News: From the Directors’ Desks
Topics for CIS Parents and Friends—from Deanna Duncan, Assistant Director, and Dr. Richard Beall, Director
March 8, 2005. Vol. 1, No. 1
The Courage to Seek Solutions
His message was loud and clear: “Globalization is happening and no one can stop it!” The keynote speaker was an international leader in business, there in Chapel Hill to address schoolteachers.
“What does that mean for you as teachers? How will you prepare your students?” He had already described how rapidly change was occurring. Now he suggested a strategy for success.
“If I were you, I’d ask every student to prepare a ‘Solutions Portfolio’ to show that they can think creatively, solve practical problems, and present themselves professionally. That,” he emphasized, “is what employers will seek in the 21st century.”
Solutions-Oriented Students
Many of you will remember the expression from the civil rights era: “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” That bold challenge holds true today as well.
Our students will be expected to find solutions not only to broad social problems, but also their own personal challenges. What core values will guide them? Will they meet those challenges head-on with the courage to seek solutions?
Our Four Core Values
When the vision for Carolina International School was being formed, we asked ourselves, “What do we want our students to become? What type of character do we want to develop in them?” We established our Four Core Values to guide our community: Respect, Responsibility, Solutions, and Service:
CIS Core Values
These are the core values that guide
the daily relationships and interactions in our school.
RESPECT
We will respect others and their property at all times.
We will listen to each other, knowing that we have
individual differences that make us unique and valuable.
RESPONSIBILITY
We will accept responsibility for our words and actions.
We will treat others as we would like to be treated.
SOLUTIONS
We will create a positive environment where problems
are met with creative solutions.
“Don’t agonize, organize.”
SERVICE
We will actively seek ways to help others in our school,
our community, and our world.
What does it mean to be Solutions-Oriented?
When our students confront a challenge or have a concern, we encourage them to seek solutions, not whine, complain, or sulk. Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem. Take pride in your ability to solve practical problems. Develop your own “Solutions Portfolio.”
Plus-Deltas
This summer our staff learned about Quality Tools from acclaimed teacher, CIS parent and Board member Monty Coggins. One way to summarize an experience, to reflect back on it, is to compile a Plus-Delta list: in the Plus column, what you like; in the Delta column, what you would like to change (delta is a scientific symbol for change). That’s the first step toward making a difference. The second column is not “what you don’t like” but what you would like to change, to improve. And then we set about to do so.
One CIS father told me that after he’d served dinner one night his 1st grader said, “Let’s do a Plus-Delta on this meal!” Needless to say, his son had some ideas on how to improve the cuisine!
Let’s Do It!
We are serious about becoming a solutions-oriented school and community. We know our students and our school will face many challenges. How will we respond? Let’s develop the mindset that together we can find solutions!
A School Community that Seeks Solutions
We are a new school, having just celebrated our 100th day—not only of the school year, but also of our existence! We knew there would be challenges, especially this year. So what do we as adults do with them? What do we model for our children and students?
Choices…
OK, you’ve got a concern or complaint: an issue in the classroom, an unexpected low grade, a problem with curriculum or some policy (or lack thereof). What do you do? Who do you turn to?
- Silently grumble within yourself.
- Call a confidant to unload your feelings.
- Dash off a spirited email to the list-serve.
- Make an appointment with the person most responsible.
- All of the above—in that order!
Concerns should not be ignored or dismissed. Both individuals and institutions like CIS grow by receiving and responding to constructive criticism. If the point is to remedy a situation or to change behavior, we have to ask, “What is the most effective way to proceed?”
Constructive Criticism
One CIS family has a policy in their home: “Nice words or no words.” They are challenging their children and themselves to find a way to speak constructively.
I was taught three steps in expressing criticism:
- Share something positive.
- Describe the issue as objectively as possible.
- Suggest a solution.
That’s not always easy advice to follow, but I believe it is worth aspiring for.
Choices…Revisited
Let’s look at those choices again. If an issue arises, is it possible to start with choice D instead? That may not be easy. It may take time and courage to contact the person responsible. But that is what we ask of our parents and of ourselves. As our Core Values say, “Don’t agonize, organize.”
Send Us Your Questions or Concerns
If you have questions or concerns about CIS, we encourage you to contact the person most directly involved. Thank them for their efforts and present your concern in a respectful way. Work together with them to find and implement a solution.
If you have general questions about CIS, please send them to Dee or myself. We want only to fulfill the potential of our school and we welcome your feedback. Let’s find solutions together.
