Yaileen Irizarry and Ezai Jones are Named This Year's Peacemakers at Barth Elementary School

Submitted Photos

Sharon Holloway, left, a former Barth teacher and First Presbyterian parishioner who runs a mentoring program at the school, joins the Rev. Kerry Pidcock-Lester, first Presbyterian pastor in congratulating this year's Barth Peacemaker winners, Ezai Jones and Yaileen Irizarry.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District.

Entering Barth Elementary School you will find a peaceful friendly environment. Two of the students that help keep it that way are Yaileen Irizarry and Ezai Jones. 

Every year, two students are chosen by their peers who have the qualities of a Peacemaker; respectful, courageous, and willingness to solve problems in a peaceful way, and this year they are the winners

This award was created in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown and presented by Pastor Kerry Pidcock-Lester. 

Ezai Jones with his family.

The students received a plaque with their name and a $100 check.

This is the 20th year that First Presbyterian has sponsored this program.This is how a student described Ezai: "I nominate this boy for the Barth’s Peacemaker Award because he is nice, kind, and respectful. One day we were playing basketball and two others began to fight over one calling a foul. This boy came over and said,'You don’t have to be mad, it’s just a game. Take a couple deep breaths,and get back to playing.' This boy is also helpful. When he saw a girl trip outside he went over to her and helped her up and asked if she was okay." 

Yaileen Irizarry with her family.

A classmate gave these remarks in nominating Yaileen: "I nominate this girl for the Barth Peacemaker Award because she is caring. One time I fell and scraped my knee. Then she walked me to the nurse’s office and got me a band aid. She is very happy too. She always has a positive attitude toward teachers and students. She is very helpful. One time my friend and I got in a fight. This girl helped us solve the problem, and made things all better."

 

This year's Barth Peacemakers Ezai Jones and Yileen Irizzary

King, Perez Named Barth Elementary's Peacemakers

From left, First Presbyterian Co-Pastor Kerry Pidcock-Lester, Kendyll King, Isiah Perez and former Barth teacher Sharon Holloway

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District

At Barth Elementary School they practice the intent of the John Lennon song "All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance." 

The annual "Peacemaker of the Year" program which was developed through the joint efforts of Barth Elementary School and the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, recognizes two students for the qualities of kindness, respect, courage, and the willingness to solve problems in a peaceful way.

The school‑wide program includes written student nominations. 

Recently at a school assembly, students read their nominating speeches which describe the qualities that the nominee has to qualify them to be "Peacemaker of the Year'. Pastor Kerry Pidcock-Lester was on hand to present plaques and a $100 award to this year's Peacemakers Kendyll King and Isiah Perez. 

Classmates described Kendyll as someone who listens to everyone's side of a story and tries to be a problem solver. 

"She cheers you up by making jokes:she is very funny. She helps us when we do not understand something in class. She does her best to be positive and cheer people up. Once when I was sad about something that happened she talked with me till I felt better," read some of the comments. 

One of Isiah's classmate wrote; "he helped me pick up my papers when I fell. He also made me feel welcomed and helped me when I first moved here. He included me in games at recess if he saw I was not involved. I was shy about singing in the chorus concert and he made me feel that it would be alright. Once I got mad because I tripped and he came to make sure I was OK and gave me a way to stay calm. 

Barth Principal Ryan Oxenford, Barth said "thanks to First Presbyterian for supporting this program for the last 19 years. It is a powerful learning lesson for our students and a stepping stone to becoming positive productive citizens."

Waking Up White Author to Speak at 1st Prebyterian

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by First Presbyterian Church.

Author and educator Debby Irving will give a talk on the subject of her book, "WAKING UP WHITE: Finding OURSELVES in the Story of Race," on Sunday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

The church is located at 750 N. Evans St. in Pottstown.

There is no admission charge,  but reservations are required and can be obtained by emailing fpoffice@fpcpottstown.org or calling 610-326-0620.

Irving is a racial justice educator and author. 

A community organizer and classroom teacher for 25 years, she grappled with racial injustice without understanding racism. 

Debby Irving

She holds a BA from Kenyon College and an MBA from Simmons College. 

Her first book, "Waking Up White," tells the story of how she went from well-meaning to well-doing.

In a review, of her book Van Jones, co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," wrote: “Debby Irving’s powerful Waking Up White opens a rare window on how white Americans are socialized. Irving's focus on the mechanics of racism operating in just one life—her own—may lead white readers to reconsider the roots of their own perspectives—and their role in dismantling old myths. Readers of color will no doubt find the view through Irving's window fascinating, and telling.” 

