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THE EDUCATION FOR THE NEW AGE “No man can reveal to
you aught but that which lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.” —Kahlil Gibran _________________________ THE TASK One of the most challenging tasks which faces The Stelle Group is to provide for the education of
the future inhabitants of the city of We are faced with the job of preparing
each person to effectively control his own environment and destiny—a job of
unusual importance in the rapidly changing world of today. Our realization of
the necessity for a new educational approach is based
primarily on three characteristics of our tine. First, the discovery of new knowledge is
rapid and continuous. Children flounder in present educational systems while
attempting to make “sense” out of the constant bombardment of isolated data which is forcing itself upon them in school. The
child should rather be prepared to welcome new experience and to realize that
meaningful education is a lifelong, exciting process. The happy, contributing
person is the one whose academic success stems from his ability to interpret
and apply new information to his life-situation. Second, population growth has forced today’s
highly structured school systems to become even more structured. Students are
cataloged and pigeon-holed like so many file cards.
They are urged to move with the tide or to compete
fiercely with other students and in either case to meet the demands of
parents, teachers, principals, curriculum committees, school boards, etc.
There is little time for self-direction and for finding one own style of
living and growing. Scarce attention is paid to the
instinctive desire to spend tine alone in contemplation. Third, as our attention turns to the
prevalence of violence and other negative aspects of social change, we find
young people who are discovering that growth of knowledge is not the same as
growth in wisdom. Unable to make sense of the universe or man’s role in it,
they turn away in despair. The paucity of meaningful answers offered by adults causes youngsters to reject the traditional
authority of parents as well as teachers. OUR COMMITMENT We of The Stelle Elementary School are
deeply committed to the affirmative possibilities of this age. We see the
child as an eager, competent being whose true motivation will come from
within if allowed and encouraged to do so. The
regimentation and conformity required by the present systems discourage these
traits. We recognize the free will of each Ego in pursuing his own purpose in
life, and we see the urgency of encouraging the child toward individual Egoic
growth. One implication of reincarnation is that each person has mastered many
skills in other 1ifetimes He need not necessarily concentrate on the sane
skills and knowledge in this lifetime. Each entity has been endowed with certain
powers of mind give him the potential to master the challenges of life on this
planet. The mental tools for aesthetic, academic, and emotional advancement
are also the tools for Egoic growth. Academic advancement in the face of the
constant influx of new data requires the understanding of principles rather than
the mere acquisition of information. To learn the techniques of inquiry, to
rely to some extent upon intuitive abilities, to have the self-assurance to “know”,
and to use freedom sensibly are vital for a person’s continued growth and re-education
throughout a lifetime. The New Age calls for the personal responsibility of
organizing information so that patterns can be discerned
and discoveries made. It is essential that the youngster be supported in his search for values. He can be guided to see the importance of balancing
intellectual ability and moral concern in the task of advancing God’s plan
for man. We agree with THE ULTlMATE FRONTER by Eklal Kueshana
that “Egoic advancement depends upon a sense of empathy with and
respect for all life forms.” It is necessary to develop this sense of empathy
to combat the developing “tendency to brutalize and coarsen the sensitivities
of children toward the fragility of life.” In developing the Citizenry for the Nation
of God, attention must be focused on moral integrity
based on the Great Virtues. Our aim, in Whitman’s words, is to “create great
persons; the rest follows.” PROJECTED COALS Rather than set up a rigid set of
educational objectives which would tend to give the impression that we seek
the sane general goals for every student, our aim is to be continuously
perceptive and to serve as guides for the adults-to-be who will steer the
course of this planet. We expect to see the following results in
our students: Ability
to deal with life as a whole—a balance between intellectual abilities,
emotions and morality. Basic
skills in reading, writing, arithmetic, etc. A functioning knowledge
of manual, artistic, social, and other skill areas learned through the
active, living environment of the school. Aesthetic
appreciation. An interest in the
philosophy of the Brotherhoods, including devotion
to the fulfillment of the Great Plan of the Brotherhoods. Genuine
interest in exploration and learning. Willingness
to pursue ideas across traditional boundaries between subject fields and
cultures. Eagerness
to become self-directed; to use common sense as well as intellectual
processes in solving problems. Recognition
of the value of intuition in scientific investigation. Responsible
use of freedom. Self-discipline. Recognition
and appreciation of the uniqueness of each human being. A desire to function
as a contributor to the common good of mankind. Regard
for Universal Law. A positive self-image. A
realistic trust of one’s self and his ability to cope with his environment. Positive
appreciation of self and others. Moral integrity based
upon the desire to live the Great Virtues: Tolerance, Patience, Kindliness,
Forbearance, Charity, Humility, Devotion, Sincerity, Courage, Precision,
Efficiency, Discrimination. SCHOOL OPERATION The school year will be from September to
June. Activities will begin daily, Monday through Friday, at 9:00 a.m. A
daily rhythm will be established to suit students
and teachers. This will center on providing an atmosphere in which the child
can follow his curiosity and work, play and study with joy. Regular classes will be scheduled as needed by student and teacher.
