Open Meadow CRUE student Pat Rhodes put together a newsletter for his senior project.  In Pat’s words, “ I created this newsletter to expand and elevate the participation from parents and the community alike.” You can read the first edition of The Open Meadow Advocate by clicking on the link below.

The Open Meadow Advocate (PDF)

Last week the Technology crew conducted an interview with the Social Services crew to see what they are doing to make the community a better place. So our technology crew students sat down with the Social Services crew and asked them a few simple questions to find out more.

We found out that they are working with PGE and the Northwest Health Foundation. They are writing a grant for a non-profit organization to make the Portland community a better place and to help someone in need, when they come for help. Social Services Crew conducted a wide range survey and they gave one to our schools as well. By looking through the surveys, the biggest concern to the community is teen pregnancy.  So they are thinking they will give the money to a teen pregnancy non-profit organization. They have not made decisions on who they will give the grant to.

We will keep you posted when we find out more about their project, and who they are giving the money to.

Photo: Students from the 2006-07 Social Services crew present grants to local non-profit organizations as part of the Community 101 project.

On December 28, 2007, the Open Meadow C.R.U.E Technology class accepted a $5,000 dollar grant from the Safeway Foundation to help fund the Open Meadow art programs. We met Dan Floyd who is the director of Public Affairs with Safeway and with Troy Williams, a store manager for the NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Safeway store.

After they gave us the gigantic check we all came back into our classroom and sat around in a circle and asked each other questions. One of the students asked if when Dan heard of Open Meadow if he thought that we were a bunch of juvenile delinquents. He said that he did think that, but after meeting us his outlook changed on alternative schools. He was impressed that we all came out and shook his hand and he felt that we were great students and individuals.

We also told them about C.R.U.E and about the different classes and projects. Dan and Troy thought that our school was different but in a cool way. I think that they were impressed with our school overall and we are absolutely thrilled that they gave us the grant.

We want to thank Dan, Troy, and Safeway for taking their time to come to our school and giving us the check and appreciating that we are wonderful and caring students! 

It’s not every day that you get to see a group of high school students making solid, well-researched recommendations to their city leaders, but that’s what Open Meadow City Corps youth did the morning of June 13th.