FW: A New Project Zero Institute

Educating for Today and Tomorrow: Connecting Project Zero Research with Global Issues February 12-14, 2010 Washington, DC Greetings! This is the first ever Project Zero institute that will be held off the Harvard campus. It is hosted by CASIE (Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education) and WIS (Washington International School) in collaboration with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition, the first day of the conference is hosted in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art.             Educating for Today and Tomorrow will focus on current Project Zero approaches to creating learning environments and instructional materials that help learners develop the thinking skills, habits of mind, and global understandings they need in the world of today and tomorrow.   Howard Gardner, David Perkins, Shari Tishman and several other prominent Project Zero researchers will speak at the conference. The conference will also offer a wide selection of interactive sessions that focus on several well-known Project Zero frameworks and themes, including Teaching for Understanding, Visible Thinking, Artful Thinking, Studio Thinking, Educating for the 21st Century, GoodWork®, and Multiple Intelligences. Interactive sessions will be led by practitioners currently using Project Zero ideas in schools and museums, as well as Project Zero researchers.   In a special collaboration with the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution museums, the first day of the conference will focus on learning in museums and learning through art. The conference will open at The National Gallery of Art and participants will spend the entire first day in sessions in various museums on the National Mall. The sessions will be appropriate for educators in all disciplines, not just the arts. On February 13 and 14 the conference will continue at the Cleveland Park campus of the Washington International School. We hope you will consider joining us for this incredible learning opportunity and that you will forward this email to any interested colleagues. For more information or to register, please visit (http://www.casieonline.org/PZ-WIS/registration.html). All registrations must be submitted online. Registration deadline is January 15, 2010.   Sincerely, The Institutes Team Project Zero Harvard Graduate School of Education

After Ghandi

I'm not sure how it happened, but I never learned about the April arrival of Annie Sibley O'Brien's newest book - After Ghandi : One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance .  We just got it from the Library and it is beautiful - I have one on order, it is a keeper!   The book contains bibliographic information about peacemakers around the world - many that I knew a little about, and many that I had not heard of (which pains me).  I always am glad to be able to introduce my kids to examples of "good guys" and ways that people are able to "be the ones we want to see in the world."  Nevertheless, I also know that I do not exhibit the courage and clarity that these activists do, nor would I always be able to encourage my own children to sacrifice or risk their own safety, despite my knowing that we will all be safer in the long run if we establish social justice and peace.  So, these chapters are great for reading aloud and really talking through -- not to put activists on a pedestal but to prompt us to think through when and where and how we each might contribute to creating an inclusive, fair and vibrant community, and what to do when we lack the inner or outer resources we might wish for. 

The publisher, Charlesbridge also offers these links:

Visit the After Gandhi website, featuring downloadables, excerpts, and more. Join the Pass the Peace campaign!  There are extension activities for teachers and parents to use, as well as material for kids. 

Learn more about After Gandhi, Anne Sibley O'Brien, and Perry Edmond O'Brien at After Gandhi.com

Watch the video trailer of After Gandhi

Listen to an interview with author Anne Sibley O'Brien at Maine Public Broadcasting

Annie also offers a blog that features book reviews, ponderings, and interviews-with-authors, focusing on "race, culture and children's books"

and Charlesbridge publishes many other wonderful books AND resources for educators using them -- here is their list of books that emphasizes global cultures and diversity. 

Fwd: Courage & Renewal Boston Area Events Fall & Winter 2009-2010

To view this information in html format with images, go to our website at www.CourageNE.org/upcoming

Courage & Renewal Northeast

Upcoming Events in the Boston Area

Fall & Winter 2009-2010

October 15-18, 2009

Massachusetts Poetry Festival

co-sponsored by Courage & Renewal Northeast

For more information: http://masspoetry.org/ 

Beginning October 23-24, 2009

Courage to Lead Retreat Series for School Leaders

Location: Connors Family Retreat & Conference Center, Dover MA

Facilitators:  Pamela Seigle & Chip Wood

For more information: http://www.couragene.org/calendar?task=view_detail&agid=50&year=2009&month=10&day=23

December 11, 2009

Courage to Lead Retreat Day for Non-Profit Leaders

Location: Wellesley College Club, Wellesley, MA

Facilitators:  Pamela Seigle & Lisa Sankowski

For more information: http://www.couragene.org/calendar?task=view_detail&agid=76&year=2009&month=12&day=11

