Blue Skies

We finished up our regular schedule of classes and tutorials last week, ending strong.  Many classes took advantage of the beautiful weather and worked outside.  The photos above are from the final dance class, Moving Forward, led by Mau and Emma.

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On Sunday, after many months of preparation and planning, The Alternative Contribution Team led by Marie McCourt and Miranda Shannon held a huge and successful Craft Fair at North Star.  It was very impressive.  Thanks, Team!

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Today begins Presentations Week, my favorite week of the year.  (I'm working on writing something about why that's true.  Coming soon.)

Just Add Chairs

There's so much going on at North Star lately, I hardly know where to begin...

For starters, Ken had his second blog post published in The Huffington Post: "Eighth Grade Out." Feel free to distribute widely.  It is super exciting for all of us to have North Star welcomed on this national platform.

Also on the press front, The Valley Advocate was in this week and is planning to run a story on North Star in the June 6 issue, so watch for that.  On a slightly less grand scale, I had a letter to the editor about bullying included in the Hampshire Gazette last Monday (you can read that HERE, scroll down), AND Umass journalism student Michelle Alcott completed her story about North Star, which includes lots of beautiful photos and a three minute audio interview with me.  You can see that on Michelle's blog, HERE.

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The garden is coming together beautifully.  We now have some lovely green adirondack chairs to read or relax in, thanks to a generous North Star parent, and the much-anticipated garden shed is nearly completed!  The lumber was donated by Cowls Building Supply in Amherst and RK Miles in Hatfield, and North Star grandparent Michael Hoostein is building it, with some design help from Devin Roark and the Construction Class.

Still to come: Lots more plants, shrubs, and maybe a small tree or two, two patios, more patio furniture, three long planter boxes to be filled with vegetables, an entry arch, and hopefully, a pergola.  Stay tuned.  Better yet, bring some work gloves, or a book, and come on over to enjoy it.

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For the fourth year in a row, North Star was proud to walk in The Northampton Pride Parade yesterday.  It's such a beautiful scene of support and community.  It's really fun to be there.  You can see more pictures from our day in the Photo Gallery.

We have several staff members graduating from college this semester.  We are so happy for them, but also sad that it means the end of their work study arrangement and possibly the end of their work at North Star.  We are scheming ways of keeping them around, so don't take this as a final goodbye, just the end of a certain stage.

Huge Congratulations to:

Ethan Mathews!  Ethan is a North Star alum who has been around for the last month or so teaching Latin and Military History.  He graduated from the Commonwealth College at UMass with a degree in Archeology this past December and walked for the ceremony this week.  Ethan will likely be going on to graduate school in the Fall, but we know he'll never really leave North Star, so we're not worried.  We'll be seeing more of him in the future.

Josh Sugiyama!  Josh has been teaching Movement at North Star and tutoring in math and SAT prep.  He is graduating from Hampshire College.  Josh is staying in the area, so hopefully our friendship will continue.

Sam Nordli!  Sam has been with us at North Star for two years leading the Choir group and tutoring in science and math.  He is graduating from Hampshire College this semester.  Sam plans to move east toward Boston this summer, but hopefully he will visit when he's ever in the area.

Caitlin Fuller!  Caitlin has been giving art lessons at North Star and is graduating from Hampshire College.  Congrats!

Mauricio Abascal!  Mau graduated from UMass this week.  He does so many things at North Star, we hardly know what we'll do without him. Hopefully we won't have to...

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And another staff announcement:  It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of Sarah Reid, North Star Outreach Director.  

In June Sarah is moving with her family to San Francisco to pursue a career in Interior Design.  Sarah's creative thinking, hard work, and commitment have made a huge impact on our program. Her goal when she began four years ago was to double North Star's enrollment, and she has succeeded in that goal. Congratulations, Sarah!  And many, many thanks.  You will be missed.

One More Staff Announcement:

North Star is excited to welcome Lauren Wolk as our new Outreach Director.  Lauren has already been spending time at North Star learning the ropes from Sarah, and she will begin part-time for real in August.  We're looking forward to working with her!

A Final FYI:

A North Star parent shared this info about an online unschooling summit coming up, May 21-June 1.  It looks to be free. We don't know anything about it, but some of you might be interested in checking it out: http://www.unschoolingsummit.com/

Mass Media

North Star got a lot of press this week!  Last Sunday was our annual fundraising brunch, A Celebration of Self-Directed Learning.  This year we honored Chris Martenson, which was covered in a front page article in the Greenfield Recorder.

 

Two of our teen members were highlighted in local news this week as well.  Liam Saito was in the South Hadley newspaper, and Eli Catlin was interviewed on local radio station, WRSI. 

THEN, Ken had a blog piece published in The Huffington Post! 

Very exciting!

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News from the garden:

We continue to receive lots of support from local businesses for our garden project.  

This week the Construction Class will be building our new shed thanks to the generosity of Cowls Building Supply in Amherst and RK Miles in Hatfield.  Thank you!! 

