Brainstorming Ideas to Improve Education, One State, Region and School At a Time, Starting Locally (in NWCT)

To help more people understand how the "No" vote would actually lead to something substantially can you and others who are familiar with these matters clarify the next steps, timeline and desired agendas...It seems the reality of a declining student population, the standards that were in place for grades and the cost of doing business as it was being done was not sustainable...

I have not been around for a couple of years and hope to understand matters better. Feel free to put info in a comment on www.livfully.org and I can post there too. I would hope more students would work in meaningful study groups (which could be supervised by caring and even somewhat capable adults who could assist from time to time in various subject areas to help students stay on track and appreciate the education that eventually they will have to pay to get in college if they don't get passing grades in high school.)

Starting in the earliest years by having a social club for each grade level of parents and the families of students whether with a monthly get together at a school event (near or prior too, just meeting on the playground or in a reasonable area to appreciate who the kids in a class are, any shared interests and concerns (through some class parents outside of school if not condoned by the school) would be helpful.

There are liability issues in terms of being negative or putting someone down in public or even privately..so wording things with constructive criticism and even a code 'teacher, staff, students' (without naming names) would make sense. I gave a lot of effort to creating comprehensive social networks over the last few decades..yet with many students, schedules were full. Others would hardly do much or again not have time due to family obligations. Still, most youth seemed to do well, while others struggled..often 'in the background or maybe with more obvious needs.'

A culture of caring and inclusive outreach, funds for youth to do simple programs (like recreational sports and trips, etc or help them get to local happenings with some extra family supportive sponsors) and pursue useful hobbies could be a shared effort. Some towns are more generous than others (Salisbury, Cornwall...) and some have more ongoing programs (Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon). I am still interested in helping anyone network to keep the fabric of our communities positive, safe, respectful and productive.

Women can help women, men help men and of course, every grade level be more unified across the region through 'family socials, simple outings at The Audubon and through Recreational programs and summer and sporting events.' I realize many people don't have much time and eventually I hope more can consider the pros and cons of the Reg. One dances ( which I basically thought were great for 7th and 8th or really 13-15 yr olds rather than younger than age 12 and yet...)..maybe 'too much of a good thing' where the socializing is 'too much all at once' and overall the risks of everyone on the roads, the concerns of early use of drugs or social cliques and lack of opportunity for more structured games and team efforts with about fifty kids rather than a couple hundred) would be things for parents and schools to consider.

Sadly the trend of young males (10-30) being at greater risk to try drugs early (pot, cigs, beer and harder stuff) needs to be recognized and honed in by more sectors of society. Young females are not much better off with a trend toward feeling pressured and maybe giving up sooner than necessary, not being able to find ways to build real confidence and life skills to keep up with modern demands. Ditto for plenty of parents who can feel stressed about juggling work and school schedules for their 1 or 2 or sometimes more kids.

Basically there's a ton of social work for everyone to pitch in towards knowing about and finding ways to help more families make ends meet and to fit into the collective in meaningful ways. Sorry to keep going on and on..but we are definitely 'going somewhere' and trying to keep up with the local needs and be part of the solution can be challenging for people who have been here most of their lives or at least a decade or two. Those are the folks who can help inform the current programs offered to newcomers or others expected to go to the schools and buy into all that's offered.

I hope more people can get involved and find ways to help each student and connect with more teachers and leaders and find common ground. Networking with those outside of the area who would benefit from our offerings would also be helpful..since we need more people for many volunteer roles and student population.

Summer is a great time to offer camping and host people at local events maybe through bridging and social networking of common interests such as advocacy, faith groups, hikes and again nature or Audubon programs (which could be emulated in each town for instance with a nature day festival, having each grade offer a 'booth' and get schools more accessible to the wider community in measured ways. ...even if helping educate the community on some basics of computer, recycling, permaculture and more.

Thanks for letting me brainstorm and feel free to comment or share.