December Newsletter
Closing out 2019 with Good Words
It's hard to believe, but our first official semester as 826 MSP is coming to a close. This fall and winter have been a flurry of writing workshops, community partnerships, celebrations, learning from our peers in the 826 Network, and, of course, tons of student writing.
Our latest publication Carry Our Words includes poetry about where students in our After-School Writing Lab are "coming from and where they are going," with guidance from guest teaching artist Sagirah Shahid, 826 MSP staff, and volunteers. We celebrated the release of Carry Our Words with more student readings than ever before (and a cake!). Check out these photos from the special event to see what a strong community of writers we've built throughout 2019.
2019 has also been a big year for our Writers' Room program, which is in its second year of operation at South High School. Thus far in the 2019-20 school year, students have visited the Writers' Room for nearly 900 drop-in writing consultations. This means we are on track to double the amount of writing support students have received from the 2018–19 school year. From small daily activities like the blackout poetry shown below to larger network-wide initiatives like College Essay Day, 826 MSP's Writers' Room fills a critical gap for high school students in our community.
As the temperatures drop and we all just want to stay inside, know that 826 MSP has you covered for reading material! Check out the updated Student Writing Gallery on our website. From the cautionary tale "Things a Chihuahua Hot Air Balloon Pilot Should Know" to the poignant "Ghost Dances" to the achingly romantic "She Has My Heart"—the writers at 826 MSP have a lot to say.
To support these talented young authors in finding and amplifying their voices, we invite you to make a gift to 826 MSP before the new year. Every dollar you donate goes to support our youth writing, tutoring, and publishing programs which are always free to the students, families, and schools we serve.
Stay tuned for even more to come in 2020!
See you next year!
-The 826 MSP Crew
Student Spotlight
We have new publications! Our winter chapbook, Carry Our Words, was officially released on December 9, and the title for the chapbook was taken from this poem by Selama. We also released two zines made by students in After-School Writing Lab in collaboration with student volunteers from the University of Minnesota.
MOI Product Spotlight
Come visit our Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute store, or buy online in time for the holiday season (or anytime the plankton moves you!). Our newest product, a Squid Ink Notebook and Pen combo, is perfect for all the writers and artists out there in the deep blue sea!
Upcoming Events
The last day to donate to 826 MSP in 2019 is December 31
826 MSP will be closed December 20 – January 3
Internship applications due January 5
After-School Writing Lab resumes January 13
826 MSP will be closed January 20 for MLK Day
Supporter Spotlight
From the bottom of our hearts and the Lost Ocean of Minnesota, thank you to everyone who donated to 826 MSP this month and throughout 2019! There's still time to make your 2019 gift online through 11:59pm on December 31!
Additional thanks to all volunteers for giving of your time and hearts—we truly could not do this work without you!
