As you know if you've been active with the school's start-up, I'm moving, to join a nearby Sudbury-model start-up, Reach Sudbury School in Toronto. Joining forces will make for a more successful demonstration of the Sudbury model here in Ontario.
Stay in touch. Tell me how your family moves forward, and tell me how interest builds for a Sudbury-model school here in Kingston.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sudbury & Sustainability: Social Equity
The theme of next Monday's walk-and-talk is a look at the social equity of the Sudbury model. It's part of October's larger theme of how the Sudbury model relates to Kingston's 4 pillars of sustainability.
A Sudbury-model school is a participatory democracy. Students have the right to freedom of assembly, equal opportunity, and the rule of law. Equity is with all members of the school community - the staff must follow the same behaviour rules as the students.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
A Sudbury-model school is a participatory democracy. Students have the right to freedom of assembly, equal opportunity, and the rule of law. Equity is with all members of the school community - the staff must follow the same behaviour rules as the students.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Sudbury & Sustainability: Environmental Responsibility
The theme of this past Monday's walk-and-talk was a look at the environmental responsibility engendered by the Sudbury model. It's part of October's larger theme of how the Sudbury model relates to Kingston's 4 pillars of sustainability.
Environmental responsibility requires a broader culture of responsibility, and it requires clear limits to behaviour.
Sudbury-model schools have a culture of responsibility: Students are responsible for their own education, and responsible for following the school's behaviour rules.
Sudbury-model schools have clear limits to behaviour. At my recent visit to the original Sudbury-model school, a student was found to have littered, and the consequence was that she was responsible for emptying the school's garbage cans at the end of the day.
Walk-and-talks meet Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Environmental responsibility requires a broader culture of responsibility, and it requires clear limits to behaviour.
Sudbury-model schools have a culture of responsibility: Students are responsible for their own education, and responsible for following the school's behaviour rules.
Sudbury-model schools have clear limits to behaviour. At my recent visit to the original Sudbury-model school, a student was found to have littered, and the consequence was that she was responsible for emptying the school's garbage cans at the end of the day.
Walk-and-talks meet Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sudbury & Sustainability: Economic Health
The theme of this Monday's walk-and-talk is a look at the economic health engendered by the Sudbury model. It's part of October's larger theme of how the Sudbury model relates to Kingston's 4 pillars of sustainability.
Today's parents have been hearing since they were kids that they could expect to change careers many times in their lives. The 21st century economy has a niche for any skill, any interest, when it is coupled with flexibility and a general ability to get things done. The personality of the 21st century economy is the personality of a Sudbury-model school.
Come share stories about the real skills and attitudes you need for your job, stories about kids learning how to get things done when focusing on their interests, stories about how the in-born drive to grow up translates into economic health.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Today's parents have been hearing since they were kids that they could expect to change careers many times in their lives. The 21st century economy has a niche for any skill, any interest, when it is coupled with flexibility and a general ability to get things done. The personality of the 21st century economy is the personality of a Sudbury-model school.
Come share stories about the real skills and attitudes you need for your job, stories about kids learning how to get things done when focusing on their interests, stories about how the in-born drive to grow up translates into economic health.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sudbury & Sustainability: Cultural Vitality
The theme of this Monday's walk-and-talk is a look at the cultural vitality inherent in the Sudbury model. It's part of October's larger theme of how the Sudbury model relates to Kingston's 4 pillars of sustainability.
Free, democratic systems are known for their cultural vitality. By saying yes to students' interests and motivations, the school supports a rich, lively culture. By ensuring order and respect, students are safe exploring the culture and expanding the culture.
I can relate stories from Sudbury-model schools, and hear you imagine how you or your child would grow in, and contribute to, the cultural vitality of a Sudbury-model school.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Free, democratic systems are known for their cultural vitality. By saying yes to students' interests and motivations, the school supports a rich, lively culture. By ensuring order and respect, students are safe exploring the culture and expanding the culture.
I can relate stories from Sudbury-model schools, and hear you imagine how you or your child would grow in, and contribute to, the cultural vitality of a Sudbury-model school.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Power and Trust
The theme of this Monday's walk-and-talk is the importance of trust when there is an adult/child power imbalance. It's part of September's general theme of power dynamics.
Why do kids engage so deeply with life at a Sudbury-model school? Why the focus, the curiousity, the activity? This is possible because kids know that they won't be interrupted. They know that no adult will say "Shouldn't you be..." or "Wouldn't you rather...", whether out of good intentions or top-down rules. Quite the opposite: Kids know that any interfering adult will be written up for breaking a school rule about no disrupting.
The adult/child power imbalance is balanced in a Sudbury-model school. Kids trust that adults will be full of respect, and adults trust in kids' in-born drive to grow up.
After our conversation, you might find it easier to identify times when you distrust kids' choices. You'll be in good position to make simple changes in your behaviour that will build trust and help your child grow.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Why do kids engage so deeply with life at a Sudbury-model school? Why the focus, the curiousity, the activity? This is possible because kids know that they won't be interrupted. They know that no adult will say "Shouldn't you be..." or "Wouldn't you rather...", whether out of good intentions or top-down rules. Quite the opposite: Kids know that any interfering adult will be written up for breaking a school rule about no disrupting.
The adult/child power imbalance is balanced in a Sudbury-model school. Kids trust that adults will be full of respect, and adults trust in kids' in-born drive to grow up.
After our conversation, you might find it easier to identify times when you distrust kids' choices. You'll be in good position to make simple changes in your behaviour that will build trust and help your child grow.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Power Transitions
The theme of this Monday's walk-and-talk is kids' process of transitioning into an empowering environment. It's part of September's general theme of power dynamics.
Kids who grow up in an unempowering environment tend to not know what to do with power when they get it. It might take a year or two for a teen to begin thriving in a Sudbury-model school. 5-year-olds, on the other hand, take to Sudbury-model schools like ducks to water.
Another observation is that the benefits of empowerment only really come out when there is full empowerment. If a swimmer is tied to shore by 10 chains, releasing 9 of them won't make a big difference. Schools don't transition to the Sudbury model gradually - they either start out with full empowerment or they say empowerment doesn't work.
These are interesting times in Kingston for several reasons:
-several mayor candidates wish to support youth issues, and want to do it well
-teacher candidates at Macarthur are starting their year, and must quickly choose how much to buy into the system as it is, and whether changing from the inside is even possible
-I've gotten several invitations to volunteer with kids, and wonder if my presence, without an empowering structure, would be helpful
Come on out and discuss how to effectively transition to an empowering Sudbury-model environment for kids.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Kids who grow up in an unempowering environment tend to not know what to do with power when they get it. It might take a year or two for a teen to begin thriving in a Sudbury-model school. 5-year-olds, on the other hand, take to Sudbury-model schools like ducks to water.
Another observation is that the benefits of empowerment only really come out when there is full empowerment. If a swimmer is tied to shore by 10 chains, releasing 9 of them won't make a big difference. Schools don't transition to the Sudbury model gradually - they either start out with full empowerment or they say empowerment doesn't work.
These are interesting times in Kingston for several reasons:
-several mayor candidates wish to support youth issues, and want to do it well
-teacher candidates at Macarthur are starting their year, and must quickly choose how much to buy into the system as it is, and whether changing from the inside is even possible
-I've gotten several invitations to volunteer with kids, and wonder if my presence, without an empowering structure, would be helpful
Come on out and discuss how to effectively transition to an empowering Sudbury-model environment for kids.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
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