About Wellsprings Friends School

MISSION

Wellsprings Friends School provides alternative learning approaches, supportive community, and a culture of individual affirmation, in which teenagers are mentored and assisted towards meeting the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.

GOALS

To hire as staff only people with the personal level of maturity to support the growth of each student.
To mutually decide with prospective students if this school is a good match for them, being open to accept and give a chance to students as much as possible.
To make education at Wellsprings an opening up, not a filling up; and to take the time to get to know each student and her/his individual learning needs.
To nourish a community where each person feels accepted and appreciated, and physically and emotionally safe.
To use dialoguing and problem-solving to deal with any issues that arise in the community.
To help our students develop an internal sense of responsibility rather than relying on externally imposed controls.
To assure delight in the ethnic, cultural, and social class diversity among our students and staff, and recognize that every individual experiences the world in a unique way.
To assure that our educational practices are in harmony with the Earth and with natural processes; to learn about sustaining the intricate, subtle and powerful web of life within and all around ourselves.

BASIC AGREEMENTS

bans All members of the school community should feel comfortable with these statements and behave accordingly.

Agreement 1: I want to be here and will participate willingly in the Wellsprings community. I understand that Wellsprings Friends School is a learning community with few but very meaningful traditions and expectations. School traditions include such things as Morning Circle, Community Meeting, and Silent Meeting. Expectations include performing chores, respecting all persons, and respecting the property of others. I agree to try to live up to the basic ideals of the school and to take part in community activities with a good will.

Agreement 2: I will refrain from using drugs or alcohol at school or at any school activity. The use of drugs and alcohol is illegal, impedes learning, endangers health and safety, and degrades the reputation of the school. Furthermore, some students are recovering from addictive use in the past, and to encourage this recovery a drug-free school environment is very important. I agree never to use or bring drugs or alcohol to school or any school activities such as dances, camping, or field trips.

Agreement 3: I will try to help create a safe emotional climate for everyone. I understand that one aspect of Wellsprings Friends School that is extremely important to students and staff is the creation of a warm and supportive emotional environment. Many students now here have had negative experiences at other schools with verbal abuse or physical bullying, and therefore rely on having a safe and comfortable environment at Wellsprings. I agree to avoid hurtful or insulting language and actions towards others, as well as any physical threats. I will try to act in a respectful manner towards everyone at the school, including visitors, even though I may not like some individuals as friends.

Agreement 4: I will resolve conflicts nonviolently and in a problem-solving spirit. Conflict is a normal part of life, and so are strong emotions. When conflict and emotion result in violence, however, personal and community safety is threatened, and relationships are damaged. At Wellsprings, fighting or violent arguing are not appropriate. The Wellsprings way is dialogue and problem-solving, by means of mediation or other non-violent, healing approaches to establishing fair and just results that both parties can accept. I agree to be willing to seek resolution of any conflict I have with others through non-violent, positive means.

Agreement 5: I am here to learn. The mission of Wellsprings Friends School is education, which here wholistically includes intellectual, emotional and behavioral growth. While learning occurs all the time during the school day, class time is especially focused on content and processes that are important for my growth as a mature human being. I agree to attend all or most of my classes all or most of the time. I also agree not to be disruptive to others during class time. I agree to take responsibility, in consultation with my advisor and other staff, for my education in general, and for meeting the specific requirements for graduation.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Wellsprings Friends School is an open and welcoming environment, where all people are respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin or sexual orientation in student admissions, financial aid awards, hiring staff, or any other program or activity of the school.

THE RULE OF DECENCY

Expected behavior at Wellsprings is based on being decent to one another, or "the rule of decency" (our only rule). We do not wish to spell out all the "do's" and "don'ts" that might occur in daily interactions, so we rely on each person developing and acting from an internal sense of responsibility. Our commitment to a safe emotional climate means that playfighting, rude talk even between friends, excessive shouting or running around, and similar behaviors are inappropriate. Aggressive play such as water fights should happen only with willing participants, with sensitivity to bystanders, and an agreement to respect anyone's request to "Stop," or any "No." Wellsprings students and staff constantly demonstrate sincere caring and understanding towards others, in comforting people who are having a tough day, giving people space when they ask for it (verbally or non-verbally), and just being a lot of fun to hang out with and learn from each day. No place, no person, is perfect, but here at Wellsprings we are proud of our community and proud of our wholistic approach to education.

PROBLEM SOLVING

At Wellsprings, we do not believe in punishments, blaming, or labeling. Developing an internal sense of responsibility, rather than relying on externally imposed controls, is our goal for every individual in the community. Any issue or conflict that arises at Wellsprings will be dealt with in a problem-solving fashion. Typically, the person(s) involved will first meet with one staff member, the school Head, and one or more students when appropriate. At times, a parent, a Trustee, or a professional or other member of the larger community may be asked to join the process. Causes will be examined and solutions explored. The members of a problem-solving committee, and the number and nature of meetings and follow-up required, will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

COMMUNITY MEETING

Every other Friday all students and staff gather for a Community Meeting, and at other times when needed. These meetings are required and all members of the community are expected to attend. An agenda will be made available the week of the meeting for anyone to insert topics before the start of the meeting. Students are encouraged to bring items for discussion along with concerns and problems that may need to be addressed by the entire community, as well as joys and other sharing. All points of view will be heard and respected, with consensus being reached on any item that requires a decision.

SILENT MEETING

Once a week, the school community gathers for Silent Meeting, a practice of value for our daily lives and an ongoing connection with our Quaker heritage. As the whole group settles into a sustained period of silence, every person should seek to quiet the mind and body. This is a time for deep personal reflection, and community oneness. Out of this deep quiet, anyone may speak and share thoughts and feelings with the group. If someone does speak out of the silence, it is respectful to wait a briefly before another person speaks, so that there is silence between messages.

During the silent meeting it is not appropriate to talk, whisper, touch others, pass notes, make noise, listen to headphones, share seats, leave the room, or in any way disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Reading is also not allowed, although quiet writing or drawing in journals is ok.

The silent meeting lasts fifteen minutes, and ends when the "clerk" says "Good morning, friends" and everyone in the circle holds hands.

Students who find it difficult to be quietly present during Silent Meeting will meet with the school Head and/or their advisor to problem solve.