The staff election will be held on monday. It is such a complicated process. I had no idea.
The students elect the staff at Sudbury. This is another aspect of The Philosophy that really freaks people out. "You let children pick their teachers?" I couldn't believe it either but again it speaks to the true commitment of the school to fully empower the students. In a democracy, the people elect their leaders and HVSS is no different.
A candidate fills out an application and has interviews with the staffing commitee. Then they spend a 40 hour visiting week at the school. Then they have the staff debates where all the candidates running for election or re-election sit and answer questions and talk about being on staff.
On monday they have the election and the kids just vote on whether they want that person on staff or not. They can vote for all the candidates if they want. It's a secret ballot but I wonder how they will help the little kids who can't read. Maybe they put their pictures on the ballot. Anyway, after the election it is going to get sticky. There is only enough money for four and a half staff members so they have to start dividing up the pie. I guess people volunteer to work for less pay. They'll be on the books for 20 hours but work 40 or something like that. I have even more admiration for the staff now that I know this. I'm not sure, I'll know more next week but I think slates are formed and there may be another election to vote on the configuration.
I'm hoping to attend the staff debates next year. I would have to ask for permission from school meeting and i can understand why there would be objections to parents being there. It is easy for parents to inadvertently take over. I wouldn't want to participate. Ok, that's not true of course I would want to participate, I love to have my say but I could keep quiet. I just want to observe because these people spend the better part of the day with my children and I want to know what they're about. Or maybe there will be a night for parents to hear the staff talk about why they want to work at the school and what they think they bring to the table.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Painless
Amelia's friend brought a bike to school and let Amelia ride it. Amelia came home and insisted on having her training wheels removed and wanted to bring her bike to school too. We thought it was a terrible idea but she persisted and she was riding around that very day. I'm still amazed.
I know there's a Sudbury lesson in here somewhere.
I know there's a Sudbury lesson in here somewhere.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
A phrase I'm sick of
It is what it is.
what does that mean? Most people seem to say it when they are unhappy about something. Is it a new version of C'est la vie or Que sera sera ? I'm so old. I can't keep up with this newfangled talk. Plus I prefer urban slang. Until they use it on E! and then I know it's over.
In other news, Amelia has a gigantic scratch across her face. She walked into a tree and a branch snapped back and scratched her. We started calling her Omar and now we're calling Des Weebay. Or sometimes Namon. Is that wrong?
I guess it is what it is.
(you see what I mean, that phrase is sooo annoying!)
what does that mean? Most people seem to say it when they are unhappy about something. Is it a new version of C'est la vie or Que sera sera ? I'm so old. I can't keep up with this newfangled talk. Plus I prefer urban slang. Until they use it on E! and then I know it's over.
In other news, Amelia has a gigantic scratch across her face. She walked into a tree and a branch snapped back and scratched her. We started calling her Omar and now we're calling Des Weebay. Or sometimes Namon. Is that wrong?
I guess it is what it is.
(you see what I mean, that phrase is sooo annoying!)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Vox populi
I have to give a hand to the staff for being able to put up with a lot of BS from the students and the parents. I think it takes a lot of self assurance to take the position because the only authority they have is what they earn. Just think about what it must take to be an adult at the mercy of children. The only way they can effect change in the school is through School Meeting and it has to be voted on. It may be a fantastic idea and School Meeting might get it wrong by voting it down but they have to live with it.
In a traditional school, policy changes come from administration and parents can complain but are often ignored. Teachers are often ignored and just told to get with the program. The beauty and torment of Sudbury is that everybody really does have a say. And it works!
Some ideas were floated yesterday that I totally disagreed with and I got to say so and I know I was listened to. I haven't tried to put forth anything on my own yet but I hope I can be as gracious if the group doesn't agree. I can be a sore loser. :)
In a traditional school, policy changes come from administration and parents can complain but are often ignored. Teachers are often ignored and just told to get with the program. The beauty and torment of Sudbury is that everybody really does have a say. And it works!
Some ideas were floated yesterday that I totally disagreed with and I got to say so and I know I was listened to. I haven't tried to put forth anything on my own yet but I hope I can be as gracious if the group doesn't agree. I can be a sore loser. :)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Annual Assembly Meeting
People who know me know that i love to talk but I also know when to shut up. There was a person at the meeting today who just does not know when to shut the fuck up. Oh god i could have throttled this person. But it's over now so I'll let it go.
Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the whole meeting but I was able to participate in the discussion of topics that were important to me.
We talked about expanding and planning new buildings. It was kind of funny how some people wanted to get into a level of detail that just made no sense for the stage that we are in. and one of the staff members even said that the purpose of the motions were just to gauge interest. although, I'm guilty of expressing opinions in an attempt to sway people. So the idea for a new building, a soccer field and a barn passed. the idea of a dorm did not.
