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A Blessing to the World

2/26/2014

5 Comments

 
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This third year of our school's life has been really wonderful and really hard.  I have hesitated to write when I have been in the thick of challenges, not wanting to focus on the things that haven't been fun.  I watched our little school bus get towed away for the second time in two weeks yesterday.  It had broken down 4 times in 2 weeks.  Unexpected and not fun. Our repair bill is unexpected and I am trying to digest it calmly as I write today.   Several students have left our school this year.  It is hard to be what everyone wants, and hard when endings happen, emotionally, financially and possibly on our reputation because we humans, as customers, for various reasons, tend to post ratings more often when dissatisfied than when content. 

     We had to find new teachers when one teacher became pregnant and a new teacher hired didn't work out.  This created a wobble and a ripple.   We have two new amazing teachers now and it feels like we are lifting off again.  None of this was easy, and it seemed like it was one thing after another and sometimes all at once.  I read in a book recently something that seemed spot on... "road of trials."  We've been on a road of trials, and it may just be the way things are when you do something HUGE. 

We are doing something huge.  Every day it feels like we have offered a blessing to the world. 

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How?  By letting children learn by playing.  By giving children a place to play in the woods and in the creek.  By helping children learn about native plants, gardening and composting.  By offering children tools for resolving their conflicts and managing their emotions. By making gluten free pizza in our cob oven. By collecting eggs from our chicken, learning how to build a fire, washing our own laundry, making granola and writing poetry. And that was all just what we did in the last week.    

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5 Comments
Lauri Raymond link
2/26/2014 07:51:29 am

It makes me happy that The Inside Outside School is in the world. Congratulations to Deborah and all the teachers and students for participating in this wonderful endeavor!

Reply
Melicia
2/26/2014 03:00:54 pm

Deborah, hold your head high and know that you have created an amazing place for our children to think, grow, and learn. And for that, we can't thank you enough.

Reply
Patricia
2/27/2014 12:07:55 am

The road less traveled isn't the easier one to take, but it is far more rewarding. IOS is the most nurturing and successful learning environment I have ever seen created for children. It is the best school I have ever had the privileged to teach at. We are all so lucky that in times of deep challenge you prevail and keep this dream alive!

Reply
Brooke Duprey
2/27/2014 02:30:52 am

I recently received a beautiful card in the mail which quoted Zora Neale Hurston & I immediately thought of IOS. "There are years that ask the questions and years that answer." Thank you Deborah & the rest of the IOS community for being brave enough to ask the questions & patient enough to wait for the answers. My family & I are so grateful for all of you :)

Reply
Ceiling Repair California link
3/18/2023 02:19:17 pm

Great readd thanks

Reply



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    Deborah: I believe children need to have more time in the great outdoors and no time bubbling in answer sheets to prepare for standardized tests. 
     
    Students:  posting happenings and other interesting stuff.  Go IOS Mockingbirds!

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