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Gifted & Hyperactive Indigo Children Important Links Education Bulletin Board |
The Whole Schooling Consortium
Contact:
Michael Peterson
jmpeterson@comcast.net
Description: The Whole Schooling Consortium is a network of schools, university faculty, teachers, parents, and community members whose goals are to:
1. Promote Whole Schooling practices through research, professional development, and advocacy, particularly in schools that serve children from low income families and/or who are at risk.
2. Build a grassroots network of schools, university faculty, and community members who can provide mutual support to one another.
3. Link urban, suburban, and rural schools in promoting Whole Schooling practices.
4. Develop a network of exemplary schools who are intentionally seeking to promote both equity and excellence in educational practices.
5. Conduct research to understand best educational practices. Whole Schooling is a school reform model that is based on FIVE PRINCIPLES that work together to develop education for equity and excellence:
Empowering citizens in a democracy.
Including all.
Authentic, multi-level teaching.
Building community & supporting learning.
Partnerships with families and the community.
Contact us if you are interested
Rouge Forum
Contact:
Richard Gibson
rgibson@pipeline.com
Description: The Rouge Forum is a group of educators, students, and parents seeking a democratic society. We are concerned about questions like these: How can we teach against racism, national chauvinism and sexism in an increasingly authoritarian and undemocratic society? How can we gain enough real power to keep our ideals and still teach-- or learn? Whose interests shall school serve in a society that is ever more unequal? We are both research and action oriented. We want to learn about equality, democracy and social justice as we simultaneously struggle to bring into practice our present understanding of what that is. We seek to build a caring inclusive community which understands that an injury to one is an injury to all. At the same time, our caring community is going to need to deal decisively with an opposition that is sometimes ruthless.
We had modest success in defeating the standardized test, the MEAP, in Michigan. We work in faculty organizations and unions to deal with the racism and sexism in academia. We try to press forward questions of class size, curricular freedom, anti-racist pedagogy, real inclusion, and a just tax system. As part of the Whole Schooling Consortium, we have sponsored forums in the U.S., uniting hundreds of people for democracy and equality.
Parent-Directed Education – based in Florida
Contact:
Nance Confer
marbleface@aol.com
J.J. Ross
Jrossedd@aol.com
Email discussion list:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Parent-DirectedEducation
Description: Parents have the right to direct the education of their children! Parents often do not fully recognize their power to control and direct their children’s education. They may not know, or believe, they have the right to do so. We hope to encourage parents to RECOGNIZE this right and to support them as they EXERCISE this right. General discussions about outreach to parents involved in all educational settings are needed. We will emphasize networking and sharing information to facilitate connections between parents who are homeschoolers and parents who have children in public school and private school, and parents who use tutors or other methods. Parent-directed education can use any or all of these methods and more. Rather than preferring one method, this list seeks to promote informed choices by empowered parents. Let’s use this list and chatroom as a starting place – a small place to meet and work together forgreat change!
Montreal and South-Eastern Quebec: La Petite Ecole Alternative des Cantons de l'Est (P.E.A.C.E School)
Contact:
Melanie Whitham
melaniewitham@hotmail.com
Description: The proposed school is a multi-age learning community with a focus on the development of the inner person and creating connections for the individualwith others, the community, and the Earth. A variety of learning contexts will be used, such as the community and the natural environment, and project-based learning will be the principal pedagogical approach. We will also practice democratic school governance. The program will involve parents in the school as resource people and committee members, satisfying the desire of many to participate actively in the education of their children. The school will be officially French but we will offer an English immersion program. The plan is to open the school for Fall 2002.
Poole/Bournemouth area in Dorset on the south coast of England
Contact:
Steve Bolton
steve@rcd.co.uk
21 Grasmere Road, Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset. BH13 7RH
Tel: 01202 709612
Fax: 01202 709775
Description: I am in the process of setting up a homeschool action group in the Poole/Bournemouth area and would like to hear of anyone that would like to join and/or help us. My goal is to establish a network of people from diverse backgrounds who share the common goals of wanting to support and learn from each other in pursuit of educating their child/ren in more effective ways than is currently possible within the state school systems around the world.
