Sandy Hook Teacher Visits MicroSociety Academy Charter School

Kaitlin M. Roig-Debellis, former Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher and hero, who saved her first graders in Newtown, CT in 2012, founder of a non-profit organization “Classes4Classes”, and author of the book Choosing Hope, visited the MicroSociety Academy Charter School in Nashua, NH on Friday, May 20. She came at the invitation of MACS guidance counselor, Kate Dagianis, to participate in a series of classes with students and staff that promote the school’s on-going “Kindness” initiative and a key part of the MicroSociety’s HEART strand theme. Ms. Roig-Debellis also spent the evening with MACS at the Nashua Country Club for their first annual auction gala as the guest speaker and signed copies of her new book Choosing Hope.

“One of the most important things we can pass onto our children are the values of kindness, empathy, and compassion.” That is the essence of the Heart Strand of MicroSociety Academy Charter School and the mission of
the social emotional learning that the school’s guidance counselor, Kate Dagianis, shares with the students each week. “It was a seamless connection to incorporate the mission of Classes 4 Classes into our guidance lessons.” says Mrs. Dagianis. “The beauty of our collaboration continues to unfold as Classes 4 Classes inspires and enhances our social emotional learning and school community! “

On January, 19, 2016, Classes for Classes, Inc. (C4C), announced a collaboration with the Kraft Family Foundation. The mission of C4C to teach children the power of kindness and compassion through their ability to gift projects to other classrooms, and inspire positive change for students across the country was consistent with the Foundation’s mission. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots Football team, shared his sentiments about the project,

”I can't think of a more important lesson for children to learn first hand. Even at a young age, children should be aware that we are all connected and that everyone has the power to take action and help others,” As a result of this collaboration with the Kraft Family Foundation, C4C has been able to expand to include more schools throughout New England.

MicroSociety Academy Charter School in Nashua is paving the way as the first school in New Hampshire to support this critical initiative. Mrs. Dagianis noted, “The students at MACS are elated and humbled by the thought of such an organization giving our small, new school an opportunity to grow closer together and showcase what makes us a really special MicroSociety. One act of kindness is leading us towards something much greater and maybe bigger than we will even see this year. I believe this project and collaboration will impact our students in a way that will resonate with them for a lifetime.”

Ms. Roig-DeBellis brought C4C to life, as she enjoyed a special day at MACS with the staff and students, reflecting on her journey and sharing her story. “We all experience difficult moments through each day and in our lives and we have the power to choose how we move forward from that moment.” During her visit students wrote about why they will choose kindness and illustrated the beauty of that choice. Student work will be displayed as a whole school mural at MACS.

Upon concluding her time with MACS, Mrs. Roig-DeBellis remarked, “Classes 4 Classes is thrilled to expand to New Hampshire, and specifically to MACS. When I spent the day at the school, with each grade level it was very clear that it is an incredibly special place. The teachers embrace social emotional learning and its' importance to student success….Mrs. Dagianis and her leadership to ensure students have a social emotional intelligence is quite admirable. We are grateful to our collaboration with Mr. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, to enable this collaboration. We look forward to working with MACS again next school year to help bolster what they are already doing so right."

In her book, Choosing Hope, Mrs. Roig-DeBellis discusses her journey from the darkness of that day and the choices she made in moving forward, "... Rather than consuming myself with the horror of what happened, I began focusing on the good that could be done, and how I might take part in collective healing ... When I reached the crossroads in my journey back from that terrible day in 2012, I chose hope. And that has made all the difference.”

Mrs. Dagianis noted, “The message is simple, yet profound, and one we can all connect to. We have a choice in each difficult moment, to be defined by that moment, and be held back, or to chose hope, to see the good, listen to our inner coach, and build ourselves, and each other up.”

MACS is now inviting others to join Robert Kraft by making a donation to MACS C4C project—a Grade 5 class buying 20 Samsung Chromebooks and cart for a Grade 3 class, at https://classes4classes.org/projects/a-set- of-20-samsung-chromebooks- and-a- lockncharge-cart/

Any parents interested in enrolling their children in MicroSociety Academy’s “Camp Kindness” scheduled for this summer at the school are invited to get registration information at the school’s website www.macsnh.org.

More information about MACS social emotional learning (SEL) is available on Mrs. Dagianis’ blog at heartstrand.wordpress.com

Signed copies of Choosing Hope are available at your local bookshop including Toad Stool Bookstores in Milford, Keene, and Peterborough, NH.

Mrs. Roig-DeBellis also shared her message with the rest of the MACS supporting community at a Gala Auction event later that evening.

“So many wonderful people have come together to create an environment where children, programs, and collaborations can flourish. Under the leadership of Director, Amy Bottomley, and support of the Board of Trustees, MACS has transcended challenges facing charter schools and set us on a great path for continuous growth.” stated Mrs. Dagianis. Amy Bottomley, MACS school director, during the event extended her thanks to the Board of Trustees, families, and friends of MACS for making the First Annual Auction Gala a huge success, raising $11,000 for the students and programs. Bottomley also extended her thanks “to our Bronze sponsor, Bazzani Chiropractic in Nashua and numerous local businesses, parents, and friends who donated. Charter schools are underfunded compared to district public schools, and the support of our community brings programs and technologies to the students of MACS we would otherwise not have.” Any parent or potential business partner needing more information about MACS are invited to look at the school’s website www.macsnh.org and join MicroSociety Academy Charter School Facebook page.

To see the event in images, please visit the school counselors blog HERE.