Classes Collaborate At Poetry Café In Deer Park

Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District

Brittany Skrypek’s seventh grade English as a New Language class collaborated with Rachel Burkel’s Life Skills classes for a Poetry Café at Deer Park’s Robert Frost Middle School. Prior to the event, Skrypek’s students wrote ode poems inspired by Kwame Alexander’s “The Crossover.” Burkel’s class had visited Frost librarian Anne Lotito-Schuh in the library to write their ode poems on Valentine’s Day. Students included figurative language and vivid imagery to bring their writing to life.

Both classes came together to read their poems in the library’s transformed Poetry Cafe. With the lighting dimmed, soft jazz playing and electric tea lights glowing at each table, students shared their poems over cups of hot cocoa provided by the Library Leaders and Burkel’s Brew Club.

“I really liked writing poetry and sharing it with the class at the podium in the café,” student Steven LaSpina said.

“It was a wonderful morning collaborating with Mrs. Burkel’s class,” Skrypek said. “It was awesome to see how writing and sharing poetry can bring everyone together.”

“Seeing our kids participate in our school’s mission of welcoming diverse learners and striving for equity in real time was awesome to see.” ENL teacher Michelle Champlin said. “Everyone enjoyed this interactive activity.”