December 12, 2009

Courage to Teach Retreat Day for Educators

Location: Alumni Hall, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Facilitators:  Sharlene Cochrane & Kirsten Olson

For more information: http://www.couragene.org/calendar?task=view_detail&agid=77&year=2009&month=12&day=12

January 22-24, 2010

Circle of Trust® Retreat -The Journey Toward an Undivided Life

for interested individuals in all professions

Location: Connors Family Retreat & Conference Center, Dover MA

Facilitators:  Lisa Sankowski & Hanna Sherman

For more information: http://www.couragene.org/calendar?task=view_detail&agid=73&year=2010&month=01&day=22

Winter 2009-Spring 2010

Courage & Renewal collaboration with the Walden Woods Project

One-day events currently in planning combining the arts, mindfulness practice, the wisdom of Thoreau, and the beauty of Walden. If you're interested in more information, please email us at info@couragene.org.

For information about all of these events contact us at info@couragene.org or 781-283-2861.

Courage & Renewal Northeast

Wellesley College, Billings Hall

106 Central Street

Wellesley, MA 02481

781-283-2861

www.CourageNE.org

FW: Time's Running Out To Register

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In This Issue Don't Miss Your Chance To Attend Thanks to our Lead Sponsors QUICK LINKS Facebook Twitter YouTube.com MWL Blog P.O. Box 15, Hallowell, ME 04347   v: 207.622.0851 f: 207.621.2551 info@mainewomen.org www.mainewomen.org Don't Miss Your Chance To Attend the Breakfast of Champions! The Maine Women's Policy Center's annual Breakfast of Champions series is the best way to learn what's on the horizon for Maine women and to engage in discussion about the public policies which will improve our lives. Register today for one of the following events:    October 6, Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle   October 7, Spectacular Event Center, Bangor   October 8, Holiday Inn By the Bay, Portland   The Presque Isle Breakfast is a free event, but registration is still required. Tickets for Bangor or Portland are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. We're committed to making these events accessible to everyone. Contact us for student prices and further discounted tickets by need. Each event runs from 7:30-9:00 a.m., and we promise to get you out and ready to head to work at 9 a.m.!   The deadline for purchasing tickets is Wednesday, September 30. Contact Bonnie at 207.622.0851, ext. 22, to reserve your seat today. Headlining the Portland event is Beth Shulman, a nationally renowned policy and media expert on the American workplace and the policy changes and practices needed to create a country with more broadly shared prosperity.   Keynoting all three events is Lisa Maatz, Director of Public Policy and Governmental Relations at AAUW in Washington, D.C., where she works on federal policy initiatives that bolster economic opportunity for women.   The Maine Women's Policy Center will honor the Portland grand format printing company Portland Color with the 2009 ACTION AWARD. The award recognizes an individual policy or set of employment practices that serve to advance women in the workplace and which demonstrates a commitment to women workers. Thanks to our Lead Sponsors               Thank you!   Charlotte Associate Director Maine Women's Policy Center www.mainewomenspolicycenter.org

Fwd: Thanks for sending a letter to Congress!

(From Momsrising)

I just sent a note to Congress urging them to improve the Baucus health reform proposal to make it work for kids and families. Here's why. It seems that healthcare reform is kind of like baking a cake. If you don't have the right ingredients, it will fall as flat as a pancake. Last week Senator Baucus released his proposal for health reform that is an attempt at a compromise measure which he hopes will be the blueprint for reform moving forward. Unfortunately, it looks like it needs our help to make it rise.

Tell Congress that the Baucus health reform proposal that they are considering this week is missing some of the necessary ingredients to get health reform right for kids and families! http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27304

What are the missing ingredients in the Baucus proposal? Affordable coverage, comprehensive benefits, employer responsibility to help pay for health coverage, a strong public option, better reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers; and a guarantee that health reform will also benefit kids, not set back the great advances in children's health coverage made by the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

That's right. The Senate Finance Committee is meeting right now to consider the Baucus proposal for health reform. Congress needs to hear from each and every one of us (forward this email far & wide) that any health reform proposal must have the following key ingredients in order to work for kids and families:

* Ending unfair insurance practices such as rejecting applicants based on pre-existing conditions and setting insurance rates based on gender, health status, or age

* A strong public health insurance plan option that ensures choices for consumers, lowers costs, and provide real competition for insurance companies

* Head to toe coverage for ALL children that is affordable and easy to use

* Help for families with low and moderate incomes to cover the costs of health coverage and reasonable limits on out-of-pocket expenses

Health reform without these components will be a flop! Or as famous chef Julia Child said, "A cookbook is only as good as its worst recipe." Let's make sure that the Baucus proposal has a successful recipe for our nation's health reform!

