TAKE A STAND POETRY SLAM!

I'M EXCITED FOR OUR FIRST POETRY SLAM OF THE YEAR!

Why I Hate School but Love Education

This poem perfectly encapsulates our failing "education" system. It reminds me of what I, as a teacher, am fighting against. But more importantly, what I'm fighting for.

Leadership Positions!

Here are some of the leadership positions available for poetry club. Please come by my room 229 to pick up an application. Please turn this in to me before next Thursday. I will be conducting interviews soon after!

1) President: Collaborates with Ms. Wu on club meetings, activities, and events (ie. Poetry
slams, competitions, shows). Responsible for communicating with vice president and sponsor in
the event of absence. Can delegate responsibilities to other poetry leaders. Has experience with
poetry and ideas to bring into the club. Overall, the president should be present at most, if not
all meetings and events, will lead games and activities, bring their own source of inspiration to
inspire the group.

Qualifications: Leadership, Responsibility, Commitment, Communication, Motivational,
Charismatic

2) Vice President: Acts as president when president is not here. Helps president with
communication with all members and leaders. Can help president or sponsor make their visions
come alive. Is a contributor and

Qualifications: Can lead as well as follow, works well others, can play a supportive role

3) Secretary: In charge of member sign-in, member records, field trip forms. Makes sure
members are updated on what is going on in poetry club.

Qualifications: Organization, Responsible,

4) Public Relations: Promotes clubs by making/distributing fliers. Telling students and teachers
about poetry club events. Is responsible for Club Day Events.

Qualifications: Creative, friendly, social, artistic, responsible.

5) Historian: Responsible for recording club events such as Poetry slams, activities, fieldtrips,
etc. The historian should be good at media, and able to update the club blog on updates.
Historian should be familiar with photography and video editing.

Qualifications: Creative, good with technology, artistic, responsible

Welcome to Poetry Club!

This is a space where you can feel at ease

express your joy, sorrow, thoughts and beliefs
 through a poetic piece
perhaps you can achieve
 some inner peace

no judgement in the air 
show love everywhere
open-your mind
see life through others's eyes
transform your words into art
give insight into your heart

this is your stage, your platform, your spotlight
"now you're in the limelight, cus you rhyme tight"

so...

let your voice be heard

let your heart be shown
get ready for your minds to be blown

i'm excited for this year
and you should be too
Welcome to the family
Luh, Ms. Wu

It's Official!

We are not only an official poetry club this year, but a MUSIC AND POETRY CLUB! Get excited!

WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR BRONCOS!!

Free Hugs Vid!

Check out this awesome video that Melanie made!

Our Family Photo

FREE HUGS!

HOMESTEAD SENIOR HIGH, GET READY FOR SOME FREE HUGS TOMORROW!!

Need some weekend inspiration??

Check out new videos under the "Inspiration" tab! 

Proud

Dear Raison D'etre,

I just want to say how proud I am of you all last night at our very first poetry slam. You set the bar so high by not asking, but commanding attention from the crowd.

You showcased your heart and spoke life into ours. 

I can still feel its beat pulsating through the audience. 

You gave us life as your words flowed through our veins. 

Circulating, as it did some permanent damage to our brain.

Never have I seen such inspiration

You're nothing short of greatness

as manifested through your pages

You spoke poetry into life

you spoke it to existence

and now I know the reason

The Reason for Existence

It's Tomorrow!!!

Our very first poetry slam competition is tomorrow!! I know that we have all been stressed, with this and testing going on at the same time. But even through all of this, you have maintained your composure. And despite hard times, I see you work even harder. I am so proud of the way you are able to channel your energy into your writing. I admire the way you all are able to open up your heart and share your stories. Pain. No shame. 

You

are

so

brave

I love that you all are able to come together in an atmosphere of love and understanding. Not judging. I'm moved by the way you extend your arm out to one another to say, "hey, you're not alone. Me too. Let's walk this road together". 

Know that your story is priceless

 I just want to say that in the short weeks I have known you, I have seen you all grow so much. I am so proud of the way you always strive to be better not just as writers or performers, but as people as well. Thank you for allowing me insight into your heart. 

With that said, here are some things I want you to remember:

Remember that poetry is our reason to de-stress,

to express

our reason to have fun

 to connect

communicate

to empower

inspire

love

heal

REMEMBER THAT POETRY IS OUR REASON FOR EXISTING

Now go out and share your story

 and while you share yours,

 make new ones too

Breathe

Have fun

Be silly, unique

Appreciate the different types of people you'll meet

I know you can do this

I believe in you

This is your moment

Love, Ms. Wu

Take Notes Info Session!

Information and advice for the poetry slam

Just goofin'

Slam Battle!

Since there are limited number of spots for the "Take Notes" competition on April 18th, we will have a Poetry Battle with some people tomorrow during our meeting.

Be prepared because you might be chosen to battle! Have a poem memorized and ready to be performed by tomorrow! No excuses!

SHIRTS!

Our shirts have been ordered!!! They should arrive just in time for competition! Cross your fingers!

Competition breakdown

Teams can consist of 3-6 students there are three rounds of competition in which the poems are scored from 1-10 by 5 judges, the lowest and highest of the 5 scores are cut and the middle three scores are added for the total score for that round. teams will automatically go for two rounds and their score from those two rounds will determine if they make it to the final round. teams should use there strongest poems first but it doesn't matter if they are individual or team pieces. a team can use 3 separate individual poems, 3 team poems, or a combination they're scores will still be counted together.

Rules: 

all poems must be under 3 minutes with a 30 second grace period

there is no profanity allowed 

all poets must be present before 5pm

there is no discrimination against content, creative expression is encouraged

NEW UPDATES ON APRIL 18TH (TAKE NOTES CONTEST)

All interested slammers are required to attend this one day mandatory registration and workshop in order to compete in the competition on April 18th. 

You cannot compete on April 18th if you do not participate in this registration.

Come prepared with the following items:

• 1 poem
• An official school or Florida ID
• Something to Take Notes!! (Paper and writing utensils)

Registration Location:

April 4th 4:00-7:00pm

Belafonte Tacolcy Center

6161 NW 9th AVE 33127

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Take Notes: Page 2!!! Compete for the title of Best Poet in Miami Dade County. Over 200 youth expected in attendance!!!

Take Notes Poetry Contest

When: April 18th

Where: North Miami Senior High Auditorium

Time: 6pm Doors Open 5pm

Hosted by: "Unbroken Pieces"

Due to limited performance spots, only a select few will be able to go. Have your poems memorized and performance ready when school starts again! Also, teams are more likely to get spots so think about collaborating together!!

Watch this short commercial video to learn more about this contest!

Piano Slam Contest

If you want to participate in the PIANO SLAM, poems are due April 5th!

If you are interested, but want to learn more, watch this 5 minute video! Also, visit http://www.pianoslam.org/ for poem guidelines.

Have your poems typed out and emailed to reasonforexisting@gmail.com no later than April 4th!

New Club T-Shirt Design

I've been working on a potential design for our club t's (click to enlarge). Leave a comment and let me know what you think!