Because teaching is a most effective way of learning, students will be
encouraged to help each other. They may also experience the realization of
the basic responsibility that we all have for others. Classes will be
dismissed at 3:00 p.m., although students may remain to continue or
complete projects. Plans of this nature will, of course, be
cleared with parents and teachers. STAFF There will be one fully qualified,
experienced teacher for each learning group of twenty students (maximum), and several helpers will be available as needed.
The teacher will direct and supervise activities. As he senses a child’s
interest, the teacher will initiate projects, read stories and teach certain
bodies of information. He will serve as a catalyst and guide to the energies
of each student and to the class as a group. COURSE OF STUDY Learning is fundamentally a private
process. When motivation is from within, the student goes far beyond the
learning of basic academic skills. John Holt states in HOW
CHILDREN LEARN, “A child who is learning naturally, following his curiosity
where it leads him, adding to his mental model of reality whatever he needs
and can find a place for, rejecting without fear or guilt what he does not
need is growing—in knowledge, in the love of learning and in the ability to
learn.” Each learning group will range in age
from five through fourteen. This grouping together of students of different ages,
interests and abilities will be beneficial to the social as well as the
intellectual development of each child. An ungraded organization allows and
even encourages the student to proceed at his own speed in different subject
areas. The Fundamental to our program is “organic”
learning, which is based on relating what is being
learned to the personal life of the individual child. Sylvia Ashton-Warner in
her book, TEACHER, describes this type of learning as being highly effective.
In teaching reading to a group of Maori children in The Play is a creative force in education.
Social development, physical development and self-expression as well as psychological
release and imaginative powers are all linked with
play. A child who would rather be at play than sitting in the classroom is an
unwilling pupil and a poor learner. Play
is an integral part of good education, and we expect it to help provide a
balance to other school activities.\ In The Stelle Elementary School, the
student will be free to play, build, draw, act, study, experiment and participate
in various discussions. Each student will have considerable freedom to choose
his activities during the day. The student will be free to initiate
projects and to request formal instruction as he
desires. Emphasis will be placed on perceiving
patterns and fundamental principles and learning to effectively use research
tools for self-directed study. PROGRESS REPORTS Each child must be
considered as an individual. In most existing school systems, it is
all but impossible to allow the student to do anything
which is different from the other twenty-nine or so children in his
class. If he chooses a different route to knowledge, he must keep up with the
rest of the class in addition to his chosen activity. The amount a student
has learned is decided by comparing him to others in
his grade. This comparative evaluation discourages incentive in
experimentation and instills fear. To fail at an attempt is
considered disgrace. Often it is overlooked
that by failing and having the courage to try again we learn some of our most
valuable lessons. Our hope is that the student will want to
learn for the sake of learning and not think of learning as a means of gaining
favor in the eyes of adults. Regular communication between teachers
and parents in regard to the child’s activities and
interests will be a necessary part of the function of the school, but report
cards with traditional marks will not be issued. Should a student transfer to
another school, a statement of progress will be issued
for the purpose of enrollment in the other system. THE PARENTS’ ROLE Education of the child is the
responsibility of the parents. The school is a service to the parents which provides facilities, material, and professional
assistance for extending the experience of the child. In the Nation of God, the
younger generation must be encouraged to surpass its parental generation. We expect a close relationship between
parents and teachers as they work together to educate the child. Parents will
always be welcome during school hours. For instance, they may want to come
and merely observe. Or they may be willing to act as
resource persons sharing their talents or knowledge with interested children.
A parent might take a single child
or a small group on a special trip which relates to
a subject under study. Parents and teachers should find individual
conferences useful for finding ways to help the child to advance Egoically.
Study groups for discussion and other activities will be
planned for those parents who several
wish to participate. EXPENSES Because it is necessary to charge tuition
to help meet operating expenses, a maximum fee of $450.00 per year for each
child will be charged. As pledges and contributions become
a reality, we hope to be in a position to lower this sum. FACILITIES The The location of the school makes it
possible for children to be involved in frequent trips and visits to the
numerous educational resources available in the COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Within The Stelle Group and among
interested persons in this area are those with rich backgrounds of abilities,
interests, experience and education who are eager to share their ideas and
knowledge with the students of our school. We plan to take full advantage of
this resource as often as possible. Association with the maturity and love of
these adults will be a valuable experience for students. ACCREDITATION The The A high school program will
be developed as needed. Those who plan to go to college will receive
preparatory training with that aim in mind. APPLICATION AND
INFORMATION The enclosed application form should be
completed and returned to The Stelle Elementary School. Additional
information and answers to specific questions may be obtained
by writing to the school. _________________________ © The Stelle Group Board
of Education July 1968 _________________________ The Stelle Group Board of Education |
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