#project grad

[187days]

Bonus Day

The class of 2017 graduated yesterday. It was one of the best ceremonies i’ve ever been to; the speeches were great, the weather wasn’t stiflingly hot, and the graduates only tossed the ubiquitous beach balls between speakers and performances. They actually held them on the ground when something was happening. That’s incredible graduation beach ball etiquette!

After lots of hugs and selfies, Mr. W and I left for lunch- which is a tradition of ours- and then he dropped me back off at the high school so I could chaperon Project Grad. 

And it was awesome. If you follow me on Twitter, you might have seen my updates throughout the night. 

The way our school does Project Grad is that they get coach buses to take the kids on a top secret adventure to three locations; I don’t even know where they are ahead of time. On the ride, us chaperons play games and award prizes (gift cards to local restaurants, Amazon cards, gas cards, etc... and cash money). This year, the parents raised enough for every graduate to win at least one thing, which is so cool. We did trivia games, impersonations (getting a bus full of teenagers to impersonate a t-rex is amazing, btw), musical games, rap battles... I gave two girls ten bucks each for rapping Lafayette’s part of “Guns and Ships” from Hamilton. 

Our first stop was the harbor cruise out of Portland, Maine. We had a whole boat to ourselves; one floor was a dance party, the other was dinner (delicious). About halfway through this musician/comedian took over for the DJ and did a perfomance that was HILARIOUS. I was dying laughing.

Our second stop was Urban Air, which is a massive trampoline park. That was a huge hit, and, wow, some of our graduates have serious acrobatic skills! I played a ton of trampoline dodgeball. The trip parents did a Dunks run for us chaperons, which was so great. There was also more food, and a s’mores cart with gourmet marshmellows. So good. 

Our third stop was at a ski resort and park back in NH, which had been set up with laser tag and other games. I don’t know what the other games were because I was all about the laser tag. There was also breakfast. 

We got back to the high school around 7AM. I got a couple hours of sleep this morning, then got up, made myself presentable, and went to church. There was a prayer for the new graduates and the students about to go on summer vacation because that’s the kind of community I live in. 

It was all fantastic. 

[daviian]

guys I've been up for like more than 24 hours 😭 I can't fall asleep either which sucks

[187days]

Bonus Day

The class of 2019 graduated yesterday morning. It was a perfect, breezy, sunny day after a cold, rainy spring. I thought it was cool that our new principal decided to come even though he doesn’t technically start the job until July 1, and that the graduation speakers shouted out The Principal so many times, and wished him well in retirement. Mrs. T and I got a shout out, too, from the senior class president, who’d been on our ninth grade team (and was in my APUSGOV class). That was a first for us. 

Oh, and the student body president compared the class to a mud pie in a hilarious- but also very sweet- speech. That’s memorable.

So, the ceremony was great, and afterwards was a flurry of hugs, handshakes, and photographs. I was really touched by how many of my GOV kids came running to find me, and struck by how fortunate I am to teach that class. 

Mr. W and I went from graduation to lunch, as is our tradition, and then back to my apartment to change clothes and get ready for Project Grad. Longtime readers know that our school’s Project Grad trip is an all-night adventure, via coach bus, to three top secret locations. This year, we headed to Boston to see Blue Man Group first, which was hilarious; the students really loved that. Then, we went to Apex Entertainment, which had bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and indoor go-karts. I’ve ridden go-karts at several Project Grad trips, but these were legit; the course actually took some skill- and arm strength- to drive on. So fun. The last stop was a harbor cruise. Students were treated to breakfast, a comedy hypnotist show (highlight: he made one of our huge football players think he was Beyonce), dancing, and some other fun stuff. 

We docked as the sun was coming up over the city, which was beautiful, and then got back on the buses for the ride home. Pretty much everyone just slept at that point, and woke up to a sunny morning in town. Most of them stopped as they were leaving to say thank you, or say how much fun they’d had. I think it was one of the best Project Grad trips I’ve chaperoned. 

Now I’m going to bed!

[187days]

Bonus Day

The Class of 2018 graduated yesterday. It was a gorgeous, breezy, sunny day. The student speakers gave lovely speeches (the last one, made by one of my APUSGOV girls, called on everyone to work to change immoral policies- ie separating families at the border- and got a standing ovation).

A few hours after the ceremony ended, Project Grad began! It was SUCH a fun trip: bowling, laser tag, and bumper cars at Dover Bowl; trampoline fun at Blitz Air; a party cruise in Boston Harbor; an early morning at Storyland. On the bus rides in between, I played DJ and raffled off Amazon gift cards (anywhere from $20 to $100). I have to give props to the parents who did the fundraising and planning for all of that!

It is bittersweet to say goodbye to this big-hearted class, but as I said before, the wide world is going to be so lucky to get to know them next!

[solidarityof1]

Duluth News Tribune endorsement

Reader's view: Hoffman earned respect while working with youths

News Tribune

on Aug 18, 2015 at 8:25 p.m.

I endorse Jane Hoffman for Duluth School Board. Hoffman acquired a great deal of experience dealing with underprivileged youths for a number of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She served as tutor/mentor for Maclay Middle School, San Fernando Middle School and San Fernando High School. In this four-year span, Hoffman gained respect from the students as well as her colleagues and school administrators.

Hoffman attained her bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Minnesota and went on to California State University to receive her master’s in government. She applied all the knowledge she attained from her education when working with youths in these disadvantaged neighborhoods. She lives in a modest home, and her humility is unparalleled.

I most admire Hoffman for her ability to code-switch. I served with her while we were both employed at Project Grad Los Angeles. Her generosity, intelligence and dedication to a good cause are remarkable. She put so much energy into making these at-risk students aware of their gifts while preparing them for academic success.

With proud enthusiasm, I support Jane Hoffman as a member of the Duluth School Board.

Daniel Cendejaz

Lynwood, Calif.

[art-by-millet]

PROJECT GRADUATION T-SHIRT DESIGN (2013)

A T-Shirt design for my Graduating Class in High School.

[whokuu]

Me: *Has only gotten about 4 hours of sleep*

Me: *has been doing stuff since 9am*

Me: I’M WIDE AWAKE AND IT’S ALMOST MIDNIGHT

Me: I’VE BEEN UP FOR 18 HOURS 

Me: LETS DO THINGS

[achievementaddicted]

I haven't slept since 9am yesterday. I work from 10:30-4:00, and it's now 5:25. Kill me.