Some of the motions really turned on what the interpretation of the Sudbury philosophy is to that person. The motion to remove the thesis requirement for graduation was withdrawn but the staff member who made it brought up a good point which was that it should be for the students and not just to make the parents happy. Another staff member said that the celebration of students leaving should be separate from the thesis/graduation process which I endorse. The nature of sudbury is such that you can be ready to go and if you don't feel the need to go through the thesis process why should you be deprived of us sending you off.
the staff member who made the motion to remove students from the community service requirements spoke quite passionately and really tried to make their case. The argument basically hinged on the idea that we were forcing the students to do something and that goes against the philosophy. One parent, a guy I really respect because he just cuts through the bullshit and gets to the point, pointed out that he thought the non compulsory aspect applied to education, not to life itself. At least I think that's what he said. I know that's what I was thinking but hadn't found the right way to articulate it. To me, helping out, volunteering, is a habit that should be taught like hygiene. Wear clean clothes, brush your teeth, help out when its needed. what was funny was that the motion was made by a staff member, not a student and there were no students present to argue against it. In fact the one student who had anything to say,our carpool buddy,was actually in favor of keeping the policy in place. I had to go outside to make a phone call and there were a bunch of students sitting around and I thought about telling them that we were discussing the community service policy. I decided against it in case they would have voted for the motion. which did fail.
I wanted to make a motion during the open agenda that parents be notified of drug charges but I couldn't stay that long and I'm not sure how much more discussion I could have gotten through. Oh well, there's always next year. Also, it might not have been possible because it might have to come from school meeting. I learned alot about what is really in the purview of school meeting vs. the assembly. I should expound upon it more but I'm tired.
Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the whole meeting but I was able to participate in the discussion of topics that were important to me.
We talked about expanding and planning new buildings. It was kind of funny how some people wanted to get into a level of detail that just made no sense for the stage that we are in. and one of the staff members even said that the purpose of the motions were just to gauge interest. although, I'm guilty of expressing opinions in an attempt to sway people. So the idea for a new building, a soccer field and a barn passed. the idea of a dorm did not.
Some of the motions really turned on what the interpretation of the Sudbury philosophy is to that person. The motion to remove the thesis requirement for graduation was withdrawn but the staff member who made it brought up a good point which was that it should be for the students and not just to make the parents happy. Another staff member said that the celebration of students leaving should be separate from the thesis/graduation process which I endorse. The nature of sudbury is such that you can be ready to go and if you don't feel the need to go through the thesis process why should you be deprived of us sending you off.
the staff member who made the motion to remove students from the community service requirements spoke quite passionately and really tried to make their case. The argument basically hinged on the idea that we were forcing the students to do something and that goes against the philosophy. One parent, a guy I really respect because he just cuts through the bullshit and gets to the point, pointed out that he thought the non compulsory aspect applied to education, not to life itself. At least I think that's what he said. I know that's what I was thinking but hadn't found the right way to articulate it. To me, helping out, volunteering, is a habit that should be taught like hygiene. Wear clean clothes, brush your teeth, help out when its needed. what was funny was that the motion was made by a staff member, not a student and there were no students present to argue against it. In fact the one student who had anything to say,our carpool buddy,was actually in favor of keeping the policy in place. I had to go outside to make a phone call and there were a bunch of students sitting around and I thought about telling them that we were discussing the community service policy. I decided against it in case they would have voted for the motion. which did fail.
I wanted to make a motion during the open agenda that parents be notified of drug charges but I couldn't stay that long and I'm not sure how much more discussion I could have gotten through. Oh well, there's always next year. Also, it might not have been possible because it might have to come from school meeting. I learned alot about what is really in the purview of school meeting vs. the assembly. I should expound upon it more but I'm tired.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
We've moved!
No we haven't, but we are painting the downstairs. The walls are so clean and everything is so bright and new that it feels like we are in a whole new house. I know a real blogger would have a picture up but c'mon people, do you really think I know how to use a digital camera? I can barely use my cell phone. I'm typing this entry by candlelight.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Hapy Mother's Day!!
I love my kids. I really do.
This morning Des and Amelia made me wait upstairs while they prepared a surprise for me and Ray. I was girding myself to somehow consume another bowl of saturated Cheerios like I did last Mother's Day(said bowl had been lovingly prepared for me about two hours before consumption) but was instead greeted by a plate of toast with peanut butter, a cake in the shape of a heart and adorned with gummi bears and m&m's and a glass of milk...in a wine glass!! How awesome is that? While I ate, Des and Amelia recreated their morning activities in minute detail and then explained the significance of the placement and patterns of the gummi bears and m&m's on my cake. Oh and I forgot to mention that they had also thoughtfully set a magazine next to my meal for me to enjoy.
I hope my fellow mamas enjoy their day too.
