In the 8th grade we extend the focus of the quality of life to the larger community. We intend for our students to appreciate the issues of equality and the concept equal access under the law and to see their role in making it happen. The concept of social justice is woven through our curriculum as we feel creating a socially responsive student is a priority in today’s global community. Many of our units in this grade culminate in debates, community events, and action research. For example, the social justice theme is integrated into a science class in a project researching food and health problems around the world. Perhaps some of our students will be inspired to find solutions to world food and health issues in the future. A highlight of the Magnet’s theme of Social Justice this year was the special visit and presentation to our eighth grade classes by Mr. Werner Kleemen, a WWII holocaust survivor. Twentieth century history was also brought alive for our students through the interaction they had with Ms. Zandstein. She spoke, answered questions and shared her experiences about the holocaust. She was about the age of our students today when she lived through that harrowing time.