Morgridge Academy Students Publish Book

“Everything is a Song: Our Stories” book release party to be held February 12th

As part of a class assignment, 13 middle school students from Morgridge Academy for chronically ill students on the campus of National Jewish Health were asked to write a story that defines who they are. Their stories exploring medical, societal and personal challenges, as well as goals and dreams, have been published in a book, “Everything is a Song: Our Stories.” The students managed every part of the publishing process including, writing, editing and design. To celebrate the publication of the book, the school will hold a book release party Thursday, February 12, 2015, in the Molly Blank Conference Center at National Jewish Health from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“Writing this book motivated my students to set intense goals, draft a plan—and finish what they set out to do. Completing this book was more difficult than anything they’ve ever done before; they feel empowered,” said Holly Winter, language arts teacher at Morgridge Academy.

Morgridge Academy is a unique, free day school for chronically ill students in kindergarten through eighth grades and serves about 90 children each school year. The school was established by National Jewish Health in 1973. Since that time, the school has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children.  Morgridge Academy provides a safe, friendly and healthy school environment where students succeed academically, medically and socially.

“We learned that our medical doesn’t have to be the enemy in our life. It is our super power. This book was a goal, and we completed it,” wrote Serenity, an eighth-grader at Morgridge Academy. “We showed that our medicals don’t define who we are or what we do. It defines how we overcome.”

“Everything is a Song” will be for sale at the release party or available on Amazon.com. All proceeds from the sale of the book go directly towards language arts programs at Morgridge Academy.

“These kids not only wrote a book, they also started a publishing company,” said Jennifer McCullough, principal at Morgridge Academy. “The book is proof that children can truly do anything they set their minds to no matter the obstacle.”