Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Dec 13 th
Koltan and Spencer: peer to peer 260 (Daley)
Hannah: school festivities
wrap prezzies
Carly and others: work on/plan IDOLS if necessary
others: watch documentary on Lance Armstrong
if time there is a dvd in the computer,...file # 3 is a recent feature on Spencer West climbing Killimanjaro
#5 is on Craig Keilburger and Free the Children
both good...watch if time
Ms Matches won't be far and I am in 260 if needed
feel free to plan further activities that will make festive fun more festive
Monday, December 10, 2012
Peer to Peer - Tuesday to Thursday- drop by at 800 to pick up questions/stats etc
if you choose to use the 4 corner activity as an ice-breaker, here are some ideas for questions
Feel free to come up with your own!
4 Corner Activity
1. It is easy for youth get their hands on substances if they want to.
2. I think smoking pot should be legalized
3. It is normal to attend parties that have alcohol/pot/ and or tobacco there
4. Experimenting with substances is a normal part of being a teenager
5. Using substances can influence someone’s life decisions.
6. I know someone who has been drunk/high at school
7. People who choose NOT to use substances aren’t cool.
THIS IS JUST A FEW OF MANY THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS YOU COULD USE. BE CREATIVE AND COME UP WITH YOUR OWN.
START EASY AND SLOWLY BRING IN QUESTIONS THAT ARE MORE THOUGHT PROVOKING AS YOU GO.
PEER TO PEER CONVERSATIONS: GENERAL GUIDELINES
PEER TO PEER CONVERSATIONS
A General Guideline
Introductions (10 minutes):
*Each Youth Leader introduces themselves first
*One of the Youth Leaders introduces the adult in the room and their role
-not to lead or take charge
-provide support if needed
-not to tell adults outside of the room what happened during the conversation
*Introduce the Peer to Peer project
-state that this is about peers learning from peers as the research tells us this is the
most effective way to mentor and support youth
-briefly mention survey they completed, helps to provide a snapshot of where
grade 9’s are at with respect to substances.
-first of 3 sessions to share grade 9 experience with alcohol/tobacco/marijuana
-state the hopes and goals of the peer to peer project with respect to alcohol/tobacco/marijuana (increase knowledge, provide support, provide a “real” space for youth to share and discuss, provide strategies on how to deal with situations)
*Introduce concept of confidentiality
-safety in the group is critical to everyone feeling supported
-discussion kept in the room amongst peers and not to be shared or spread with other peers/teachers/adults outside of the conversation.
****-limits to confidientiality…..if anyone gives any information that suggests they may harm themselves or someone else, or a child under 16 is or is at risk of being harmed – adult in the room will help deal with this.
Icebreakers (20-25 minutes, maybe longer if good discussion):
Feel free to be creative – but have a plan!!
*Participants to introduce themselves in a creative way
-tape fun questions on a ball, gets tossed from person to person, answer question that right thumb touches when ball is caught
*After introductions, start opening discussion about topic:
-4 Corner Activity (agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, disagree)
- gets people moving, great to open up general discussion
-have questions already prepared (attached are some ideas)
- provide youth an opportunity to discuss the corner they chose and why they
didn’t choose another corner
-be creative and think of other ways to open up discussion on a difficult topic!
General discussion (30 minutes):
*Discussion about how their experience of alcohol/tobacco/marijuana has changed from grade 8 to grade 9 – “the high school experience”
*Myths/Stereotypes of youth and substances
*Difficult situations – how do you make good choices? Strategies to problem solve that you can feel good about.
*Survey results – have some interesting results from the survey and use to open discussion
Wrapping up:
*Designate one of the Youth Leaders to watch the clock
-plan to start wrapping up and concluding the conversation no later than 10 minutes before the end of the period (9:20).
-thank the students for their participation, let them know if they have any questions to feel free to ask one of you if they see you or use a trusted, caring adult in the building to seek support
-remind them that the conversation will continue in second semester
Things to Remember!
*Your goal is for the youth to feel supported – always respond in a supportive, non-judgemental manner. Role model this and encourage the participants in the group to respond to each other this way
*Use disclosure of your own experiences thoughtfully and purposefully – draw on past experiences and what you learned from those experiences, use your experiences to be helpful and remember – this isn’t about you, it’s about them.
*If you don’t know the answer to a question, please avoid making something up. Either request the assistance of the adult or advise to the youth that you will commit to getting an answer for them and let them know
*Use the adult in the room whenever you feel stuck, but have the confidence that you can respond in a helpful way to most things. The adult may also step in if there is a behavioural issue.
*Debrief with the adult after the group – discuss any issues that came up that need follow up.
