A+May+2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

__Review of the description of the SLC to be put in the 2011-12 handbook__. CURRENT DESCRIPTION: //“The mandate of the School Life Committee is to oversee the Quaker dimension of school life and to initiate special events on Quaker history and practice. It strives to provide a forum for dialogue with members of the wider community and gives particular attention to the school’s connection with the Durham and Chapel Hill Friends Meetings. The Afghan Sister Schools Partnership (ASSP) is under the care of the School Life Committee. The Committee includes representatives from the Board, the Parent-Staff Association, the ASSP, CFS staff, and students from various school units.”//

PROPOSED REVISION FOR HANDBOOK/PUBLICITY/ETC for 2011-12 //The School Life Committee supports and nurtures the Quaker dimension of school life. This is accomplished in many ways, including the creation of school-wide queries; the offering and support of special events on Quaker history, faith, practice and values; and the creation of a place where issues and ideas concerning the school's Quaker identity can be discussed with input from many perspectives.// //The School Life Committee includes representatives from teachers, parents, US and MS students, the Parent Staff Association, the Afghan Sister School Partnership, and CFS trustees, with some of these representatives also being members of the two local meetings. We welcome members of the CFS community who carry a passion for nurturing the Quaker character of the school.// //The School Life Committee strives to provide a forum for dialogue with members of the wider community and gives particular attention to the school’s connection with the Durham and Chapel Hill Friends Meetings. The Afghan Sister Schools Partnership (ASSP) is under the care of the School Life Committee.// //The committee generally meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, on the CFS main campus. For 2011-12, the committee will be co-convened by Jamie Hysjulien and Charlie Layman.//

__Report from Charlie via Marsha about US/MS head teacher interest in working with AFSC__ Charlie has talked with Renee and Carrie – expression of interest –both open to hearing more when we have a more concrete plan. We are looking toward some thing concrete such as a residency, a speaker, classes, projects – perhaps a 3-day event. Task in early fall will be to meet with AFSC and see what we could work out – small pieces but with a cohesive theme. Will need some brainstorming, needs to include some evening and /or weekend time to include families and Meetings, involve all of the units in some way. Perhaps time it over a service day? LS doesn’t have “service day” per se. Middle School tries to get kids out into the community. Upper School does a couple of service days in the winter. MLK day is something of a model – an event goes on in US meeting hall – all units come and work on it – presentation on MLK day – afternoon service project.

Marsha will try to get in touch with AFSC folks so that we can keep the conversations going. What about trying to check US courses (MS also) to see if there are places in the curriculum that we could add AFSC work to the mix?

Ask AFSC to send us notices about events in Greensboro for us to publicize. The Immigrants Solidarity Committee (ISC) in Durham – get on mailing list.

__Report from Charlie via Marsha about Staff Development interest__ Charlie had spoken with Carrie and Renee about claiming some staff development time – no decision yet. Leaning toward a shorter time in the fall, and perhaps something longer in the spring. Nobis Project—being run by Christen Clougherty (alum) - perhaps we could involve her in one of these days? Perhaps a 2-hour session? We like that she includes the historical aspect. To look at the Project’s work, go to http://nobisproject.org:80/Home Marsha will work with Charlie to go back to head teachers and ask for specific dates and time limits. We’d like a 2-hour time slot for Christen. The Integrity program spoke to several. Need to check Christen’s availability

__Discussion of work to do (if any) over the summer__ Cheryl going off Board – would like to keep coming to this group, but with limits (eldercare). Most units do committees at retreat – maybe a change to doing it in June? If there are committee changes – do we have numbers in mind that we want? 2 per unit would be good – 3 seems a lot. Rep from center? A book for the summer? Friends Journal book issue? Marsha will talk with Charlie about this, and pass on to Mike and head teachers info about the composition of the committee. Think about projects we might do – a little brainstorming.

The committee expressed deep appreciation to Marsha for her work as convener this year. She has been a gentle, organized shepherd – keeping us on track and productive. We will miss her.

First meeting next fall – Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 7:00 – 8:30pm