Teepee building

The students decided to build a teepee yesterday. First they selected the extra- large pieces of bamboo. Then they cut bamboo and prepped it by removing the extra branches:


Testing:



They decided to feed the bamboo through a tomato cage and tie the pieces together to stabilize them at the top:


Now it is placed up in teepee form- still standing. Waterproofing should occur next week.


- to be continued...

Happy Birthday, Clearview!!

Today was a celebration of our first anniversary. Sometimes I get frustrated that we don't already have a bona fide school, in the perfect place, with plenty of students. Then days like this come along, and I remember how quickly an idea transformed into this wondrous group of people. It's only been one year! The spirit and commitment of this group is inspiring, and I feel so lucky to be experiencing the joys and challenges of starting a school with them. Thanks everyone for a great first year!

And the New Year Begins

I'm back at school. Well it's more like an educational village community but i'll use the word school for short. And at this school where they say we're all trusted and respected and treated as valuable people instead of stupid, second-class citizens; I sit here on the couch with a parenting book in my lap, observing the miraculous event that is happening all around me. I hear the attempts at Expert level RockBand floating down from the loft. Some Staff members sitting around a coffee table talking about Sri Atmananda & all of Austins other alternative schools. Computer Games and hide & Seek and YouTube comedy; poker and Quelf and kids in the pool. But most interestingly of all is i hear the conversations about Bloody Mary & Becker Elementary School, knowing that i have knowledge of both, reveling in the wonderful realization that i dont have to show that knowledge. I will learn and think and say what i think is right at the times i think are right, and no one will punish me for it. And while all the others follow each other from room to room playing different games; I'm free to choose not to. Sorry for the uniqness, but I have some reading to do. : )