World War II: A Different Perspective

The senior students of St. Columban and St. Joseph’s School, Clinton were involved in a special presentation which focused on World War II. This program was sponsored by the library in coordination with classroom teachers.

Students, in grades 5 – 8, have been doing a book study on, “Hana’s Suitcase,” by Karen Levine, which is a story about the life of a young Jewish girl during WWII. This book has been read aloud to each class, during their library time, after which there have been some follow-up activities. The final activity related to this story, was to hear a first hand account from a Holocaust survivor. The speaker that came to our school on November 9^th, 2007 was Dr. Eva Olsson. She has spoken at many schools, principal conferences and the United Nations. We are very fortunate to have booked such a world renowned speaker.

Along with our focus on Remembrance Day this also supports some of our Catholic Graduate expectations which states:

• “Develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;”
• “Witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society;”

What better way to learn these characteristics than by hearing a first hand account about a time when these attitudes of justice and peace were not valued?

It is our hope that this will be a memorable experience in which students can draw upon as they travel the path to become caring and responsible Catholic community members to all peoples of the world.

Dr. Olssen and Mrs. Dobson

Hanna's Suitcase