Send a letter to Congress now! http://momsrising.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27304

And please forward this message on to your friends and family. This is a critical moment for our nation's future! Let's make sure all our families' voices are heard.

Thanks!

Save the Date 10/20 Detox Your Toy Box -- Please help us spread the word!

The Friends School of Portland is offering our second Parenting for Peace event.  On October 20th, we will convene a panel to query the relationship between environmental health and children's health and to seek idea for improving the health of all of our families and communities.  Our panel includes Dr. David Bellinger, from Harvard Medical School, who will share the most updated scientific research with us about the effects that environmental toxins might play in children's health (or health problems); Nicole Borrasso, FSP teacher and seasoned outdoor educator, will help us think about how to engage children in stewardship over our environment and own bodies (without scaring them) and Kristine Jenkins from the Environmental Health Strategy Center, who will share some stories of successful community clean-ups / social change and engage us in a conversation about public policy initiatives on the horizon. 

We will leave time for questions and discussion, and there will be a resource fair to allow us to talk individually with partner organizations*  (including Maine's chapter of  Physician's for Social Responsibility) and to collect information and opportunities for action. 

We hope that you will join us at this FREE event, and we hope you will spread the word to others that you know who are interested in engaging questions about how to collectively detox our toy box (and sandbox, and lunchbox, etc. etc. ) 

MojoMom : HOW to raise a Free-Range Kid

Kim has sent you a link to a blog:

I'm curious how others feel about this -- are things different for us here in Maine? How is it to be on an island? Do you feel like your kids are more constrained than you were, and for the better or the worse?

Blog: MojoMom
Post: HOW to raise a Free-Range Kid
Link: http://mojomom.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-raise-free-range-kid.html

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Talking to Kids about Bias, Marriage Equality, and a rare ask for $$ for the cause

As you may know, Maine is set to be the first state to protect marriage equality at the ballot box, and this historic campaign means a lot to me. 

Currently, the advertising asking Maine people to repeal the law granting marriage equality is an example of adults engaging in persuasive tactics that are based on bullying language.  Bill Nemitz's column today expresses these concerns beautifully. (see the Bangor Daily news editorial questioning the claim that children will be indoctrinated in school, or the memorandum from Maine's Attorney General, Speaker of the House and President of the Senate refuting aspects of the ads, to see some ads, click here.)

We must show the right that we will work together to maintain an inclusive state, and that we will protect Maine's children from hate and exclusion, on this issue and the other initiatives that threaten our communities. We need to stand up, together, and refuse to be manipulated or intimidated by the scare tactics being used in the Yes on 1 media. 

I am helping the NO on 1 / Protect Maine Equality Campaign raise money as part of the Online Walk Against 1. For every $1 I can raise, I'll cover one more of the 35,385 square miles in Maine. Our goal is to of raising $35,385 by October 9th. Will you please chip in a few dollars to help me hit my fundraising goal and cover as many miles as I can?

Check out my fundraising page!

Pinwheels for Peace 2009

Happy Equinox, and more regular posting

After a lovely summer break from blogging, I am returning to P4P, although without a clear mission. The start of this blog included collecting my zillions of links and resources and putting them all in one place. But, my parenting process is ongoing, and the world keeps changing, so I expect this blog to be 1-part reflection, 1-part resource exchange, and 1-part political updates. Of course, I'd love to hear people's comments, ideas, suggestions, feedback, etc.!

This week includes so many moments for families to light a candle, enjoy a meal, pause, reflect, and set goals that a person can feel overwhelmed before it starts. Rosh Hashanah, International Day of Peace, the Equinox, Yom Kippur . . . not to mention apple picking, halloween-dreaming, and soup making. . . Still, settling into some rituals and carving out some special space for reflection seems hopeful and bonds us more closely to each other.

How does your family celebrate and reflect in this season?