Manchester
Contact:
Rebecca D'Amato
Tel: 0161-740-9100 Email: Beckyboop922@aol.com
Description: The promotion of alternative/democratic schooling
Bangalore
Contact:
Vidya Suresh
33, Mohini Apts. Rest House Road
Bangalore – 560 001, INDIA
Tel: 558 75 27
visuri@rediffmail.com
Contact:
D. Chandrasekhar
The Assam Valley School
BaliparaP.O.
Sonitpur Dt.
Assam, India.
csdevana@hotmail.com
Description: Looking to start an action group to spread the idea of learning alternatives and a small school anywhere in India.
Laois
Contact:
Michael Doyle
mdoyle15@eircom.net
Description: My idea would to be to setup a school on the lines of Summerhill, where children are allowed the freedom to choose what to learn. I am interested in gathering information from like minded parents who feel that the education system is shaping our children rather than our children are shaping their own education / development.
Wellington: Athena Montessori College
Contact:
Athena Montessori College
203 Willis Street, PO BOX 14 559 Wellington, New Zealand
Phone +64 4 801 7001
fax +64 4 801 7002
Director@athena-college.co.nz
www.athena-college.co.nz
Mushin, Lagos State
Contact:
Sunday Tony Obilegbo
tonytech@37.com
17, Sadiku Street, Mushin, Lagos State, NIGERIA
Description: I would like to start a kids' homeschool.
Tuscon/S. Arizona
Contact:
Del Jones Exec. Director of Center for Partnership Studies
POB 30538
Tuscon, AZ 85751
Tel: (520) 546-0176
Fax: (520) 298-0639
cpsdel@aol.com
www.partnershipway.org
Poway/San Diego area
Contact:
Christy Koppisch
kopp@tns.net
Description: Looking to connect with like-minded parents interested in creating a holistic schooling co-op in Poway, Ca. Fundraising concepts which could support the effort include farming and sale of organically-grown fruits and vegetables, establishment of a Natural Foods Café and a Natural Living Resource Center, etc. Other concepts are welcome. Please contact Christy for further discussion.
Santa Rosa
Contact:
Scott Husted / Clarus Academy
648 B Dutton Ave.
Santa Rosa CA 95407
clarusacademy@cs.com
Northeast CT
Contact:
Kim Mazzarella
Danielson, CT
(860) 779-9658
kimmazz@hotmail.com
Western Connecticut
Contact:
Laura Webber
45B Plumtrees Road
Bethel, CT 06801
(203) 730-8191
wwebby@aol.com
Description: To discuss educational alternatives and perhaps develop into a school development project.
Naples/Ft. Myers area: Sudbury Start-up Group
Contact:
Stan Lubowicki
(941) 495-6296
mrbuyer@peganet.net
Southeast Florida: Home Educators Lending Parents Support (HELPS)
Contact:
Susie C.
(945) 791-9733
info@HelpsOnline.org
www.HelpsOnline.org
Description: H.E.L.P.S. homeschool group is a cooperatively-run and nondiscriminatory support group that encourages family-centered learning regardless of religion, ethnicity, or teaching methods. A FIHEN affiliate.
Sarasota/Bradenton: Children's Harvest - An Alternative Learning Community
Contact:
LisaAnn Edenfield
2219 25th Ave. West
Bradenton, Florida 34205
(941) 747-4584
lisanatural@earthlink.net
Description: Children’s Harvest offers enriching classes modeled after the Waldorf main lesson. Arts-based education is integrated with the study of the natural world to create dynamic, thematic units of study. These units of study are continued at home with parents. Families choose the level of support that fits their unique needs. Classes are mixed-age with a maximum size of ten. Families can choose to enroll their children in weekly classes on a yearly basis, or just participate in monthly field trips, or receive the monthly newsletter only. You decide what your family needs. This year I will focus on the enrichment classes and an educational resource calendar to support homeschoolers. I see endless possibilities happening in the future. I would love support in creating more vision for the future.
Florida: Alternative Educators Institute, Inc.
