Healing

"The medicine is already within the pain and suffering.  You just have to look deeply and quietly.  Then you realize it has been there the whole time."         ---saying form Native North American Oral Tradition

For many school age children assessment has left the opportunity of healing behind.  Diagnostic tools and reports have provided labels but missed the opportunity of healing.  The possibility of discovering the miracle within the student; the ability to grow, to understand self and to find the beauty that is within every child.  School systems would do well to involve psychologists in therapy as well as diagnostics.   TJS

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

It is a relatively new diagnosis that kids are labelled with and not always with a great deal of accuracy. Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder repeatedly engage in a pattern of defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures. This behavior goes beyond acceptable misbehavior for the given child's age and the behavior has been continued for at least six months.

The key is to help kids discover the comfort and discomfort within their homes. Kids who act like this have homes that are either 'way too controlled' or 'completely out of control.' The label really doesn't matter (except for funding in the school systems); what matters is how to enable kids to tell their stories, feel their feelings, and take responsibility for their actions. When a kid acts out I ask them to consider 'who they are hurting?' and 'what their goals and dreams are?' More often than not if a kid can see that they are inhibiting 'their OWN goals' they modify behavior. TJS

Life

"I used to think that all life is about is being the best at everything, but now I know it's about not caring what people think of you and doing what makes you happy. And you have to care for people and what makes them happy." -----Matthew

SUCCESS!

"If you want to be successful in life and do whatever you want to do just go through life with a positive attitude and you'll get there. Forget whatever other people think, just do what you do and have fun while doing it. I want to become a dentist and I have to finish school with high marks." ---Jack

Our School is Cool!!

"What inspires me? I like coming to school and my family supports me! Because I actually come to school for an education. I don't do drugs or alcohol because I know they will mess up my goals in life and I don't need them like I need a house for shelter, and food and water. That is usually what inspires me. I may not stick around after I graduate. I want to get a good job so I can support a wife, house and raise a family and then die with a full life lived! " ---Kato


"Our small town is a good and small place to live. You can't do that much stuff but you can play hockey and the school is cool. We learn lots of stuff and have lots of cool friends!" ---A nice young lady

The Miracle of the Feast

There is nothing like it! When teachers, staff and principals get together to feast. Bringing food of all sorts to share with each other. Creating opportunities to build friendships and to brainstorm ideas of how to work well with the kids in school. There is a miracle that happens when we come together to share food and listen to each others stories. It is a form of bridge building which helps isolated schools to thrive and encourages each of us to realize that we are never alone. We are all connected! Good schools, great staff working with wonderful kids! ---TJS