New Trier High School Partners With Chicago Charters

WINNETKA, IL — New Trier High School hosted students from a network of Chicago charter schools at its Winnetka campus last month in a new partnership aimed at building peace in Chicago, the school announced. The partnership began after teachers J.J. Hill of New Trier and Lindsey Schwartz of Perspectives Charter School attended a conference last year and came up with an idea to connect their students in a meaningful way. Although their students come from diverse backgrounds, both educators wanted them to put their minds together to discuss the issues plaguing Chicago and create a peace initiative.

"The solidarity and collaboration between New Trier and Perspectives is showing how young, creative minds from varying backgrounds can connect and work together for a common goal – more peace in Chicago," Hill said.

To begin, 30 students from New Trier’s Integrated Global Studies School hosted 30 Perspectives students on April 6 at the Winnetka Campus. The two groups were divvied up between several tables to meet each other and engage in a get-to-know-you activity and discussion about race and equality. Perspectives students also screened a documentary they created, “I Am For Peace.” In return, New Trier students will attend a Peace Summit, “Healing Chicago Inside and Out,” hosted by Perspectives on Tuesday, April 25, at Illinois Institute of Technology.

At the summit, students will attend workshops throughout the day where they will learn to express peace through art like spoken word, music and visual arts. Participants will discuss ideas and plans to spread peace throughout their communities and beyond. About 30 New Trier students also will participate in a Peace March on Friday, May 26, near Perspectives Charter School in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, Hill said.

“We are hoping to get as many students and community members to march in solidarity with Perspectives students, sharing the same goal of spreading more peace in Chicago,” Hill added.

After the summit and march, Hill and Schwartz hope to continue their partnership during upcoming years.

» via New Trier High School

Top photo: Courtesy NTHS