Friday, December 2, 2016

"Make America Love Again"

A big thank you to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation for hosting our workshop today. After our signature opening of crazy icebreaker activities, we settled into an intense day of discussion and debate. We learned about our differences and discussed the many divisive issues facing America today. We did so in a respectful and thoughtful environment. Despite our differences, we all agreed that it is time to "make America love again."





Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Workshop Agenda for December 2 at the MPTN

More Than Words Workshop
Dec. 2, 2016
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Community Center

7:45 Groton STA bus picks up New London High Students
8:00 Bus picks up Fitch High Students
8:15 Bus picks up Ledyard High students
8:30 Bus drop off More than Words group at the MPTN Community Center
Icebreakers
Group Challenge – shipboard games?
Group tag
9:00 Opinion Continuum
9:45 Walk of Privilege
10:00 Fishbowl: how to develop safe, respectful dialogues
10:30 Moot Court Activity- teams of two or three
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Program development and reflection
1:00 Depart Tribal Community Center
1:15 Drop off LHS students and staff 
1:30 Drop off Fitch High students and staff
1:50 Drop off New London High School students and staff

Friday, November 4, 2016

Minutes from More Than Words Workshop October 27

More Than Words Workshop
October 27, 2016
New London Science and Technology High School


The workshop began with the viewing of a slide show from the Oliver Hazard Perry trip that was held on September 11-14, 2016.  Mark Russell created an outstanding show from photos he took while on board the ship.

The group then participated in a series of icebreaker activities.  Those activities ended with the recognition of the three Martin Luther King Scholars in the group.

            The students were then separated into small groups and asked to identify and explain the leadership lessons they learned aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry.  The small groups also explained how the lesson of “Ship First, Crew Second, and Self Last” can apply to their school/community setting.

After lunch, the groups reported out on their dialogue.  Each group recorded their comments and suggestions on newsprint (see attached).

            The workshop ended with a short opinion continuum and with plans for the next workshop to be held on December 1 or December 2.


Plans for the Future

·      Food/Nutrition Issue
·      Collect Data
·      Freshman Workshops
·      School Push-outs
·      Teach Civil Discourse
-      Healthy Communication Workshops
·      Teach Students about Resources
·      Awareness of Privilege/Disadvantage
·      Empathy
·      Culture
·      “Walk On By:  A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space”


Ideas

Take first step in integrating students into a comfortable and accepting learning environment.

·      Connection Within the Schools
-      Team Building Activities
-      Common Experiences

Example:   Field Day
                        Orientation
                        Festivals Often
Dignity Day (Respect)

T-Shirts/Lanyards (L more visible presence)
Website/Active Link
Mentioned at assemblies
Address issues early (elementary/middle school)
MTW managed chat room to help with emotions/feelings
Whole school impact:
Ship à schools
Crew à classmates/teacher
Self à MTW representatives


Elementary/Middle School

Approach the topic of bullying in a different way
·      Focus on positive behaviors
·      Starfish story à have a discussion
·      Ask students about their backgrounds
-      How do they appreciate where they come from?
·      Self-love (confidence)
·      Have students lead the discussion
-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
·      Shoebox project (collect hats, gloves, etc. for those in need)
·      High school assembly
-      People will be interested when they see people they know
-      Certain classes depending on school
·      Advisory à address all classes
·      Team building games similar to OHP activities
·      Continue restorative justice
·      Current events (locally and national)
·      Introduction of Ambassadors

-      Let people know about us…establish credibility*

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

More Than Words Workshop October 27, 2016

October 27, 2016
New London Science and Technology Magnet School
7:45       Ledyard STA bus picks up Ledyard High Students
8:00       Bus picks up Fitch High Students
8:15       Bus arrives at NL Science and Tech Magnet School
8:30       Icebreakers:
·       Names games
·       Group Challenge
·       MLK Scholar Recognition
9:00       Slide of Oliver Hazard Perry trip
9:20     OLP leadership take-aways: how will the trip support the More Than Words goals?
10:00   Ship first, crew second, self last --> relevance activity
11:00   Opinion Continuum
11:45     Lunch
12:15     Program development for December
1:00       Culminating Activity:
1:15     Depart New London High 
1:40     Drop off Fitch High students and staff
2:00     Drop off Ledyard High School students and staff

Monday, September 12, 2016

Oliver Hazard Perry Trip - Day 2

We woke up to a beautiful morning on City Pier in New London. After breakfast, we departed and steamed down river. We quickly pulled in and set anchor toward the mouth of the Thames River. From there the students did a series of training exercises, which included learning to sail, climbing the rigging, sail handling and most importantly how to handle the myriad of lines to set, douse and trim the sails. After lunch we pulled up anchor and headed into the south wind toward The Race. As we approached The Race, we turned back toward Fishers Island Sound and set sail. The kids did a fabulous job setting and triming seven sails. We had a peaceful sail to and through Fishers Island Sound before turning north toward Stonington harbor. The kids doused all the sails, coiled all the lines and cleaned up in time for an amazing swim before dinner. They had a blast jumping from the rather high deck. Dinner was amazing and the cook noted that they ate a lot more tonight then last night, indicating a hard days work. After dinner there were some group bonding activities, then yoga, a movie, time on deck under the stars and finally some games. The students should sleep well tonight. 
 
 

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Oliver Hazard Perry Trip - Day 1

The OHP arrived in New London today. We boarded, ate a fine meal, met the crew and went through a series of safety trainings. 22:00 is lights out. Big day tomorrow. 



Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Workshop Agenda for May 5 at LMS and JWL

               7:30       Pick Up New London High students           
               7:50       Pick up Fitch High Students
               8:10       Pick up Ledyard High Students
               8:30        Arrive at Ledyard Middle School
·        Organize the workshop components
·        Prepare the discussion and follow-up activities
9:35- 10:22         Workshops in Grade 7 classes
11:00- 12:00       Workshops in Grades 5 and 6 at Juliet Long School
12:11     Lunch at Ledyard High School
1:10       Depart Ledyard High
1:25       Drop off Fitch High students
1:45       Drop off New London High students