Weekly Updates
Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update
The PS Studio is going strong in the new year with a new ROE in place and lots of fun play and hard work! Go, go, go!
Exploring Reading Materials and Writing Exercises
The PS Eagles are getting more and more into the reading materials and writing exercises.Throughout the week, they were seen working spontaneously with these materials and even worked together on some of them. They are also tackling the other materials with more enthusiasm. The PS Eagles are growing!
They have also begun to take more responsibility for their Studio, making sure things are spic and span and ready for work.
Realigning and Re-committing
The PS Eagles were challenged with 2 separate incidents of hitting this week. Causing harm in the Studios is not tolerated, so as soon as the incident was reported to the Guide, the PS Eagle who started the incident was offered some ‘cooling down’ time until they felt ready to re-join the tribe in a calm manner. The Guide then found out what happened and recorded the Eagle’s recommitment to the Studio (they promised that they would not hit again). The Eagle filled out a Studio Recommitment Form which includes:
a) A summary of the incident (they can write or draw it out).
b) Promises to the Studio (if the Eagles is not able to write, the Guide can record the Eagle’s promise word-for-word).
The Eagle then spoke to the PS Studio, recounted what happened, and read out their promises towards the whole Studio. The Studio decided as a group that the promise was fair, and the Studio clapped the Eagle back into the Studio. Kudos to the Eagle for recommitting themselves!
Quest
This week, the PS Eagles were challenged to cross a river using ‘magic stones’ (coloured A4 paper). Any ‘stone’ left untouched by an Eagle would be washed away (removed) and the next Eagle would have to navigate a way through without it. The challenge was to get everyone across, safe and sound.
The PS Eagles attempted this challenge 5 times, but despite the repeated tries, they did not succeed in getting everyone across before the ‘stones’ were washed away. The PS Eagles huddled to reflect:
SA – It is a difficult game, but I got across.
AL – I am happy because I ran across before the stones were swept away.
AR – I did not get across.
AS – I also did not get across.
AZ – I tried to tell everyone, but not everyone was listening. I am so tired from the game.
Elementary Studio (ES) Update
Project / Team Building
Lip Dub
This week’s work on the Lip Dub was Eagle-led, and the lead Eagle enjoyed taking point. The ES Eagles refused to sing out loud during this session, but we are sure they will produce a world-class Lip Dub at the end of this Sprint.
Eagle-Buddy Contract
The Eagle-Buddy Contract is a tool for Acton Eagles to keep each other accountable. A couple of ES Eagles were finding it challenging to keep to the Studio guardrails and Contract, and the other ES Eagles had tried reminding them to no avail.
The Guide held the mirror of accountability up to the ES Eagles involved by having them read through the Studio’s Freedom Levels, Guardrails, Contracts, and the Consequences of breaking them. The Guide then offered choices – an Eagle-Buddy Contract or a Probationary Contract. Both ES Eagles chose to create an Eagle-Buddy Contract to help them keep accountable.
The 2 ES Eagles drafted their own Contracts which included their Promises, the Consequence of breaking their promises, and the length of the Contract. They then signed the Contract. For transparency and accountability, they sent their Contracts to their parents, including the reasons for it.
One of the parents replied, “Thank you for sending us your Contract and taking responsibility for your actions. Please let me know how we can support you to uphold this Contract?”
The effect of the Eagle-Buddy Contracts in the Studio was that the buddies have been keeping the 2 ES Eagles in check by simply reminding them of the Contract.
Fun Friday
Most of the ES Eagles qualified for Fun Friday and this time around they had ice cream! It was well-deserved after a whole week of hard work. One of the ES Eagles said, “I had nine scoops of ice cream and I feel good!”
Middle Studio & Launchpad (MSLP) Update
Rooftop Experience
The MSLP Eagles continued with their endeavour of creating a Rooftop Experience. What makes a great menu for families? The MSLP Eagles tested different items during their Snack Times. Besides choosing what works, they had to do the Unit Economics (how much does each item on the menu cost based on individual ingredients), design layouts, and so on.
Otherwise, the MSLP Eagles are driving their own Journeys. Last week, we shared their individual Journeys. They are still evolving, and wherever they may go may not involve Acton Academy. Our Mission is to serve their Callings and their Next Great Adventure and to allow them to discover what makes sense, through both actual real-world experiences and ‘stepping in the shoes’ research.
One MSLP Eagle even set himself apart by placing himself in the room, listing his to-do right in front of him, and tackling it head on. The reality is that all the MSLP Eagles have what it takes to get to their Next Great Adventure. The only question is whether they want to face each day with the right mindset and attitude, and navigate the ambiguity with clear thinking and actions. That is the true challenge, not just for them, but for all of us.
It’s not serious all the time. They let their hair down in odd ways, like having a quick chase …
