The Desi Club Raises Awareness

Springbrook’s Desi Club, sponsored by Mrs. Luthra of the Science Department, is a cultural organization that participates in events while attempting to teach others about their rich, South Asian culture.

The mission as an organization is to support students - culturally, socially, and academically while promoting awareness and appreciation of the South Asian culture[s] through the active participation of members.

The Desi Club discovered that millions of civilians in India have lost their lives or are suffering in great poverty as a result of HIV/AIDS. Astonishingly, it is not uncommon to find people in India who still believe that touching a person or seeing a person who suffers from HIV / AIDS can get one infected. Hence, as an organization, we tried to ponder upon a solution.

As an organization, The Desi Club assembled a series of fundraising events to help raise awareness about HIV / AIDS in India since it is such an epidemic.

The group has sponsored the following activities:
· Fundraised during lunch period[s] by the means of collecting student [and faculty] donations.
· Held a movie event. Two were held after school on Tuesday, April 29th and Thursday, May 1st in order to promote the Desi [South Asian] culture so that individuals were further encouraged to engage in the events. Fanaa was the movie selected.
· Culminated with a wrap-up session of the awareness week – a representative, Ms. Caroline Glendenning was asked to speak on behalf of SPW – Student Partnership Worldwide – [to educate students and staff, those who wish to attend the event] about the epidemic occurring in India

During both movie events after school, refreshments were served (samosas sold out both days).The Desi Club found success in all aspects. They were able to raise over $550, illustrating that sufficient number of individuals understood the intensity of the problem in India. The turn out to the movie events and the presentation, were amazing. Culturally and socially, The Desi Club was able to reach their goals by reaching students and heightening awareness.

Mentoring with a Message

The Montgomery County Council on April 29 honored students from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring who have volunteered to be mentors and also honored students from nearby Broad Acres Elementary School, who are benefiting from the partnership. The mentoring program, called ‘Rising Stars,’ provides the Broad Acres students with important tools and teachings to help them reach their goals of academic success. Presenting the proclamation on behalf of the Council, from left, were Council members Valerie Ervin and Phil Andrews. Also at the ceremonies were John Smith (third from left), a strong advocate of mentoring programs, James Allrich (2nd row left) an administrator at Springbrook High School and Luis San Sebastian (far right), the vice principal of Broad Acres who helped establish the Rising Stars program.

Our Media Specialist Helps Students Vote for Black Eyed Susan Book Nominees

Mrs. Simon, one of Springbrook's media specialists, works with several classes everyday. During this session, she is working with a group on a special project. They are voting for their favorite books, in hopes that they will be selected as a Black Eyed Susan Award Winner. The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award honors outstanding books chosen annually by Maryland students. Each year since 1992, the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award has been given to one book in each of several grade-level categories. After reading at least 3 of the nominated books, a student is eligible to cast one vote for the book he or she considers to be the most outstanding. Votes from across the state are sent to the Black-Eyed Susan committee and tallied to determine the winner in each grade-level category. The winning authors and/or illustrators receive a pewter plate engraved with the year and the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award logo. Authors, illustrators and publishers recognize the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award as an honor bestowed by Maryland students.

Potato Launch Adds Fun to Learning!

Students from Dr. Rock's chemistry class explore Boyle’s law while launching potatoes on the green. The students enjoyed this "hands on" activity. It is an example of making science real and relevant.

SCB Track Meet

Springbrook's coaching staff invited the Special Ed. Classes (School Community Based) to run a race during a recent track meet on campus.

The students really loved the experience of performing on a high school athletic team.

The officials, the coaches, the timers and the teams united in making this a really special event for the students. Many thanks to everyone involved.

Most of the SCB students seemed to understand the context of the event much more so than in years past. They had a ball!