ALSO, many thanks to Annie's Gifts and Garden Center in Amherst for the donation of many beautiful perennials, including two butterfly bushes.  The butterflies of Hadley will be visiting us at North Star this summer!

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Last week I shared some of my reaction to the new film, "Bully," and began describing some of the things I think we do well regarding preventing bullying at North Star.

First, as I mentioned, we maintain a culture of kindness by holding frequent mediation meetings.  Annoyance meetings, as we call them, can be requested by any member of our community, staff or teen, at any time.  Meetings are non-punitive and are facilitated by a staff member immediately upon request.  No one is "in trouble" at an annoyance meeting, and the person calling the meeting isn't automatically right.  The goals are to air grievances, for all voices and stories to be heard, and to find a way forward that is amenable to all.  

North Star maintains a pleasant and safe environment by more subtle means, as well.  One of our Guiding Principles is that structure communicates more powerfully than words.  Our structure communicates respect and tolerance.

First, there is no hierarchy among teen members.  There are no grades like freshman, sophomore, junior, and there are no grades like A,B,C,D.  Teens are not automatically grouped in any way and no individual is valued more highly than another.  We are a community of equals.  

Every North Star member is following an individual path.  We are supporting teens to find out how they learn best, what they are most interested in learning, and which resources are the most useful choices.   Every North Star member uses the program differently.  In a community of individuals, there is no one right way to be, so groups don't tend to close themselves off to those who are new or "different."  Everyone is different! 

Of course, teens develop friendships and spend more time with their friends, but inside North Star interactions are largely flexible and available.  Any given teen may or may not be comfortable jumping into a particular exchange, but in the social environment of our common room, no one is barred.  

In addition, individual expression is normal.  The culture is so varied that out-grouping doesn't tend to happen based on appearance, either.  Over time we see many friendships develop between teens who would not have ever spoken to each other in school.

Teens are free to come and go, as well, which means that if they are having a negative experience with someone, they can move away from them if they prefer.  Time and space can do wonders for a relationship, and North Star teens are empowered to choose for themselves when they would like to take some space.

Finally, the nature of the relationship between teens and adults at North Star is based in mutual respect.  To be clear, adults and teens at North Star are not peers.  We adults are responsible for the program and for our shared environment.  At the same time, adults do not hold power over any individual.  Teens and adults are not the same at North Star, but we are equal.  Teens are welcome and encouraged to draw on the experience and advice and teaching of the adults, but they are not required to.  They have choices.  Their own personal goals and visions are paramount.  North Star teens have control over themselves, intellectually and physically, and are not subject to arbitrary direction from adults.  The nuanced ramifications of this dynamic are significant, and remarkably different than those in any school environment.  

Equality, in my opinion, is the basis for respect.  Adults at North Star are there to collaborate with teen members and to help them envision and develop the future of their choice.  We do this with respect for who they are and where they are in their lives.  We expect and demand respect in return, and this is seldom an issue.  An adult and teen at North Star are two free people voluntarily collaborating on an educational project. Each respects the others' position and opinions.  It is simple, and yet remarkably powerful.  The nature of this alliance engenders self-respect, empowerment, vision, and confidence.  

This model of interaction between people is healthy and sane.  North Star teens usually learn to behave this way with each other, and with the rest of the world.  In a community where mutual respect for all people of all ages is constantly being developed and fostered, bullying doesn't have much of a chance as a long-term pattern.

Alternatively, my opinion is that in environments where hierarchy prevails and the power structure is unequal, bullying is inherent.  For me, the national discussion regarding bullying prevention is only so useful as long as these essential criteria are ignored.

With Pride

North Star is fortunate to host so many incredible volunteers and work-study students.  Our program relies heavily on their work and generosity.  It's especially rewarding for us when alumni return to lend a hand and share their gifts.  Those who have been through the program themselves are in ideal positions to support current members, already being so familiar with the experience.  We've been honored this year to have several alumni back in various capacities, including Emily Odgers, Allie Sheedy, Will Matica, Adriana Piantedosi, Jesse Shotland, and Nia Steiner. 

Nia has been co-directing theater with Ellen Morbyrne for two years now.  This year she took it on alone for several months while Ellen was on maternity leave, including solo-directing an amazing Festival of One-Acts in February.  The upcoming theater production, Shakespeare's As You Like It, is 21 actors strong.  It could not possibly be going as well as it is without Nia Steiner.  Thank you, Nia!!

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MORE North Star alumni out doing amazing things!  Here's a shot of Jonah Meyer and Lachlan Ziegler on Mount Washington.  Both are enrolled in Greenfield Community College's Outdoor Leadership Program this year.  Jonah will be speaking at the North Star fundraising brunch this weekend.  Thanks, Jonah!

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This Thursday, May 3, North Star member Eli Catlin has a headline show at The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton.  

We hope that many in the North Star community will come out to see him rock the delta blues.

Eli will bring a stack of $10 advance tickets to community meeting on Monday.  

