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We’ve all seen pictures of destruction and devastation left by the massive earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. For most of us, the pain and suffering is a world away. But for students and staff at Kennemer Middle School, the feelings of loss are hitting close to home. 

Louis Adam has been a teacher at Kennemer since 2000. A native of Haiti, he has always made it his mission to help bring relief to the region. Louis is one of the founding members of a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting and educating the Haitian people. You can learn more about the Hope for Haiti Foundation by visiting their website. 
Mr. Adam, accompanied by a group of doctors, travels to Haiti about four times each year. He checks on the nearly 400 students attending a school that his foundation helped to build. Last spring, Louis filmed a documentary about a student named Elenie. “I wanted to help American kids appreciate their education,” said Adam, “so I paralleled their lives with this young girl.”  

Elenie is 17 years old and a 7^th grade student. She has to walk five miles and cross seven rivers just to get to school. When she gets there, her classroom is unfurnished, and her teacher is untrained. There’s also no running water or plumbing, and no cafeteria. 

After viewing the documentary, Kennemer students jumped into action. The National Junior Honor Society organized a “Shoeboxes of Love” fundraising event, writing letters and donating toiletries that were sent to Haiti. After last week’s disaster, the students are at it once again. “They’ve asked me, ‘Is Elenie okay?’” said Adam. “Louis told the kids that the worst is yet to come, and they want to be there for the people of Haiti in the coming months,” commented teacher Yolunda Elam. 

With no word yet from the Haitian school regarding the 100-plus students who would have been in class at the time of the earthquake, Kennemer students are planning a fundraising campaign and community challenge.  Check out next week's Friday Informer for more information.

She’s taught at Duncanville High School for the past four years, but Krystal Morrow is now beginning a new chapter in her career. She has taken over the Partners Physical Education class at DHS – a job Krystal says she has wanted for quite some time. “I’ve been begging for this for years. I love working with children with disabilities. It’s something that I am truly passionate about.” 

Partners PE is a course offered to Duncanville juniors and seniors. In the class, students with disabilities are paired with “partners” who help them run, jump rope, play basketball, dance, etc. Getting to assist classmates with disabilities is a privilege for those students who pass the application and interview process. But Partners PE doesn’t only benefit the athletes involved. “It’s a great experience for everyone,” Morrow explained. “The students in special education classes have a chance to get out, have fun, and meet people they might not otherwise see. Their partners get a chance to learn new leadership skills, feel good about themselves, and gain an appreciation for the little things in life.” 

This is the second year for Partners PE classes at the high school, and colleagues say that Morrow’s new leadership is changing the program for the better. “She took the kids on their first field trip,” commented teacher Jessica Perez-Woodrum. “Krystal goes above and beyond to get her students included in everyday activities.”  Activities like going to the mall – that’s where Morrow took nearly 100 athletes and partners last semester – or the Dallas Zoo, where a second field trip is planned for later this school year. Krystal’s also responsible for the first-ever Partners PE Appreciation Night that took place at a football game last semester, as well as an inaugural Halloween dance contest. “I want to give these students some new experiences,” she explained. “If I touch just one kid’s life, then my job is done.”   READ MORE..

January is School Board Recognition Month, and at the regular school board meeting held on Monday, January 11 we honored our Duncanville ISD Trustees. There were performances by students, as well as gifts, decorations, and a very appreciative audience.  We’d like to thank our students, staff, parents, and community members for making this the best School Board Recognition Month ever! 

If you missed the meeting, you missed quite a show! Fifth graders from Daniel Intermediate put some new words to old tunes. Student council members from Kennemer Middle School also presented the Board with a signature banner full of good wishes, and the school’s Step Team performed a special “Hats Off!” routine. Other Duncanville ISD campuses provided gifts of flowers and candy, and crafted banners to decorate the Board Room. 

We hope you enjoy this photo gallery of the January 11 festivities!  Below are videos that were played during the meeting. You can view more digital thank-yous on our YouTube channel. And, don’t forget to leave a comment for the dedicated members of Duncanville ISD’s Board of Trustees on our News website.