*If a youth discloses something concerning – stay calm, provide a supportive response, and always debrief with the adult after the group
*Always keep in mind that we are trying to build their capacity to talk with people about tough subjects – always encourage them to seek support from someone trusted to help them.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
peer to peer surveys
send to:
k.appleby@tvdsb.on.ca
you could also send them to me at:
i.mcguchan@tvdsb.on.ca
don't forget to put preamble/instructions....this is the beginning of a process....this is a pilot project.....no names...all answers strictly confidential etc
Monday, November 12, 2012
#14 Leadership and Morality
can a great leader be morally suspect?
or must a great leader always be moral?
explain
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
#13 so what now?
the dog days of November , the festive frivolity of December and the cold, brutal march to the end in January....
what would you like to see at IDCI? what should we do to make that happen? what would you like your contribution to be?
#12 the first half semester @IDCI 2012/2013
overall thoughts as a student in the gr 12 leadership class given the task of putting on the activities and events that make school more than just a credit-granting factory?
successes? failures? observations?
#11 stair climb ...some thoughts
it seems so important to IDCI...why is that? / why does it seem to mean so much to so many here?
how can we make it better? can we?
how to involve more people / raise more money?....ideas?
overall?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
some challenge day ideas
Last year I think the assembly after Challenge Day was really well done, and I know it made a lot of people who didn't go understand it better and stop hating on it over social media, etc. This year it would be good to do that again, but I think the whole idea of Challenge Day needs to continue throughout the school year. We can't force people to join a club and that was evident last year when the club kinda died down and nothing was ever done. I think putting up the murals is a really good way to keep the spirit of Challenge Day alive in the school. We could possibly have a sort of follow up day after and have people who went to challenge day brainstorm stuff, or a day for people who didn't get to go a chance to experience a form of it........................................................................................................................................................................ After Challenge Day
Last year after Challenge Day, we had a big school assembly where students, teachers and even people who are not directly connected to the school came in and talked about some of the hardships that they have had. I belieeve we should do this again this year. Even though only about 10% of the school went to challenge day, this assembly seemed to have brought in the challenge day atmosphere to the rest of the school. For a few weeks, the school atmosphere had changed for the better.
The only down fall from last year was that the friendly environment had died out, and things just ended up going back to normal. In order to keep the environment alive, I think that there needs to be more school events to keep it fresh. I don't exactly know what these events could be, but things like team building activities and more assemblies where people talk about their lives could possibly work..........I think what should happen afterwards its something better then last year. We did try to keep a follow through but didnt last that long. Since now its all grade 10's we should really connect with them. They could pass on the torch to the next group for next year type of thing. As much as we try though they follow through isnt always as strong as what it should be. Unfortunately, but its true. We could try to enforce it alot this year by having another challenge day group that does not fall through. But lets think of it this way.. last year was like a test run. we can only learn from our mistakes :) .........................................................................................I think that there needs to be serious consideration when it comes to the actions that are going to be taken after challenge day. I personally think that last year was a very good attempt at trying to get the entire school on board for the idea. The assembly went well to me, it addressed the issues in a way that even if you did not got to challenge day you could still feel apart. what i believe got in the way is that students simply did not want to change their opinion on the idea, if they were against challenge day in their head that's how it was going to say, and one assembly isn't going to change their opinion.
My one idea for after challenge day would be able to take any students who did not attend challenge day and do a mini-challenge day in gym one and two. Have teachers who are on prep and who would like to volunteer be the leaders of the small groups and have leadership students who have attended challenge day either last year or this year help lead the morning or afternoon. By doing this I think it would help students who didn't have the chance to go, or turned down the opportunity but regret not going have the chance to experience what the day would have been like..............................................................................................................................................................
