Woah. I thought that this paper was just some suggestions to help Steller to its feet. These people were not trying to push their opinions on the community and Steller doesn't have to go through with all that was suggested. People shouldn't have to defend their "side" like an argument. More understanding from the rest of the community would help move this along. Then everyone as a whole can decide what 's going to end up happening to our school.
Jordyn for Jordyn
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Choosing our next step
To keep the wonderful energy and momentum going from our last big meeting, it is time to choose some priorities for the Renew Steller project. As we've done all along, this is a voluntary process--we're just working together as members of the school community. We've already accomplished a lot on that basis.
There's a strong concensus behind the desire to make Steller even better by renewing our practices to more clearly reflect our shared philosophy. In addition, we have strong administrative support. Gary and I met with Superintendent Carol Comeau recently. She gave us more than an hour, and her energy level and enthusiasm for the open optional concept at Steller was almost overwhelming. She's definitely ready to help.
Here are some issues that I pulled from the Jan. 31 meeting notes and discussion that grew out of them. I welcome others to add more-- the notes are all found here. Maybe we can't work on all of these at once, but we can address a number of them through the different forums we have-- including the Op Group, Ad Board, Parent Group and the Strategic Plan Committee (which is meeting Thursday evening). Other items will best be handled by staff and the administration with parent support. Anyway, let's start talking about what to tackle and how to do it.
These 10 issues/ideas are in no particular order.
1. Continuous orientation, not just at the start of 7th grade (Karin Parker's idea).
2. Teacher professional development in open optional practices; a credit class for staff could be offered by ASD, to be taught by retired Steller experts (Carol Comeau's idea).
3. SDL/Independent study encouraged, redefined and unified as a core of the Steller experience, with core academic credit given.
4. Teacher recruitment and a standing committee for hiring.
5. Renewed emphasis on student recruitment and admissions.
6. Support for seminar, with greater integration throughout the curriculum; creation of a "seminar team" of trained parents and students to support teachers.
7. Renewed emphasis on counseling groups, making sure all are serving students well, and branching out into more educational and social directions (Barbara Wohlforth's write-up).
8. Strengthening the togetherness of the school community with more family involvement and fun events (See Barbara's concept).
9. Additional support for student leadership, such as academic credit for taking leadership roles.
10. A less structured school day: integrated content, non-traditional time blocks, outcome-based instead of seat time.
It's easy to leave comments here. Soon, we'll be putting together a meeting to start dividing up jobs. Please weigh in now on how we should do this, and what priorities excite you.
There's a strong concensus behind the desire to make Steller even better by renewing our practices to more clearly reflect our shared philosophy. In addition, we have strong administrative support. Gary and I met with Superintendent Carol Comeau recently. She gave us more than an hour, and her energy level and enthusiasm for the open optional concept at Steller was almost overwhelming. She's definitely ready to help.
Here are some issues that I pulled from the Jan. 31 meeting notes and discussion that grew out of them. I welcome others to add more-- the notes are all found here. Maybe we can't work on all of these at once, but we can address a number of them through the different forums we have-- including the Op Group, Ad Board, Parent Group and the Strategic Plan Committee (which is meeting Thursday evening). Other items will best be handled by staff and the administration with parent support. Anyway, let's start talking about what to tackle and how to do it.
These 10 issues/ideas are in no particular order.
1. Continuous orientation, not just at the start of 7th grade (Karin Parker's idea).
2. Teacher professional development in open optional practices; a credit class for staff could be offered by ASD, to be taught by retired Steller experts (Carol Comeau's idea).
3. SDL/Independent study encouraged, redefined and unified as a core of the Steller experience, with core academic credit given.
4. Teacher recruitment and a standing committee for hiring.
5. Renewed emphasis on student recruitment and admissions.
6. Support for seminar, with greater integration throughout the curriculum; creation of a "seminar team" of trained parents and students to support teachers.
7. Renewed emphasis on counseling groups, making sure all are serving students well, and branching out into more educational and social directions (Barbara Wohlforth's write-up).
8. Strengthening the togetherness of the school community with more family involvement and fun events (See Barbara's concept).
