I wanted to share some anecdotes about
my stepson Jyles' experiences with The Circle School, because to me they
embody the beauty of this program. In the evening, after his first visit
to TCS in September, he said to me, "You know Marianne, at first I thought
that it seemed like kindergarten there. After a while, I started to feel
that it wasn't kindergarten at all, but that it was like college. Finally,
now I've realized that it really isn't either of those things. What it
is there is life."
Several weeks into the school year,
we took him out of public school and enrolled him in TCS. His displeasure
with public school had been rising continuously - his experience there
being one of boredom and frustration. The take-home impact was a ten-year-old
boy who did well on his report card, but who each morning begged, cajoled
and feigned sickness in an attempt to stay home. He put no extra effort
into anything that could be associated with school and schoolwork. A trip
to the library was viewed with trepidation and he wouldn't dream of reading
anything to himself except " Calvin & Hobbes ". Somehow he always seemed
to be protecting himself, as if someone were going to trick him into doing
something he didn't want to be doing.
His first day at TCS, I left at 1 pm,
did my afternoon work away from home to return home at 4 pm. All the children
were home from public school, but there was no Jyles. I waited awhile,
still no Jyles. A while longer, no Jyles. Finally around 5:05 pm, I called
the school and Sue answered. She responded with a joyous giggle that Jyles
had just left for home (we are within walking distance). This pattern of
attendance is the rule now, not the exception, for Jyles. He happily charges
off to school each morning around 8:30 and returns home around 5:30. He
is really upset if I have to take him out early for a dental appointment,
begging to be taken back afterwards. Many a rainy afternoon, I've stopped
by school around 4 pm to save him from getting soaked by walking home -
but the ride is always declined in lieu of his extra hour at school.
For us, as his parents, just having
him love and desire school so much was enough of a goal for the whole year.
We just trusted that when you want to be somewhere, when you make your
own commitment, something good will happen. But all the good we could never
have projected. He has become expansive, humorous, vulnerable, strong and
giving - these things just seem to blossom out of him as his guardedness
slips away.
Then one afternoon this winter he came
home from school, found me in the kitchen and asked me to take him to the
library. His demeanor was enthusiastic and expectant. You could have bowled
me over. That is one of the last things I ever would have expected from
Jyles. Apparently he was inspired by a new science club initiated by Lucas,
and he was on a mission to learn about aquatic ecosystems in preparation
for spring field trips to Pinchot Park. After returning home from the library
that evening, I didn't see much of him until I went up to bed and found
him cuddled up under my covers reading - Jyles was choosing to read, on
his own!
Wonders never seem to cease these days.
He reads to himself all the time now. He is covetous of his school time.
He continues to grow. Most importantly, he is actively engaged in growing
himself. Jyles' first analysis of "The Circle School being life" has expanded
to encompass the fact that learning is a life process and life is a learning
process. It is his to grab here and now at The Circle School and is an
invaluable life lesson to carry with him hence forward.
Printed with Jyles' permission.
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