I think after challenge day this year will be better then last year solely based on the fact that it was opened up to one grade and not just a random selection that way people won't feel like they got left out. It's also a good way to make sure it's continued in future years most of the students doing it this year will be here for the next 2 years and will hopefully continue to demonstrate on a daily basis what Challenge Day is. I think that although Challenge Day is a huge amount of commitment and work for the people organizing it I personally believe it's 100% worth it and anybody who has done it will likely tell you the same thing. Hope that this will continue for IDCI students for years to come...............................................................................I personally think that the Challenge Day assembly was well done and quite successful. Having said that, other than the assembly I didn't think Challenge Day stuck for the school as a whole. Sure it stuck for certain individuals which is great but I think there needs to be more done through the rest of the year. What we can do exactly, I don't know. The Challenge Day Club seemed like a great idea and the challenge grams that went out were also neat but it seemed after that things kind of faded out. I think that we should hold an assembly again and maybe really focus in on some of the issues IDCI faces. Another idea I had was to have a 'challenge box' that is similar to a suggestion box where people can anonomously submit ideas for IDCI improvement, a challenge to the school or just some kind of thought relating to the challenge day message. Then between parliament and the leadership classes we could try to implement activities that could address these submissions. It would allow the student voice to be heard more and give us kind of a starting point for what we can do. I don't know how many entries we would get, I would assume a lot in the beginning and it may also dwindle down as the year goes on but we could save the ones from the beginning and work on them all throughout the year to give things a more even spread and not have it be too overwhelming at the beginning. I think having the message carry on for more than just the short period of time immediatley following Challenge Day would encourage more grade 10's to participate next year as they will have seen a positive outcome and change in IDCI. I would be willing to sort of take this idea on if it is something the class thinks would work, but I don't know, just throwing it out there!............................................................................................................................................................
As someone that attended Challenge Day last year, I speak from experience when I say it was a life changing event. It made me look at people and life in a different way, and inspired me to give other people the same chance. I was lucky enough to be involved in the Challenge Day assembly, in which I got to share some of my story with the staff and students of IDCI. I felt that this was effective, as Challenge Day was new and most people had no clue what it was about. After that assembly, I feel that it sort of faded away...this year something needs to change!....The overall spirit of Challenge Day can't fade this year. I think that we should have a "Challenge Day Club" where anyone who wants to join can, regardless of whether they attended or not. This group could meet in either a classroom or the gymnasium (depending on the size) once every 2 weeks and discuss whatever is on their minds. This would, to some extent, be like a mini Challenge Day- everyone can share their current thoughts, obstacles, etc. I feel that it would keep up the spirit of Challenge Day in such a way that it does not negatively affect people who don't want to constantly hear about Challenge Day at assemblies........................................................................................................................................................
I belive that follwing Challenge Day this year, we should have a goal. At Challenge Day (at the end of the day) the administrators should tell all the students that participated that they have to watch for bullying and give ten compliements a day (an example). I know it wont last forever but at least it is making Challenge Day not just a day, but a week or a few weeks.
In the school, we should also hang up the Challenge Day posters as well as quotes about bullying. They do not have to big and not everywhere but at least a few should go up. This will remind people that participated in Challenge Day that it lasts longer than one day...............................................................................................................................................................I dont know what to think about challenge day just yet. I have heard many different things about the day itself and i believe it is important to base my idea of the day through my own events of the day. I have not had the chance to attend challenge day yet, mainly because i was afriad of the day last year. I didnt and still dont like talking about myself or my emotions, but i think that going to challenge day this year and opening up, will give me a chnace to truly believe in the day and base my idea of the day, hopefully around a good day.
I truly cant not wait until the day comes, but i think it is also important to follow up the "amazing" day with something important to help our whole school become one and allow our students that didnt attend the day to feel the impact of the day. I think we should have a "challenge day" in the gym with our students. Not the full event itself, but possbile the line event or a select event from the day to show all the students at IDCI that we might all be different but we are all together..........................................................................................................................................................
I think that during challenge day, in order to get people when we have vacancies, we should compile a list of possible candidates beforehand in order to make fill them as quickly as possible. We shouldn't necessarily have people who really want to go, but people who need to go. I think we should have homeroom teachers nominate one or two students who didn't go last year who would get something from the experience. That way, we have a wide spectrum of students participating from all facets of the IDCI population.
Friday, September 28, 2012
#6 so two guys wanted the same job...
Obama and Romney
comment on their leadership "style" (for lack of a better word)
as a young would-be voter (well, in Canada, anyway) comment on their "likeability"...their "relatability"..their appropriateness for the job....and whether they seem to fit the bill as leader
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
time to blog
the ones with #s (1-5) ..require to respond to them (number them accordingly) in your blog
you can do it
#5 so read the love letter to Canada
leave the politics part out if you wish and just read the last couple of paragraphs
and respond....comment / reflect and if you are really brave , try writing one to something (not a person)...something that is very important to you....a couple of paragraphs....and share your wisdom...admiration
give it a try
Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
DOCUMENT
PAGES
#4 Two weeks until Challenge Day and...
one thought / suggestion / idea for what happens afterwards (or before)
#3 Thanksgiving and all that
so ..one week and a bit until Thanksgiving
share one idea for a Thanksgiving type idea we can do at the school next week
#2 watch one of the Ken Robinson TED talks below...
and respond thoughtfully and insightfully as a thoughtful and insightful senior leadership student would / should
Monday, September 24, 2012
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