​On this last day of 2016, may we all let go of disappointments and heartbreak, dare to set intentions for 2017 (even though it may seem like we are making some crazy sh*t up), and, act fearlessly upon the exploits, ventures, and undertakings that will move us closer to our goals and satisfy our deepest desires.
 
May it be so …
 
Happy 2017!

In a time when many students in traditional school settings do not feel safe, experience severe anxiety, and encounter some form of bullying, what exactly do we mean when we say, “Deep Root Center provides a safe space for all of our student members?” 
 
DRC is built on a solid foundation of respect.  It is, in fact, our only “rule”, which bears repeating here: Respect yourself, each other, and this place.  In this non-coercive, relaxed, and caring environment, we certainly don’t demand respect from each other, and, we will never ask our student members to earn our respect.  It is freely given and received, by everyone, with kindness and trust. 
 
This works because, we welcome each individual, without prejudice, on an equitable playing field, while honoring everyone’s unique talents, skills, as well as their emotional, social, and educational needs. We offer positive feedback, daily, by highlighting particular strengths and praising efforts and achievements, as well as providing encouragement when one of us is struggling. It is our firmly held belief that when human beings are positively and compassionately supported, not degraded or humiliated, they will behave in a manner that is beneficial, not only to themselves, but to the whole. 
 
To be clear, if one of us acts or speaks inappropriately, we (anyone, adults or students) are not afraid to call that person on it.  A simple, “that is not OK”, within the context of a larger non-judgmental and open conversation, in that moment, is usually all that is needed.  Yes, we really are that comfortable with each other, because we recognize that we are all human, we all make mistakes, and we can all make amends. 
 
Every single person at DRC – from the newest member, to the veterans, who have been here for a while – understands that our actions and behaviors directly affect and reflect the health of our community. 
 
At DRC, every interaction, conversation, or verbal exchange gives us all the opportunity to celebrate our differences, and, to model acceptance and empathy. We understand that diversity and open minds (and hearts) are essential to facilitate new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative ingenuity, which is where (when) inspired visions are born.

Oliver bursts into the Center every day with an impish, devil may care grin and announces, “well, ya know …” his voice fading as he races to the computer in the Seedlings room to log in his twenty minutes of daily allotted MineCraft time.  This particular lead in, along with an eloquent shrug, tipped head, and open handed gesture, precedes Oliver’s many tales. The child has stories tell, some true, most --- not, therefore, it is up to the listener to determine the veracity of each individual account.  Not an easy task, as you are drawn in by his animated, spirited, and mesmerizing gaze to the depths of his ingenuity.
 
Last week, Oliver was sitting on the couch after listening to a storybook and asked me, “what is non-fiction?” He was earnestly trying to understand the difference between real and made-up, because for him all of his narratives are, in some sense, true. His reality is based upon being completely immersed in the fanciful world of the many characters he plays throughout the day with his friend Christian.
 
I first met Oliver this past summer, when he and his parents came to DRC to learn more about our, brand new, Seedlings Program. He was immediately comfortable in the space, and, I was instantly smitten with his openness, intellect, vibrancy, and joyful delight with the world. He exuded confidence and enthusiasm, and, was not afraid to explore the many treasures of Deep Root Center. 
 
His proclamation, “I love art” is an understatement. He adores directing other people (adults and kids) in creating his visions to his specifications. He and Chris, the Seedlings Facilitator, have made multiple cardboard box robots, and, we have sewn (he controls the pedal) a couple stuffed animals together (Carlos the bat and a turtle). Last week we designed and sewed a whole costume – a shirt with a lightning bolt insignia, cape, and hat. This garb transformed him into his Super Villain alter ego – Ghost Boy and later into another persona he and Christian had envisioned.
 
Oliver is another prime example of self-directed learning in action. He is a 6-year-old totally in charge of his learning plan. His “lessons,” centered around imaginary play, are multi-layered, multi-sensorial, multi-modality, and completely inter-disciplinary. Reading readiness is blended with social studies, science, and math; social skills and creativity are woven into every single interaction and conversation throughout the day, and, everything is based on his unrestricted originality.
 
