Learning Through Living: October 2012

Monday, October 22, 2012

Sunny Days / Rainy Days

Who wants to go outside on a cold and windy day like today? We do!! There is rarely a day that we don't venture to the park or play in the yard, after all, there's no such thing as "bad" weather! However, there are days that we spend more time indoors... doing art projects, putting together puzzles, cooking, reading and generally getting creative.

We built a puzzle ball!

At circle time on a particularly drizzly day several of the students wanted to do projects in the art room. We had a beautiful morning building toy cars, painting pumpkins and making swords out of scrap paper. Even the staff got to sit and paint... Solshine loves her bejeweled baby pumpkin!

Godzilla painting his baby pumpkin.

Solshine's baby pumpkin... how cute!

Fastflash builds a wooden model car.

He decided to make a few modifications to the original design.

There are always plenty of books to read... or to set up in a course like giant dominoes!

Ready...

And they're down!!!

Of course, this time of year, there are plenty of sunshiny days too! Luckily, we don't have to sit inside at desks staring out the windows, we get to take full advantage of the beauty of the season.

Godzilla enjoying our favorite swing.

Football has been very popular lately!

Ready to play!!!

Cassandra has quite the arm!!

Princess Birdie has her game face on.

I got it! I got it! I got it!

Tackle!

It's mine!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Return to Kitty City

It is Friday, 10:45 am; which means it is Kitty City time!

Fireknight, Rainbow Dolphin and Domo with kitty brothers.

This kitten crawled onto Domo's shoulder.

Godzilla, the newest member of our blogging clan, is put to work brushing a kitty.

On this visit to Kitty City we were happily put to work. We brushed cats, vacuumed cat hair from kitty play structures, swept kitty hair off the floor, cleaned kitty messes, and our parent volunteer, Alisa, and Georgie Porgie had the opportunity to clean kitty litter boxes.

A permanent volunteer who spends every Friday morning volunteering at the Humane Society (because she adores cats and her husband won't let her be the "crazy cat lady" and adopt "2000 cats") was delighted Sego Lily had returned to Kitty City.

This kitten has adopted Domo.

Domo pets Teddybear .

Teddybear is the softest, sweetest and heaviest cat. Teddybear reminds Domo of his old cat.

Domo was happy to see Tuxedo again. We hope Tuxedo finds a happy home.

If Domo could adopt a cat he would choose Tuxedo or Teddybear. Tuxedo is a really playful cat and he has a unique nose.

Godzilla and kitty unite to become true friends in the battle to end the abandonment of animals.

Georgie Porgie cradles the sweetest kitten in her arms. GP fell in love with this adorable kitten baby.

The Sego crew with parent volunteer, Alisa, walking dogs.

After petting cats and kittens we turned our attention to the small dogs. The moment we walked into the small dog room there was a cacophony of barking and whining. It was difficult to choose which dog to walk with so many doggies barking for our attention: Chihuahuas, Terriers, Pugs, muts of all breeds bark as if to say, "Pick me. Pick me."

We walked the dogs on the grassy area surrounding the Humane Society. Our new doggie friends were so happy to be free to roam, sniff, run and poop in the great outdoors.

The humane society has a rule that you must be 11 years of age and with an adult to walk a small dog. So Fireknight helped Rainbow Dolphin walk a Chihuahua.

Resting after a run.

This little dog had so much energy! Domo and Ranibow Dolphin took turns running with him back and forth on the grass. As they ran, the dog bounded and leaped with every step. The boys were worn out long before this Jack Russell Terrier.

Domo and Fireknight with a Jack Russell Terrier.

We had another wonderful visit to the Utah Humane Society and are already looking forward to meeting new kitty and doggie friends at our next visit.

Alisa nicknamed this kitten Puss-n-Boots.

I think this kitty is saying, "Come see me again soon!"

We will sweet kitten!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Climbing Pete's Rock

We arrived at Pete's Rock at 10:30am on October 4, 2012. There was a chill to the air as we filed after Jordan and Craig both laden with backpacks filled with climbing gear walking the short distance from the parking lot to our climbing destination. The "littles" excitedly attacked the trail negotiating gravel and loose rocks pausing periodically to examine stones and sticks before placing the treasures in their pockets. Georgie Porgie was not far behind scrambling over boulders to keep up with her elated students. For many of us this would be our first rock climbing experience.

Godzilla has his climbing harness secured and is ready for his first rock climbing experience.

Princess Bridie and Georgie Porgie are waving to Craig.

Craig, a parent volunteer and a professional rock climber, climbed atop Pete's rock to set up the rock climbing ropes for top roping.

In top roping an anchor is set up at the summit of a route. Rope is run through the anchor. One end of the rope attaches to the climber and the other to the belayer. The belayer keeps the rope taut during the climb and prevents the climber from falling. Top roping is regarded as the safest type of climbing.

Snack time.

We had two top ropes set up for climbing - Craig and Jordan belayed. We began climbing in the shade bundled with coats and beanies but soon we were basking in the sunshine of a gorgeous Autumn day.

Princess Birdie climbs on!

Princess Birdie was the first to climb. She is an amazing climber with impressive skills- a natural you could say. Georgie Porgie was looking for rock climbing tips and Princess Birdie confided as she pointd to her feet, "My shoes help me climb." What were these magical shoes? Not rock climbing shoes but water shoes!

Hipdog turboed up the rock face.

This was Hipdog's first outdoor climb. Seconds after he began Jordan, who was belaying and is an expert rock climber, turned to Georgie Porgie and said, "We have a turbo." Hipdog was speeding up the rock face. It was impressive.

Hipdog's new nickname...Turbo.

