Here is a short list of what we should, as a society, be modeling and caring about:

1. Creativity and imagination
2. Engagement and connection 
3. The capacity to seek out information - along with the dexterity of taking that new knowledge and using it to enhance individual theories (know how to learn)
4. Skill building
5. Empathy (kindness, gratitude, generosity)
6. Diversity (including neurodiversity) 
   

However, when you examine the fundamental components of traditional school as it exists in the Western World, and what they are teaching (modeling) and then measuring - it is none of those things.

I am in equal parts - angered, saddened, and horrified that we live in a world that mostly ignores how (and where) these essential and complex concepts are developed but fully supports the ridiculously obtuse notions modeled within our educational system. And to be clear, when I hear that a school official is concerned that a student's individual education plan does not include the NYS curriculum, I have to wonder if they even understand what they are measuring with that rigid, finite, unimaginative, competition based curriculum. Or if they are even worried about supporting that student or simply want to sustain the system.

We are deeply grateful that our Annual Funding Appeal is reaching folks who have never donated before.  If you have not already, please consider contributing to Deep Root Center here or you can send a check to 48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY.  Every dollar goes towards supporting "our" kids.

DRC-East is booming!  Last week we added five(!) new members!  They are grateful to have their new space at the "Life in his Arms Community Church" and would like to make it permanently theirs. You can help by contributing to the Go-Fund-Me set up to purchase it.

And DRC-East sends a huge thank you to Becky and Glen Webster for donating a case of potato chips and a $200 GC to Webster's Meat Shop.  They are excited to have fresh meat to cook for their lunches.

It wasn't until fairly recently that I began to question the basic premise of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Like most other points of World history, it has been whitewashed and otherwise sanitized into a more palatable and easily digestible narrative for general consumption.  What a great way to teach young children about cooperation and sharing without traumatizing them with the realistic concepts of genocide, Manifest Destiny, colonialism, and Eurocentrism.  #sarcasm!

In any case, despite its misleading beginnings, this blog is not about the blatantly falsified set of historical facts we have all learned through our years of sitting in compulsory Social Studies classes in school.  It is, however, about the actual name of the holiday - Thanks Giving.  

This year we have an eight-year-old who seems perpetually discontented, displeased, annoyed, and frustrated. This kids' rotten mood tends to hover wherever he has been within the Center, infecting those who are also in the room.  

Several weeks ago, after taking the kids' temp at the door and noting it in our COVID log, I asked if they would consider a daily exercise with me before joining any other activity.  They agreed.  I quickly explained the idea of gratitude.  How positive circumstances are attracted to positive emotion in the same way that negative is drawn to negative.  

They seemed to grasp the concept.  I then asked them to name two things that they were thankful for right at that moment.  They struggled.  I asked if they would like some examples.  They nodded - so I started to list several things that I was grateful for that day - before I got to the third item on my list, they interrupted with one of their own.  After they gave two, I said, "OK, this is fantastic.  We can do this every day as you come in. We will post it right here on the cork board hanging next to my desk and call it your gratitude list."   They interrupted me again, before I could finish - asking if they could name a third thing.  To which I responded, "of course!"

Has this exercise worked entirely?  No - this child is still pretty gloomy a good portion of the time. Nevertheless, they are more cognizant of that mood and its effect on others when gently brought to their attention.  And in doing so, we can often elicit a few giggles.
 
I have discovered over my 57 years, and through lengthy periods of my own doom and gloom, that thankfulness and gratitude are the keys to contentment and joyfulness - those elusive emotions we try to grasp extrinsically through stuff and our expectations of others.  If I can share these ideas of expressing appreciation with kids at a young age, maybe they will begin to recognize the joy found within the smallest blessings within themselves.  And then share it with others.  I have faith that one child at a time, who feels happiness and serenity through the act of giving thanks -  we will eventually spread a new way of being in this world.  

On the subject of gratitude - thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to my Facebook Birthday Fundraiser and the DRC annual Funding Appeal.   You have heard us say it many times - every child deserves a safe, supportive, educational environment where they are free to be themselves within a supportive community that belongs to them. Your contributions make it possible for us to provide that place for anyone who seeks it out.

Thank you to my brother, Pete, founder of RelHemp for telling me about Linktr.ee.  You can find all of DRC's important links here.

Please share the funding appeal within your network.  Thank you!

And best wishes to everyone setting aside time this week to share expressions of gratitude with family and friends.

Both Centers will be open in person again this week!   We are so excited to see all of our Peeps again. 

DRC-East is now located at 1952 St. Hwy 11C in North Lawrence in the Life in His Arms Community Church.  Thanks to the help of a few kiddos and their families, we moved everything from the old space last Wednesday.  They are excited to hop back into all of the projects and activities they had begun early in the year.

