Leadership

I have only had one leadership class since I last wrote due to the Halloween rehearsal falling on one Friday, my absence the following Friday, and then the Veteran’s Day holiday falling on another Friday.

Last week the focus was community service. We discussed how helping the community is part of being a leader. We brainstormed ways to help others from fundraising, to doing good deeds to being kind to a friend. What better place to start with such selflessness than at our own school. So, the children helped me unload my stuffed car for the Goodwill Fundraiser. They made short order of the work, all begging to carry the most and the heaviest. These 10 kids could’ve easily unloaded a whole truck full. They loved it!

The children then helped tidy up the kindergarten play area which was looking neglected and unkempt. They raked and rearranged toys, built and decorated a fairy garden, and seemed to really enjoy making the space beautiful again for their kindergarten friends. The kinders were thrilled when they came back from pottery and were re-inspired to play in the sandbox area.

To top off this flux of giving and kindness, Chloë presented some soaps she had made for each child in the class. The kids were excited by the idea of presenting each other with handmade gifts and tokens of appreciation. If they are so inclined, encourage them in this direction. It is very appropriate for our leadership class. 

We also talked about homelessness, poverty and privilege. Leadership class is a great forum for weighty conversations like this. We will be starting every class with a meeting so if your child has issues with anything, they will have a safe, intimate, mediated opportunity to bring up their concerns. Please remind them of this. 

In Roxaboxen, I asked the kids if they had any needs I might be able to help them meet. The two things they feel they are lacking are food and electricity!  I said I’m counting on them to continue to think about electricity and encouraged them to talk to Bear. For food, we are planning a picnic so please send your kid in with 10 of some edible item (fruit slices, nuts...) to share this week, Friday 12/1.

Target practice in the ninja training studio

Maxine runs a gymnastics studio called “Cat gymnastics” 

Here she is in action

Negotiating with gems and scant materials found around is a big part of Roxaboxen...learning to compromise and share are two invaluable skills for a leader.