Contact:
Krista L.
klica@mediaone.net
Description: Alternative Educators Institute, Inc. (AEI) is designed to empower individual families who wish to choose their own matrix of learning opportunities for their children. AEI offers a home-based education program. AEI is supportive of families who choose to use a teaching style that fits their child’s needs, including standardized curriculum, unit studies, or child-centered learning (unschooling).
Statewide: Florida Inclusive Home Educators Network (FIHEN)
Contact:
www.FIHEN.org
Description: FIHEN’s mission is to network those homeschool support groups that welcome all home educators, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, teaching style, politics, or marital status.
Boca Raton
Contact:
Steven E. Handwerker
International Association for the Advancement of Human Welfare, Inc.
7300 W. Camino Real, Ste. 229
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 447-6700
peacewk@peacewk.org
Description: We are a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization which focuses on teaching and promoting values that promote peace within individuals, groups, societies and globally. We also serve to support peaceworkers.
The greater Savannah area
Contact:
Nikki Lardas
lardas@space.com
(912) 653-5749
Description: My intent is to establish a safe haven for those parents/students who wish to attend school but not the public schools. I am thinking free school model, Albany, Grassroots, Summerhill. I can also offer support to those in the public schools as how to survive them.
Riverdale/Atlanta area
Contact:
Wilma Johnson, MSW
WJEANJOHNSON@aol.com
P.O. Box 960312 Riverdale, GA
Description: I am a social worker, homeschooling Mom of six, and doctoral student in educational leadership. I am developing a pedagogy based on a holistic (Christian), wholistic (spiritual, social, academic, and emotional integration), multicultural, nonsexist, nondiscriminatory, and nonracist program for a nontraditional educational program. I am looking for like minded individuals in my area.
Honolulu
Contact:
Dayle Bethel
dbethel@aloha.net
1441 Victoria Street, #402
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone/Fax: (808) 523-2906
Boise: The Creative Learning Alliance
Contact:
Linda Garrett
1777 Gekeler Lane
Boise, Idaho 83706
Phone: (208) 333-8909
Fax: (208) 342-0341
simplylinda@qwest.net
Description: Devoted to creating and supporting diverse opportunities for lifelong learning. Projects include a Waldorf initiative and a teen alternative.
Chicago:
Contact:
Raquel Bassuk
Chicago, IL
312-810-5800
Description: I am trying to start a group homeschool or child guided learning private school for 4-6 girls ages 7-10. I have always believed in John Holt's principles and would appreciate any help and guidance.
Chicago: (forming)
Contact:
Christopher M. Paar
1834 W. Berteau Ave. Apt 2
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: (773)880-0827
kryspy101@aol.com
Palatine: Heartlight Chicago
Contact:
Barb Kukla
Phone: (847) 221-2221
Email: hlcinfo@heartlightchicago.org
Web: www.heartlightchicago.org
HeartLight Chicago, NFP, is a not-for-profit organization founded in January 2001. Our mission is 'to build schools and centers where children and adults are encouraged to discover and develop their unique gifts and passions.' In March 2003, HeartLight Chicago opened the doors to the first Chicago area HeartLight School and HeartLight Center in Palatine, Illinois. We offer a variety of programs for children and adults, grounded in honoring the mind, body, and spirit in each individual.
Louisville: The Brycc House
Contact:
The Brycc House
1055 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
Phone: (502) 456-1006
Fax: (502) 456-1055
www.brycchouse.org
brycc@brycchouse.org
Description: The Brycc House (or Bardstown Road Youth Cultural Center) is a non- profit youth community arts center based on a do-it-yourself ethic that proves that youth are intelligent agents of their own lives. Collectives run all aspects of the center, including the radio station, zine and book library, show venue, computer lab, and rooftop garden. Future plans include an alternative day school and a youth-run vegetarian café. All ages are welcome!
Louisville: PAZ Conference (Annual)
Contact:
PO Box 4964
Louisville, NY 40204
www.infoshop.org/paz
pazconf@anonymous.to
Description: The PAZ Conference is a yearly gathering of anti-authoritarians building autonomous spaces or projects in their towns, such as free schools, autonomous zones, infoshops, low power radio stations, international communities, community gardens, etc. Please visit our web page for info on the next conference.