DRC has a few potential opportunities for fundraising and general development.  One: DRC is seeking folks who appreciate our work, may have fundraising, grant writing, or networking skills, and would be excited to join our board of directors.  Two: We are investigating the potential of putting together several pieces of a puzzle that will enable us to purchase the church that DRC-East is now renting.  We are seeking funding, but also people who can help with the entire endeavor.  Please get in touch with Maria to learn more about either of these opportunities.

Our annual appeal is below.  If you have not already, please consider contributing to our work.  Thank you!  

I have discovered that, for the most part, people are insanely grateful to hear "yes," in response to a request.  Only because they are so accustomed to experiencing all the "nos."  

My question is, why, as a society, do we automatically go to "no," when we know that the affirmative brings with it positive results.  

Student members, parents, and staff at Deep Root Center learn very quickly that I will say "yes," to most requests, sometimes with the caveat,  "we don't do that (have that) now, but we can figure it out - together."  

Again, I ask, why would you say "no," when "yes," inspires creativity, innovation, self-motivation, confidence, conviction, connection, and engagement every damn time.

Oh, trust me, I totally understand that a "yes" often means - more work, more mess, and much more overall hassle; nonetheless, it is utterly worth seeing the smiles and the engaged connectivity where there was formerly none. And the willingness to work harder toward a common goal because they understand that someone trusts them - explicitly and without question.

There seems to be an abundance of news this week.  Firstly, we are excited to announce that Angie, Nic, and the DRC-East Crew have found a new home at the "Life in His Arms Community Church" in North Lawrence.  We will be renting - but hope to buy the property in the next several months. It combines all of the requirements we would want in a facility including: a commercial kitchen and full ADA compliance, to be the perfect space for us.  An enormous thank you to Pastor Belle for agreeing to rent the space to us until we can raise the funds to purchase it.

Secondly, in an abundance of caution, the Canton Center had to close this past week until Nov. 15th due to a positive COVID case.  We take our kid's and staff's safety very seriously.

Thirdly, Nic, our DRC-East apprentice, is looking to get a subscription to MineCraft Realms for all of our kiddos. This is just one opportunity to sponsor specific subscriptions.  You will find our Funding Appeal below or click here to go to the Donation page.  You can specify what you would like your contribution to go towards in your message to us.  Find Nic's message below -


We are looking for a sponsor to help fund a Minecraft Realms server! This would allow students to connect with friends in a virtual world and show off creativity in a virtual setting with their peers. Every month there will be a building prompt for the students, and the buildings that follow said prompt they complete will be "screenshotted" for social media to show how creative all of us can be. If you're willing to help, all we need is $96/year or $8/month to keep a creative space for students flourishing and functional. Thank you for your time, and we hope you have a wonderful November!  - Nic

One day this past week, a staff person and I met to talk about strategies for working with one of our kiddos.  They referred to their Autistic Spectrum diagnosis as their "disability" - as a starting point of the conversation. The reference pertained directly to the similar challenges they share.  The child we were discussing exhibits behaviors consistent with ASD but does not have the official label.

The staff person's self-identification bothered me - they clearly see themselves as broken.  I don't consider them disabled.  I, however, do view them as a valuable contributing member of our team - with skills and talents that others of us do not have. They are someone who has immense potential working in a self-directed education environment.

I had another conversation with a staff person also diagnosed with ASD - later in the week.  They adamantly refuse to be defined by their diagnosis.  They simply think of themselves as a brilliantly creative person who happens to be on the Spectrum.  

I don't know why one feels damaged, while the other feels empowered.  Nonetheless, these conversations led me to think about the kids we work with and their convictions about themselves. Some are diagnosed with various disorders, and others are not.  But - most have experienced mixed levels of trauma and believe they are defective in some way.  

They don't recognize their charm, wit, genius, creativity, kindness, wisdom, or the other numerous positive traits I see. They can only experience their brokenness. And they adopt identities and behaviors that are consistent with their narrative, not their true nature.

At this point, my levels of frustration are boiling over.  I want to help kids understand they aren't damaged goods, and whatever they have experienced in the past does not define them as human beings. Nevertheless, I have to remember it will take time and patience. I fully believe with unconditional love and support, accessible information, and most importantly, modeling, these kids will take back their stolen identities and embrace their superpowers.
 

We should know later today whether we can rent the new space we have identified for our DRC-East Center.  Stay-tuned!

In other news, Nic, our DRC-East apprentice has taken the original DRC logo and created one using  colors the kids chose, that represent many of their native heritage. 

We are exploring some potential (exciting) options for DRC East.   Stay tuned!

In the meantime, DRC is here in Canton and Lawrenceville for any child who feels like they are not supported to be their best selves by their current school environment.  We have rolling membership, which means any child in the NoCo is welcome to join us at any point during the academic year.  Contact us today.

And, a huge shout of thanks to the SLU crew who came out for Make a Difference Day to rake the DRC Canton yard and do a deep clean inside.

