Anders is doing BCL this semester in high school. It really is an amazing program in partnership with Shelburne Farms, and he is lucky to be a part of it. BCL uses the city as a classroom, and together explore Burlington; how it works, what the problems are, and how it can be better. I love that they spend so much time connecting with other students, with teachers, and with community members. All of it sparks their thinking. They will be doing an art installation piece with artist Rebecca Schwarz, they have met with architects who are planning the new BHS and BTC buildings, as well as many others from our community. Here are a few photos from his time at BCL (one of him spinning the infamous "Birthday Wheel") as well as some quotes Anders has written that are on the BCL blog.
The Abenaki were the original caretakers of this land that we live on, yet even though we are learning more about them now, why is it that this history isn't a part of our early learning and present history. Wendy Hallock, from Shelburne Community School, wrote "It's encouraged that we include indigenous history and really all perspectives when we teach any history." Why is it encouraged and not a mandatory part of our curriculum, when other parts of history that only involve rich white men are a mandatory part of history class?
Anders
It was really fun to work with community partners as equals and to be able to have a say in our design. All of the designs for schools were really interesting and preferable to the school system now. Many groups said that school should be a place that students want to go. Why hasn't' the school system changed? Why does it stay the same even when so much is changing in the world?
Anders
For a community to fully thrive, people need to trust the systems and all the systems need to benefit everyone and not just a select few people. For our BCL community to thrive we need to trust each other and listen to others ideas...Morning Meetings and Circle help us to get to know each other better, build trust with one another and that helps our community to thrive.
Anders
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