Every day is different at PFS. With total freedom to direct their own time, it’s rare that our students and staff all choose to spend time the same way. Often different areas of the school seem to be on completely separate planets--a group of teens huddled together discussing any number of topics in the common room, a group ranging from littles to tweens build forts and play rambunctiously in the mat room, a band practices in the music room, gamers game in the computer lab, all while food lovers bake garlic bread in the kitchen. Some students might be off-campus grabbling lunch, going to the park or on some bigger adventure, others might be reading or napping in the quiet room.
Despite these differences, there are also constants to our week --School Meeting, Committee/Co-op meetings, and conflict resolution practices all occur regularly and build routine into our schedule. As well as a whole school clean-up at 3:10 to close out each day.
School Meeting
Each week School Meeting meets to make decisions about the day-to-day functioning of the school. This is where rules get made, money gets spent, visitors get approved, and much more. The meeting is run using Parliamentary Procedure to ensure all participants have a chance to be heard. Each student and staff member has an equal vote at School Meeting. Attendance is not required, and varies based on the motion being discussed. School Meeting runs the school.
Mediation
Mediation is an option for resolving conflicts at school. Students and staff have the option to go through mediator training, after which they are able to host formal mediations between people. Mediators use a four step process giving all parties involved the opportunity to speak on each step.
- What happened and how do you feel about that?
- How would you define the problem?
- What do you need to solve the problem?
- What do you ask for and agree to with each other?
Judicial Committee
Often referred to as JC, the Judicial Committee is comprised of an older student, younger student, staff member, and a Clerk. Judicial Committee meets when there are concerns to be heard that weren't resolved via our other conflict resolution methods and conduct a hearing about the concern. JC gathers testimony from persons involved, decides the facts of what happened, and sets consequences. Members are called to mandatory service on a rotating basis, much like being called to Jury Duty. This audio clip provides more insight into the process (courtesy of I’mtellinya by Barbara Dundon).
Daily Clean-up
As practice in balancing freedom with responsibility, all PFS School Meeting members participate in mandatory, daily clean up beginning at 3:10pm.
Focus and Intensity
This short film, Focus and Intensity, provides a glimpse of life at the Sudbury Valley School, and illuminates some of the essential aspects of the way learning happens at PFS.
