Frequently Asked Questions and Center Policies
As we develop our vision, we've worked out the following ideas about what our guiding ideals are and how the center as a whole will run. Please feel free to ask questions about anything not mentioned here! Currently, there are no questions and answers here -- just general center ideals and policies.
Center Ideals
Empowerment: You can change the world around you.
One of our deepest goals is to create a community of health, happy, and empowered people. The understanding that you can change, shape, and fix the world around you is tremendously important for all people both as learners and as citizens of a community. This encompasses the following beliefs:
* Taking care of all the people in our community
We have a tremendous focus on teaching children to solve their own conflicts and completely supporting them in their emotional and social needs. Working with children to create a safe, respectful environment for all community members is one of our main priorities.
* Environmentalism
We believe deeply in working to take care of not only the community around us but also our global community. To this end, our center will actively adopt green practices and work to look at the social justice and environmental effects of what we do and what we can do whenever possible.
Center Policies
Computers
Computers -- being an integral part of our world -- are offered and studied as the powerful tools they are. We take a "from the roots up" approach; looking at all levels of how a computer works, from hardware all the way up to programming a computer. Computers will be used to explore different ideas and valued as creative and interdisciplinary tools.
Food
While there are currently no hard and fast rules on foods brought into the center (and we'd like to keep it that way) we encourage children to bring food that reflects good nutrition and respect for our smaller and more global communities. Any foods that are provided or used in the classroom will be organic and locally grown whenever possible, non artificial, and promote exceptional nutrition.Allergies
If you have a child with a severe food or other allergy, please bring it to our attention. We are more then willing to work with you, other parents, and the children to make sure your child has a safe environment within the center.
Violence
Violent toys and "play" are discouraged, unless part of an organized activity (like archery practice.) Violence is an aspect of human nature that comes up with children and adults of all ages. We feel it is extremely important to talk about and work through these emotions and impulses to find positive and constructive ways of communicating and working together so that the child can feel heard, as well as listen, to other people they are in conflict with.
Testing
Standardized testing is not a part of our educational plan. We encourage a natural approach to learning and know that that happens in different ways for different children and at all different times. We feel strongly that when a child is engaged and interested in a topic, the education they receive is far superior than being given information to be memorized for tests. A child, deeply in love with learning about dinosaurs, will be led to all sorts of information and skills en route. If he wants to read more about dinosaurs, he will learn more about reading. If he wants to understand how big they truly are, he will learn more about numbers -- be it what 1,000 ft. means, or what 1,000 ft. means relative to 5 ft. Through learning about a subject one is truly excited about and cares about in depth, the academic skills come to life. This type of education's hallmark is the flourishing, constant excitement, rather than rote memorization for testing.
To supplement this approach, we will work to keep notes of children's projects and progress. We will also keep a eye open for "teachable moments" and offer a child instruction when they ask for it or appear ready for it.