Weekender
A Newsletter from the Youth Initiative High School Waldorf Initiative
Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA Friday June 08, 2007 Editor: Conrad Rehbach
YIHS board member Mark Spark
exploring alternative options for additional classrooms for the YIHS
Thank you from Class of 2007 Families. Thanks to all who came to share in the graduation, to the supportive community, the teachers who offer so much guidance over the years preparing the students for this transition, to our esteemed speakers, to the students who helped with preparation and clean up, to all those who prepared food,and to those working behind the scenes to make it such a beautiful celebration especially: Dan Colacino, Mike Knapp, David, Nate and Ben Baumgardner, Jane Mussey, Pam Marshall-Neil, Mary Root, Theresa Carey and the group she organized for food set up and serving, to Joanne McNall and all the freshman parents and students who joined her in clean up. We appreciate all the hard work and support that made this a "joyful", memorable occasion.
Tartuffe. Thank you. Thank you K O’Brien, Temple Theatre, ARTT, John Tully, Chris Cox, John Madden, YIHS parents, YIHS theatre troupe, actors and light switchers, Karen’s Kitchen, parking directors, Moliere, etc. … we all enjoyed the show!
YIHS Visioning Meeting Thursday June 07, 2007 generated long lists of values and responsibilities and challenges. Please look through these lists and see how they resonate with you. Is there anything missing? Our next meeting will be Wednesday, June 13 at WTC, Room 115. We'll review the values and responsibilities, and begin to find ways to overcome our challenges. Please come help us if you can, or offer your input to someone else who will be there. (See document below).
Ultimate Frisbee - Sundays - Viroqua High School football field - 4pm. This is a great sport, fun, good workout, etc. Beginners welcome. Rules and "how to play" the game can be reviewed each week if necessary. It would be great to have YIHS students, faculty, friends come out and play. If you have questions please email mattvogel@frontiernet.net or call 637-3988. If you want more information on ultimate frisbee you can go to www.whatisultimate.com Thanks!!
Wisconsin towns and villages have received their names in various interesting ways, and Soldiers Grove was so named for an encampment of Soldiers among a Grove of pine trees along the Kickapoo River. In 1832, that's 175 years ago, these cavalrymen were in pursuit of a band of Indians lead by the legendary Sauk War Chief, Black Sparrow Hawk. This notorious chase & the skirmishes that ensued have come to be known in history as the Black Hawk War. Robert "Ernie" Boszhardt, popular historian & archaeologist with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center of La Crosse, will show a documentary film and host a discussion about Black Hawk, his people and the war against them, in a return visit to the Soldiers Grove Library on Tuesday, June 19, at 7pm. The program is free of charge and open to all. Also: DAIRY DAYS BOOKSALE. SOLDIERS GROVE LIBRARY. SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 9am - 2pm. Magazines ~ videos ~ books of all kinds. Everything's A Bargain!
Young people
today are searching for meaning in life. There is an inner necessity
to find their own path in life and experience the realities that exist.
The Youth Section of North America is organizing a meeting of
Anthroposophical Youth Initiatives and individuals on our continent. There
are many young people who have found Anthroposophy as a path in life.
There is an inner necessity to find living reality in Spiritual Striving
through Anthroposophy. While these individuals and initiatives are working
locally, many young people are searching for mentors and peers with which
to study, develop, and celebrate. To this end, the youth section will be
creating the Chicago Youth Initiative Meeting. We will be gathering
in the Heart of America from July 26 - 29. By working with elders,
peers, and in professional groups. We hope to share and gain the knowledge
of the previous generations, while realizing and creating ways to work in
this complex world today and into the future. As many young people are
involved and invested in the paths of their education and beginnings of
careers, there is a need of financial support for these meetings. The
youth section is in the process of raising funds for a mentor's travel,
and accommodations. The participants will cover costs of food. We are
looking to build bridges between the branches, and local youth thru deeds.
We are asking the branches to support 1 or 2 young people from their area
in travel costs. This would make travel and attending the meeting feasible
for young people longing for these connections and the depth of wisdom
gifted to the world through Anthroposophy. If you have any questions or
are interested in participating, please contact: Kathleen Morse
kathleen@youthsection.org or Henry Lyon
henry@youthsection.org. Thank you for supporting young people on their
journeys. Kathleen Morse, Henry Lyon -- Youth Initiative Team.
Background: The Youth Section is a dynamic group of young people,
committed to realizing the potentials of Anthroposophy in N. America. As
there are no membership requirements to be a part of the Youth Section,
members of the Youth Section are actively involved in Spiritual Striving
thru Spiritual Science. The Youth Initiative Team is a group of 12 young
people committed to listening, collaborating, and creating within the
context of Anthroposophy and the world. The Youth Initiative Team was
founded two years ago upon hearing a calling that youth work in N. America
needed a network to connect individuals and initiatives in their striving.
