What we can learn from children...

As an elementary education major, I have spent most of my days this semester with my 3rd graders.  In addition to the tremendous joy that comes from being with them, it's amazing to watch the way they treat each other and their understanding of civility.  What exactly is civility?  Civility can be summed up with the words of courtesy and politeness.


It's amazing what we can learn from children.  So, to discuss civility I would like to highlight a few of my children (changed names haha) and analyze what we can learn from them about civility.

Haha if only my kids dressed like this.

Molly.  Molly shows great appreciation, always.  Whether she is cheering for a classmate who did exceptionally well on a test, clapping for a class accomplishment, or thanking me for something she recognizes how valuable showing appreciation can be. 


Rebecca.  Though she is only 9, Rebecca has an amazing sense for what is right and wrong.  More than just recognizing this, she stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid to speak up when one of her friends is out of line.  


Jonah.   Jonah has the best manners of any child I have ever met.  Despite coming from a difficult home life, his respect for adults and authority is incredible.  Simple manners go a long way.


James.  James is showing respect and civility as he is always following directions.  He serves as an incredible example for his peers by doing this, too.  Doing what is asked of us is a simple way to show civility.


Madison.  Just a 3rd grader, Maddy already recognizes that she has the power to make a difference.  She is heavily involved in Girl Scouts and community projects.  


I could give countless examples of my 3rd graders who are civil citizens of our classroom and community.  My hope is that you may take a few lessons from these children and reflect about how to take their words and actions of civility and incorporate them into your own life.

End of the Year Party! Mark Your Calendars!

Inspections!

All apartments will be receiving inspections April 10-13 by facilities and staff members to check for things that might need to be taken care of before check-out rolls around.  Additionally, PLEASE do not wait until the end of the year to take care of your bottle collection, or that stack of newspapers you've been meaning to get to.  This will make move-out much easier on you if you work gradually!  Seniors, remember that you have to be gone by 5pm on May 6th, the Sunday after graduation.  

An Old, Old Wooden Ship?

Watch this video to what diversity is NOT:

So What IS Diversity?

When you hear the word diversity, is the first thing that you think of race?  While race is indeed a component of diversity, there are SO many different facets of diversity.  We often talk about Furman not having diversity, and while there are areas of diversity in which our population could definitely improve in, there are still many kinds of diversity that we represent within our student body.

Geographical Diversity:  Not all of us are from Atlanta or Columbia, we have students from California, Alaska, Maine, and abroad!

Socioeconomic Diversity:  While Furman does have quite the “country club” reputation in this regard, many of us receive scholarships and financial aid.

Religious Diversity:  There are countless religions represented on campus.

Abilities Diversity:  Many of us are faced with disabilities: learning, physical, etc.

Sexual Diversity:  EROS is just one organizations on campus that gives voice to the sexual orientation on campus.

Academic Diversity:  Our countless majors and areas of interest are something that makes each one of us diverse.  

I could go on and on.  My challenge for you?  Initiate conversations with your friends, or better yet people you don’t know well, about these realms of diversity on Furman’s campus! 

In closing, I’d like to share this poem written by a 10th grader named Stan William:

  What diversity and equality

mean to me

    Is that we have differences but

you’re still equal to me

    Different race, different customs,

Yet we have the same opportunities

    But open up your eyes and that

is not what you’ll see

    You have a classic family, I’m

from a broken home

    You grew up in the burbs while

I was raised in the section aid zone

    You surf the web and view

hundreds of channels when you’re bored

     While the internet and cable

TV are luxuries i can’t afford

     In spite of these differences, we

respect each other the same

     Both scheming to be the best

and holding on to dreams of fame

     But to be equal and diverse is

an unlived ideology

     Because the world sees our

diversity and thinks you’re    

better than me.

Stan William

Get your groceries right here on campus!

A day on the farm...  The Furman Farm located next to Cliffs Cottage (now called the Shi Center for Sustainability) and the lake is 1/4 acre garden with organic produce grown by our very own students!



The Farm stand is open on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30.  OR you can join the Furman Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  A CSA membership for students is only $32 a month.  So, if you split that with your roommates that's only $8 a month a person...$2 a week!!!!!!!  When you place your order they even supply a list of recipes using the ingredients that you ordered from the garden.

It's the winter though?  No fresh veggies are going, right?  Wrong!  Winter bags can contain peppers, broccoli, peppers, sweet potatoes, beets, and much more!

So, think sustainably and smart and do your grocery shopping right here on the Furman Farm!


Check out this video to learn more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wURkszyYYcM

"Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

It's a beautiful day in the J-Borhood!  As you know, we're living the good life in J.  Convenient parking.  Great location.  Convenience to meetings in the community center.  Computer lab steps away.  I could go on and on.  This month, I would like to encourage you to appreciate another aspect of living in J-your roommates and your neighbors.  


Please also enjoy the Mr. Rogers' intro song clip for inspiration to be awesome neighbors.  I may or may not have taken my shoes off like him for part of my childhood.

Some of you may not know who lives beside/above/below you, and so I would encourage you to be assertive neighbors and introduce yourself...it's never too late!  And if I haven't met you personally yet, I hope to soon!  Developing meaningful relationships can be as easy as saying good morning as you head out to class in the morning, or dropping off a few extra cookies you have from the batch you just made (cough, remember I'm J-104 cough).  


Are you a good neighbor?  Being conscious of those around you is the easiest way to be a good neighbor!  Your CHALLENGE: be a Mr. Feeney and not a Kramer/Steve Urkel (I couldn't decide who was the better of the worst)!


    Do you...
       Greet one another?
       Keep your music low?
       Avoid leaving trash outside your front door?
       Walk gently?
       Avoid slamming your front door?
       Engage in conversation?
       Know each other's names?


In addition to your neighbors, strive to be the best roommate you can be!  You may not be rockin' in the cramped Blackwell dorms any more, but it's just as important now as it was freshman year to be a great roommate.  Don't hesitate to have open communication, and develop relationships.  There is no other place like college for such a strong sense of community, and I would encourage you to really take advantage of that whether you are best friends with your roommates, or still getting to know each other.


Thank you for being such amazing residents.  With that, I want to remind you all to contact me at any time if there is anything that I can help you with-noise complaints, random housing questions, or even if you just need a listening ear!


**Be on the lookout in the near future for a drop-in I'll be hosting with free food where you can meet more of your J-neighbors!**

Fall Fest!

Heller Service Corps' Fall Fest is this Saturday!  It is an awesome on-campus volunteer opportunity with local elementary children coming for an afternoon of fun.  E-mail me (katelyn.ammons@furman.edu) if you would like to volunteer!  Thanks!   :)