Tuesday, August 12, 2014

A Vital Link

Last Saturday evening I spent time with the Upper School Link Crew at their annual retreat in Midlothian.

Twenty-seven great kids and two positive, dedicated, and caring adult leaders.  Lots of positive energy.  I found the entire experience very invigorating.  A fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Please take note of the the attached photo.  You will notice a box of snacks and a water bottle.  Beside them you see a binder marked "Lead by Example."  Lead by Example.  I really like that motto.

Energy food and a noble mission.  Think on that for a moment.  In a sense that's what we really need most.  Sustenance and a raison d'etre.

Much has changed since you and I left high school.  It is a different world in many ways.  The traditional ways of providing guidance to children - while still very sound - need augmentation from time to time.  We as parents need help sometimes.  (I know I do.)  One of the many ways FWCD helps families like ours negotiate the murky waters of parenthood is through our Link Crew program.  We believe that peer guidance is very effective if done correctly.  Our goal is to do it correctly.

Our Link Crew has a dual mission, both noble:

Develop and reinforce healthy habits in our 9th graders.  We want to help our newest members strengthen communication with their peers, teachers, and families.  We want to help them improve their ability to identify and solve problems.  We hope that they will appreciate people who are different from them.  And we want to increase their confidence in fulfilling their academic and social responsibilities at FWCD and beyond our gates.

Leadership development for our Link Crew leaders.  I like to think of the Link Crew as a "leadership laboratory" for our LC members.  They run the program with adult guidance and supervision, they learn to address and manage conflict, they explore cultural diversity issues, and they learn to serve as positive role models, mentors and facilitators.

Lead by Example.  That's what they do.  I like that.



Dinner table question of the week:

Have you ever heard of Aung San Suu Kyi?  Google her.  Extraordinary woman.  Inspiring.  Talk about her with your children.  We all need heroes.

Link Crew

ASSK PhotoAung San Suu Kyi

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