A group of young people from California to New York to Canada met after
the bi-annual Heartbeet Anthroposophic Youth Conference in Hartwick,
Vermont. We investigated and decided that the Youth Section needed to have
the existing activities of conferences and local study groups, as well as
a Team to assist individuals and organizations in growing their potential.
This connection is not homogenizing in effect, but rather a platform for
individuals and projects to fully realize their individual, local
potential while being connected to others in their spiritual
strivings.Through this network, 13 young Anthroposophists found their way
to Dornach, Switzerland this January. At the Initiative Meeting, we met
together in the Goetheanum with Elizabeth Wirshing and Orland Bishop to
have a conversation about youth work in N. America. Out of this, a Youth
Initiative Meeting in N. America idea sprang. We were looking to all meet
together in one place, get to know each other and our project in order to
form a strong web of connection and support. We are also on a networking
tour around the country to different projects and groups of young people
studying Anthroposophy. Goals: Our goals are to: Network, inspire,
generate momentum, inform of initiatives, and create an interconnected web
of young people striving in spiritual science. Develop a web of
interconnections that through these personal connections sustains
individuals in their local work across the continent. To build
relationships between young people and local Anthroposophic branches,
councils, sections and individuals. Utilize the local biodynamic
agriculture in the area, making it a localized, sustainable initiative.
Follow up this meeting with local follow-up meetings. Solution:
Young People from across N. America will gather in Chicago from July 26th
- 29th, 2007. We will open the morning with a lecture and discussion by an
older member of the Anthroposophical Society. This will give us grounding
and depth for a focus of the day. We will then have time for sharing of
our initiatives as well as networking on ideas. Social time will be around
meals, especially mid-day meal. After lunch, we will gather in
professional groups for the afternoon. Each group will have a mentor or
facilitator for their working together. The groups will be Education,
Agriculture, Music, Eurythmy, Economics, Medicine, The connections to
local branches will begin with a deed. We are asking each branch to
support one or two young people from their area. This will be a spark for
a relationship between young people and their local branches. We will
encourage young people to give a report, written or oral at their local
branch upon returning home. Support: This meeting is supported by
the Youth Section in Dornach and Elizabeth Wirsching. It is supported by
the Central Council and Robert Karp. By the National Anthroposophical
Society in Ann Arbor. By MariJo Rodgers and local branches. Angelic
Organic in Illinois. Christian Community Seminary in Chicago. This project
is supported by the Youth Initiative Team: Rachel Schwartz -
Representative on the Collegium of the School of Spiritual Science, Per
Eisenman, Els Woutersen, Tiemen Wourtersen, Hannah Schwartz, Johnathan
Gilbert, Jindan Mann, Eowyn Levene, Kathleen Morse, Dave Luborsky, Eric
Schneeberger, Cari Burdett, Henry Lyon, Lucian Schloss. Who we are:
This project is being spearheaded by Kathleen Morse and Henry Lyon. The
two of us met in Dornach, Switzerland at the initiative meeting. Soon
after that we began working on creating an Initiative Meeting in North
America. After Graduating High School in 2006 from Summerfield Waldorf
School and Farm, Henry began his exodus from the life of his childhood, by
venturing to Alaska as a wild Salmon fisherman. There he learned how to
handle the weather, and conditions of the cannery, and the boats, while
generating a means for himself to travel further. In the fall, he went to
Europe, and found himself at the Goethanum in late December. After
attending the Youth Section Initiative meeting in January, he found a path
among other young American anthroposophists working in the Youth Section
of North America. Kathleen is a former class teacher at the Saratoga
Springs Waldorf school. She is a founding member of !DENA-USA, an
international network of young people working for positive, creative
social change. She is also a founding member of the Youth Initiative Team
and is currently working to generate connections of initiatives and
individual of all ages around themes of youth and society.
Looking for Sublet ... Our plants need a summer home! Some are large and could fill that empty corner in your house that has bad Feng Shui. Others just need a spot on your table. If you can help, please stop by and take a plant home ... it gets very hot at school in the summer, and watering can be irregular. Thanks.