And "Kirkus Reviews" wrote: “The book uses Irving's experience of being a white woman coming to terms with the complexity of racism in the United States and her own perceptions as a lens to explore the role white allies can play in racial justice work.” 

The talk is sponsored by the Broward County Community Foundation.

Smith, Rubincam Named Barth's 2017 Peacemakers

Photos Courtesy of Pottstown Schools

Kerry Pidcock-Lester with this year's Peacemakers, Julia Smith and Joel Rubincam. Barth Principal Ryan Oxenford is at the podium.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by The Pottstown School District.

Recently, Pastor Kerry Pidcock-Lester from the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown presented two students from Elizabeth B. Barth Elementary with Peacemaker awards.

Joel Rubincam and Julia Smith, were named Peacemakers by their classmates for being exceptionally kind and considerate to their peers.

Julia Smith and her family

“I commend you for being chosen as Barth Elementary School Peacemakers of the year. Your classmates have seen in you honorable qualities: kindness, respect, courage, and a willingness to solve problems in a peaceful way,” Pidcock-Lester said.

Several fourth grade students read remarks about the positive traits of the award
winners, including:

• “I nominate this girl for Barth Peacemaker award because she is fantastic. She stood out since she came to this school. She is brave and honest with everybody. She is a role model not only to younger kids but to older kids as well.”
• “I nominate this person for the Barth Peacemaker award because whenever I get hurt, she asks me if I’m okay. When we are out at recess and I am not playing, she asks me if I want to play with her. She is always kind to everyone. She is always truthful to me.”
• “I nominate this person for Barth Peacemaker award because she treats people how she wants to be treated, she solves fights fairly, and she stands up for what she knows is right. She is kind to all.”
• “I nominate this boy for Barth Peacemaker award because he is very forgiving. He helps me out very often. He is a very good friend to a lot of people. I don’t remember him ever being rude to me or anybody else.”
• “I nominate this boy for Barth Peacemaker award because he is very kind and respectful to others. He is also responsible. He is truthful and he is a good friend. For instance, he let a student in front of him because the student was feeling down.”

Joel Rubincam and his family.

Both Pidcock-Lester and Barth Principal Ryan Oxenford noted that the “Peacemaker” trait as particularly important in navigating today’s world.

“In a world that is often hurt by violence, these are very important qualities because peace is precious and peacemakers are people we like to invest in,” Pidcock-Lester stated. 

Pottstown School District is thankful for the First Presbyterian Church’s partnership and generosity in providing both students with $100 awards. According Oxenford, the church also donates $3,000 to the school for student educational field trips.

Making it Easier to Ride the Colebrookdale Railroad

Junior Woman’s Club current president Anita Zuber and past president Jane Prutzman presenting Nathaniel Guest with donation surrounded by dedicated volunteer.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrookdale Railroad.

The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust recently received a boost from two local community organizations.

The First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown presented a check for $5,000 and the Junior Woman’s Club presented a check for $500 to Executive Director Nathaniel Guest recently. 

The donations will help fund the conversion of the railroad’s Café Car to be accessible to persons with mobility concerns. 

Additionally, the Junior Woman’s Club donation will also go towards offering free Santa Clause train rides to Multi-Service families and Pottstown Cluster clients. 

According to sources at the First Presbyterian Church the donation was made possible by the Mary N. Porter Designated Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward County, which awarded a grant to the First Presbyterian Church.

“This generous donation supports our efforts of becoming more accessible to a diverse group of passengers,” said Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the non-profit Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. 

Coupled with a nearly-completed ADA-compliant boarding platform, and the construction of a similar platform and station in Pottstown early next year, the improvements to the Café Car, when complete, will make the Colebrookdale Railroad the only ADA-accessible tourist railroad serving both Berks and Montgomery Counties. 

Persons with mobility concerns will find it much easier to access the restored historic cars. “This has been a priority for the Trust from the very beginning,” said Guest.

According to Guest the work has only just begun. “We still have a way to go as the restoration costs for this project are expected to top $150,000,” he said. 

“Addressing these barriers will help us to fulfill our vision of making the country’s best tourist railroad from the Golden Age of Railroading an experience to be enjoyed by all persons, regardless of mobility.”

The Trust is seeking support to continue the conversion of the Café Car and ADA-compliance.

Donations can be to the Trust at its Boyertown office or online at www.colebrookdalerailroad.com.