9. Additional support for student leadership, such as academic credit for taking leadership roles.
10. A less structured school day: integrated content, non-traditional time blocks, outcome-based instead of seat time.
It's easy to leave comments here. Soon, we'll be putting together a meeting to start dividing up jobs. Please weigh in now on how we should do this, and what priorities excite you.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Ideas for counseling groups
Look at this article about counseling (or advisory) groups at Essential schools, which I found on the net. (It is posted on the "Ideas and Documents" page.) It is long, but skim to see if it spurs ideas. It would be a good start for the "what are counseling groups for" conversation that needs to happen. My ah-ha favorite part is: "In fact, some of the best advisory group discussions start with historical, literary, or scientific situations that pose compelling moral dilemmas. In her 1984 book Making Decisions, from which several exercises are reproduced here, Nancy Faust Sizer sets out such cases in 26 pairs --one drawn from students' own environment, one from the world at large to encourage analytical thinking and moral reasoning. Emphasizing respect for the reasoning process over the actual outcome of the decision, she argues, allows students to 'compare, dissect, resolve' their common and individual principles." Wow, can you imagine turning CG into arenas for socratic discussion and exploration of real world stuff? I picture a viewing of "Inconvenient Truth" and resulting discussion - powerful way for kids to develop interests. Also, I like the idea that kids could do valuable learning without it being a formal class with evaluation and homework.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Good reading, next steps
Lots of interesting material from the meeting and surveys last week has been posted on the website. This stuff is a treasure trove of ideas as well as a detailed picture of how we all feel about the program, what we like, and areas where we want to do better. The material can form a strong base for next steps in our process. We have parent forum and Advisory Board meetings this week. What should we be doing in specific, concrete ways to renew Steller? Comments?
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Creating a Community
From Barbara Wohlforth
The best part about the Jan.31 meeting was that it was fun and productive! I realized that there aren't many times that I go to Steller as a parent when it is fun, where I go home feeling like I accomplished something. During the discussion, it hit me that I was really enjoying getting to know some of the parents and teachers that were in my group. This led me to daydream about having more all community social occasions. We all have so many things to do, and another meeting is definitely not what we want to do! But there isn't anything more important to fostering communication, understanding, and commitment than knowing people's names spending pleasurable time with them. So, how do we start that type of social event, something that kids and adults might look forward to? Food seems to be the tie that binds with this bunch. Would a monthly family potluck, perhaps with other enticements (family dance night, ping pong tournament, etc.) be fun? It seems like it would be pretty easy to do, if we schedule the MPR ahead of time and get the word out. Everybody has to eat, so an hour away from homework and other obligations can't really hurt too much. Is this an idea that other Stellerites could get behind?
The best part about the Jan.31 meeting was that it was fun and productive! I realized that there aren't many times that I go to Steller as a parent when it is fun, where I go home feeling like I accomplished something. During the discussion, it hit me that I was really enjoying getting to know some of the parents and teachers that were in my group. This led me to daydream about having more all community social occasions. We all have so many things to do, and another meeting is definitely not what we want to do! But there isn't anything more important to fostering communication, understanding, and commitment than knowing people's names spending pleasurable time with them. So, how do we start that type of social event, something that kids and adults might look forward to? Food seems to be the tie that binds with this bunch. Would a monthly family potluck, perhaps with other enticements (family dance night, ping pong tournament, etc.) be fun? It seems like it would be pretty easy to do, if we schedule the MPR ahead of time and get the word out. Everybody has to eat, so an hour away from homework and other obligations can't really hurt too much. Is this an idea that other Stellerites could get behind?
Meeting recap and thanks
This from Gary Steele:
I just wanted to express my thanks to everyone for their efforts to pull off last night. It seems to me we are finally on our way to seeing some of the ideas implemented that have been kicking around Steller for the past few years. We had 88+ people (students were harder to account for as they were the ones that moved around). That is very positive participation and bodes well for building a really strong school.
As I walked around listing to the groups, it sounded to me like there are areas of consensus emerging. There are also areas of clear disagreement with the position paper. These include strong feelings about not wanting a smaller school, nor a lottery preference for Open Optional Elementary programs. I also heard a clear sense that emphasizing the schools mission, and an on-going, every year effort to orient everyone towards it- students, parents and staff - was important.
I continue to be impressed by the student leadership that emerges. Robin and Cooper did a excellent job of facilitating and were very poised, articulate and clear when they made their presentations. "High Chancellor" David Breen continues to provide constructive leadership - and as Charles pointed out - What a well written statement he presented - see under "Op Group Update" below. (Do we also have a female Senator/Princess Amadea at Steller?) I don't know about you, but these kids inspire me to work for the best school possible to allow them to explore their full potentials.
