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Imagine students who are leaders.
Students with high social-emotional intelligence.
Students who express deep levels of empathy.
That’s exactly what we’re fostering at Rainbow and we are now part of the Ashoka Changemaker Network. Rainbow is one of 44 schools across the country to have this honor, because of our innovation and desire to exact social change.
Ashoka Changemaker Schools
www.startempathy.org
We became an Ashoka Changemaker school because we are committed to addressing the needs of our community through developing empathy, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills in our students.
As Bill Drayton, founder and CEO of Ashoka, says:
Once a young person has had a dream, built a team and changed his or her world, he or she has the power to express love and respect in action. He or she will become a changemaker for life – a real contributor in a world where value no longer comes from efficiency in repetition, as it has for millennia.
Ashoka works to identify social entrepreneurs around the world. The world needs people who have the mindset for problem-solving capabilities. The Changemaker initiative looks for schools in the U.S. and abroad who exemplify these ideals. In conjunction with schools and leaders around the world, people can become changemakers.
The goal is “Everyone a Changemaker” – a world where people can quickly identify social issues and effectively address them – because they have the knowledge, freedom, and a support network to bring about needed change.
Our Rainbow Community has done it again: we’ve pulled off another spectacular production of Imagine!
From preschool through Omega, students performed skits, songs and lessons all wrapped up in a greater exploration of the outer self. This year’s Imagine performance complemented last year’s production that looked inward.
Each grade performed a skit and many teachers wrote the individual songs or skits themselves. Students performed them while being part of a greater, overall play, written by our very own Justin Pilla. Imagine happened on Justin’s birthday, as well – what an awesome present!
The Imagine play centered on extraterrestrial beings who came to Asheville to observe and try to be like tourists to find out information about humans. Unsuspecting students welcomed them, save one who was suspicious that the aliens really were from outer space.
Each act in Imagine was a demonstration of human knowledge through song, dance, poetry, acting, and much more.
Omega also put on a play between the two Imagine performances called “Time,” an adaptation of David Mamet’s The Revenge of the Space Pandas, or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock. One of our Omega students, Zoe E. rewrote the ending, hence the “adaptation.”
Enjoy the following photo journey of Rainbow’s 2014 production:
Everyone walked over to Calvary Baptist Church to see the Imagine Production
A Journey From Here…to the Beyond
The opening skit for Imagine
“Those are not aliens! They’re Tourists!”
First graders perform
Fifth grade dance
Third grade skit
A historical figure and a mesmerizing magical crystal
Second grade sings and performs
Our second grade teacher takes the stage!
A shadow performance
Fourth grade electrified
And a “Time” journey…
Opening scene – scientist at work – Waukegan, Earth
Theyre on another planet: Crestview, Fourth World in the Goolagong System
The king demands the sheep wool.
More about Time…
Hiding from the beings on Crestview
Hopefully this does not result in unfair punishment
The prisoners shall succumb to the pumpkin!
No, I have not seen any earthlings here. Nope.
Shall we dance?
“That Binky refuses to eat!”
What a special day it was for our preschoolers!
RCS held their graduation over at the sanctuary on the new property.
Before walking over, both preschool classes held a centering for one last time:
Centering at the Blue Door Preschool.
Once students finished, they made their way to the sanctuary.
Waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin.
Preschoolers began the ceremony by singing their “Hola, Hola” song in Spanish. They sang two other songs, including one in honor of Judith, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Preschool teachers then called up all the students to receive their certificates.
Preschoolers finishing their songs and awaiting their certificates.
It’s such a milestone to graduate!
Now everyone has their certificates! Are they happy or what?
After the ceremony, families gathered for food and sharing. They began with a blessing:
A blessing before the picnic.
Everyone lined up and the food was yummy! The day turned out beautiful and bright.
Lining up for the picnic.
It’s so fun to have all our families on campus. They help to make RCS the wonderful place that it is!
Wonderful families at RCS!
We have students who value trust, honesty and love.
Our families are awesome!
Congratulations, graduates!
Yesterday, the NC Green Schools team from the non-profit organization Reading, Riding, Retrofit came to Rainbow to give us a plaque with our award. We are now an NC Green School of Excellence.
At left, Robin Cape (Executive Director of Reading, Riding, Retrofit), center is Katie Ferrell (Program Director) and Max Mraz – Rainbow Builder and Groundskeeper Extraordinaire.
The Reading, Riding, Retrofit: The NC Green Schools Programs organization strives to recognize and encourage schools that practice sustainability. They work to support school initiatives to become more “green” in their practices. For schools who want to participate, they list on their website various goals that schools can try to attain to help green their campuses. They have a five-part rubric: 1) Culture and Community, 2) School Sustainability, 3) Healthy Schools, 4) Curriculum Integration and 5) Innovation.
Rainbow tackled all five parts. Many schools only try to hit two or three parts of the rubric but we already know that Rainbow strives to go above and beyond with is vision of sustainability.
Joining in the fun was WLOS and Tammy Watford. They came to see the celebration and created a “Never Stop Learning” video documenting our all-school celebration.
They also interviewed two of our Omega students and their perceptions of being “green” and leading sustainable lives.
The first graders performed their “Water Cycle” song and 6th graders shared poems inspired by nature. Take a look at the photos to see all the wonderful students and staff enjoying a beautiful award on a beautiful day.
The Water Cycle Song
First grade Rainbow students sing the “Water Cycle” song as they are filmed by WLOS.
Kindergarten students join the celebration.
Two executive directors converse while students are assembling.
Kindergarten and first grade students get ready for the celebration
Students and teachers look on as sixth graders read their nature poems.
Students get ready to celebrate
Max, Robin and Torin (an RRR judge) check out the wooden “balance beam” trails on the preschool playground. The NC Green Schools team toured the school after the celebration.
Left to right: Cynthia (who wrote the NC Green Schools application), Renee (Exectutive Director of Rainbow), Robin Cape and Katie Ferrell
NC Green Schools judges and Rainbow staff check out the worm composting bins.
Robin Cape, Executive Director of Reading, Riding Retrofit: NC Green Schools Programs – touring the campus