Needs List
Seats for 15 passenger shuttle bus
Flat panel LCD computer monitors
Laptop computers
Video projectors
Overhead projector
Curtains or shades for all rooms
Beautification of an area of your choice at school
Cleaning services
Couches and Easy Chairs in good and sturdy condition
Letter size heavy duty 4 drawer filing cabinet
Desktop computers in working condition
Installation of a faucet in a bathroom
Someone to type up/proof read handwritten essays for the next newsletter
Calendar
Every Tuesday at 7 PM
Soccer. Driftless soccer pick-up games have started up again at the Viroqua High School football field. Everybody welcome. Goooaaaaaal!
Tuesday June 12
7:00 PM Board Meeting
Thursday June 13
6:30 PM Visioning Meeting at WTC room 115
Wednesday August 01
3:00 PM Supplies fees for 2007/2008 ($450) are due
Mo—Fr August 27—31
School resumes/camping—rock climbing trip to Devil’s Lake
Tuesday September 04
8:20 AM Morning Circle in room 305/first day of classes for the school year 2007/2008 at the Landmark Center/bring your red lunchbox or sign up for the organic hot lunch program courtesy of Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School
YIHS Visioning Meeting
Core Values for YIHS Community
Respect
Caring for others & ourselves
Transparency in actions/operations
Mutual Respect
Interdependence
Generosity of spirit
Positivity
Creativity
Outcome: that Students ability to impart meaning to their lives, to go out to make the world a better place
All groups are involved in supporting, making decisions, operating the school—coming out of love, emotional attachment to the school
School Values & respects individuals
School recognizes that the Universe & Human Beings have a spiritual nature
Commitment to excellence and to each other and to an owning of what is learned
Holistic nature of the education (intellectual, feeling, social, artistic, physical, physical environment)
Commitment to innovation & creative new ideas
Student initiative & responsibility
Interface with larger community—reflecting & serving the community
Flexibility to work with diverse needs & talents and still meet the needs of individuals
Economic accessibility
The following lists of responsibilities were generated by the
respective groups.
Responsibilities of Parents
Fundraising
Provide support to one’s student by providing structure & helping student to maximize YIHS experience
Stay in touch with teachers
Financial support, through tuition
Cooperating with teachers through open communication
To be informed, reading publications from YIHS
Involved, through service
Being a part of the community for other students (being a community for all students and in the greater community)
To participate with other parents (talk, call, check-in)
Attend meetings
Do committee work
Volunteer
Be an ambassador, advocating for the school
Find opportunities to be another student’s mentor
Be creative, bringing initiatives
Drive & chaperone
Responsibilities of Faculty
Pedagogy (design curriculum, teach, work with students, communicate with parents, write weekly reports & semester evaluations, communicate with other faculty & administrators) & discipline
Open a space to be able to work out of one’s highest & best intentions
Be authority figures in YIHS
Enforce rules
Having some familiarity with Waldorf pedagogy
Serve on committees
Attend meetings
Act as mentors & advocates for students
Questions
Role of care groups? ( Designed to assess wellbeing, attitude, & discipline, should they be used for discipline?)
Who is the faculty? (distinction between core faculty & other faculty)
Responsibilities of Administrators
Facility & building maintenance
Interface with adult authorities
Day to day operations of school
Open-door availability
Attend ALL meetings, acting as liaison
Questions
Who is the ultimate authority? What is the hierarchy of authority? in which areas? (Do administrators have a “shepherding” function?)
Responsibilities of Students
Keep the school clean
Do your homework
Keep a good image of the school
Make your education as much yours as possible
Your fellow students
Keep the school together both financially (to some extent), and emotionally
Keep a good image of yourself
Responsibilities of the Board
Hold the school in trust
Interface with the larger community
Responsible for the financial health of the school, approving budgets
Responsible for legal & government affairs
Hold the school accountable to the vision & guiding principles
Create committees & task forces with clear & specific mandates
Hire & evaluate administrator & development director, with job description & yearly review
Top Challenges
Identifying “bottom line”—responsibility, authority, decision-making (lines of authority)
Making policy
Enforcing policy
Faculty having trust of parents/community to make policy, enforce policy (parents & community trusting faculty & administrators)
Communication between parents & teachers needs to be improved
Keeping communication lines open between the 4 major groups
Future of physical house
Financial stability
Financial commitment to faculty & administration—adequate compensation
Doing all the homework on time (schedule study halls?)
Defining “transparency” in light of age appropriateness
Crisis of trust
Clarifying faculty assignments/responsibilities—especially for part-timers
Looking anew at school structure—how to operate more effectively (re-structure)
Defining level of commitment to Waldorf education
Re-envisioning the Care Group process
Reassessing the role of volunteers
Physical, day-to-day maintenance—and long range maintenance
Developing a Grievance process
Disharmony between teacher/student/parent expectations & reality of a mainly volunteer staff
Defining students’ role in all decision-making