Maxwell Park
Patrick Hamilton, third-grade teacher, Maxwell Park International Academy:
I just wanted to thank your organization for the wonderful gift you have given our school this year. Without a doubt our chess classes with Mr. Poehlmann and the chess tournament last week were among the highlights of the year for my students. My students have no outside art or music classes, and they only get P.E. once every two weeks. Having a chess master come to our classroom was an opportunity they really latched onto. Through our BCS sessions, they have all learned to love the game, and during our weekly choice time, the chess boards are always the first chosen.
It wasn't easy. Many of my students were very impulsive and impatient at the beginning of the year. I was uncertain as to how they would react to a game with so many rules, so much strategy and intricacy. Now, a few short months later, my students are all accomplished chess players, and the skills that they have taken away from their chess lessons will help them become better test-takers, better students and better people. The patience, thoughtfulness and high-level thinking that is required of them in chess has started to emerge more in the classroom and on the playground as well. The tournament you put on allowed my students to feel the thrill of high-level competition, and to feel pride in their accomplishment of learning something difficult.
I'm writing mostly just to say thanks, but I'm also hoping we can continue the program at Maxwell Park next year. I know Mr. Ervin and Mr. Davis feel very strongly about the impact that the program had in their classrooms as well. If there is anything I can do to make it possible for your teachers to return next fall, please let me know!
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