A Community not a System…
Wednesday was our first day of school, a beautiful day filled with Peace and Joy. There is nothing better than seeing the fruit of hard work. Getting to see blood, sweat, and tears turn into hugs from returning students and beaming smiles of new ones. Preparing all summer for a peaceful transition that was so smooth it took most of our team by surprise. These first few days of school have already come with many examples of why we believe so much in community schools.
Families at Open House on Monday
We have all got to see, hear, or even experience first hand some of the problems that come with massive school systems in the past few days. Systems built to work for children all over the city from all types of backgrounds with all different styles of learning. There is no system that can solve education injustice on a large scale. It has to be led by a community, fitted specially for that community. A large system can not invite students to have a pizza party and basketball session with their new teacher. A large system can not sit down with all of their eighth graders and their parents and have an intimate conversation about expectations for the year like we were able to do at our open house earlier this week. A conversation that let us hear our parents and students' voices as well. That conversation is only possible in a smaller, community based environment.
If you have been following the school for awhile, you may have heard us talk about a “Unit 0”. Unit 0 is the first six weeks of school. In this unit, teachers put a heavy focus on teaching their class how to recognize and regulate the social and emotional responses that they are feeling while they build relationships with their students. Our philosophy on education is that true learning can not take place if there is no trust that has been built between students and teachers through relationships. Unit 0 equips the class with the relationships and trust it needs to create a successful learning environment.
Our 8th Graders taking a class break to go to the park for a bit
I heard about our eighth grade teacher taking our kids over to the park to play basketball in the afternoon. When I went over to visit with them, the teacher came over to me and started listing off all the reasons he felt like it was a good idea to take the kids to the park, like he needed to justify it to me. That fear is what systems instill, a fear that there will be disapproval in a choice to prioritize relationships over education, when really prioritizing relationships is prioritizing education. I just chuckled, and told him I was going to hop in and shoot a few baskets with them before I left.
This year with the way our classes fell, we are able to accommodate 72 students. My heart and love for children wants to wish we were able to accommodate all children, but I know that we can never aim for that. As Mighty Oak grows we will have more and more students every year, but the point is not to develop into just another system. The point is to develop community and that would mean encouraging more small, community based schools, rather than seeking continuous growth that has to be systemized. The goal will always be community and not a system.
Ethan
Fish Fry Today 11am-7pm!!!
The Fish Fry will be open today from 11-7pm. Stop by for a fish sandwich or some churched up tots. Join us for Dinner for some Karaoke!!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.