cHAOS IN NEW ORLEANS

We (myself and 13 other PC students) arrived back in town late Sunday evening, after spending our Thanksgiving break in New Orleans helping with the relief. This week long adventure was nationally known as the roadtrip for relief. And changed the lives of hundreds of volunteers and community members. It is hard to share my experience with others because I'm still processing the madness of it all. We worked with volunteers who had traveled from as far as Canada and organizations such as Code Pink, Common Ground Collective, Animal Rescue and The Rainbow Kitchen. Most of our time was spent gutting out houses which required protection from head to toe. We geared up in white suits with hoods; gloves, rubber boots, gloves, goggles, and respirators. And still people broke out in mold rash. It never ceases to amaze me how corrupt the Gov. really is. The police have been on a power trip accusing and throwing in jail innocent people, writing outrageous tickets for double parking, and harassing the volunteers; not to mention the other "things" they do that I cant talk about. It has been three months since the levee break brought dervastation to New Orleans and there's still so much to do. The lower 9th ward which was hit the hardest has seen the least attention and is in the most need. There are children walking the toxic streets in slipper socks bc they lost EVERYTHING. When I was working in the distribution center i overheard a little girl asking her gram, "When will New Orleans be fixed?"
They need people now! When the Tsunami relief effort reached its 3 month mark they were farther along then New Orleans, and they are a poor country. The differnece being COMMUNITY EFFORT. I strongy encourage all of yuou to help ourt community. It is a life changing experience. Some may be concerned with the price but it doesn't cost much at all. Once your there and plugged in you have a place to sleep and food is distributed. Just bring boots and a sleeping bag. For 14 of us to drive out it cost about $900 which we fund raised. Get donations from your community and help with the relief. A great organization to plug into is Common Ground Collective. If you have any questions or need more info. on organizations to get involved with feel free to email me.
bballa@prescott.edu

A Typical Education Field Trip @ Prescott College

Yesterday, my Foundations in Education class ventured over to Sky View for an observation of expeditionary teaching. Our local Outward Bound expeditionary school is a multi-year K-8. When I arrived I observed grades 1,2, and 3. The morning began with the teacher leading the students in the sun salutation (yoga). Then they all went around shaking hands, saying "hello" in Korean, and saying how happy they were that the other students were here today. They sat in a circle singing songs; wrote poetry that was revised by a fellow classmate,shared their dioramas, researched Prescott's history and were working on a living museum of Prescott. Sky View values experiential learning, community,self-discovery, expression,experiencing curiousity,diversity and the natural world. There 5 core practices are learning expeditions, active pedagogy, culture & character, leadership & school improvement, and structures. I had a great experience at Sky View and am thiunking about doing a work study there next semester. My competence area is in experiential educatuation reason being why i enjoyed Sky View so much. But don't fret, if you want a more traditional school setting we also take field trips to public schools, Waldorf, high schools, etc.

If you want to know more about Sky View or experiential learning go to: www.elob.org

Raina Rose

This past monday we had the talented, acoustic folk singer/song writer Raina Rose preform. The show was organized by the "F" word class (women studies)to raise money for the new haven project. The show was opened by two students, with Raina joining in for a few songs. Her poetic honesty enticed the audience. Some have called her the love child of Paul Simon & Ani Difranco. She sang songs from her newest album, "Raina Rose...Despite the Crushing Weight of Gravity." Her energy filled the room rising people off the commfy couches to the dance floor. After the show she was so personable and humble...a real muysician. She sold some CDs and had an army duffle full of recycled shirts with her design. The embossed design was of a tree the blossomed into the neck of a guitar, with fiddle heads and her name.
it was a beautifully relaxed show and the "F" word class raised enough money for new haven.

cONTRA Dancing

It's Wednesday! That means only 2 days until the community contra dance.
For those of you who may not know what contra dancing is I'll tell you.
There is a caller, someone who stands infont of the lines and guides the dances. There is also a live band playing either folk or bluegrass tunes.A dancer and his or her partner dance a series of figures, or moves, with each other and with another couple for a short time. They then repeat the same figures with another couple. People of all ages and lifestyles, including children, are welcome. Contra dances are a place where people from many walks of life come together to dance and socialize a Barn Dance. IN contra dancing you are constantly spinning so you can get pretty dizzy. To help with this you make eye contact with your partner(s).This adds to the connectedness of the dance, and helps reduce dizziness, especially during the swing. Contra dancing is pretty much a barn dance, but nothing like country line dancing. There is no right or wrong dress, but women usually wear long, flowing skirts with tank tops because you work up a sweat, while men wear loose fitting pants and some wear skirts too. Many dance barefoot while others have light dancing shoes. WE have a small group of us here that go contra dancing in Prescott, cottonwood, Flagstaff and we hope to get down to Tucson. If you like great music and friendly people you'll love contra dancing. WE also have Indian dance jams in town that are so much fun!