Productivity, I find, is a judgment call based on each of our personal experiences and is often overrated.  No one can determine what is valuable or beneficial for someone else - not how they spend their time, the thoughts they generate, or what manifests from those ideas.   

Self-motivation is born from the innate desire to learn - no amount of external criticism, inducement, or punitive action will instigate it.  Additionally, when children are in coercive and controlling environments or relationships, they lose the ability to self-regulate and make decisions. It also destroys their natural curiosity and insatiable thirst to explore their world.  

For me, practical productivity requires the quiet and (often) dormant spaces filled with the humus of previous generations of creativity, where my brain has free rein to wander (get lost), test out theories, and play! 

Student members in both DRC Canton & Lawrenceville are taking on several Social Justice issues related to populations of people traditionally facing discrimination. One nine-year-old is passionate about the injustices practiced at the Indian Boarding (Residential) Schools and the bodies they are finding at those schools. She, with the help of Angie, and a couple of other kids, created and installed this memorial to honor them at the Canton Center.   Stay tuned for future projects from the Social Justice Classes.

We all have stories that we tell ourselves.  Most, whether we like to admit it or not, are based on emotions, not truth. These secret tales filled with fear, grief, or anxiety, likely stemming from past trauma, often stop us from taking the steps necessary to follow our dreams.  And sometimes, they even get in the way of understanding scientifically accurate statements about the world.   

These personalized tales, which we all carry around like extraneous luggage on a short day trip, are the main reason DRC's tagline - Explore the Possibilities - exists.   

Most of us need the daily reminder to abandon the negative messaging loop of internalized blocks (and baggage).  It gives us permission to spontaneously take that (real or metaphorical) left turn away from perceived safety and begin to actively seek out all of the creative opportunities, joy, gratitude, and potential hidden within the benign (boring) routines of every day.  

A small sample of the fun we had this past week.

This is a double haiku written in my head while on a morning walk - which after a few revisions, then inspired this post. H/T to Angie for influencing the middle line in the second stanza. 

• Always meet everyone as an equal. Every human being is intelligent, valuable, and worthy of love, no matter how different they seem from you.  
• Extending grace, empathy, respect, and gratitude to all beings is your superpower.
• Kindness is the magic elixir that soothes and smoothes the rough edges of life. 
• Showing emotion or vulnerability is not weak. 
• Ask for help when you need it. And support (fight for) others when they are struggling.
• You are an observant and creative problem-solver. 
• Curiosity is the foundation of all learning.  
• Consider the process of playing, exploring, and following your interests another opportunity to have fun, discover something new, learn, and grow. 
• Explore all the possibilities - learning is a lifelong endeavor.
  
• Making mistakes and screwing up is expected when you try something new. *Remember to apologize if you hurt someone.  
• It is okay to be bored - your brain needs quiet time and space to devise new ideas.  
• Be your most awesome authentic self! But, always be open to new ideas. ​ 
• Sometimes things are hard. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and get uncomfortable. And then, when you discover something unfamiliar and intriguing, be ready to embrace the growth and change that accompanies all that newfound knowledge.  It is worth the struggle. 
• Never be fearful of saying "No" (and always respond appropriately when you hear "no") - it is the basis of respect and consent within healthy relationships. 
• You will always be perfectly you! Additionally, you are trusted, and you are loved!  

Practicing the knowledge held in the above list, as opposed to the societally approved Standards of Education, with its finite curriculum specifically selected to train an obedient workforce, makes you a successfully, accomplished, and brilliant self-directed learner who can and will make a positive difference in this world.   

If your child is ready to break free from coercion and intimidation they are experiencing in school, get in touch today.  We provide open enrollment throughout the year.

Thanks again to Mary Ann Ashley for sponsoring our Little Free Library Registration.  We received the nameplate. And will be on the world map as soon as our form is processed. 

Despite low confidence in my ability to follow my own advice, of last week, I did.  Upon calling in sick (thank you Elian and Angie for covering DRC-Canton), and then visiting Urgent Care this past Monday, I was not surprised to learn that the extreme allergy symptoms had again morphed into bronchitis.  (To eliminate the possibility of any other ailments in the times of COVID, I requested the test - the results were negative.) 

In a pattern that has become all too familiar - my brain cruised into hyper-speed. I was already feeling overwhelmed by illness and too little time in a day to get everything done that needed doing - when an intense volley of schemes hit without warning. The ideas pelted my conscious mind for days, so fast there was no way I could keep up. 

Most of you will understand what I mean when I say it was a literal brainstorm.  The combination of worries, unease, weird obsessive and repetitive word games (don't ask), feelings of inadequacy, and fear, combined with the new schemes swirled around in my head, blinding me, worse than any snowstorm, to any potential peace or calm.  

I wasn't sleeping much.  And, when I did, I had intense dreams that placed me in out-of-control situations (run-away cars without brakes, etc.).  

