• More Than Words •

More Than Words Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2010
Tribal Retreat House, Pomfret, CT

Staff: Agnes Sanchez, Mike Graner, Lou Gabordi, Anthony Nolan, Joe Consolini, Demarius Zimbelman.

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

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

Icebreaker--New Games tag

Review of Summer Plans—Each student and staff member explained their plans for this summer with the group noting that Agnes Sanchez will retire in June after 31 years of teaching in Ledyard.

Program Review and Evaluation—Mike Graner distributed the list of More Than Words goals that were developed for the 2009-2010 year at the first workshop held October 2 at Connecticut College.  The group was separated into small groups with each group reviewing and then evaluating the progress made on each goal.  Following the small group work, each group joined the large group and reported out on their findings.  In the process of evaluating the goals, the group discussed the results of the student shadowing program that was conducted the first week of April.  Each of the participants identified some of the similarities and differences between Ledyard High School and New London High School.  Everyone agreed that the student shadowing experience was very valuable.

Following the barbecue lunch supplied by the tribe, the group had a dialogue regarding the overall value that the More Than Words program has had over the last three years.  Mike Graner observed that several of the graduating seniors were founding members of MTW; each of those students indicated the enormous progress that has been made at LHS in promoting respect and understanding between and among students and staff.  The workshop ended with a presentation of a gift to Agnes Sanchez for her three decades of support for diversity education at LHS and well wishes from the entire group for a long and enjoyable retirement.

Mike Graner, Lou Gabordi, Lou Allen, Anthony Nolan and Joe Consolini plan to meet during the summer to develop a schedule for next year’s workshops.