Roswell, GA, September 27, 2013: How do the rights and privileges of people in other countries compare with here in the United States? Students at Holcomb Bridge Middle School (HBMS) delved into this meaningful topic and more during the third annual One School, One Book program, which concluded on Friday, September 27, 2013 with a special luncheon attended by the students, their parents and faculty members. Over the last two weeks, the entire school read The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, the first in a trilogy of suspenseful novels that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of living under the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Prior to the reading the novel, students immersed themselves in an entire day of learning about the culture, history, and geography of Afghanistan.
Inspired by an article on literacy, a science teacher at Holcomb Bridge brought the idea to the school three years ago and it quickly evolved from there. “The One Book program continues to exceed our expectations,” said Principal Joy Schroerlucke. “The goal of the program is simple: to promote literacy and foster a community of readers, while creating a common experience as everyone reads the same book. Yet the implications are far-reaching. The program provides us with a forum to engage students in meaningful academic instruction, as well as critical lessons in character and respect for all peoples. As a school of global classrooms, these discussions have an impact right here in our own community.”
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During the two week period, students meet daily in small groups with their G.A.T.E. mentor to discuss the book and follow key lesson plans. G.A.T.E., which stands for Gifts, Abilities, Talents and Excellence, is a mentoring group established by HBMS for every student to help identify the special talents and gifts that every student possesses and how they might use them to excel.
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Holcomb Bridge Middle School—a school of global classrooms—is located at 2700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA. The school has received numerous distinctions, including the prestigious designation of Georgia National Lighthouse School to Watch for being a high-performing school that is academically excellent, developmentally responsive and socially equitable. Holcomb Bridge is also a Georgia School of Excellence and a Distinguished Title I School.
The Breadwinner has been published around the world in seventeen languages, with more than a million dollars in royalties donated to Street Kids International and to Women for Women, an organization that supports health and education projects in Afghanistan. In 2006, author Deborah Ellis was named to the Order of Ontario.
For more information, please contact:
Amanda Hayes
Holcomb Bridge Middle School PTA
PR Chair