I woke up yesterday morning with the conviction to "get out of my head" and get myself grounded.  First, I laid on the floor in my typical Saturday morning yoga pose with my feet up on the wall, willing my brain and breath to slow down - repeating my mantra - to no avail.  

Then I did something I had not done in months - I pulled on my shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers, grabbed my phone, and began to walk.  Within moments, I could feel my brain shifting.  I began to notice the vivid spots of color, the sun shining through the canopy, the coolness of the breeze, and birds calling.  Then, without warning, words flowed - I began to count syllables, and by the time I had reached my "turn around tree," I had a fully formed haiku in my head.  

The combination of physical activity and the sights and sounds of an early Fall morning induced a creative meditation that will always bring me back to myself.  (Now, to remember the next time I feel overwhelmed and buffeted by my hyperactive ponderings.)

In this non-stop world, my greatest wish is that you have already found the strategy that brings you back to your essential self (and that you remember to utilize it). 
​

We all do it - wait until the last minute, or, as in my case, just a bit beyond before we charge into action.  We are culturally conditioned to respond only to crises. They are the instigators - the motivators.  Yes, absolutely, my life would be so much easier if I followed that antiquated but constructive adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  

Nonetheless, the most common refrains (excuses) that run through my head constantly are: I don't have time. If I don't give it my attention, it will go away. I need to rest, now - before I fall over in my tracks.  It isn't that bad.  Or the classic, I don't want to know, exactly, how bad it is.  

My latest crisis involves allergy HELL.  Yes, I am allergic to my cats (two in the house and now one at the Canton Center), floral fragrances, dust, mold, mildew, and spores from edible fungi (my husband grows mushrooms), leaf mold (I live in a forest), and pollen (see previous note).  However, I can usually manage with minor-ish symptoms by taking a 24hr allergy med. But - it definitely wasn't cutting it this time around!

Then yesterday, I realized that I had not dusted or deep cleaned the bedroom - in a while (translated to a very, very long time). The main problem occurs in the summer. The heat and humidity cause the natural (not sealed or oiled) pine ship-lap to grow mildew.  Last evening I sprang into action with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and rosemary oil in a spray bottle and sprayed the heck out of the wooden bedroom walls, the yoga mat, and dusted the furniture with a cloth infused with the concoction.  It has an overwhelming scent that works and which DRC Peeps are now exceptionally familiar with.  I have used it this past year as a homemade antimicrobial spray, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, etc., at the Center.  Today, I will vacuum the floor and spray the bed and pillow with a peppermint oil concoction to kill the dust mites and then hang the things I can - outside.

A "clean" sleeping space, along with the addition of homeopathic allergy meds., will hopefully bring me back down to manageable-ish symptoms by Monday.  

In hindsight, I am (of course) kicking myself for ignoring the flashpoint until it was far too late.  At this point, I need more than a "pound of cure," and I will have lost an entire weekend to a snotty nose, post-nasal drip, scratchy throat, and itchy, watery eyes induced misery now compounded by allergic sinusitis and asthma cough.  Not to mention - very little sleep.  

Will I take this particular lesson into the future?  That long list of excuses, above, combined with my history, don't bode well...   

What are you ignoring?  What has a good chance of becoming your next "flash point?"  Will you do better than me at conquering the insidious cultural compulsion to wait for the crisis point before acting? 
​

​This semester we are deeply grateful to have twelve SLU Community Based Learning student volunteers join us virtually to facilitate classes and activities through our Discord Server. Those sessions have been added to the DRC schedule.  

As mentioned above, Digby, a lovable, big orange cat, has joined the DRC Canton Crew. He will live at the Center full time. Sending a huge shout of thanks out to Little River Community Cats for connecting us to his former owners. They loved him dearly but needed to find him a new home. So far, he has bonded with a couple of DRC Peeps, hangs out in the bathroom sink, and hides in a bottom kitchen cupboard when he feels overwhelmed. (We have emptied it out just for him).  
​

If I was to ask you right now, what would you say lights your fire?  What are the things that make you happy, just by thinking about them? What would you do if you had the time?  If given the opportunity, what would you explore deeply?  If making money and earning a living were not a consideration, how would you spend your days?  

Was it easy to answer those questions, or did you come up blank - no ideas - zilch, nada?   If the latter is the case, you are not alone.  

Every year, I ask these very same questions of all of our members - twice.  Once when I meet with them (this year it was by phone) to write their Individual Home Instruction Plans (IHIPs) and again when we are all together on our first day to brainstorm two lists - one of classes and the other of projects and activities they would like to add to the schedule.  

What I have discovered over the years is that, generally, the older the child is, the harder it is for them to answer these questions.  And every year, I am devastated to find that jadedness, indifference, and pure apathy are showing up in younger and younger kids.  

In my experience, every year a child is in the system - the longer it takes to deprogram them from their detachment to rediscover their love of learning.  

