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Redefining Success

6/29/2016

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by Maria Corse
 
Our concept of success, in modern western culture, for the most part, is shaped, measured, and defined by wealth, power, grades, alma mater, social hierarchy, and celebrity.  In our collective attempts to target this iconic version of success, we have, I believe, delivered ourselves to a destination of mediocrity, ignorance, and slothfulness. 
 
When our focus is forced through a narrow tube to complete the required bare minimum, instead of taking the time to delve deeply enough into a problem to experience the joy of finding a solution, our personal GPS should be reiterating - recalculate, recalculate, recalculate in its infuriatingly monotonic, dispassionate voice --- because, this game of “follow the leader” is no longer amusing, productive, or, for that matter, slightly, entertaining.
 
Allowing others, as well as ourselves, to interpret success in emotional and physiological terms such as: happiness, delight, gratitude, confidence, personal connections, health, connectedness within community, spirituality, creativity, uniqueness and individuality, strength of character, passion, compassionate response, or the ability to simply be real --- is an admirable goal.  Never underestimate the power of seemingly inconsequential trivialities.  Quantifying triumph can be as simple as making a new friend, making a phone call, comprehending an elusive mathematical concept, completing a project, pulling the perfect metaphor out of thin air, or even celebrating that un-smoked cigarette or un-eaten donut. 
 
Satisfaction can, therefore, be obtained by honoring the validity of each achievement based on personal aspirations, not the unrealistic and irrational trappings of society.  

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Education and Love = Empowerment

6/19/2016

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PicturePhoto Credit: JR
All of my attempts to avoid the news, whether national, regional, or local, are completely undermined by scrolling my Facebook newsfeed, where I see my friend's attempts to understand the senseless and detestable actions, perpetrated by hate-filled human beings, that abound in our world.
 
The most common reaction to these horrific tales of injustice, carnage, and exploitation is an understandable feeling of fear, dredged in hopelessness and despair, quickly followed by panic and anger induced calls to action. Memes are rapidly produced and shared (many times grammatically and/or factually incorrect). Unkind and unfeeling comments are posted on said memes. Prayers are called for and offered. Sides are quickly drawn while loathing is lobbed back and forth across the net of insensitivity and disagreement.
 
The one component we often fail to see while assigning blame for these tragedies, is our own culpability of largely disregarding one of the central underlying causes – marginalization.
 
Inequity of resources –  access to food, housing, jobs, healthcare, and most importantly education - pushes people to the outside fringes of society forcing them into survival mode filled with bitterness, despair, and disenfranchisement, which, I will argue, goes on to breed hate. Poverty is, therefore, a common denominator within the perpetuation of racism, misogyny, religious intolerance, and homophobia.
 
This peripheral and marginal population is shackled by ignorance to these opinions, concepts, and convictions that are propagated by those who most benefit from their willingness to comply to an agenda of contempt for anyone who looks different or has disparate beliefs from themselves.
 
Education and love, I believe, are the only solutions to combating the hate-filled rhetoric that permeates our society. Please don't misunderstand the types of edification or affection I am speaking of. This is not the finite inventory of classes and subjects that traditional schools offer nor is it romantic love. These basic requirements are, however, encompassed within the intrinsic knowledge that every human being should hold within that tells them they are important and cared for, and authorizes them to seek out information that is genuine, sincere, and honest.
 
This understanding requires an open and receptive mind, however, it also demands personal self-confidence, reinforced with supportive, compassionate, and encouraging mentors within an unbiased, respectful, nonjudgmental, and loving community.
 
When an entire segment of the population is downtrodden and ignored, those fringes will rise up to become the center and hatred will then become the cultural norm. This bloody and vicious revolution can only be averted if we are each willing to confront and acknowledge the pain our own ignorance has induced in others and then offer unending kindness and understanding in exchange. 

DRC NEWS
 
INFO SESSION – Tomorrow, Monday, June 20th at 6:30pm
 
Deep Root Center is a community of engaged, learners between the ages of 5-18, who are taking charge of their education in a safe, supportive environment.  If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member of DRC, this info session will provide a time to ask questions and learn more about our philosophy and methods. 
 
