Learning Lunch features ‘labor of love’ video: Seeds of Hope

Lincoln Public Schools featured the video, Seeds of Hope, at the second Learning Lunch of the season on Tuesday – a project called a “labor of love” by Sally Nellson Barrett, director of Nebraska Loves Public Schools, the organization that produced the film project.

“This is about giving yourself permission to not know,” said Oscar Rios Pohirieth, LPS Cultural Specialist and Coordinator for the Bilingual Liaison Program – who also helped develop and create the video.  The film explores how schools welcome and educate immigrant and refugee families as they start their lives in this country and this community. 

“Give yourself permission not to know me,” Pohirieth told the Learning Lunch audience at LPS District Office.  “Give yourself permission to inquire about my moral character.  Give yourself permission to not like me. But never give yourself permission to not know me.  I may surprise you.  That is what this film is all about.” 

He continued: “I am here today because of the seeds of hope we have planted – you have planted – you who believe we have something to offer, who believe we are humans who cry, who bleed, just as you do….When I see this film, that’s what it’s all about, the human spirit.”

The video follows Nebraska’s newcomer students (including LPS English Language Learner students) as they face the trauma and tribulations of their past – exhibit perseverance to succeed in the present – and share their hopes for a brighter future through quality education.

Barrett urged people to take this film, show it and use it as a conversation starter.  “Watch this together and ask one another, ‘What does this have to do with me? What does this have to do with you?’ Hopefully, by the time you’re finished watching, your heart has opened and you are willing to listen.”

Here is the complete Learning Lunch program with the full documentary:

 

LPS Learning Lunches, open to the Lincoln community, are generally held on the last Tuesday of the month in the Board Room at LPS District Office, 5905 O St.  Doors to the Board Room open at noon, the program begins at 12:15 p.m., questions-and-answers happen at 12:45 p.m. Please bring your own lunch – we’ll provide dessert.

The rest of the 2017-18 season:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 24: School Meals: So much more than Chili and Cinnamon Rolls, Edith Zumwalt, director of Nutritional Services at LPS.  * Serving chili and cinnamon rolls!
  •  Wednesday, Nov. 29: Social Emotional Learning: What is it and what does it look like at LPS, Carrie Erks, LPS School Social Worker.  
  • Tuesday, Dec. 19:  Restoring Calm: LPS Response to Crisis, Brenda Leggiadro, LPS supervisor for Counselors and Social Workers; and Ursula Vernon-Hansen, facilitator, LPS Crisis Response Team.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 23: Success with our Scholars, featuring LPS students and Pete Ferguson, coordinator, LPS Youth Development Team.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 27: Kids vs. adults in LPS Spelling Bee, LPS Spelling Bee champions compete with LPS employees, Mindy Murphy, curriculum specialist, Secondary English Language Arts.
  • Tuesday, March 27: Developing Young Men and Women, featuring Huntington Elementary School children and Rik Devney, Huntington principal. 
  • Tuesday, April 24: Great Year of Achievement, highlighting LPS special education programs at Sherrill, Nuernberger and Yankee Hill Education Centers – Jane Stavem, associate superintendent of Instruction at LPS.
  • Tuesday, May 15: Making Music, UKE can do it!  Come try your musical talents with ukuleles, Lance Nielsen, curriculum specialist for Music at LPS.


Published: September 26, 2017, Updated: September 26, 2017

“I am here today because of the seeds of hope we have planted – you have planted – you who believe we have something to offer, who believe we are humans who cry, who bleed, just as you do….When I see this film, that’s what it’s all about, the human spirit.”

Oscar Rios Pohirieth, LPS Cultural Specialist and Coordinator for the Bilingual Liaison Program

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