On October 30 the whole school took part in activities that focused on the summer reading book Refugee by Alan Gratz.   Students participated in an interactive experience in advisory that helped them understand many of the difficult decisions that refugees are forced to make when leaving their country of origin to seek safety.  After the interactive experience, students attended grade level assemblies to listen to former refugees speak about their experiences.

Sixth graders heard a presentation from Howard Sholkin, a local Newton resident who is volunteering with Temple Shalom of Newton to help resettle a family from Syria.  Both Mr. Sholkin and the family spoke to our sixth graders about the experience of resettling in the United States and the importance of accepting and supporting new residents in our community.  Seventh graders learned about Adnan Al-Maliki’s reasons for leaving Iraq and his family’s experience resettling in Lowell. Finally, eighth graders listened to Joseph Singer, who shared his story of leaving Poland to escape the Nazis during WWII.

The feedback from students and staff confirmed that this was a successful and valuable experience for all. Bigelow is grateful for the support of the PTO.