A special thanks to all the facilitators/ recorders - Julie Alfred, KJ Farley, Cindy Lankford, Treva Steele, Ken, Nina. And to Barbara Wohlforth and Cheryl Himes who organized the materials as well as facilitated. I'm always impressed that those who do school all day, also can do more "after hours." While we all have very full lives, at last for some of the rest of us this is a change of activity.
Thanks to Charles Wohlforth for helping manage two meetings in one night and at the same time - at Steller and at Chugach. Does he believe in Open Optional education or what?
A big thanks to Alyse Galvin for the 300 cookies, and flyers that went out Wednesday afternoon. The Galvin family continues to be exemplary public servants. Not only have they "deployed" there dad for the sake of our larger state community, but "single parent" Alyse stays actively involved in two public schools while also home schooling - truly amazing!
We had participation from half a dozen staff - Jen, Natalie, Bob, Ken, Nina and Larry - which shows a continuing commitment to go above and beyond for the school. As a parent, I want to do everything I can to support teachers with this kind of commitment.
Thanks to Karin for lining up the MPR for us and participating in the meeting. She was also able to wander the groups, and I'm sure has her own impressions to share.
I look forward to hearing others perspectives, seeing the results when they are posted on http://www.renewsteller.org/ and moving forward - building an ever stronger and vibrant learning community.
In the spirit of Georg Wilhelm Steller - "independence, love of knowledge, courage, and a pioneering spirit",
I am sincerely yours (pardon the archaic expression :-) ),
Gary
I just wanted to express my thanks to everyone for their efforts to pull off last night. It seems to me we are finally on our way to seeing some of the ideas implemented that have been kicking around Steller for the past few years. We had 88+ people (students were harder to account for as they were the ones that moved around). That is very positive participation and bodes well for building a really strong school.
As I walked around listing to the groups, it sounded to me like there are areas of consensus emerging. There are also areas of clear disagreement with the position paper. These include strong feelings about not wanting a smaller school, nor a lottery preference for Open Optional Elementary programs. I also heard a clear sense that emphasizing the schools mission, and an on-going, every year effort to orient everyone towards it- students, parents and staff - was important.
I continue to be impressed by the student leadership that emerges. Robin and Cooper did a excellent job of facilitating and were very poised, articulate and clear when they made their presentations. "High Chancellor" David Breen continues to provide constructive leadership - and as Charles pointed out - What a well written statement he presented - see under "Op Group Update" below. (Do we also have a female Senator/Princess Amadea at Steller?) I don't know about you, but these kids inspire me to work for the best school possible to allow them to explore their full potentials.
A special thanks to all the facilitators/ recorders - Julie Alfred, KJ Farley, Cindy Lankford, Treva Steele, Ken, Nina. And to Barbara Wohlforth and Cheryl Himes who organized the materials as well as facilitated. I'm always impressed that those who do school all day, also can do more "after hours." While we all have very full lives, at last for some of the rest of us this is a change of activity.
Thanks to Charles Wohlforth for helping manage two meetings in one night and at the same time - at Steller and at Chugach. Does he believe in Open Optional education or what?
A big thanks to Alyse Galvin for the 300 cookies, and flyers that went out Wednesday afternoon. The Galvin family continues to be exemplary public servants. Not only have they "deployed" there dad for the sake of our larger state community, but "single parent" Alyse stays actively involved in two public schools while also home schooling - truly amazing!
We had participation from half a dozen staff - Jen, Natalie, Bob, Ken, Nina and Larry - which shows a continuing commitment to go above and beyond for the school. As a parent, I want to do everything I can to support teachers with this kind of commitment.
Thanks to Karin for lining up the MPR for us and participating in the meeting. She was also able to wander the groups, and I'm sure has her own impressions to share.
I look forward to hearing others perspectives, seeing the results when they are posted on http://www.renewsteller.org/ and moving forward - building an ever stronger and vibrant learning community.
