Community Building

The job of an educator is to teach
students to see vitality in themselves.” Joseph Campbell

Within classrooms all students hold jobs and responsibilities that help them understand the daily needs of a democratic community.  Teachers facilitate discussions, activities and role plays aimed to enhance the sense of community and respect for each others differences and vulnerabilities. Students confidently bring up issues of concern about life on school and beyond because they trust that they will be heard by adults and peers.

At Stevens we also believe in building a sense of the larger community of the school itself through work that extends beyond the classrooms and allows students to bond with other children of all ages.

Starting in 3rd grade, children become weekly “Reading Buddies” to younger students, who are delighted to see the “big kids” come and share their favorite books with them.  Our middle school classes also pair with early childhood classes to spend special classroom time together, whether it is playing music, enjoying a snack, flying kites or simply helping younger students gather their belongings at the end of the school day.Other contributions to community through jobs include the 5th grade collecting attendance each morning, the 6th grade taking orders and distributing classroom supplies and the 7th graders acting as assistants in the PreK/K classrooms.

In addition to being reading buddies, the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students participate in the student mentor program.  As mentors the students have a choice regarding the students they work with, the subject area, performing research, helping to develop organizational skills or acting as big brother or sister in any area of need.  The mentors meet during lunch break or before or after school. The prospecitve mentors must apply for the position by completing an application that is  reviewed by the Mentor Committee (faculty and administration).  The mentors receive training in how to work with younger children and report to their faculty advisor on a regular basis.