This morning Des and Amelia made me wait upstairs while they prepared a surprise for me and Ray. I was girding myself to somehow consume another bowl of saturated Cheerios like I did last Mother's Day(said bowl had been lovingly prepared for me about two hours before consumption) but was instead greeted by a plate of toast with peanut butter, a cake in the shape of a heart and adorned with gummi bears and m&m's and a glass of milk...in a wine glass!! How awesome is that? While I ate, Des and Amelia recreated their morning activities in minute detail and then explained the significance of the placement and patterns of the gummi bears and m&m's on my cake. Oh and I forgot to mention that they had also thoughtfully set a magazine next to my meal for me to enjoy.
I hope my fellow mamas enjoy their day too.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thesis defense
Tonight was the thesis defense of a student hoping to graduate. It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. They were very strict about the start and end time. doors were locked at 5:30 sharp and it was ended promptly, and in mid sentence, 50 minutes later. Then, everyone present voted on whether or not she had successfully defended her thesis. People asked some good questions but I'm not sure if they were challenging enough. Or rather I think some of her responses could have been challenged. I held back, myself, because some of my objections were, as usual, part of a larger cultural commentary and didn't really have a place there. I also tried to remember that she may be ready to act as an effective adult in larger society but she is still a young adult.
She chose to present her thesis in a non linear form with an accompanying website. The website was well done but I think it covered up some of the flaws in her thesis. She chose to break up the topic into an introduction, different qualities that make an effective adult (independence,responsibility, etc.) and a conclusion but each passage felt skimpier to me than if it had been part of a larger body. The strength of her work was that she was able to show what she had gotten from her time at Sudbury and from the process of preparing her thesis. I'm not including a link to her website because I really don't like to use the names of other people at the school besides my own family.
She chose to present her thesis in a non linear form with an accompanying website. The website was well done but I think it covered up some of the flaws in her thesis. She chose to break up the topic into an introduction, different qualities that make an effective adult (independence,responsibility, etc.) and a conclusion but each passage felt skimpier to me than if it had been part of a larger body. The strength of her work was that she was able to show what she had gotten from her time at Sudbury and from the process of preparing her thesis. I'm not including a link to her website because I really don't like to use the names of other people at the school besides my own family.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Assembly Agenda
Got the Agenda for the Assembly meeting next week and most of it is pretty businesslike but there are a couple of items that I am already marshalling my arguments against.
1. the idea(basically just a concept right now)of building dormitories for boarders. I don't like the idea of boarding schools. Kids belong with their families and dorms are a form of institutional living. They don't really belong to the larger community where their school is located and they are removed from their hometown so where are their roots? Also you can end up with conflict between the needs of boarders and day students.
2. A motion to remove students from the community service requirement. I'm very interested to hear the rationale behind this. I think it's important that kids get into the habit of giving back, and in ways other than cleaning. What is the big deal with asking them to help?
3.Removing the thesis requirement to get a certificate of graduation. I can't imagine this going over well. I mean, Jesus Christ, we don't ask a whole lot of these kids except that they challenge themselves. If this motion does pass I will make my own motion to change the name of the certificate of graduation to the certificate of showing up.
1. the idea(basically just a concept right now)of building dormitories for boarders. I don't like the idea of boarding schools. Kids belong with their families and dorms are a form of institutional living. They don't really belong to the larger community where their school is located and they are removed from their hometown so where are their roots? Also you can end up with conflict between the needs of boarders and day students.
2. A motion to remove students from the community service requirement. I'm very interested to hear the rationale behind this. I think it's important that kids get into the habit of giving back, and in ways other than cleaning. What is the big deal with asking them to help?
3.Removing the thesis requirement to get a certificate of graduation. I can't imagine this going over well. I mean, Jesus Christ, we don't ask a whole lot of these kids except that they challenge themselves. If this motion does pass I will make my own motion to change the name of the certificate of graduation to the certificate of showing up.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
So much excitement!
Elections are coming up. Yet another great aspect of Sudbury-the kids choose their staff. I've been asking the kids who they are going to vote for and why. They get bored with the conversation midway so I have to keep asking them. Their impressions of the staff are not too far from my own.
The annual assembly meeting is also coming up. The assembly is the body of the school that includes parents and votes on all financial decisions. The budget, staff salary, tuition and any requests for funds will be discussed.
One student will have a thesis defense on thursday. The only requirement for graduation from sudbury is the thesis with the topic of, and I can't remember the exact words here,"I'm an adult and ready to be a full member of society". I'm hoping to attend but childcare will probably be an issue. It always is.
The annual assembly meeting is also coming up. The assembly is the body of the school that includes parents and votes on all financial decisions. The budget, staff salary, tuition and any requests for funds will be discussed.
