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August Forum:

"New Paradigms for K-12 Education in Boulder County"

When: Thursday, August 25th
Panel: 11:30-12:30, Q&A: 12:30-1:00

Where: Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Rd., Boulder 80303

Panelists to be announced in forum reminder.
 
Please join us at our free Forum. Snacks are provided or please bring a vegetarian lunch, as our host site is kosher. 

Restoring the Soul’s monthly Forums are presented by local experts who are personally involved with the topics. You may listen to the Forums regularly from 8:35-9:30 on KGNU 88.5 FM. Forum broadcasts will continue on the fourth Thursday of the following months:  January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November. Our Forums on crucial social issues are also archived on our website. Listen to them here. 

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Learn more...

 Learner-driven curriculum and schedule: Students, under teacher guidance and advice, develop a learning plan that reflects their interests and passion. The skills, knowledge, and attitudes of the curriculum are integrated into the learning plan. The learning plan describes activities, products, learning goals, and competency evidences, with checkpoints over time. The curriculum, accordingly, is not organized in grade level and time units of instruction.
Learning-based economic efficiency paradigm: Economic efficiency is no longer a measure of “instruction hours/dollars.” Planning for use of resources is carried out, managed and monitored by educators who accept accountability for student progress and competency in areas representing universal academic disciplines: science, language arts, communications, social science, mathematics, fine arts, health and physical fitness. Accountability is held and met for time and material resources monitored over a specified contract period.
Teacher as advisor, mentor, and monitor paradigm: The educators’ role is to stimulate and guide learners through a curriculum of knowledge, skills and attitudes while students pursue and develop their personal talents, abilities, passions, and interests. Teachers are no longer tellers and talkers.
Graduation as achievement paradigm: The new paradigm’s organization system “graduates” students who demonstrate competency in knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a curriculum of universal academic disciplines, as noted above.  The new paradigm’s system organizes educators as mentors, coaches, and guides to children and youth.  Educators serve as role models for personal development as well as guiding children and youth in focused study and work in learning plans. In short, the new paradigm is learner and learning-driven, based on educator’s knowledge, skill and attitudes on learning and development of children and youth.
Community collaboration paradigm: Group and individual art, theater, athletic, music, and cultural activities are provided through collaboration with community organizations and interest groups. A full array of personal performance and creative activities such as music, athletics, theater, art and the like are provided in collaborative effort among schools, community, civic organizations and professional groups. These activities would range from entry level for children continuing through more accomplished team and individual areas. Learners participate in these activities according to their interests and aspirations.
click here to read the rest of the article!

July Forum Follow-up
"Does our Community Benefit by Caring for its Marginalized People?"

Last month's Forum, "Does our Community Benefit by Caring for its Marginalized Poeple?" attracted an engaged audience to discuss how we benefit from our marginalized populations.

      
 

Photo: Tim Wheat

We have collected several links that may spark your interest further on the subject:

• Marginalization and Healthcare,  the marginalized group's distance from the center of society exposes them to higher risks of illness based on their financial, living, behavioral, or genetic conditions.
• Single Mothers and Society: This article demonstrates how single mothers are adapting to  multi-tasking in the duty of raising children and finding employment to support them.
• Latina Women's League of Boulder County, this is a website dedicated to Latino women coming together to help encourage  young Latino men and women to finish high school and continue on to higher education.

Save the Date:
Upcoming Restoring the Soul Forums

All Forums are held on the fourth Thursday of the month from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at Congregation Har Hashem, located at 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder, 80303

September 22, 2011
"Boulder County Trends: The Community Foundation's Report on Key Indicators."  The Foundation exists to improve the quality of life in the county to help build a culture of giving within the community residents, businesses, decision makers, and our non-profits. We are excited to present this wonderful Boulder County foundation in our Forum! The speaker will be Morgan Rogers, the Community Foundation's Civic Forum Director.

October 27, 2011
"Offenders: The Challaneges of Re-Entry and Reintegration"

November 24, 2011
"How do Businesses become Responsible Community Citizens?"
 