Oliver lives fully with curiosity and intense feeling. He brings no small amount of child-like wonder, fun, and innocence to this place, which infects us all and inspires us to live wholly within each moment in delight and awe.


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You can also increase your donation to have a greater impact on the Deep Root Center community, whether it is a larger monthly contribution or a lump sum. 

Thank you!

Save the Date: Feb 16, 2017

Feel The Heat - A Caribbean Inspired Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction.

We have already received some amazing donations including: a $100.00 GC from Jake's on the Water, two $25.00 GC from Gamer Craze, Pizza Hut Pizzas, an oil change from Munro Mufler, as well as a delightful assortment of locally made arts and crafts. This is just a beginning list. Stay tuned as this list expands; we are anticipating some major donations you will not want to miss.

Tickets for the Event will be available after January 3rd. 

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by Maria Corse


“So, I have this awesome idea,” were the first words out of Leillah's mouth as she bounced into the office for her latest weekly mentoring session. “Yeah, so what's new,” I thought to myself with an inner smile, as I opened her DRC online portfolio mentoring page and clicked the start meeting tab. When she saw I was ready, she stopped dancing around in the chair and hit me with her latest, “I want to open a Maker Space, because I want to spend my time doing exactly what I am doing now --- using my talents to create stuff.” We proceeded to spend the next thirty minutes excitedly discussing details, along with a concrete plan of action. We got so carried away that I forgot to type notes into her mentoring form and we then had to go back to recreate the conversation.


Leillah will spend the next couple months researching other Maker Spaces around the country to get additional ideas. She will contact the county planner to investigate the ReUse Center that has been proposed for St Lawrence County to see if there is any overlap opportunities available and she has to decide whether this will be a for profit or not-for-profit business. We concluded that January would be a good time for the two of us to schedule a meeting with someone from the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Canton to devise a business plan.


Leillah already has a solid sense of what this business will look like. She wants a place where people can either pay a monthly membership fee or a one time rate to use the tools, equipment, and resources to produce their own stuff. She wants to have classes available and a storefront to sell her own works as well as the products of her clientele. She also envisions sporting the same vividly colored, comfortable, and unconventional wardrobe she wears now. Leillah is finishing her high school career in three years, will take a gap year, and, is considering taking college classes in art and business, because she feels those will be helpful in establishing the Maker Space. It is not surprising, knowing Leillah, that she has such a clearly defined goal.


I was impressed with Leillah from the minute I met her, in July 2015, when she and her mom came to DRC looking for help with all the homeschool logistics. She had just completed her freshman year at Canton Central, and, after struggling through her years of traditional school, knew that she was not going back. Leillah has the distinction of being the first DRC student member of the 15/16 academic year and I knew immediately that she would be an integral part of the DRC community. She was poised, mature, articulate, motivated, expressive, clearly talented, and not afraid to voice her opinions or interests during that first meeting.


Leilah devoted last fall to exploring her fascination with forensics (due in large part, I believe, to watching Grey's Anatomy) and was able to spend time in the Physical Anthro Lab at SUNY Potsdam with Dr Malit and his intern. Her passion for horses and riding led to an internship at a local horse farm during the winter and spring. She was convinced that she would own a riding stable, train horses, and offer lessons as an adult. Leillah spent the whole summer engaged in all of that, as an intern, at the Sand Hill Stable in St Regis Falls and discovered that, yes, she does love horses and wants to own them someday, however, that is probably not what she wants to do as a career.


This fall, Leillah rediscovered her enthusiasm for artistic expression and has devoted hours to producing crafts, drawings, paintings, and, this last few weeks, designing and painting murals. Her fondness for brightly intense color and intricate patterns is a constant that is woven, not only through her art, but throughout her entire life. I am so very proud of her intellect, ideas, openness, pure wackiness, and her willingness to embrace her own unique brand of weirdness (her word), which is utterly refreshing and frankly contagious. My day is made even more complete, to be totally honest, when I hear those seven little words, “Hey Maria, I have an awesome idea!” Leillah is, indeed, a daily inspiration and we love her dearly.