community friday
What an incredible day.Fridays at Brightworks are different from the rest of the week: instead of focusing solely on the arc or the phase of the arc we're in, we're using this day to be together as a school - kids and adults alike - and allow opportunities for deep exploration of topics, ideas, and projects that truly and deeply interest the kids. They can work on projects that they may normally not be able to during the school day and interact with adults they don't normally see during moments of the day we're calling Open Explore. We also have started new groupings of people called families, where four kids gather with an adult to talk, check in, do things together, and keep an eye out for each other.Friday is exciting (not that all days aren't!) because it takes us out of the curriculum and allows for free exploration and engagement. And we get to talk to our fellow Brightworks folks that we might not normally be able to!Today, as our first Community Friday began, we all hustled out the door up to Potrero Hill to watch the Boeing 747 carry the shuttle the Endeavor on its back as a ceremonial close to the space shuttle program.
We had to wait a little while...
...but by the time the duo flew over, it was an awesome sight to see. We ran all over the park as the plane circled over the city, trying to catch a look with all the other neighbors of the rocket on its last flight.
Our walk back:
When we got back to school, the first Open Explore time began.The Phantoms and a few friends from other bands worked on community lunch.
Mixing strange concoctions in the lab.
MagnaTiles.
Boats in the Coyote space.
Building a 51-MagnaTile tall tower.
Which came down in spectacular fashion.
Conversation in the cubby.
Making bird masks in the art studio.
Reading in the library.
Yoga and aerial silk on the cork floor.
Community lunch and family time.
The kids didn't end up going to park until the late afternoon and by the time they got back it was time for closing circle and the end of the day! Happy Friday!