One student will have a thesis defense on thursday. The only requirement for graduation from sudbury is the thesis with the topic of, and I can't remember the exact words here,"I'm an adult and ready to be a full member of society". I'm hoping to attend but childcare will probably be an issue. It always is.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Des is meticulous
Oh, Des. He had a tough day on friday. Not a horrible day but a day where things didn't go as he had hoped and I would have given him a hug at school if he hadn't been shouting "I hate you for coming so early!" at me.
Let me start at the beginning. The kids got this game called Apples to Apples for their birthday. It's basically a game of synonyms and the kids love it. On friday Des asked if he could bring it to school. There was some anxiety over whether or not his friends would want to play with him and he was also going to need a staff member or somebody else who could read to play because the whole game is a bunch of playing cards with words on them. You need to be able to read. Des has been complaining that there is nothing fun to do at school and that is why he stays in the computer room all the time so I was happy that he was taking some initiative in finding a new activity. I wasn't sure how it would work out because Des is not shy so much as he is private. He is selective with his affection and he doesn't like asking for help so I was surprised that he wanted to bring the game to school.
On fridays the kids go to gymnastics after school so I have to pick them up early. We have an argument about it every week. This past friday was no exception, just louder and angrier than usual. Des had a cleaning job, he had to clean all the glass doors. I guess it took him about 2 1/2 hours and I showed up just as he finished. He was pissed.
I stopped in the office for a minute to chitchat and a staff member said "Des is a very good cleaner. Very meticulous." Now, I had just been berated by Des for showing up at the time that I had told him I would be arriving and I also know that Des can move so slowly at times that it seems to violate laws of the physical world so I said, flippantly, "Well, that's one word for it." as soon as the words were out of my mouth I regretted them. I don't want to be the kind of mom that just looks for the worst in her kids. And I know that I'm not but still. I need to remember to stay positive, no matter how aggravated I might be.
He was still yelling at me as we got in the car so I tried to change the subject by asking "hey, did you play your game?" He gave me this evil look and screamed, no exaggeration, screamed at me "I'm too shy!!!" I felt so bad for him. It's terrible to see your child hurting. He wouldn't let me hug him though. When we were on the road I mentioned that the staff member had said that he was meticulous and he said"Well what's that supposed to mean?" I said "It means that you were very thorough and paid attention to what you were doing and did a good job." "Yeah and that's why it took me forever! Forever!! And I had no time to play!" So I said "Yeah, but you must have cleaned the shit out of those doors, Des." That finally got a smile. He loves it when I curse.
I know the above mentioned staff member reads my blog from time to time so this is a half assed thank you note for reminding me to accentuate the positive. :)
Let me start at the beginning. The kids got this game called Apples to Apples for their birthday. It's basically a game of synonyms and the kids love it. On friday Des asked if he could bring it to school. There was some anxiety over whether or not his friends would want to play with him and he was also going to need a staff member or somebody else who could read to play because the whole game is a bunch of playing cards with words on them. You need to be able to read. Des has been complaining that there is nothing fun to do at school and that is why he stays in the computer room all the time so I was happy that he was taking some initiative in finding a new activity. I wasn't sure how it would work out because Des is not shy so much as he is private. He is selective with his affection and he doesn't like asking for help so I was surprised that he wanted to bring the game to school.
On fridays the kids go to gymnastics after school so I have to pick them up early. We have an argument about it every week. This past friday was no exception, just louder and angrier than usual. Des had a cleaning job, he had to clean all the glass doors. I guess it took him about 2 1/2 hours and I showed up just as he finished. He was pissed.
I stopped in the office for a minute to chitchat and a staff member said "Des is a very good cleaner. Very meticulous." Now, I had just been berated by Des for showing up at the time that I had told him I would be arriving and I also know that Des can move so slowly at times that it seems to violate laws of the physical world so I said, flippantly, "Well, that's one word for it." as soon as the words were out of my mouth I regretted them. I don't want to be the kind of mom that just looks for the worst in her kids. And I know that I'm not but still. I need to remember to stay positive, no matter how aggravated I might be.
He was still yelling at me as we got in the car so I tried to change the subject by asking "hey, did you play your game?" He gave me this evil look and screamed, no exaggeration, screamed at me "I'm too shy!!!" I felt so bad for him. It's terrible to see your child hurting. He wouldn't let me hug him though. When we were on the road I mentioned that the staff member had said that he was meticulous and he said"Well what's that supposed to mean?" I said "It means that you were very thorough and paid attention to what you were doing and did a good job." "Yeah and that's why it took me forever! Forever!! And I had no time to play!" So I said "Yeah, but you must have cleaned the shit out of those doors, Des." That finally got a smile. He loves it when I curse.
I know the above mentioned staff member reads my blog from time to time so this is a half assed thank you note for reminding me to accentuate the positive. :)
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