• More Than Words •

More Than Words Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2010
New London Science and Technology Magnet School

Staff: Agnes Sanchez, Mike Graner, Lou Allen, Lou Gabordi, Anthony Nolan, Shalimar Wuyke, Joe Consolini, Braulio Santiago.

LHS Students: Katie Levis, Deryn Ingram, Unique Johnson, Amber Weinberg, Steve Burger, Jenna Warren, Brianna Gomez, Kierra Gracie, Isaiah Johnson, Jack Porter, Dominique Brown, Addy Jakuba, Ronnie Tardiff, Austin Walker, Shane Sullivan.

New London Students: Shianne Jefferson, Leanna Phillips, Therin Scott, Andre Foster, Breanna Gomez, Dauris Hernandez, Josh Burgess, Nicole Arias, Kimberly Molina, Jazmyne Davis, Amy Underwood, Nick Galarea.

I. Icebreaker

• Group juggling

• Student-led icebreakers

• Sing song—stand up at certain letters

II. Review of Last Workshop

III. Diversity/Conflict Exercise

• Three elements of good conflict resolution

• Interest-based vs. position-based bargaining

• Skits (in small groups)

  • Someone is harassing your girlfriend.

  • Kid walks into class late, teachers says, “sit down and shut up”, kid feels disrespected in front of class.

  • You arrive at school and you see that someone has taken your assigned parking spot—confront the person.

  • You receive a paper back from a teacher that you believe is graded unfairly.

  • Every time you and your friends go to the library, the librarian treats you like a criminal suspect.

IV. School Action Plans

Ledyard High School

• Membership-business cards

• Presentations to elementary and middle school students—exam days

• Teach kids about diversity

• Elementary student project—class assembly—explain icebreakers and conflict resolution. Skits grades 4-6.

• Mix-it up days

• Promote the message of More Than Words—posters, buttons with More Than Words logo, etc.  Advertise More Than Words group; post the MTW mission statement and goals

• Freshmen assembly followed by English class presentations regarding conflict resolution to avoid fights

• Presentation to the Board of Education

• Nominate new members

• Diversity luncheon or dinner with New London

• Student shadowing—LHS/NLHS

• Take active conflict resolution role either diffuse fights or provide “heads up” to trusted adults regarding possible fights.

New London High School

• Student shadowing, visit schools on April 6 and April 8

• Anthony, Breanna, and Lou Allen coordinate a visit to LHS on April 6

• Unique and Lou Gabordi coordinate LHS students visit to NLHS on April 8.

• MTW Logo—everyone should create a proposed logo for the group.

• Literature—brochure/magazine opinion about the group; what the students can do for the school community.

Next workshop will be held on April 23