The Re-Opening Committee has discussed ways to make the running of the school smoother and clearer for all involved. Here is a list of ideas we have had thus far. It will be updated as new ideas are formed. We ask families to read our ideas before the Feedback/Information meetings so we can have a dialog about it.
� There will be a certification process to use the First Aid Kit and the Toolbox
� We will have a form for students to fill out when they want to learn something and need assistance from a staff member. It will include what they are interested in learning, what they have done so far to further their learning, and how they wish a staff member to help them. It will also have a place for the responding staff member to say how they responded to the desire.
� We are hoping to have a full or part time office person who is not a staff member but is available to carry out the everyday paperwork that is required to keep the school running smoothly. At this point in our budget we have enough money to pay someone a part time wage, this could also be a work bank job.
� Either a staff member or an office person will be in the office at all times so that the phone will always be answered and there will always be a base where students know an adult will be.
� There will be a sign up sheet for two volunteer parents to come in during the School Meeting. Their role will be to be outside the School Meeting in case students need adult help.
� The school year will start with the cleaning rotation created by the School Meeting last year, there will also be a work bank job of heavier cleaning at $10/hour.
� There will be an updated Daily Staff Schedule Book in the office, available to all School Meeting members.
� When we are certain about the building being finished we will talk to Violet Snow, a journalist with the Woodstock Times and see if she can write an article about the school that also clears up community misunderstandings. We also want to stress the importance of the students influence on the community's view of the school.
� There will be mailboxes for each student and staff member.
� We will have accident report forms that will be filled out when someone gets hurt, stating what happened and what was done to help the injured party. A copy will be put in the student's mailbox.
� There will be a parent bulletin board directly inside the main entrance to the school with important notices and parent communication.
� We will give each family a Family Handbook which will include a school calendar, a phone list, the philosophy statement, a document describing the role of the parents, and a list of what to do if�(for example �your child is sick) as well as other documents that we see fit to include.
� We will have a library shelf of books for parents to sign out that includes Sudbury Valley books as well as others that staff, students, or parents see as important reads.
� We have created the Management Manual that includes every document needed to run the school, including all forms, the handbook, assembly resolutions, all cooperative by-laws, members and rules, and a listing of all clerkships.
� The 2003-2004 Law books will be given out when a student enrolls in school and it is stressed that they take the time to read and have an understanding of the laws and running of the school.
� School Excursions must be posted by 2:00 the day prior to the trip. We will have a clear understanding of the insurance needed for different excursions.
� In the feedback meetings we will discuss the importance of the students' understanding that the school's philosophy depends on freedom with responsibility.
� The role of the Ombudsman will be revisited so that we can use the position in the best manner.
� We will hold elections for clerkships according to the law book. If no students run for these clerks, the staff will take on those necessary to keep the school running smoothly. At the feedback meetings, we will hand out a list of all clerkships and committees along with a description of each one
� There will soon be a very specific list of furniture we hope to have at the start of school, much more then we did last year. This list will be posted on the website, in the newspaper and distributed to all those willing to donate or shop the yard sales for the school. All these donations are tax deductible.
� The School Meeting is an important place and time for students and staff to discuss the running of the school, it is therefore important for parents to limit their participation.
� There will be a clear step-by-step procedure for the JC to use. � Staff will have a more consistent understanding of how the JC runs.
� We are reconsidering the purpose, function and creation of Cooperatives so that they are more accessible and understandable to both students and staff.
� We are considering having a maximum off campus time to ensure a students' participation in the school community.
� There will be a student bulletin board that has the results of the JC and the School Meeting, as well as the School Meeting Agenda. The School Meeting Agenda will be posted on Tuesdays. It is the students' responsibility to check these notices or ask for help reading them.
Contact Information
Phone:
845-679-1002
Fax:
845-679-1019
Email:
School Information
US Mail:
PO Box 159
West Hurley, NY 12491