A Parent's Perspective

Photo by Krissy.Venosdale

I was quite nervous about my son entering high school until I attended the Weidner School of Inquiry parent orientation.  The facilities and technology are impressive, and it’s exciting to see the changes in the logistics of the classroom.  To be honest, I was more impressed with the staff and the presentation of information to the parents.  I think there are misconceptions about project based learning, and the facilitators did an excellent job in taking the parents through a fact finding exercise to help us gain insight, answers, and clarification to concerns and questions.  The use of sticky notes, whiteboards, presentations, and small group discussion were all tools and key factors used to help the parents discover answers and solutions to help our children be successful.  It demonstrated one technique of how the facilitators will lead and teach in the classroom.   I see these concepts used in our senior management meetings to generate ideas, talk through issues and concerns, and then find possible routes to resolve the issues.  One item that was stressed was teaching the students to think and problem solve.  This is a critical skill that they will use the rest of their lives no matter what path of life they choose. 

The other item that was so impressive to me was the “why” statement.   What is my purpose?  Many people take the “why” question for granted.  I appreciate the hours of collaboration and candid dialogue it took to reach that statement.  It is evident the passion these facilitators have for these students to be life-long learners and solution based thinkers.  Defender Direct, an Indy based company, stresses how businesses don’t grow…People Grow!  I look forward to seeing my child’s development and growth.  These students will be engaged and challenged to work with others that they may not normally associate with due to their extra-curricular activities after school.   It will show them the importance of teamwork, collaboration, influence, and respect.   I know there will be struggles ahead, but there will also be the satisfaction of overcoming those struggles and breaking through to solutions and success.   

I am truly thankful for the vision of Plymouth Schools, donations and community involvement in helping this program get started.  WSOI is developing leaders and thinkers who will make a difference in this world.  Thank you for giving my child the option and opportunity to take advantage of this program. 

Blog Contributor: Kathy Bacon
{WSOI Parent, Community Member, Controller - Wiers International}

Student Reflection on Culture Week Activities

Culture week is my favorite part of school because it's a time to learn about our classmates and facilitators but most importantly ourselves.  This week we have embarked on a mission of discovery that has led me to learn interesting things about my personality.  Two of the activities that I really enjoyed were the Myers Brigg Test and the Compass Points activity.
    
 I have now done the compass point activity twice and each time I discovered something interesting.  The first time that I did this activity was in a Student Advisory Board meeting.  Our facilitators had done this activity before and were excited to see what would happen.  Half of us ended up going to the West poster and the other half was at the East.  It was interesting to see that we are on polar opposites of working style.  My fellow people in the West pay a lot of attention to the fine details, whereas the Easterners look at the big picture.  

     The second time I did this activity, there were new people in the West.  I noticed that checklists and writing everything down is a big deal to them.  It is not so with me.  Although I do look at the fine details and need to know just about everything before I start, I do not have the patience or organization to make out lists.  I think I might be a mix of West and North: a Northwest.  When we met up with some Westerners from another class, I observed that some of their answers were different than mine.  They seemed to be more compassionate and Southernly, where I said that Southerners were hardest to work with.  Then I thought maybe within each direction there are sub-directions: i.e. Northwest and Southwest.   

     I really loathe personality tests, and the one we took last year was brutal.  The Myers Brigg test was not so bad.  I felt the questions were more relevant and easier to answer due to their only being two choices: yes and no.  At the end, my acronym was INTJ which meant nothing to me at first.  After reading into it, I discovered that it is The Mastermind; so basically I'm a genius.  I found out that only 2% of the population is this personality type and only 1% of women are a part of The Mastermind.  From that I concluded that I am pretty rare too.  While reading the description of my personality type, I was completely in awe of how perfectly it described me.  It said I was a perfectionist which is very true.           

    Though others may think these activities are just to pass the time and don't appreciate the information they discovered, I see the value in these activities.  It is always beneficial to gain knowledge about yourself so you can improve yourself.  I am excited to start this new school year having made self discoveries that will use to improve my character.

Blog Contributor: Haley Mills
{WSOI Sophomore, Student Advisor}

Back to School at the Weidner School of Inquiry

The phrase, it’s back to school time, usually fills students with dread at the prospect of long hours confined to a classroom and even longer hours devoted to homework. But for each of the learners at the Weidner School of Inquiry the prospect of a new school year must fill you with anticipation at all that lies ahead to be experienced and accomplished.

The unique opportunities provided to the WSOI learners to be educated in a way that not only enhances conventional learning but also encourages the student to develop characteristics such as personal responsibility and community awareness is an exciting concept. The directors and teachers at WSOI are so enthusiastic about the unlimited possibilities of all of you and will be wonderful mentors in your quest for success. Each of you has the chance to receive an excellent education while expanding your knowledge of our business community and those who comprise it. There are many family businesses in Plymouth, each with their own story of accomplishing success through dedication, hard work and perseverance. Please take advantage of the opportunity to learn about them and from them.

It is our family’s wish that every student at WSOI will discover his or her own potential and fulfill it in such a way that will bring them success in whatever they choose to do in life. We also hope that each of you will give back to our community and help it thrive. If your path in life leads you elsewhere take a little bit of Plymouth with you and contribute in positive ways to your chosen community.

Blog Contributor: Julie Weidner
{Community Member, Business Owner, Donor}