Session 3 Week 1
“The light in me honors the light in you.” It is not a question this session, but a statement, that greets heroes as they walk in the door this session. As all 3 studios join together for a joint quest and focus during Session 3, we have already been overwhelmed by the light that is being honored.
From the Spark Studio
This session we are focusing on being a friend.
We will expand our friendship skills to feel more comfortable developing friendships that we’ve had less experience with. There was a lot of excitement when heroes found out they would be working in buddy groups with heroes from all three studios.
Heroes were eager to meet Lucy and learn how to be a friend to someone with special needs, and we benefited greatly from her dad, Matthew, helping us understand how to connect with Lucy deeper.
Heroes were passionate about their opportunity to plan and throw a party for a special needs group. The sparks were able to decorate invitations for the party, and they put their hearts into it. Instead of merely stamping the paper, they looked at the individuals that will be at the party, got excited about things they have in common, and decided to decorate the invitations special for each person.
“Kindness is a Language which the Deaf Can Hear and the Blind Can See.”
From the Fire Studio
The book for this week’s Book and Film Club was Fantastic Mr. Fox. In a beautiful coincidence, our friend Lucy and her dad brought in a painting about the movie with a favorite quote: “We’re all different, but there’s something kind of fantastic about that, isn’t there?” Heroes experienced the truth of that first hand this week.
In only 4 days, there have been truly beautiful occurrences. We held an all-school challenge day where each hero was assigned a physical limitation. Some were blind, deaf, unable to speak, without fingers, arm, 1 leg, or both legs, etc. The FS was determined to finish the day completing Core Skills, Quest, and even Studio Maintenance without cheating. All were respectful, the discussions were special, and the amount of helpfulness was endless. There were many comments about “We need to help each other, watch out for those who need help!”
Tuesday was focused on how to befriend people, how to engage in kindness and conversation, how to overcome fears and remember all people desire interaction of some sorts. It is worth taking the time to smile and know a person. Our special friends Matt and Lucy honored us by spending time with each studio. Our FS heroes were gracious hosts who look forward to seeing Lucy their new friend again. The Kindness Tree and Friendship wall look empty now, but in 3 weeks will both be full!
The Heroes spent time learning to wet felt with real wool to make ornaments as gifts. They might be interested in making another for themselves…it’s a project that requires patience, coordination, and great conversations in a circle. Wonderful way to be with friends.
The heroes had fun with their inter studio groups. Having the Deltas around to lead discussions is wonderful.
From the DELTA Studio
Separate from our Namaste focus, the DELTA Studio heroes are looking forward to session 6 by beginning their apprenticeship preparations. They are considering different career fields, personalities and aptitudes, and the networks they are part of – or can be, began forming. There have been lots of “aha” moments as heroes have discovered career paths that might fit well with the strengths they are already recognizing and honing while at CHOICE.
In conjunction with the other studios, this week the DS heroes had the chance to consider the importance of friendship, the characteristics of a true friend, to examine what fears they have in friendships and to befriend people of different ages and abilities. They were introduced to their inter-studio “buddy groups,” with whom they’ll meet periodically and plan a station at the party we are planning for some new special needs friends.
They are deepening their empathy and understanding of various special needs and challenged abilities with reading and research projects, and also participated in the day of school that had to be completed with a minor to severe limitation of some sort.
Their time with Lucy was insightful and meaningful. They are looking forward to a full day with her later this session. We are all so grateful to Lucy and Matthew for honoring us with their light.
As heroes, guides and parents walk in and out of the doors during Session 3, we invite all of us to see how we can use our light to honor the light of everyone around us. It is going to be a brilliant 3 weeks!