On Monday morning, Cole goes to school anxious to know if the Circle meeting had any effect. During first period everyone is given a list of suggestions that students gave about ways to change and improve the school, and Cole is filled with hope to find that some of them may actually have an impact. Some have suggested a student newspaper where students can voice their concerns; others have suggested a way to monitor the quality of teaching at the school.

Ms. Kennedy gathers the students for an assembly and instructs them all to join the cause they feel most connected to, and over 200 students join Cole’s group to change the school mascot. Cole is nominated the leader, and he elects Peter as his assistant. He feels overwhelmed and unsure if he is the right person for the job, but he takes charge and fights through his fear. Cole asks the group of students for ideas on how they can make their idea a reality. They determine that they will need a cost estimate for the changes and a plan for creating a new statue and mural.