Again I ask, what lights your fire?  Think hard - then find a way to do that thing.  Step away from your busyness for a while to experience - joy, satisfaction, enthusiasm, and passion.  Your children are watching and learning from you.  Explore all the possibilities and have a blast!  
​

We spent our first week getting to know each other, both as a full DRC crew and within the two individual centers.
  
We will begin our classes and activities on Monday. Find the ideas our members generated here in the DRC Fall calendar.  To accommodate everyone who would like to join DRC, most of our sessions are hybrid - available to access in person or remotely through our Discord server.  

They had a few other suggestions not in this schedule because we need volunteers who have the knowledge and skill to facilitate them - specifically voice acting and architecture. Please get in touch if you are willing to spend an hour each week sharing your skills and talents with kiddos who are excited to learn from you.  

We are also looking for someone eager to teach/share Mohawk/Awkwesasne culture with several of our members. Ideally, the instructor is Mohawk for many reasons, but especially authenticity and representation.  

Twenty years ago, this past week, I embarked on an adventure that completely changed my life. These two decades have been packed with incredible joy and intense pain (2013 was one for the books), and an abundance of every possible emotion in between, as well as an enormous number of (on-going) learning opportunities - that have combined to create an entirely new, unrecognizable, and ever-evolving me.  

It all began in the summer of 2001 when I came to the abrupt and uncomfortable realization that Kenzie, my youngest, was headed off to Pre-K while their brother, Ian, began 2nd grade, and I would have no children at home.  My primary role for the previous seven years had been "at home, Mom." The questions started piling up. What was my assignment now?  How would I fill my mornings till Kenzie got home at noon?  (I knew boredom would drive me to make some pretty awful choices.) In essence, what did I want to do when I grew up? 

The dusty sixteen-year-old Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising Associate's degree laying at the bottom of my cedar chest was obviously not serving any purpose. So with all the accumulated wisdom of an almost 37-year-old, I decided to go back to college. 

It was surprisingly easy to enroll. I don't know the reasoning, but the SUNY Potsdam Office of Financial Aid guided me through all the paperwork for FAFSA, and I was able to matriculate without paying a dime.  I did get a loan my second semester to buy a new computer and my books. (I had been using a clunky, hand-me-down desktop with Windows 95 and dial-up that continuously crashed. The day it lost a ten-page paper while I tried to placate a fidgety, unhappy four-year-old was when I purchased the fancy new Dell.)  

Going in, I had no idea what to major in.  I like reading so I chose English Literature. Most of the credits I earned from my Cazenovia College degree transferred. However, my first semester still consisted of several 100 level classes required for a Liberal Arts degree - one being an anthropology class called Bones and Stones. Another of the five classes that Fall was within my chosen major.  It speaks volumes that I do not remember the exact name of that class - all I know is that I despised it.  The professor was a pompous A$$, and the material was beyond boring.  It really is any wonder that I continued after that first few months - because I also had a math class designed for those who needed it to graduate but suck at it. It was literal Hell.  

On the other end of the spectrum, I adored the Anthro class and the professor.  A few weeks into the Fall (right after 9/11 - yes, that happened that year too), I went to her office and asked if I could switch majors.  She was delighted to take me on as an advisee, and I was thrilled to discover my passion for studying people (past and present), solving problems, and writing.  

My point? (I have two.) 1) It is only when humans are truly interested in a topic, subject, or idea, that they engage, learn, and grow.  2) I was incredibly late to the game.  I drifted through my twenties, taking on meaningless jobs that in no way used my Fashion Design Degree, stayed home during my early and mid-thirties to raise my children (who, to be clear, are my heart), and then went back to school. Despite hitting a stone wall - hard(!) - (thank you, 2013) and changing direction a few times - I finally discovered my life's work.  

Yes, as the Steve Miller Band reminds us, "time keeps slipping, slipping, slipping...;" nonetheless, new beginnings and fresh perspectives can occur at any time. I am the perfect example - as long as you are breathing, are willing to work hard, and have an open mind - it is never too late to explore all the possibilities.  

Tuesday is our first day of the 21/22 academic year!  However, you can become a member at any time during the year.  Contact us to learn more. 

All the parents trying to make the best decisions for their children during a global pandemic.  Your greatest wish is for them to be safe.  Your anger, resentment, and fear are justified.

The caring and empathetic policymakers who are simply trying to do the right thing - but suffer ridicule if they do and are damned if they don't. Your frustration is palpable and justified.

But most especially the children who are the pawns in a game, which has no rules and no foreseeable conclusion. One that the bookies, even if they tried, cannot create a spreadsheet (or formula) to predict an outcome.  The mechanisms you employ to combat your anxiety, unease, inability to settle and concentrate are all justified.

I see you all, and I am here to listen.

​DRC has a COVID Safety Plan in place for our regular programs, as well as our Extended Afternoon Program for those kiddos who attend public or private school and need a safe place for the afternoon.

