Charter school stresses developing a moral compass

The Providence Journal ^ | Sunday, November 23, 2008 | Julia Steiny

[Sopater]

Kingstown, a group of kids insisted I see their “fairy-house village.” Together we trooped across the grassy field that doubles as the school’s auditorium and gym, to the edge of the woods. There, a darling neighborhood of small, fragile structures, made entirely of stems, bark and dried flowers, housed fairies.

While one fairy nut chatted about the inhabitants, the other kids talked — over each other, of course — about the importance of using natural materials. They love making art out in the woods. “It’s the best art,” squealed one girl.

All the kids I met that day are excited about the environment. Not just as an idea, but as their own immediate world outdoors.

Each of the school’s multigrade levels — K-1, 2-3, 4-6 and 7-8 — has its own compost, lined up against a rock wall. One class cleverly composts in a barrel that just rolls over when the organic materials need turning — no pitchforks needed. The other grades are eyeballing the wisdom of their strategy. The compost feeds the school’s garden.

The kids have visited the state Central Landfill, in Johnston, and are appalled by the scale of our waste. So some classes wash silverware rather than use plastic forks at lunch. A box near the front door collects plastic bags, near the recyclable grocery bags for sale.

Solar panels cover the roof, but the kids minimize energy use. On the overcast day I was there, not a single classroom had lights on. Granted, every classroom has generous windows and plenty of light. Still, it was odd. But very earth-friendly.

[Sopater]

Compass never suspends students for misbehavior, but keeps them at school where they work out the issues together.

As Karen O’Malley, a first-grade teacher says, “We want them to develop their own moral compass and sense of ethics.”

At first, the article looks like morality is defined as eco-friendly, then it becomes more clear that they are trying to teach "social responsibility" that goes beyond being green and socialistic.

The kids themselves indoctrinate new students into the culture of community cooperation, because they helped make the rules and see them as working in their own interests. Messing with the rules messes with your community.

[Sopater]

BRAINWASHING CHILDREN THROUGH SOCIAL SCIENCE

[MrB]

Yeah, I see what “morality” is defined as these days. This is probably just the beginning.

It’s pretty much paganism, the worship of mother nature.

[phoenix07]

“Brainwashing Children Through Social Science” - doesn’t even start to cover what’s happening. Let’s include indoctrination, for example.........my kids were in such a school and they came home talking about the fact that, for example, I didn’t have the “right” to discipline them.... that I was “abusive”, etc. just because I would put them in their rooms for infractions of rules.......talk about being fed Koolaid!

[phoenix07]

“Yeah, I see what “morality” is defined as these days. This is probably just the beginning.

It’s pretty much paganism, the worship of mother nature.”

Indeed it is! The Gay agenda, specifically - starts knocking the Bible saying things like “they talk about senior citizens building arks and rounding up all the species of animals........” because they are trying to rationalize gay marriage......