To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the theme for our eighth session this week the O-School students thought about things that they loved about themselves. I showed a few black and white photos and words from kids featured in Wendy’s Ewald’s book, “The Best Part of Me.” The book promotes self-esteem and positivity. In one photo a girl named Lidia described about how she loved her neck, because she could decorate with it with her favorite necklaces, and it held up her beautiful face.
Afterwards we read the poem, “Hair is my life” by former Peterson Elementary student Jaycen B. In his poem Jaycen wrote about how his hair made him unique. I believe my hair can tell people who I am/Hair can be dyed different colors/just like mine/I like my vibrant purple hair. Jaycen also mentions how his hair gave him freedom, that it shouldn’t be discriminated.
Inspired by the photos of Wendy Ewald and Jaycen’s poem, the O-School students wrote about parts of themselves that they loved.
Enjoy these poems art artwork below. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Group A (Middle School)
Plushies
I have so many different plushies,
like Hello Kitty characters, Snoopy
and Woodstock, Squish Mellows
Beanie babies and so much more!
I also have a Tweetie Bird!
I can hug them with my arms
and play with my friends.
They make me feel cozy.
I can cry on them when
I feel lonely.
My Brain
My brain can walk, talk, breathe.
Its smart.
It can do math in my head.
My brain helps my body move.
It helps me love, live, like.
It gives good wisdom.
Its full of kindness and creativity.
My Hands & Video Games
I like my hands cause they
make me strong.
I can lift 100 pounds.
The video games are good
for your health.
I play Halo and watch
people dance as they escape
my prison.
They make me happy when
I feel stressed.
It feels like 20 years when I play.
My Skin
I love my skin.
I love it because it’s filled with
melanin, its black.
I celebrate my skin because
of my ancestors who had to
go through trials, slavery,
trafficking, and unfairness.
Group B (Middle School)
Happy Ignorance
I am ignorant,
I ignore what I wear.
I am ignorant,
I don’t notice tears.
As I get up and pick
up my clothes for the day.
I don’t think about what
and anyone I know would say.
It’s called happy ignorance
I know what I will say,
as I do what I may.
It’s called happy ignorance,
cause regardless of what I hear,
I know I’ll have a good day,
cause it’s called happy ignorance.
A Typical Life
My Brain Is Who I am
My brain is who I am.
It has helped me decided
my identity.
My brain helps me feel
feelings and emotions.
My brain thinks happy and sad
thoughts, and everything in between.
It lets me read, crochet, and do
my favorite hobbies.
My brain is me.
