ATM: The Value of Connection
Recently, I came across a passage from a book called Mathematics for Human Flourishing, by Francis Su who suggests:
Human flourishing refers to a wholeness – of being and doing, of realizing one’s potential and helping others do the same, of acting with honor and treating others with dignity, of living with integrity even in challenging circumstances.
In reading these words, I thought of schools, and the role that they play in the communities they serve.
It is difficult to disagree that the values stated in the quote above are what we aim to achieve in each day in our schools. We continuously see acts of honour, fairness, and dignity in our classrooms. This is what makes FSD schools an incredible place to learn and grow.
Positive school environments result when students and staff work together, grounded in mutual partnership and shared purpose. And, as our parents and guardians are partners in education, we extend the spirit of Su’s definition of human flourishing outward to them, and to our volunteers and community members who work within our schools.
Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We all strive to act with honour and wish to reach our personal goals and dreams. Maintaining integrity, even in challenging times, is a goal worthy of pursuit as is supporting one another to bring strength, rather than division.
This is not easy at times, as human beings we can stray from these goals, but the convictions remain.
In reflecting on the above quote, I also thought of the school community and the role it plays in supporting its staff and students, and some puzzle pieces came together for me in this moment.
We introduced the word commUNITY into our organization earlier this year and this concept extends outwards beyond the partners in education. The Foothills community is where our students, parents, guardians, and many of our staff and volunteers live, work and play. We need to be proactive in inviting them into our schools, and with the same ideals in mind - to be a part of a community that contributes to the engagement, support, and success of each learner.
There is an abundance of expertise, skills, and knowledge across the Foothills that can positively impact student learning and the development of potential for all partners in education.
The wholeness Su refers to is our greater Foothills community.
With community as a guiding principle, how can we work together to support one another’s work and expertise, to enrich the student experience, to celebrate our rural communities - the strengths of our neighbours, local businesses, service groups, municipalities and beyond?
We will be working in this direction in the spring and will invite you to be a part of this conversation across the Foothills.
