Author Irene Stern Frielich, daughter of a Holocaust survivor and author of “Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story,” will speak with eighth-grade students at Albert F. Ford Middle School on March 19 as part of the school’s EL Education pilot curriculum, “Voices of the Holocaust.” (Photo Courtesy ShatteredStars.org)
ACUSHNET — Superintendent Dr. Paula Bailey and Principal Michelle Silvia are pleased to share that eighth-grade students at Albert F. Ford Middle School will attend a special guest presentation on the Holocaust as part of their ongoing Expeditionary Learning (EL) Education pilot curriculum, “Voices of the Holocaust.”
Author Irene Stern Frielich will speak with students in two sessions held in the Ford Middle School Library on Wednesday, March 19.
Frielich is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and the author of “Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story,” a book recounting her father’s experiences during the Holocaust. During the sessions, she will share her family’s story and discuss the importance of remembrance, storytelling and standing up for others.
The presentation is part of an EL Education curriculum module being piloted with eighth-grade students in teacher Andrea Melo’s English Language Arts classes. The Voices of the Holocaust unit invites students to examine history, literature and moral courage while strengthening their analytical reading and writing skills.
Students will also explore key questions about what the Holocaust was, how it occurred, and why it is important to remember. Through the unit, they study historical accounts, memoirs and poetry, including the anchor text “Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History” by Art Spiegelman.
Students will examine the concept of “upstanders” — individuals who took risks to help others during the Holocaust, as opposed to “bystanders.” Students will then be encouraged to reflect on how moral courage and compassion can guide their actions today and throughout the rest of their lives.
As their final project for the curriculum, students will create original narratives centered on fictional upstanders, accompanied by illustrations and reflective writing that demonstrate both historical understanding and creative expression.
The unit is being implemented in collaboration with Ford Middle School Academic Coach Tammy Jarred and it includes a connection with Boston 3G, an organization dedicated to preserving the memories and legacy of the Holocaust through the perspectives of family members who are three generations removed.
“The opportunity to hear directly from someone connected to a Holocaust survivor brings the learning to life for students in a powerful way,” said Academic Coach Tammy Jarred. “It helps students see the real people behind history and reinforces the importance of remembering and sharing these stories.”
“This curriculum challenges students to think deeply about history, human behavior and moral courage,” said eighth grade teacher Andrea Melo, who facilitated the pilot curriculum. “By engaging with survivor stories and literature, students are able to better understand the importance of empathy, remembrance and standing up for others.”
Principal Michelle Silvia said the program reflects the school’s commitment to thoughtful and meaningful learning experiences.
“Studying the Holocaust requires care, sensitivity and a strong focus on empathy,” said Principal Silvia. “This program helps students understand the historical significance of the Holocaust while also encouraging them to reflect on their own responsibility to act with compassion and courage.”
Superintendent Bailey said the initiative reflects the district’s commitment to both academic rigor and civic learning.
“Programs like Voices of the Holocaust help students connect history, literacy and civic responsibility,” said Superintendent Bailey. “Providing opportunities for students to hear personal stories connected to historical events helps deepen their understanding and encourages them to become thoughtful, informed and empowered members of society.”
About the Speaker
Irene Stern Frielich is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and the author of “Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story.” Through her writing and public speaking, Frielich shares her father’s experiences during the Holocaust and reflects on the lasting impact those events have had on her family across generations. Frielich is a member of the Boston Speakers Bureau and frequently speaks to students and community groups about the importance of remembrance, resilience and standing up for others in the face of injustice. She also works with educational organizations, including Boston 3G, to help preserve Holocaust history through the voices and perspectives of third generation descendants of those who were directly impacted.
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