'Accepting Differences' Will be Armstrong School's September Theme

Author Dennis Vanasse will do an enrichment program at Armstrong on Sept. 13 as part of the school’s “accepting differences” theme next month, Principal John Mendes said.

“He’ll be talking to the children and doing a lesson with them on what it means to be different and how people that are different are special too,” Mendes said.

“Every year, it seems like we go a little more aggressive on the character education, a little more aggressive on moral values and what is acceptable in society," said Mendes, who starts his fifth year leading Armstrong.

Guidance Counselor David Starr teaches each classroom two lessons each month, around such topics as friendship and conflict resolution, Mendes said.

Starr also discusses bullying, a topic that Vanasse will get into as well.

This year, Starr will do a lesson on “students with disorders that may look a little bit different," Mendes said.

A first-grader with "a rare skin disorder" will, coincidentally, attend Armstrong this year, the principal said.

Armstrong also this year will see its diversity council do more events, but "less grandiose" ones, Mendes said.

The first event will be in late September or early October, he said.

Community service also will be a big part of Armstrong.

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award program will be the school's vehicle for promoting volunteerism, Mendes said.