Here is a beautiful front cover for the newspaper E. Manet's students are making to raise some funds for the trip. The cover was made by Ayoub. Special shout out to him.

Young people, I cannot find the words to say how proud we are of you all and what a beautiful job you are all doing...

You are the best, the greatest, the awesomest!!!!

Congratulations for your efforts and involvement. You are on the right track to becoming beautiful, respectful citizens; your seriousness and responsible stance are our best reward.

Keep going!

(Here is another article written by one of my students. They had to write something about their favorite "freedom fighter".)

Freedom fighter Melba Patillo Beales was a 15 year-old girl that was part of a group called the "Little Rock Nine".

The Little Rock Nine of Little Rock, Arkansas, was a group of nine black highschool students who were the first in their state to desegregate the all-white central highschool. The students endured attacks everyday from students and parents who were outraged by the desegregation of the central highschool.

In fact the safety of the nine students was in so much danger that each member of the Little Rock Nine was assigned a soldier by the President Eisenhower for protection. the story of the Little Rock Nine was documented by Melba Patillo Beales in her book "Warriors don't cry".

Peace and Hair Grease,
Quela

(Hi everyone, how have you been keeping? My students wrote some articles for you about Martin Luther King's Day. Here is a compliation of them)

What is MLK day?

On the third Monday of every January, people of all ages will come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, to serve their community, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King.

This is a day that is nationally recognized here in the United States, every third monday in January. It honors the late but great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A civil activist who fought for equal rights for colored people and believed in Non violence in the late 50's & 60's. Dr. King is most notably remembered for the historic march on Washington Memorial which brought over 150, 000 people. This was the place he delivered the famous speech "I have a dream...". He was later assassinated in 1968. One of the most important things about him was that he was dedicated to being a non violent leader. He believed that everything can be achieved with words and determination protest and speeches were his way of getting his point across.

A few days after his assassination, Congressman John Conyers presented the idea for a holiday for MLK. The rest of the congress was unsure about this and the idea became left in the air. Shortly after there was about six million names given to congress petitioning the holiday. Still, congress didn't move.

John Conyers resubmitted the idea alongside Rep. Sherry Chislom every time they had a chance during congress meetings. Soon the public began to get frustrated of the idea of MLK not being honored for his work, and brought pressure to congress during Marches in Washington in 1982 & 1983.
Finally, in 1983 congress passed the holiday and President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law. Though he moved the day from being on January 15th, to the third monday in January. President Reagan moved the date further because it was too close to Christmas and New Year.

It was first observed in 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it different names or combining it with other holidays. It was then officially approved in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

In 2010, the holiday falls on Jan. 18.


Facts: Illinois was the first state to adopt MLK day in 1973.
South Carolina was the last state to adopt MLK day in 2000

by Jonathan, Michael, Khamara and Louis

Hey Manet's students!

How have you been keeping? How was your Christmas break?

I was in Paris to see my family and I really hoped I would be able to come see you at school on Monday, 4 January to surprise you, but unfortunately it didn't work, because I had to be at the airport very early for security reasons.

Anyway, I hope you are all keeping great and I have to say I miss you all a lot!!

Now, I wish to tell you about three things:

Firstly, my students at BAA (=short for Boston Arts Academy) were ever so delighted to receive your Xmas cards!!! You did a wonderful job, all of you, and I cannot find the words to tell you how proud of you Mrs. Tazi and I are!!

Secondly, Here is a picture of the class. I hope you manage to recognize your pen pal.Front row, left to right: Louis, Ianna, Stacy, Quela, Katrina
Middle row, left tro right: Amauris, Haley, Shamari, Khamari, Kareem, Katherine, Leica, Alaa
Top row, left to right: Xavier, Natachia, Josh, Michael, Jonathan, Louis, Shawntia, Khamara

And here is a video of them wishing you a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year, in French too!!





And finally, I wish you all a very Happy New Year 2010, full of joy and happiness; may all your dreams come true, and may you all pass your final exams and attend the school you look forward to going to next year.

Take care, and much love to you and your family,
Ms. Khiat