​Our first day is Tuesday, September 7th.  Both the Canton and Lawrenceville Peeps will gather as a community on my land in Pierrepont to play in the woods, brainstorm class and activities for our hybrid schedule, and get to know each other.  If you feel that DRC would be the best option for your child - we still have a few spaces open at each Center. Contact us today.

The Afternoon Program in Canton has available openings as well. Learn more and register here.
​

Oftentimes, as parents, we get so caught up in making sure all the pertinent, societally determined boxes get ticked off that we forget to, regularly, take our child's emotional temperature. Then we notice that behaviors seem to have cropped up out of nowhere. But then we step back and realize they have been festering for a while. 
 
We all understand that science has proven over and over that positive emotion is the best place to begin any new experience. And conversely, negative emotion shuts it down. Yet, we get busy and overwhelmed by daily life and forget that immersing ourselves in positive situations and environments allows our brains to generate compounds that stimulate the desire to explore, engage, be creative - and learn! 
 
All of this is not to say that we have to stifle those negative feelings in ourselves or our children when they pop up. I am referring to lengthy submersion in the chemical cocktails surrounding depression, sadness, anxiety, and fear. Or even long-term frustration and resentment.  
 
Many kids don't express their unhappiness with words; they may:

• Disconnect and stop talking to you about mundane everyday "stuff." (This does not necessarily happen, naturally, as they get older, as society has told us.)
• Have meltdowns frequently over seemingly inconsequential matters. 
• Become clingy (needy) or, on the opposite end, push you away.
• Lose interest in food or, seemingly, eat all the time.  
• Have changed sleep habits, including nightmares or bedwetting.
• Have dramatic personality changes. 

The above is an abbreviated list, and these signs don't always mean that your child is totally miserable or in trouble - they may simply be going through a growth spurt, are tackling another developmental milestone, or are having a problem with the school environment.   
 
In my direct experience, there is a rapid and intense change in demeanor when parents discover that their child's particular issue is directly related to something at school, and they seek out my help. Often by merely changing the conditions, along with the people who support and nurture them every day, they become happier and less stressed.  
 
However, if these behaviors are ongoing, and your child is not forthcoming when you try to engage them in a casual and non-intimidating manner, it may be time to talk to a professional who can determine if you need to address particular issues.  

Additional Reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573739/
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/the-role-of-emotions-in-learning/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/202103/forced-schooling-anxiety-and-learning-disorders
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html
https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/signs-of-depression-in-children
https://www.thewholechild.org/parent-resources/age-6-12/child-depression-ages-6-12/

DRC News
The DRC Exploration Station Summer Program has a few spots left for these last two weeks.  Register here.                        

Every human is born with natural decision-making ability.  Unfortunately, some have lost their capacity through conditioning.  

I have always been decisive – I would say (as would those who know and love me) that determination (stubbornness) is a large part of my personality.  My husband, Mike, jokes that I can walk into a furniture store to shop for a couch and come out ten minutes later having made the purchase.  

I don’t waffle, and I don’t second guess; I quite, simply, jump in and go for it.  Yes!  I do my homework and make informed choices (measure twice – cut once).  I trust the experts and the process.  However, I have always understood that nothing is permanent and, in my mind, never totally finished – everything is a work in progress.   When you learn more – you merely adjust your original calculations (the simplest definition of science).  

When I make those inevitable mistakes or missteps, I work to own them and rectify them.  I also understand going in that some fixes will be more expensive than others.  Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop me.  

The thing is, failing to make a decision is a decision in itself.  One that can be (way more) harmful, painful, and costly than any other path you could have actively chosen. 

​The DRC Summer Programs, open to any family in the NoCo, begin tomorrow and run for three weeks. Register today.  

Afternoon Programs begin September 7th.  DRC is here for any family who needs a fun, creative, and safe space for their child to hang out during weekday afternoons.  Register here.

DRC regular programming also begins, September 7th.  If you (and your child) are ready to opt out of school - get in touch.  We are here for you and will walk you through the logistics.  

About a year ago, I watched a short YouTube video by Simon Sinek, the author of Start with Why. My interpretation of his thesis is that our "why" is the story behind our "what" and "how."  It is what people genuinely want to know about us, and consequently, it is what "sells" us.

This concept struck me hard, and for weeks (months) afterward, my subconscious was working on my personal "why," which, for many reasons (some more obvious than others), is inextricably tied to DRC's "why."

It remained buried inside my head until Liam Crossen, a videographer from Boston visited DRC in mid-November (the last three days before we went remote because of COVID) to produce marketing videos for us. He spent his time interviewing staff, parents, and our kiddos - as well as capturing the every day action. He saved my interview for the last day, right before he had to return home.

During the interview, I was finally able to articulate my (and DRC's) "why."  Maybe it was, at long last, fully formed and ready to come out, or possibly Liam was asking the right questions. In any case, It felt correct and authentic, and nine months later,it still does.