In the spirit of Georg Wilhelm Steller - "independence, love of knowledge, courage, and a pioneering spirit",
I am sincerely yours (pardon the archaic expression :-) ),
Gary
Reflection on Meeting and beyond
Overall, the meeting seemed to go well and the goal of incorporating the voices of many other Steller community members was easily met and surpassed. The representation of parents, students, and staff members was inspiring. The amount of involvement by community members has multiplied and, whether in support of the position paper or not, everyone should see the positive in that fact alone.
As expected with everything in life, there was some bad mingled with the good. I was participating in the School Organization seminar/discussion group and speaking time was split even between the adults and students; however, just over half-way into the meeting I was pulled aside by a fellow student. I was informed that several students were feeling that discussion in their groups was being dominated by the parents, and it was not because of lack of things to say from the students.
This sort of situation is one of many that the position paper (or parts of it) is addressing. The students are the only reason that meetings about position papers are possible. Without the students, Steller would not exist and for that reason our opinions are equally as important as those of the parents. Many comments or opinions may be somewhat naive or erroneous, but it is a vital educational experience for students and everyone else who is open minded within the community.
The most effective methods to revitalize Steller will lie with the students, therefore the students must feel empowered! Students need to have the support of their parents in their beliefs and actions (responsible ones, of course), even if the parents do not feel the same about issues as their children. One of the greatest things about Steller is the opportunity to be an individual, a TRUE individual, within an accepting community. Students' individualities, and in turn their ability to grow as a person, are restricted by lack of faith from adults.
The student body does face a daunting obstacle - apathy. As many well know, not all Steller students attend Steller because they believe it is the best educational environment for them because of our philosophy and practices. These students must realize the stagnation that they bring with them when they do not care about counseling groups, or responsible freedom, or even all-school hugs (which many disdain, to which I am very disappointed).
Aside from apathy, the student body and the rest of the Steller community suffer from a lack of knowledge concerning Steller. This can be traced to the failure of the student body to actively participate in New-to-Steller student orientation. Orientation has become "how to survive in Steller" instead of "how to prosper in Steller." It is time to reinvigorate Steller by returning to thorough orientation of new students, parents, and staff members.
I am currently planning a "Re-orientation Day" for sometime in the next few months. I believe that it is imperative to remind (or inform for the first time in some cases) students and staff members (and parents if they should attend) about their responsibility and importance as members of the Steller community.
High Chancellor (Chair)
David B
P.S. Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting! It means a lot to me and to others that so many people are actively interested in Steller's future.
As expected with everything in life, there was some bad mingled with the good. I was participating in the School Organization seminar/discussion group and speaking time was split even between the adults and students; however, just over half-way into the meeting I was pulled aside by a fellow student. I was informed that several students were feeling that discussion in their groups was being dominated by the parents, and it was not because of lack of things to say from the students.
This sort of situation is one of many that the position paper (or parts of it) is addressing. The students are the only reason that meetings about position papers are possible. Without the students, Steller would not exist and for that reason our opinions are equally as important as those of the parents. Many comments or opinions may be somewhat naive or erroneous, but it is a vital educational experience for students and everyone else who is open minded within the community.
The most effective methods to revitalize Steller will lie with the students, therefore the students must feel empowered! Students need to have the support of their parents in their beliefs and actions (responsible ones, of course), even if the parents do not feel the same about issues as their children. One of the greatest things about Steller is the opportunity to be an individual, a TRUE individual, within an accepting community. Students' individualities, and in turn their ability to grow as a person, are restricted by lack of faith from adults.
The student body does face a daunting obstacle - apathy. As many well know, not all Steller students attend Steller because they believe it is the best educational environment for them because of our philosophy and practices. These students must realize the stagnation that they bring with them when they do not care about counseling groups, or responsible freedom, or even all-school hugs (which many disdain, to which I am very disappointed).
Aside from apathy, the student body and the rest of the Steller community suffer from a lack of knowledge concerning Steller. This can be traced to the failure of the student body to actively participate in New-to-Steller student orientation. Orientation has become "how to survive in Steller" instead of "how to prosper in Steller." It is time to reinvigorate Steller by returning to thorough orientation of new students, parents, and staff members.
I am currently planning a "Re-orientation Day" for sometime in the next few months. I believe that it is imperative to remind (or inform for the first time in some cases) students and staff members (and parents if they should attend) about their responsibility and importance as members of the Steller community.
High Chancellor (Chair)
David B
P.S. Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting! It means a lot to me and to others that so many people are actively interested in Steller's future.
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