The DeWitt High and Junior High School Diversity Teams and the DeWitt Creativity Group are pleased to present the second annual Day of Emapthy and Inclusion at DeWitt High School Friday, March 23, 2018. The purpose of this event is to prmote a greater sense of understanding and acceptance among DHS and DJHS students with an emphasis on helping to welcome incoming freshman for the following school year. The following is an overview of the day.
7:45 -8:00 Students and Staff --- Arrival/Morning Refreshments
8:00 - 8:10 All Staff -- Introductions
8:10 - 8:20 Ed and Jacob O. -- "Official" Welcome -- (Ed) Why are we here? Review the norms for the day and setting the stage for a psychologically safe learning experience
8:20 - 8:30 (Jacob) Continued student introductions 2 minute interviews -- Students will be given three different talking points to ignite in 2 minute conversations with one another -- These will be nonstop conversations mixing high school students with junior high students
8:30 - 9:30 Jeff and Meri K.-- Collaboration exercises, trust building activities, improvisation games
9:30 -9:45 Large group discussion/reflection -- Two large groups located stage left and right will participate in reflection and connection analysis of the "Applied Improvisation" experience
Describe how these activities make you feel? What are your initial reactions or takeaways?
How might these activities be helpful in establishing a safe and friendly environment?
How might these activities be a metaphorical representation of other issues related to climate and culture in schools?
What other positive benefits could be related to these activities?
Do you see any potential academic use for these activities?
9:45 - 10:00 - Bonnie and Elena M -- Personal Reflection Exercise "Who are you in five words?" --(Small Groups) This activity will establish a personal inventory by means of responding to five questions. Following the responses groups will share why they made the decisions they did regarding discarding certain words
10:00 - 10:05 --Short break
10:05 -11:00 Jason and Blaine G. -- Introduction of the show Questions? A short prelude will be given to the viewing of certain scenes which will be viewed then followed by the sharing of questions and connections. (This activity will consist of large group viewing and small group reflection)
Students and staff will watch video clips from an original theatrical production about numerous aspects of diversity, empathy, and social /emotional learning. These clips will serve as small group discussion prompts about a variety pressing issues facing teens. These include:
cyber bullying,
self-empowerment,
popularity,
rote memorization and testing,
teaching methodologies,
trust,
acceptance,
idea sharing,
helicopter parents,
empathy,
the impact of technology and the smart phone,
etc..,
11:00 - 11:20 Katie and Daisy M. -- "Cross the Line" - This activity will provide students and staff with the opportunity to reflect and reveal as they see fit. A multitude of questions will serve as cues to "cross the line" -- By establishing a trusting, respectful atmosphere earlier in the day participants may choose to move or to remain stationary. This is a very personal activity which reflects on many aspects of culture, prior knowledge, interests, experiences, feelings, attitudes, etc.., **Following the exercise participants will reflect in small discussion groups.
11:20 - 11:25 A few words prior to lunch - Grace J.
11:25 - 12:00 LUNCH -- Lunch will be provided for everyone in attendance. --
Note: Students are not to leave the auditorium for lunch other than to use the restroom.
12:00 - 12:15 Jeff and Meri K. --- "Step Forward If..." and "Spotlight Tunes" --- Out of lunch warm up activities
12:15 - 12: 30 All - Open Mic SHARE Session (Stories, reflections, shout outs, etc..,)
12:30 - 12:40 Jeremy --5 for 5 Action Plan activity -- This will be a small group activity will start with a "Yes And..," mindset and gradually build to an action plan that can be utilized as early as tomorrow -- "Turning Ideas into Action" -- (Sample: 12th grade mentoring program)
12:40 - 1:30 Staff and Students --5 for 5 = Specific strategies to nurture and amplify a culture of empathy and inclusion. The following steps will be explored and documented ------- 1) Identify 2) Start 3) Stay 4) Close 5) Next Encounter
1:30 - 1:40 All --Time to Reflect -- (Written reflections will be collected)
1:40 - 2:00 All -- Oral reflections and shared responses
2:00 - 2:05 Ed, Jason and Luke H. -- What's Next? Final thoughts -- Planting the seeds of change, Invitation to the Poetry Slam April 18th, Presentation of thoughts pertaining to the Empathy and Inclusion Workshop, Invitation to the Gathering of Gratitude Event and Creative Leadership Showcase
2:00 - 2:10 Extension of Gratitude, Networking, and Clean up