This is WAM. I’m not sure why he goes by that nickname, although there was the time he chipped his tooth on the kitchen floor. Oh, and and the time he ran headlong into Cheeseburger and ended up sprawled out in the field. And…well, a few other times. He’s definitely on the go a lot, bouncing offa things; I guess “Wam” makes a lot of sense after all. Wam is a fanatic nerf warrior, a three-time JC Clerk, a builder of root cellars, and a D&D journeyman. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, and he cares deeply about justice. Elusive in an interview (he’s 100% silly), he says, “I’m a symptom of the community’s collective nightmares,” and, “I’m not nine,” a reference to his abbreviated stature. He’s known for being articulate, but he’ll only use his powers for purposes of his own choosing. Interviewing his sister, however, reveals the complexity of this artful character. She says, “he presents himself as nutty, but he’s passionate about cleanliness” (NB our facilities manager confirmed his exceptional cleaning abilities). He loves legos, or perhaps he *used* to love legos, but either way, he’s way into building, and plans to do it professionally. He’s making a deliberate decision to transfer to public school next year. We’ll miss him a lot, and wish him so, so well, and we hope he’ll visit us often. In the meantime, we’re happy to pay for anything that he Wams into on his jolly way.
Parent Involvement
Parents’ experience of the school is a crucial factor in determining their childrens’ experience of the school. Children of parents who work hard to understand our philosophy, communicate with staff, attend events, and connect with the community usually get the most out of our program.
Parents typically grow alongside their children as the family matures together within our bold, challenging, and trusting philosophy. Many parents find themselves doing things they hadn’t before enrolling their children in our school, like starting a business, taking up a new hobby, or dedicating themselves to art. Parents who remain open, think critically, and grapple honestly with questions and concerns about the program and their children’s education provide the best support for children at our school.
We depend on parents to participate on our Fundraising and Financial Aid Committees, as well as in our Assembly, our largest democratic body, which ratifies changes to our bylaws. Many parents volunteer their expertise, and there are always at least a couple who are regularly coming in to offer instruction. Parents are also needed to chaperone field trips, and most of our substitute staff are parents too.
Sending your children to a self-directed democratic school is a bold choice, and people will question it. Many parents find it helpful to attend our events and make connections with the community, and especially with other parents.