to his children - and as mentor through his non-profit Minnesota Youth Community (MNYC), co-founded in 2013 with his wife Tracie, to offer free enrichment opportunities in athletics, arts and academics. Works as Student Support Specialist at Glen Lake in Hopkins School District.
- Nathaniel Taylor: Grew up in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green projects. Graduated from the neighborhood high school. Moved to Minneapolis to find work and make his home. Motivates and mentors young people through positive thinking and skating. Works as custodian for North Junior High in Hopkins School District.
Glen Lake’s Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song celebration on May 7, 2015 will feature 6h grade students with Larry Long, Anthony Galloway, Jamez Powell and Daryl Boudreaux.
Contact Information:
Larry Long, Executive Director
Community Celebration of Place
3357 – 36th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-722-9775
larrylong@communitycelebration.org
Dr. Stanley Brown, Coordinator of Equity and Inclusion
Hopkins Public Schools
1001 Highway 7
Hopkins, MN 55305
952-988-4140
stanley.brown@hopkinsschools.org
Larry Long, called "a true American Troubadour" by author Studs Terkel, has made his life work the celebration of American stories. In a curriculum called Elders' Wisdom, Children's Song™, he has brought elders, long established and newly arrived, into the classroom to share their life story with the younger generation. A Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry has sung at major festivals, concerts and events throughout the U.S. and internationally. Long is a recipient of the prestigious Bush Artists Fellowship, the Pope John XXIII Award and In The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award for his work in forgotten communities. Please visit: www.larrylong.org Founded out of demand for Long’s work across the country, Community Celebration of Place is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that uses oral history, music and art to strengthen communities and foster reconciliation. For more information: www.communitycelebration.org
The West Metro Education Program (WMEP) School District was formed in 1989 to cooperatively address integration issues in the west metro area. The mission of WMEP is to build the collective capacity of its members; to raise the achievement of all students; to eliminate the racial achievement gap; and to prepare all learners to thrive in a diverse world through regional leadership, integrated learning opportunities, shared resources, and mutual support. Member districts of WMEP are: Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Anthony/New Brighton, St, Louis Park, and Wayzata. Please visit: wmep.k12.mn.us The mission of Hopkins Public Schools is Excellence for every school, every student, every day. For more information visit: www.HopkinsSchools.org
As a school district committed to equity and excellence for ALL learners, we will examine individual and organizational beliefs and changing practices to counteract the contemporary and historical impact of racism and discrimination. Glen Lake is a welcoming school community that honors all cultures and races. We believe that every person needs, wants, and deserves: To be treated with kindness, fairness and respect. To be held to high expectations. To be part of a community where they belong and contribute. To be supported by families and staff working together for student success.