S+November+2008

Attending: Mary DeCoster, Dick Marr, Charlie Layman, Clara Hazlett-Norman, Leon Ikenberry, Ben Rousseau, Martha Klopfer, Kathy Schenley, Barbara Conger, Dawn Carney-Meriwether, Mary Deborah Englund, Cheryl Mitchell-Olds Regrets: Jackie Macleod, Tammie Cruell, Susan Kincaid, Kathryn Diamant Welcome to Cheryl, welcome back to Dick Presentation for PSA, Wednesday, November 12, US Meeting Hall Social time 6:30 – business 7:00 – our part around 7:20 – settle out around 8:20 Charlie, Mary Deborah, Barbara, and Leon worked on the Power Point slides during our recent technology staff development event Mary will give a brief overview of the School Life Committee Charlie will present the slides Folk from various units invited to contribute Time for questions (I have appended Charlie’s outline for the evening to the end of the minutes.)
 * __School Life Committee – Minutes from November 6, 2008__**

PSA has asked if we would like a parent representative to join our committee. (PSA officers have conflicts with our meeting nights. ) A resounding “yes, please.” Angela Zoltners will write a brief “job” description for News from CFS.

Discussion: Should we take up war games/ war toys issue (as per a parent’s writing from last spring) ? If yes, how and to what end? (Ben read us the words as a lead-in to Claremont dialog.) Points shared: Ø trust in teachers to handle it appropriately – why should this committee grapple with this issue when it is already dealt with so well in the units – what could __we__ bring to the table that’s not there already Ø  I don’t fear that our students will mistake dodgeball, paint ball, etc. for killing – don’t think our students will get the wrong message because of our community culture – this would be a good topic for a query for students Ø agree that it’s handled well; is it handled consistently? Do we have intentional discussions about the topic in the course of discussing Quaker values? Ø we’re educated about war here; laser tag isn’t going to make me a violent person; a game shouldn’t be banned unless it’s harmful Ø These words made me think more deeply about some activities – don’t feel an urge to spend time developing queries – could the committee share this letter with the larger community (How do we define community?) Ø this is an invitation to look more deeply at a core Quaker value; we should not fear differing opinions; these words caused me to pause and reflect Decision: We would like to get the wisdom of Friday meeting regarding how best to share this topic with the larger community. Mary will check about permission to share the words (and whether the parent wishes to remain anonymous). Kathy will draft a message to Friday meeting summarizing our discussion; she will circulate the draft via email for approval. Other announcements: Charlie is working to get opportunities for worship listed on our website. These will include CFS monthly community meetings, Durham and Chapel Hill Meetings, unit weekly meetings. Unit open houses coming up. Diversity Committee evening (film //Obsession//) –US students participated in the event – they were eloquent, thoughtful

kss 11/6/08 ** Outline for PSA Presentation ** Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Welcome/School Life Committee Description (Mary DeCoster, Convener SLC) (5 minutes) Overview of the School Life Committee · Unique CFS committee comprised of Board Members, Students, Staff, Parents, and PSA representative · SLC provides a forum to examine and support the Quaker life of the CFS community, we hear from unit, PSA, board representatives, and students about the current events at CFS (new this year – Monthly Community Meetings for Worship, PSA presentation - //What does it mean to be a Quaker School?//) · Support for the Afghan Sister School Project PowerPoint presentation (10 minutes or less) (Charlie and anyone else who’s interested) Overview of Quaker Schools in US/World · US map showing Friends Schools across the US  ·  World regions showing Friends School locations Present the two basic principles common to all Friends Schools · Each human being has a Divine spark through which a greater spiritual wisdom can be experientially accessed · Truth seeking is a process of continuing revelation from multiple perspectives within a gathered community Share that CFS Philosophy informs our particular Educational Design Representatives from units will discuss four educational practices that are generated from our philosophy (20 minutes/5 minutes per unit) · Collaboration Early School (Barbara, Dawn) · Inquiry Lower School (Charlie and Lisa C.) · Reflection Middle School (MaryD, Leon, Clara, Ben) · Service Upper School (Kathryn, Charlie) Invite audience to share their experiences and observations of the Quaker life of CFS. (10 minutes) (volunteer(s) to lead?) Summary/Offer Query (maybe) and enter into silence (10 minutes) (volunteer(s)?) “Friends schools strive to be communities within which all can discover their inner source of strength and wisdom, finding themselves encouraged to follow its leadings.” Sean Compagnucci, **//Advises and Queries for Friends School Community Life//** (Still working on a query for this section, if we use one – open to suggestions.)