In a wrap-up of the Notre Dame middle division’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB-MYP) Community Project, middle division humanities and design teacher LeAnne Schmidt said that while she has been in awe of the school's 8th graders all year, she was astounded by the depth of thought and sincere caring exhibited by the soon-to-be high school freshman on this project.
“I was very impressed once again by our kids,” she said. “One of our student’s project among many was so well done and such a great personal story that I thought it should be highlighted."
Notre Dame 8th-grader Katie Topoleski was diagnosed with vision problems as a child and when she got her first pair of glasses, she was amazed to learn that people could really see so well because she had no idea there was a problem, according to Schmidt.
"For her project, she collected glasses for an organization called New Eyes (for the Needy), which recycles prescription glasses to help people who can't afford to purchase glasses and also provides them with an exam for free.”
Topoleski explains her project in the video she produced below. The nonprofit she worked with is at: http://www.new-eyes.org. More videos are available below.
Part of IB’s ‘Next Chapter’
Similar to the IB/MYP Personal Projects completed by all NDP 10th graders and the IB/PYP Exhibition Projects completed by all NDMA 5th graders, the Community Project included every 8th grader and debuted for Notre Dame in September of 2014.
Schmidt said Notre Dame was the first IB school in Michigan to implement the new standard, which was part of IB’s “Next Chapter Protocols,” and among the first in the country.
Notre Dame 8th-grader Katie Topoleski worked on a project with New Eyes for the Needy, which purchases new prescription eyeglasses for U.S. residents in financial need and distributes used glasses to the disadvantaged in developing countries.
She said those included direct service (one-on-one helping of individuals); indirect service (providing hands-on support for an organization which helps individuals directly); advocacy (promoting an action or bringing awareness of a cause or concern); and research (assisting with a study or engaging in an investigation to resolve a problem in a community).
Specific projects initiated and completed by the 8th graders included supporting homeless shelters, animal shelters, and soup kitchens; connecting with the Detroit Police Athletic League; one-on-one assistance of autistic, mentally-challenged, elderly, and deaf community members; creating a video-announcements structure for the entire division; providing encouragement to terminally-ill children in hospitals and to senior citizens in assisted living; collecting clothing, shoes, cleats, books, glasses, toiletries, and food items to help supply organizations which fill the needs of others; sewing dresses for young girls in Africa; and raising money for clean water support in Africa.
The projects spanned August of 2015 through April of this year and among the specific requirements of the program were a thorough process journal, a website creation, timeline development and recording a video to share the story.
Schmidt said the students also had to present their projects to the greater school community.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manage its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.