Mrs. Whittlesey's 6,7, and 8th grade San Augustine PRE-AP students took a day trip the Holocaust Museum in Houston on May 6, 2015. The students had just finished a unit on The Holocaust. The purpose of teaching this unit is to teach our children to not be Bystanders--to do what is right. One of the leaders was a Holocaust survivor.
The tour leaders (docents) sent the attached email to share with Mrs. Whittlesey to express how great the students were. I am extremely proud of our students. Teaching is all about having high expectations for our students.
Dear Mary,
I just wanted to tell you that you have an awesome group of students. The students from San Augustine Flying High were very well prepared for the visit to the Holocaust Museum Houston. One could tell that these students had received a lot of preparation in their studies of both WWI and WWII, Hitler and Nazism. Not only did they respond to questions asked of them, but they were also very inquisitive and asked several questions of their own. It was a pleasure to guide these students throughout our museum. When asked at the end of their tour if we have learned enough from the Holocaust, their response was, "No!" They also understood the importance of being an up-stander, someone who does the right thing when an offense is being done to someone else. Standing up for what is right is what is important in life. I believe that visiting HMH reinforces what you have taught in your classroom. I am sure you are proud of your students. You are bound to have some strong leaders for the future in your midst.
Thank you again for your visit.
We look forward to seeing your group next year.
Sincerely,
Margaret Palco
Bill Ullman (Survivor)