The senior learners participated in an anti-bullying workshop conducted by the LGBT Network this week.. This interactive workshop defined bullying as aggressive, unwanted, and repeated behaviors toward others that involve a real or perceived power imbalance. The kids were asked to work in groups to describe instances they witnessed bullying either in real life or in film, to come up with reasons why bystanders may not get involved when witnessing bullying, as well as ways that one can stand up for those who are bullied.

The senior learners are settling into their apprenticeships. Nate and Dutch are at the Southfork Natural History Museum and Nature Center; Ava is at John Jermain Library; Indie is working with our resident scientist, Hannah; Viv and Nina are at the Children's Museum; Sophia is at Arf; Augie and Aidan are at L & W Cafe and Market; Aylin and Jazmyn are at the East End Veterinary Clinic and, on Tuesdays, at The Watermill Center. There is much to learn, and the senior learners will begin researching questions they have about their experiences and organizations shortly.

The first three days of school were as lovely as the weather. The senior learners enjoyed some beginning-of-the-year icebreakers, swam in the pool, created charts for their classroom, played telephone, arranged their binders, began our read-aloud, Lord of the Rings, learned about different kinds of words, and discussed our work together for the year. And, of course, we had fun and rekindled friendships.

Our end of the year trip to Boston marked and celebrated the senior learners' growing autonomy and independence. We began the school year with off-campus apprenticeships to seek mentors and new and exciting learning opportunities. The apprentices developed skills related to their work and a burgeoning sense of responsibility to their mentors and education.