 SEEDLINGS PROGRAM –
 
The DRC Seedlings Program provides the only program, for children ages 5-9, in St Lawrence County, based on Montessori and Waldorf child-centered and holistic philosophies. We are very excited to announce that a team of three facilitators, one of whom is a trained Montessori practitioner, will be joining our staff. 
We will spend the summer in training which will encompass organizing the space and planning units for the fall.
 
This program has already sparked a buzz of excitement in the community.  If you would like to learn more, please attend the Info Session tomorrow evening, or contact Maria to schedule an appointment.
 
SUMMER PROGRAMMING –
 
10% discount when you sign up for any, or, all, between now and July 5th.
 

Ten weeks of fun, creative activities and projects, within the DRC philosophy which allows for exploration based on individual interests.
Register today
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Fun-time, Summer-time

6/13/2016

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PicturePhoto credit: JR
Deep Root Center's ten weeks of themed programming, this summer, is specifically designed for the youth in our community, ages four and up, who may not be members of DRC, but want time to delve into hands-on experiential activities and projects in a safe, supportive, non-coercive, self-directed learning environment.

The over-arching theme each week offers a daily basic guideline, with activities, projects, and excursions in which your kids can choose to participate. They will also have an abundance of time to explore their world, thoughts, and interests through free play and undirected activities. Parents often find that DRC participants have gained skills of independence and self-motivation, in a very short time, because they have autonomy over their own decisions.


Registration is open throughout the summer on a first-come, first-served basis.

​The registration form and calendar are available on our website.




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Build it and . . .

6/6/2016

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​I have yet to fully comprehend the sheer magnitude of growth, successes, and triumphs that DRC has experienced this past academic year. The really amusing piece, however, is that I predicted almost every single major accomplishment, last June, when I wrote the future goals section of the 2014/2015 annual report (OK, not that DRC’s float would win first place in the Canton Dairy Princess Parade).  Which is perfectly crazy, when you consider, that at this time last year, Deep Root Center had no student members registered for September.
 
Personally, I attribute these extraordinary achievements to the happenstance of timing as well as the zealous dedication our staff and board have poured into Deep Root Center.  After nearly three years, we simply have not given up on our dream of providing the North Country with a viable, self-directed, alternative to public education that offers consistency and empathy within a safe nurturing environment; which is also completely open to suggestions and new ideas and committed to collaborating with our neighbors in this amazing community. 
 
Hard work is necessary for nearly every worthwhile objective we strive toward. As human beings, however, we can only appreciate the astonishing sensations of satisfaction when looking in the rear view mirror. Retrospect, indeed, gives us the clearest perspective of how much knowledge we acquired through the entire process. 
 
As I look back, with awe and gratitude, on all we have accomplished, I want to thank everyone who has contributed time, money, talents, and ideas to this place – especially André (for his unending enthusiasm, dedication, thirst for knowledge, and good humor), our many volunteers, and our phenomenal board of directors. I am forever grateful to our members and their families. They have built a community that reflects their personalities, individual interests, and commitment to taking charge of their own educations.  Besides hours of entertainment, these kids have provided me with a genuine understanding of what it means to inherently and fully trust the unique journey that each of us has embarked.
 
I envision, in the coming year, continued expansion of our facilities, membership, programming, community collaborations, and grant opportunities. If you would like to read about these and other aspirations, the Deep Root Center 2015/2016 Annual Report will be available upon request by mid July.  
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First Place Winners
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DRC NEWS

 
Yes! The DRC Dairy Princess Parade float won First Prize in the Non-Commercial Category and Third Prize for most Colorful and Creative.  I am so very proud of our kids. 
 
 Summer Programming
 
The design for the Summer Program T-shirt is almost done! You will definitely want one of these in your t-shirt collection! Calendar and registration form are on our website.

The Seedlings Program brings our self-directed learning philosophy to the younger set. We are building this program by using a variety of child-centered ideologies that offer children space for independent
thought, exploration of interests, and an opportunity to question the world around them.
 
If you have a child between the ages of 5-8 and want them to experience a different kind of education, please get in touch.












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© 2023 Whole Learners, Inc. 501(c)3
Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

​315*244*3034/maria@deeprootcenter.org
  • Home
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