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North Star teens have joyously marched in the Northampton Pride parade for the last several years.  This year the parade is on Saturday, May 12, and more than 10 teens have signed on to participate.  If you are interested in joining us, let me know.

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I saw the film, "Bully," last weekend at Amherst Cinema and it has been very much on my mind since then.  I talked about it at community meeting on Monday, and the group had a heartening discussion about the film and about bullying, which led to plans for Ken to take a group to see the film the next day. 

The administrators in the film are so useless...  I wanted to be sure that our teens felt like they have access to real help should they need it.  Not everyone is comfortable speaking at a large group meeting, of course, but I tried to make it clear that the staff at North Star is open to any sort of feedback or information through whatever means is most comfortable to the individual coming forward, whether it be a private conversation, a note, an email, a phone call, or via a parent or another teen. 

When I first began working at North Star I was very surprised to find teens being kind to each other.  I expected more conflict, more rudeness, less mutual support.  I thought, "What? All you have to do is take teens out of school and suddenly they are nice to each other?"

Over time I have come to see that there is a little more to it than that.  This is not to say that there is never a mean word, or sarcastic comment.  There are many, especially from teens newest to the program.  These are normal, average teens, and there are occasional conflicts.  How we mediate them is one of the things that I think we do right.

First, when there is a conflict, we have an immediate meeting.  We call them Annoyance Meetings.  Anyone can call an Annoyance Meeting at any time.  Everything else that was happening is temporarily dropped, and a staff person facilitates a meeting with the teens involved.  This meeting is non-punitive.  All voices, opinions, and stories are heard, and the goal is mutual understanding and reconciliation, which is generally achieved, often with depth and growth that has brought tears to my eyes many times over the years.  North Star teens don't have to love each other, but our one encompassing rule is that no one can behave in a way that makes someone else not want to be there.   If they cannot co-exist, they cannot be there, so together we find a way.  This is one of the many advantages of non-compulsory attendance.  North Star teens are there because they want to be.  They are invested in finding a way to work through conflict. 

Conflict resolution meetings can be time-consuming.  They are also one of the most important things we do as staff.  Through these meetings the environment is largely protected from unpleasant interactions, the culture of kindness and support is maintained, and participants gain powerful skills in communication, empathy, and mediation that will hopefully continue to serve them in their lives beyond North Star.

There are a few other things that I think we do right in preventing bullying at North Star, including respect for ALL, and lack of hierarchy, but I'll expound on those next week.

Here's the trailer for the film.  It is a powerful, emotionally wrenching film.  I recommend caution.

FYI:

TEEN YOGA SERIES at ENERGIA

Saturdays, May 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, 12pm-1:15pm
$14/class or $40 for all 4 classes
Lora's dynamic Vinyasa flow features upbeat music, an athletic practice, and a focus on having fun and being in the moment. Each week focuses on a different aspect of building a yoga practice. Space is limited.
 
May 5th: Building the Vinyasa Flow; May 12th: Backbending; May 19th: Twists; May 26th: Arm Balances and Inversions
 
Shower available, mats and props are provided by the studio: www.energiastudios.com

Access

A group of North Star teens had a beautiful day rock climbing with Greenfield Community College's Outdoor Leadership Program yesterday.  Perfect weather for a day in the woods.  Thanks, OLP! (and thanks, Ananda Wilson, for the photos!)

 

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Our Garden Project is underway!  We are getting lots of support from our parent community and from many local businesses.  So far we have huge plans with Home Depot to build us some planter boxes and fill them with plants, a small gift card from Lowe's, a few nice things from Amherst Farmer's Supply, blackberries and a climbing rose from our friends at Hadley Garden Center, compost from Cook's Farm, lumber for a shed from RK Miles, and new commitments from Sears for a hose and some tools, and a major donation from Hastie Fence to install an entry arch and gate!  We are so appreciative!  It's going to be beautiful! 

Of course, we still need more...  including a bench, an adirondack chair, and other sturdy patio furniture.  I'm looking for someone to build a compost bin, and we still need lumber for the pergola.  Also looking for many blueberry bushes, perennials, ornamental grasses, and other shrubs.  It's a grand vision, and it's coming together.  Please let me know if you can contribute: catherine AT northstarteens.org.

We had perfect weather for our first family work day on the garden last weekend.  Thanks so much to all of you who came out!  (You can see more photos of the garden project, climbing, and other moments from this April HERE.)

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I recently had some video editing lessons from North Star staff member, Mauricio Abascal, and now I am all excited about making videos for North Star.  Thanks to a lot of helpful feedback through the editing process, I finished my second video this week.  Soon it will come to live on the North Star website in a more permanent way, but for now, you can see it here:

Variety Show: Dare to Be a Genius; Dare to Be a Fool from North Star on Vimeo.

Josh Wachtel and John Sprague lead a class at North Star called Variety Show. The group has prepared for and performed two shows this year, with a third scheduled for June 9, 2012. The class creates a collaborative and supportive atmosphere for teen performing artists, beginners and more experienced performers alike. The class mantra is "Dare to be a Genius; Dare to be a fool."