Community building

Every year when teachers and staff return to ArtSpace, Lori Cozzi our Director engages us in a community building project. This year we were given the task of creating a piece of art to which all of us would have to contribute, and also to create a school song. She gave us about 90 minutes and let us go, with no other rules or specifications. After a few minutes of soaking this in, some staff members began taking the lead. Josh, our drama specialist, announced that the songwriting would take place in the music room, and Gwen, one of our art specialists let us know that the work on the art piece would begin in the art room. People began moving to one or the other project and work began. I joined the songwriting group, and we began brainstorming immediately. Sugguestions were made regarding the rhythm, and one was chosen. Suggestions regarding the themes to be covered were given, and after bandying ideas about, three or four were settled on. Very soon lyrics were created, deleted, altered, etc. Much give-and-take was involved, and I was pleased to see that every person in the group participated in some way or another. The art project quickly took shape as well, in an equally collaborative manner. At the end of the 90 minutes, the song was performed, though the paint was still drying on the mixed media piece.

This project succeeded in bringing the staff together after a two month separation with very little chin-wagging or lecture from administration. Isn't that preferable? Isn't that what our classrooms are supposed to emulate? It's so tempting for teachers, when returning after the summer, to hunker down in their classrooms and start planning, shutting out everything else. Though it's crucial to be given time for that oh-so-vital planning, it's also important to remind ourselves that we are a community working together, with a common goal and vision.

My favorite project that Lori assigned us took place about three years ago. We had to write, costume and stage an opera about ArtSpace - in 90 minutes. You've never seen such frantic and free-wheeling creativity! By the time the curtain fell on that production, one could see the incredible amount of teamwork and cooperation that had taken place. We were a community, ready to face a new year.

What are some ways your school creates community within the staff? Are there specific community-building activities you've experienced that can be replicated elsewhere in the charter school family? Please share!