I think this statement, which continues: learning can only happen when kids intuitively understand that they are secure, accepted, and trusted to make decisions, make mistakes, and explore all their interests to achieve their ever-evolving aspirations thoroughly explains why Deep Root Center exists. It implicitly describes our philosophy and our innate trust in kids. It is why our "pay what you can" policy exists.  And it perfectly expresses why I am passionate about dedicating my time, skills, and energy to this organization. 

Summer Programs -  We have several openings for the first week. However, the last two weeks are nearly full - register soon if your child wants to participate.

Membership: The Canton Center has space for a few more kiddos this Fall.  Check us out before we are at capacity - with a waiting list.   

I will be in Chicago with family, celebrating my son, Ian's, wedding between the 4th -10th.  Therefore, I will not be checking or responding to messages as frequently as usual, and there will probably not be a Blog posting next Sunday.  

I firmly believe that each of us is born with an enormous capacity for creativity.  No, not all of us can be (nor want to be) fine artists.  Nonetheless, we all have the potential to be imaginative problem solvers. And, innate curiosity is the driver.  

Most of us (I am just assuming here) have sat and watched a newborn baby – stare at their own hands, reach for the light, and search the depths of the eyes looking into theirs.  There is a deep knowing, as well as a seemingly unquenchable wondering in their gaze.  

As they get older, that curiosity becomes a bit more “troublesome.”  They begin to physically explore their world – scooching on their bellies, crawling, then cruising, toddling, and eventually climbing and running.  With an honest intention of keeping children safe and “making sure," adults are culturally trained to control all that natural exploration and self-discovery. We give commands such as:  "Be careful!" “Pay attention and stop daydreaming!" Thereby stopping them from attempting “dangerous” activities, as well as eroding their confidence and desire to go within their quiet spaces - where inspiration is born and resides.
 
Sadly, kids lose most of their natural self assurance, curiosity, and motivation as an unintentional consequence of hyper-vigilance.

I have spoken of this concept many times before.  But lately, we have had several families with younger kids scope out DRC as a viable alternative.  Which has given me the opportunity to think about how much I adore the energy and lightness that emanates from the 5, 6, & 7-year-olds of the world. They have not yet learned to be afraid of asking big questions, experimenting, making mistakes, and being wrong. They are like puppies, following their noses and instincts and tripping over the feet they haven’t quite grown into.

Yet, within all that seeming chaos, they do not fear sitting still and going inside their own heads to explore the quiet spaces.  It is where the brilliant ideas pop in and where they may discover an interest they previously were unaware of.  

Traveling into this still place, within, is when each of us, no matter our age, quite literally, builds brain cells.  Some of us need more time for introspection than others.  But, no matter how much you, personally, require, it is a necessary component that is lacking from most of our lives.  

I believe we have seen an uptick in families with younger kids seek us out because many understand that traditional schools do not support or value natural creativity and the quiet spaces.  Therefore, they are adamant that they do not want that for their children. 

The DRC Exploration Station Suite of extended services include Summer programming as well as late Afternoon Programs for children who attend local schools.  Check it out here.

DRC is hiring a part-time position at the Canton facility to start Sept. 7th. No specific training is required. This exciting opportunity is for anyone who already embraces the self-directed educational philosophy or is ready to learn the principles of practicing it as a mentor and facilitator in our dynamic learning environment.

If you are excited about exploring the possibilities with us - DM or email our Executive Director - maria@deeprootcenter.org, to learn more.  Please share this opportunity widely.

We are thrilled that Nic Hayes is joining the team as our new apprentice at DRC-East.  You can read Nic's bio here.

Check out DRC Exploration Station Summer and Afternoon Extended Programming for kids who attend other schools in the community.

Believe it or not, we will be back in session in less than two months!  If your child is ready to explore the possibilities and take charge of their education - get in touch.

Exploration Station - Summer Programming

Register your child today for the last three weeks of summer break.  Learn more here.

Have you ever been so very tired of personal stagnation and the apathy (absurdity) that surrounds you that taking your next breath feels like it is likely to be a revolutionary act?  Yet, the intoxicating pull of change and creativity produces constant tension with the cosseting stability of the known.  

For some, the fear of the uncharted controls that impulse so thoroughly that they remain mired in the past.   

For others, it is only when the familiar becomes too tight, restricting, and uncomfortable before they can finally unlace the straitjacket - to embrace the fiery desire to rebel against the status quo.  

And then there are those of us who instigate a revolution every day by simply living authentically.

On an evolutionary level, we are all wired for mutation and transformation!  Take a deep breath and follow the exhalation to your next moment of rebellion - toward exploration - to the future. 

Happy Independence Day from the DRC Crew.

Summer Programming begins, August 16th.  Register today.

*Nod to Tracy Chapman for title inspiration.