August 25, 2011
"Challenges to Educat

Upcoming Events:

Sister Carmen Community Center: This is the center's first fundraising gala, The Big Event. The event includes dinner, improv, comedy, a silent auction, and blues music. Tickets are $100 and benefit the Sister Carmen Community Center Support Give Grow Capital Campaign. Donations are also accepted if you cannot make the event. This event will be held on August 20th, 6-10pm. Contact the Center at (303) 665-4342 ext. 121 or visit the Sister Carmen website

HOPE Lights the Night: The HOPE coalition will be holding its third annual candlelight vigil in remembrance of those who have died of suicide. Add your caring presence to help support friends, family, and community members who stand in remembrance of a loved one. 
When:  Tuesday, September 13th at 7pm. Contact Susan Marine at swdkm321@comcast.net, or call at (303) 444-6970

Boulder County Board Match: Want to join a non-profit board and help benefit the community? The Social Venture Partners of Boulder County are holding an event for those interested in joining a non-profit board. Starting off on the Right Path: How to Step In, Step Up, and Steer the Way, will be held at the Spice of Life Events Center, September 13, 2011, 5-9pm. It is $30 a person with scholarships available.
Contact: Cynthia Marsh at (303)442-0436 ext. 133, boardmatch@svpbouldercounty.org


American Friends Service Committee Events:

What's Globalization Got to do with Migration? A workshop exploring the connection between globalization and migration. Saturday, August 13th, 10am-1pm. Located AFSC Office, 901 W 14TH AVE, Denver 80204. A light meal will be provided. RSVP, Jordan 303-623-3464.  

Tranforming Fear into Compassion:  Richard Forer presents a new perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his recent book, Breakthrough: Transforming Fear into Compassion: a New Perspective on the Israel-Palestine Conflict.  
Sunday, September 11,  3-5pm. Montview Presbyterian Church. 1980 Dahlia at Montview Boulevard, Park Hill, Denver.
Click here for more information.  

Boulder School of Massage Therapy: Is hosting free massages for those touched by mental illness. There will be two time slots available, one from 10:30-11-30 am, and the second from 1pm-2pm. The event will be held on Sunday, August 14th. there are 24 slots open for the public. Email Anne Weiher, anne.weiher@gmail.com


 

Volunteer Opportunities:
 

 Community Outreach:Establish relationships with runaway and at-risk youth on the street and provide drop-in referrals, emergency assistance and data collection. Training and staff supervision required. Attention Homes. Claire Clurman. 303-447-1206. 
 
Visitor with Dog: Offer visits to individuals living in a skilled nursing facility using your dog to provide a sensory opportunity for them to engage with an animal and converse with a community member.Dog should be friendly and trained.  Commitment of 30 hours over a 6-month period. Background check required. Fraiser Meadows. Catherine Jacks. 720-562-4442. cjacks@frasiermeadows.org.  

Volunteer with CareConnect: We need you! Join a diverse and talented team of volunteer who are making this community safe and comfortable for seniors and adults with disabilities. CareConnect offers a wide array of services, from grocery delivery, to minor home repairs and transportation services.

 Carry-Out Caravan Service: A free grocery delivery program for seniors and adults with disabilities. Volunteer shoppers, drivers and checkers needed!
Fix-It Service:A free service for minor home repairs. Help install a life-saving grab bar, fix a leaky faucet, or brighten up a room with new energy saving light bulbs.
Medical Mobility Service:Help drive seniors and adults with disabilities to medical appointments, and other important appointments in your personal vehicle.  

Volunteers of all ages are welcome! Call CareConnect today at 303-443-1933, or follow the link to CareConnect Volunteers.


Mentoring: FOCUS is a reentry mentoring program, in which volunteers encourage people in jail or on probation in healthy decision-making and support their transition back into the community. We value mentors from diverse backgrounds who are willing to share their compassion and creativity with the progam. Curous?   Click here to read what mentors have gained from the program.

If you or someone you know might be interested in mentoring, please look at our website, http://focusreentry.org, and set up an interview with FOCUS staff!

Community Needs:

Emergency Family Assistance Association

EFAA needs: Spaghetti, cereal, canned tomatoes, salad dressings, and shampoo. Please contact Liz Rowland for drop off information:  303-951-7667

Sister Carmen Community Center needs:
Diapers, toiletries, canned chicken and tuna, toilet paper, soups, peanut butter, frozen chicken, beef, cereal, canned veggies and fruit, and $15 gift certificates. For drop off information:  303-665-4342  info@sistercarmen.org