Boston area
Contact: Olly Harari
bar.ol@verizon.ne
32 Carol Rd.
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-6298
Springfield area
Contact:
Jennifer Cahill
jennyleih@aol.com
2758 West Washita
Springfield, Missouri 65807
(417) 881-7257
Description: I am researching and working toward beginning the start up requirements for a free, democratic school community in my area. I would like to pattern and expand on the Summerhill and Sudbury models, incorporating both day and boarding students, in a rural, Missouri Ozarks setting.
Northwest New Jersey, Union County
Contact:
Brenda Stokes
abcstokes@rcn.com
Long Island: Long Island Alternative Education Action Group
Contact:
Steve Rosenthal
steveraero@aol.com
(516) 621-2195
Description: The Long Island Alternative Education Action Group began meeting in the summer of 2001. Plans are on the way to develop a democratic resource center/school for Long Island. Interesting kids, parents, teachers, and more are welcome!
Southern Adirondacks
Contact:
Susan Keown Peck
15 Pine Knolls Road
PO Box 439
Chestertown, NY 12817
(518) 494-0096
specks@superior.net
New York City – Manhattan
Contact:
S. Rivka Seeman
(212) 501-7304
info@rivkahomeschool.com
www.Rivkahomeschool.com
Description: Homeschooling Consulting. A resource person for homeschooling families, or for those considering homeschooling.
Albany/Capital Region
Contact:
Dana Bennis
dbennis12@yahoo.com
(518) 928-1234
Description: Teacher at the Albany Free School.
Cleveland
Contact:
Kathleen A. Pichola, Ph.D
SpiritEd Consulting and Stories with Heart
PO Box 19128
Cleveland, Ohio 44119
Phone: (216) 531-6008
Fax: (216) 531-1287
Kapich@juno.com
Portland, Oregon
Contact:
Pennie Rowland
Alnaturell@aol.com
Description: The Natural School-Our World, a proposed enrichment learning centerfocusing on Heart, Soul, and Mind of the child. Freedom to learn and develop themselves naturally, as nature intended a child to do. No rush to learn, as learning comes naturally to all, in due time. Curiosity is nature's way to learning, why force it?
Cairnbrook
Contact:
Larry Hutchinson, Ph.D
1391 School Rd
Cairnbrook, PA 15924
hutch@shol.com
Description: The Central City area has been designated a brownfield which brings a lot of potential for federal and state money. This area is the only watershed with that brownfield designation in the country. That is because of the devastation left by the coal industry which polluted our waters. Now there is a lot of interest in restoring the waters and having new economic development in our area. So I was wondering why education couldn't be the new industry. A green environmental, democratic, student based, industry. It could happen. The school could be a democratic run, no age limit, student based, high tech, with modified old tech (wind chargers, rope and pulley elevators, etc) , environmental based, world connected vortex situated in a conservative coal country environment. Funding? No clue, however the brownfield situation might help.
Houston: Brazos Valley Sudbury School Start-Up Group
Contact:
Laura Gabelsburg
(281) 856-9913
Lgabel@swbell.net
www.houstonsudbury.org
Description: We are a group of families in Northwest and West Houston who are using the Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts as a model on which to base an alternative learning community for our children. We expect the school to be open by Fall 2002.
Arlington: Heartlight DFW
Contact:
Jennifer Green
1907 Westover Dr.
Arlington, TX 76015
(817) 994-0157 heartlightdfw@k-j-g.com www.heartlightdfw.com
Description: Heartlight DFW is a non-profit learning community located in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. We would like to have a hand in changing the current educational system to reflect a more loving and giving nature when it comes to learning. HLC DFW will open it’s doors for school in 2003 and will also provide many opportunities for growth through adult classes and being a support system for homeschoolers, unschoolers, and others who want to see a change in education.
Action Group:
Seattle area (West, North, Bellevue, and South ends): Northwest Community Freeschool Association
Contact:
Sarah Airhart
(206) 762-2102
sarahairhart@attbi.com
moreinfo@communityfreeschool.org
www.communityfreeschool.org
Description: Northwest Community Freeschool Association is a not-for-profit organization started by families in the Seattle area to facilitate the opening of small community-based free schools and resource centers.