 I will always respond to "Maria," "Mom," (even if they aren't technically my offspring) or even, occasionally, "hey you" - but not Mrs. Corse, Miss Maria (even though a little less proper), or any other formal descriptor.  I have always felt that using titles (prefixes) is a foundational component of an outdated patriarchal system that elevates adults above young people for no reason beyond the fact that they are older. (I think we can all recognize that wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age.)  The only exception to this, in my mind, is if someone has earned, through hard work and dedication, their title - Doctor (whether PhD., MD., etc.) or other professional monikers.  

Simply calling someone Mrs., Mr., Sir, or Madame, will not automatically generate a feeling of respect.  Yet - it does come through trust, admiration, shared adventures, and the mutual understanding that comes from those experiences.  

None of us can demand or even, honestly, expect to receive respect through the use of a title or any other power-grabbing methods.  In the same way, none of us can insist that someone earn our trust. 

However, each of us can dedicate ourselves to pronouncing people's names correctly (and within that, acknowledging that we may be having a difficult time getting it right - and promising to practice) and always asking for and using their preferred name and pronouns.  

And within that, building relationships through mutual trust and respect - then comprehending that we all, no matter our age, can contribute, is the key to moving our culture forward beyond hierarchy and artificial status to the common goal of solving societal problems and forging community. 

Years ago, when Kenzie, my second kiddo, was in Kindergarten, we proudly hung the holiday-specific artwork they brought home in the windows on the front porch.  However, when we looked across the road, we saw the very same picture hanging in the neighbor's front window - it just so happened that their child was in Kindergarten too.  And not, coincidentally, they were the same pieces that Ian, my first kiddo, brought home three years earlier.  Since then, it has served as the perfect example of what I refer to as canned creativity.

You may notice that the oxymoronic level is off the charts for that particular phrase.  Authentic artistry, ingenuity, imagination, and originality don't come prepackaged and contrived with lesson plans attached.  No one should ever provide you with pre-cut and pre-drawn components or step-by-step instructions.  Or get to tell you what color your pumpkin should be - and they are never (ever) allowed to scold you for coloring outside the lines.  

Creativity is born inside your vision, and it is yours - no one else's.  

Instead of squashing all that potential with tired canned projects - we can support it by providing the requested resources, materials and encouragement, and then standing back (and as I have said here more than once - get to hell out of the way) to watch the creativity flow.  The results may not be what we had in mind or even particularly beautiful - however, they certainly won't be tired, boring, soulless, or mind-numbingly predictable either.  

I firmly believe that those who dare to dream, invent, and, yes, even make mistakes - are the people who will think outside the box and consider all the angles to come up with fresh, inspired ideas to solve the problems we have been working on for a very long time.  

Head on over to the DRC website to register your child for Exploration Station Summer Programs. 

*This week's blog post was inspired by the below testimonial. It is my great honor and privilege to provide the space and environment where these kinds of transformations can occur.  Thank you to Danielle for sharing.

Have you noticed that it seems like our entire culture is hell-bent on toughening us up?  The "that which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger" mentality has infected every aspect of our lives.  Additionally, we are obsessed with pointing out flaws and negative characteristics.  We spend our lives judging (belittling) others - behavior, activities, appearance, skill levels, emotions, and beliefs.  
 
If we are totally honest with ourselves, we understand that none of the above judgments help anyone become a better version of themselves. However, our excuses sound like - "I survived all the crap, and I am fine."  "I am trying to toughen them up for the real world."   "No one is going to coddle them out there; they need build up some callouses to survive."  Or the ever-popular, "How are they going to improve if I don't point out what they are doing wrong?"  Come on! No one needs to hear what they suck at - they are already very aware of that very long list.

As a result, we have produced yet another generation of universally unhappy, damaged peeps who only know what is wrong with them.  And this is exactly why I meet kids who are anxious, depressed, unsure of what they are good at (or are interested in), disenfranchised, and plainly apathetic.   

What if, instead, we spent time observing the positives - and using those attributes to build up, affirm, and support?  Within all that, we can allow our kiddos to process and then detox from the trauma induced by a system designed to yield carbon copy, unimaginative, competitive robots.
 
I witness the transformations every day - when kids hear kindness - they open up.  When they receive grace and compassion - they can give it to themselves.  When they grasp that they - their ideas, interests, thoughts, plans, and aspirations - are consequential - they can focus on those. And when each of us is able to do all of that, the whole world of possibilities unfolds before our very eyes, and we discover our purpose.

We are working on reorganizing the entire Canton Center for better functionality.  The music room is now downstairs, the art room has moved to the largest room in the house, and the seedlings space is in the cozy room upstairs at the back.   If your child is interested in checking us out,  please schedule a time to visit. Our facility provides an air of hominess and comfort that goes a long way in generating an environment that supports a connected community. 

Thanks again to Coakley's Hardware for donating these items for our much needed exterior painting project.

How cool is it that DRC has its  very own Little Library?  A shout of thanks to Maria Morrison for delivering it!  Stay-tuned as it gets a paint job and we decide where to place it.