OACS students writing for a cause

Third-graders at Oakland Avenue Charter School have been learning about writing letters in support of a cause they believe in. Each class wrote four or five letters to three individuals —OACS Principal Pam Wolfcale, Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark and U.S. President Barack Obama — discussing issues the students were passionate about.

The letters addressed topics such as the Oakland Nature Preserve and the need for more schools to visit, the possibility of a charter middle school in the town, a safer crosswalk for students crossing Oakland Avenue, cafeteria food, the school garden, the need for certain types of books in the school library, the environment, the homeless population, peace and security, recycling and school safety.

Students were tasked with writing an opinion thesis statement and stating their top three reasons for feeling the way they do. The third day was devoted to research and support for facts and examples.

On Friday, March 11, the students walked from their school to the Oakland Post Office to mail their letters.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].