Race to Nowhere

Dear Members of our KLSD Community,

Parents, teachers, staff, and administrators joined together for the End The Race To Nowhere: Lap 1-Community Discussion on May 12, 2011. The dialogue was hosted by Family University as a follow up to the compelling documentary, The Race To Nowhere. Below you will find a summary of our discussion. It was a wonderful evening which fostered substantive community participation on a large scale. We invite you to reflect upon the issues raised in this summary. Be on the lookout in September when we begin the new school year for an announcement about Lap 2. During that time of fresh starts and the promise of new possibilities, we will all be ready for the next steps.

All the best,

Race to Nowhere Committee

Family University

How do we define success?

We believe success is achieved when students

·        experience the joy of learning and become curious, passionate human beings

·        develop a strong sense of self and are able to achieve balance in their lives

·        enjoy the freedom to discover and pursue their passions

·        experience a sense of belonging in the community

·        feel enriched in environments that are diverse and dynamic

·        are engaged in learning and develop a deep commitment to personal growth

We believe success is achieved when we graduate individuals who

·        are literate, critical, adaptable and self-reliant

·        are capable of tackling complex problems

·        are able to achieve their academic and professional goals

·        can experience a personal sense of accomplishment and the feeling of being content

·        are prepared to participate in both the local and broader communities  

How do we create happy, motivated, and creative human beings?

We believe that individuals become happy, motivated and creative when they are encouraged to

·        try new things and experiment, even when there is a risk of failure

·        learn from their disappointments

·        explore the rich differences in other human beings

·        set reasonable expectations in their personal and professional lives

·        experience different emotions and develop understanding, kindness and empathy

·        surround themselves with friends and role models who are respectful, open-minded and inclusive

·        identify and cultivate their passions

·        ask for help when they need it

·        set aside time to connect with others and engage in self-reflection

What are some positive things we can do to help our children achieve balance?

We believe that students and their families can achieve a better balance by (when)

·        increasing the amount of time families spend together

·        setting reasonable expectations and limitations and addressing any sense of frenzy that may be in the home

·        fostering an environment that is open to different interests, pursuits and emotions

·        ensuring that everyone's basic needs, such as nutrition, sleep and health care, are met

·        increasing communication and practicing active listening and observing

·        creating safe space for vulnerability and failure

·        trying to live in the moment by laughing, sharing and telling stories

·        reducing the sense of competition (keeping up with the Jones') in the home

·        respecting the privacy of everyone in the home

·        partnering with the school to address issues related to homework, expectations and scheduling

·        the adults model healthy and responsible living

·        the adults include their children and adolescents in conversations related to their education and development