Evergreen third graders to present aid to Asheville heroes Nov. 1

Press release from Evergreen Community Charter School

On November 1st at 1:00 p.m., there will be a presentation on the field of Evergreen Community Charter School. We invite the public to join us as we celebrate some local heroes. These heroes work in nonprofits, run small businesses, study fractions, read The BFG and study the life cycle of amphibians.

During the lead up to their Superheroes Expedition, Evergreen’s third grade students were challenged to answer two guiding questions: What is a hero? How can we use our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits to make Asheville a better place? Third grade lead teacher Jillian Silvernail explains, “We are trying to get them to hone in on their special gifts and special skill sets to see how they can serve others. That is a way they can be good citizens, but that is also how they can learn to describe themselves as a hero.”

Upon reflection, the students decided that uplifting LGBTQIIA+ and BIPOC communities, and serving organizations where environmental protection was of primary concern, is where they felt most called. So, last week they met with a few local leaders of small businesses and nonprofits, to see what was needed.

“The level of empathy that we are getting from the kids in the conversations that we are having centered around this, for 8 and 9 year olds…its pretty cool to see how on point they are with social justice issues, with environmental issues, it’s really neat to be able to see… this is not the first time they’re hearing about a lot of these concerns,” their teacher looks proud.

On November 1st, the third graders of Evergreen will be presenting requested aid in the form of supplies, time, talents and cold hard cash.

Evergreen Community Charter School is an expeditionary learning school. These expeditions are part of the EL Education model, which lies at the heart of the school. In a recent annual report, EL Education’s Senior Advisor for Teaching and Learning, Ron Berger summed up a key strength of the EL model, “What we don’t often discuss is our shared belief in the untapped potential of students to make a difference, and how powerful it would be for our national success and economy if we could ignite that potential and cultivate entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, character, and citizenship in our youth.”

RiverLink: Protecting our home watershed is protecting the people who live on its banks, and downstream. Riverlink’s admirable conservation and education programs certainly earns them their superhero cred.

Indulging In Excellence Center: Youth Matters is a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for youth to engage with positive role models while participating in movement, sports, and the arts. We have seen the impact that the founder of this program can have in the lives of children by watching how the graduates of his class still revere him as he walks down the halls each day. Andy Miller is an associate teacher at Evergreen by day, but in his off time he dedicates himself to showing up and showing out.

All Bodies Movement, with its core ethos of providing a safe space for ALL bodies to reconnect with the fun of exercise and movement also really resonated with the students and their goals. The Fat-Positive, Trans-Positive, Anti-Racist, Anti-Diet atmosphere promotes strength, health and wellness, without the baggage of judgement, shame or ego.