It was suggested at the last meeting that we need to determine who "we" are. This led to the goal of creating a mission statement. Below are the mission statements of several inspiring alternative schools. The mission statements for the Montessori School in Decorah and The LaCrescent Montessori Academy will be added as they are provided to me.
We are asking you to create a mission statement for the alternative school that you envision in Decorah. Dream up your own, mix and match these, find others, and/or add and delete any vision you might have for an alternative school in our community. Have fun with it!
THREE RIVERS SCHOOL:
The mission of Three Rivers School is to enrich the lives of Coulee Region children, their families, and the community through Waldorf education.
Waldorf education strives to awaken the true potential in each human being: clarity and creativity in thought and expression;
balance and compassion in feeling; and conscience and initiative in action.
Therefore, as a community of students, teachers, parents, staff and supporters,Three Rivers School participates in the positive transformation of society.
THE THOREAU SCHOOL:
Our mission is to provide children in grades K through 5 with the opportunity to be active, knowledgeable and conscientious learners by fostering a keen understanding of the interrelatedness and interdependence of our local and global existence.
OCEAN CHARTER SCHOOL: (maybe less of a mission statement and more of a self-description)
Ocean Charter School is a community of families and educators using innovative teaching methods to nurture and educate children in a multi-cultural, urban environment. We are committed to achieving academic excellence through experiential learning, enhancing the growth of curiosity and imagination through the rigorous practice of an arts integrated curriculum. This approach addresses the whole child, promoting the development of healthy, responsible, and creative human beings. Our graduates will have the vision, desire and skill to live meaningful lives, balance technology and humanity, and create a sustainable future.
Ocean Charter School's Whole Child Curriculum, informed by the Waldorf educational approach and built on a foundation of creativity and self-confidence, grows with the child to balance imagination, critical thinking and academic excellence. This foundation, combined with a focus on ecological and social responsibility, nurtures a sense of delight and wonder about the world, as well as respect for nature and humanity. Our goal is to graduate students who will positively shape our culture, rather than merely reflecting it. Our curriculum is designed to empower each student with the knowledge that she or he matters as an individual and shapes not only her or his own life, but, ultimately, the course of history.
THE VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL:
The Village Charter School is dedicated to providing a quality education in a positive and respectful multi-age environment where world cultures are explored, our connection to nature is honored, and character development is nurtured. Our school is a place where the intellectual, imaginative, and humanitarian promise of each student is cultivated and celebrated in a community that practices mutual respect, embraces diversity, and inspires a passion for learning.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
PS Next time you are at the Coop, take a look at the artwork on the cover of the Alternative Education binder. Maybe a future logo??? I really like it (and I didn't even choose it). Or start thinking about what else might represent the group/school. Thanks, Alicia
I am wondering if part of any mission statement could include something like this:
The parent(s), child, teacher(s) and school will work as partners to facilitate the child's educational experience.
I am hoping some kind of statement like this would set the tone, underline the importance of, and lead to a concrete method for partnership & communication between the family and school/teacher.
-Amy Chicos
We seemed to decide at the last meeting that we need to have a name (one not chosen by me at midnight on the first night of the blog) and perhaps a definition of who we are to go with it.
While there wasn't a vote, it seemed that there was agreement on the name below. Here's my take on what I dream of us being. I pulled/plagiarized from the mission statements on this post, threw some stuff in, and included Amy's idea as well. So, please take a moment to read it. Now (and at the meetings)is your chance to have a say in the direction of this classroom.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Alicia
Oneota Valley Elementary Program, a division of the NE Iowa Montessori School (or the Decorah Community School District)
or
Oneota Valley Community School
We are a community of families and educators using innovative teaching methods to nurture and educate children in a positive and respectful, multi-age primary level classroom. Parents, children, educators, and administration work as partners to enrich the lives of our children, their families, and the community. Instruction is delivered by a licensed elementary educator alongside parents and community members who are enthusiastically sharing their talents and knowledge. We are a community that practices mutual respect, embraces diversity, and inspires a passion for learning.
Our curriculum involves the Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia educational approaches and balances creativity, critical thinking, and ecological and social responsibility. This approach addresses the whole child, promoting the development of healthy, responsible, and creative human beings. Our curriculum is designed to empower and awaken the true potential in each student: clarity and creativity in thought and expression; balance and compassion in feeling; and conscience and initiative in action.
We are committed to achieving academic excellence through inquiry and experiential learning while enhancing the growth of curiosity and imagination through an arts integrated curriculum. We strive to foster a keen understanding of the interrelatedness and interdependence of our local and global existence by honoring our connection to nature and integrating place-based learning with the exploration of other world cultures and languages.
Goodness Alicia, did you make that up? I haven't analyzed it, but on first read, it rocks! I'm going to visit the Ocean School tonight and see about the curriculum.
This feels like it can happen, yall! I am practicing creating that it will happen- visualizing my and other children there. That may seem odd, but I think that positive creation energy is an important part of bringing things to fruition.
I'd also mentioned "high stakes tests" last night. Though I've only spoken to my mom and havent looked up more specifics what she told me is this. In some states, in some districts, children MUST pass a test in order to move on to the next grade or to graduate, regardless of their school record. It varies widely- in some schools it is only to graduate and in others it is to go from 3rd-4th, or other grade steps. I would not ever want to see use subscribe to that- I understand it is not at play right now in IA, but with an association with the public system, it could be a requirement should they choose to make it one. Just food for thought! :)
Love,
Parker
Post a Comment