This is Georgie Porgies first time belaying. She belayed Princess Birdie.

Princess Birdie bravely called, "Belay on." Georgie Porgie replied, "On belay." To which the call, "Climbing, " and the response, "Climb on," and Princess Birdie began her second climb of the day. Craig was standing near by coaching GP (and holding the belay rope) to ensure a safe climb.

Georgie Porgie is preparing to belay Ebag.


Ebag repelling after reaching the summit. It was a challenging climb (made more difficult with tennis shoes). Several times Ebag received coaching from Craig. At one point Ebag stretched his left leg catching a rock hold with the tip of his toe. It was an incredible climbing toe hold.

Jordan, her little one and Fastflash.

Jordan is ready to belay Fastflash. Fastflash gives the camera a thumbs-up. This will be his first rock climb.

Fireknight, determined to reach the top.

On the first climb Fireknight was *pumped half way up the rock and could not continue the climb. The second climb he was **psyched and called down instructions to his belaying partner Georgie Porgie, "Tighten the rope!" Halfway up the rock he yelled, "I am doing much better. I am not giving up!" Sure enough Fireknight made it to the top.

*pumped: When a climber is tired and at his/her limit.
**psyched:When a climber is excited/determined to do a climb

Craig makes it look so easy!

A special thank you to our volunteer parents/expert rock climbers Jordan and Craig who provided the equipment, transportation, their expertise, and encouragement!

Climb on!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Dance Party for Gorgie Porgie's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Gorgie Porgie! To celebrate, the kids worked with GP to make homemade ice cream & some AMAZING apple cobbler with apples from our trees. The deliciousness that comes from our fruit trees is one of the BEST things that happens every fall at Sego Lily School.

Hipdog has been our DJ for the day - dance music has been playing in the back yard, and FireKnight & Godzilla have been some of the most active dancers. Of course, with the smell of cobbler & the promise of ice cream, virtually everyone had to join in the fun. Or at least join in the eating!

Thank you for being such an amazing staff member, Gorgie Porgie! We all love you!

FireKnight gets his groove on!

Yummy cobbler - with candles!

Cassandra & Gorgie Porgie awaiting their yummy treats - GP got hers first, of course!

GP wanted some help blowing out the candles - Princess Birdie & Powner11 were happy to oblige.

In line for yummy goodness! It's one of the few times there are lines at Sego Lily School - when food is involved!

Powner11 & Gorgie Porgie rock out to the tunes.

Just in case you were wondering what our delicious treat looked like - Ebag offered up his plate for a photo opportunity.

About Our School

Children are naturally curious and want to learn. We feel it is the job of a school to nurture that curiosity. Providing our students with the time, facilities and support (when requested) to pursue their interests and unique talents is our ultimate goal.

Students of all ages can learn with and from each other. Children from age 4-18 mix freely at Sego Lily School.

Play is the language of children. Children of all ages learn through play. Play takes many forms, from a game of catch to a creative endeavor, but all forms of play are a valid and important part of a person’s development.

Learning happens everywhere, all of the time. Learning takes place in formal and informal settings, in large or small groups, with or without staff members or mentors, but all learning is initiated by the student.

Decisions should be made by the people they affect. Sego Lily School is run by the students and staff, through the weekly School Meeting. Each student and staff member has one equal vote in this managing body. The Judicial Committee, also composed of students and staff, handles rule infractions. Parents have a role in setting school policies through the Assembly, which meets annually or as needed.

FAQs

1. How do children learn at Sego Lily School?
Children are naturally curious and want to learn about their environment. When a student is given the responsibility for his education, as well as the freedom, support, and respect needed to fulfill his goals, learning begins to take place as a natural byproduct of all activities. Children challenge themselves and each other as they gain confidence and learn new skills.

2. Will my child learn everything she needs to know?
The basic knowledge of reading, writing, and math that are used by adults on a daily basis cannot be avoided by a student who is experimenting with her interests and passions. There will come a time for each student when learning these skills becomes essential to pursuing the path she is following. Allowing children to follow their own time lines can actually increase their learning curves – when motivated to read, for example, a child will throw herself into the task, learning more quickly than a child who is being told, “Now is the time to learn this.”

3. Do the students really run the school?
Yes! Students and staff work together to run the Sego Lily School. The students and staff members each have one vote in the weekly School Meeting and make all decisions needed for the school to run smoothly, including passing laws, allocating funds, and hiring staff. The Judicial Committee, composed of students and staff, handles rule infractions. School Meeting members also have a vote in the Assembly, the larger voting body which includes parents and board members, in making policy decisions such as setting tuition rates and approving the annual budget.

4. How does graduation work?
Each student, upon completing the requirements for graduation, must write and present a thesis. The topic of this thesis is “I am prepared to become a responsible adult in society.” The student must defend this thesis at the annual meeting of the Assembly. After receiving a favorable vote from Assembly members, students will receive a Certificate of Graduation. State regulations in Utah do not allow us to be accredited or to issue official state diplomas. However, most colleges will accept graduation certificates from non-accredited schools or a GED.

5. What about college?
Many students will want to continue their educations with some form of higher learning – college, university, or trade school. For these students, the statistics from the Sudbury Valley School (SVS) are in their favor! 90% of students that attended SVS from 1968 to 2004 went on to some form of secondary education. Most of these students were accepted into the school of their first choice. Students simply take their SATs and write essays for their applications, and interview with administrators when necessary. Usually a certificate of graduation is adequate for admissions. Current statistical trends in higher education suggest that having an “alternative” education is actually a benefit in the admissions process. Many prestigious schools such as Harvard and Yale Universities are looking for students who can do much more than learn what is placed in front of them. We are happy to support our students in any way we can with their application process.