The Weekly Bulldog
December 6, 2018
“Our world has been so tremendously enlarged and complicated, our horizons so widened and our sympathies so stimulated by the changes in our surroundings… that a school curriculum which does not show this same growth can only be very partially successful. The subject matter of the schoolroom must be enlarged to take in the new elements and needs of society.”
I think few would argue with this premise. One of our core obligations in schools is to continually think about and evolve our practices to make sure we’re helping our children successfully navigate the society we live in as well as the one they will experience as adults.
It seems never more important than now, yet John Dewey wrote those words just over one hundred years ago, in "Schools of Tomorrow." In the book, he identifies schools from around the country that he feels are getting it right, schools that “have a tendency toward greater freedom and an identification of a child’s school life with his environment.” He also articulates what he finds to be core flaws in the way schools go about preparing children for living in their communities. One critical issue he finds is that the school’s basic curriculum often misses the mark. “Schools take the accumulated learning of adults, material that is quite unrelated to the exigencies of growth, and try to force it upon children, instead of finding out what these children need as they go along.” “To a very large extent the schools overlook, in the methods and subject-matter of their teaching, the social basis of living. Instead of centering the work in the concrete, the human side of things, they put the emphasis on the abstract, hence the work is made academic- unsocial.”
In these comments, he returns to a theme that runs through much of his work, the idea that learning is essentially social in nature and must be recognized as such. If one the purposes of education is to prepare children to engage productively in the working world, the interpersonal aspects of learning must be brought to the forefront. As Dewey notes, “work is essentially social in its character, for the occupations which people carry on are for human needs and ends.”
Ultimately, Dewey finds a strong moral purpose in schools. He argues that a school’s success in the end should be measured by how much students are encouraged to build their paths toward supporting the greater good. And in building those paths, Dewey knew that students need to do more than just learn about morality in abstract, removed ways; they need to practice it every day, though regular social interaction. I think about the fundamental nature of our mixed-age homerooms and about the many opportunities Stanley students K-8 have to interact with peers and with those either much older or younger. As important as traditional academic skills are, we must always keep our focus on providing intentional, meaningful opportunities for children to interact with one another, and on their terms, not always on ours.
As we say in our values statement about Community Responsibility, “We cultivate in our students the ability and desire to be responsive and contributing members of the world.” As Dewey would certainly agree, the key is in the “cultivating” bit. It comes through regular practice, from habit formed by ongoing commitment, and from observing adults and mentors demonstrating genuine care and respect for others. Dewey understood that school is at its core a place where children learn how to live positively and productively with others in society. It’s a responsibility we take to heart at Stanley.
A note of gratitude
Every non-profit has high hopes for reaching their goals on Colorado Gives Day. This year you – our generous parents and alumni families – helped us jump-start annual giving for The Stanley Fund by contributing over $143,000 on Tuesday. We still have a way to go to reach 100 percent participation, but this Gives Day turn-out shows the value you place on what we are doing here every day. On behalf of the faculty and staff – and our students! – thank you so very much for your enthusiastic support and generous contributions to making Stanley a great place to work, and learn and grow.
All the best,
Tim
Top Five Things
1. Justice and equality in spoken word
On Friday, our 3-4-5 students had the unique opportunity to meet and engage with Jeremy Vasquez, an Artivist from the Bay Area. Jeremy uses art, passion, and activism to fight for justice and equality. He is a spoken word artist and shares his gifts to inspire youth across the United States. Read about his interactions with students in the 3-4-5 in Stephanie's learning report.
2. Stanley goes all in for Colorado Gives Day!
It's our community that makes Stanley a unique and special place for students to grow and learn. With the support of 240 donors Tuesday we raised more than $143,000 to support our vision of joyful lifelong learning. Thank you for your confidence in our school and the people and programs that support it.
3. It's our culture that keeps students safe and healthy
School culture is the cornerstone of a student’s experience, and Stanley's culture is driven by our mission -- the things we consider to be true. The mission-based traits of engagement, community responsibility and respect inform our work around student safety and well-being. Read more about culture as a building block of a school’s character.
4. Shop for The Stanley Fund on December 22
Thanks to Stanley family and Goose & the Goat proprietors Danielle & Jeff Patton, on Saturday, 12/22, 10% of all sales from this Stanley Marketplace store will support The Stanley Fund. Extra bonus: Stanley families will receive 10% off their purchases -- a real win-win for all of us!
5. Pickup holiday greens this Friday and Saturday
Upcoming Events
December 7
Financial Aid Applications Due!
Last day to check lost & found
December 8
December 10-13
December 20
PA Hosts Cookie Party for Staff
Stanley British Primary School
Email: admin@stanleybps.org
Website: www.stanleybps.org
Location: 350 Quebec St., Denver
Phone: (303) 360-0803
Facebook: facebook.com/stanley.british/
Twitter: @stanleybps