Community Core
We believe in building Community. We purposefully show how we value the thoughts and feelings of every person in our community.
We believe that Healthy Relationships make our school a better place. We constantly reflect on our words and actions, and we strive to be kind and respectful to every person in our community.
We believe that we have the power to build Positive Self-Esteem in others as well as ourselves. We seek to become the best versions of ourselves and we compassionately help and encourage every person in the community to do the same.
We believe that a spirit of Civic Engagement: Service + Activism is essential to the good of the community. We help in big ways and in small ones, not for our own personal gains or recognition, but because we believe in justice and aim to be generous people.
We believe that Leadership comes in many forms, all of them valuable. We build on our leadership strengths, work to improve our leadership challenges, and encourage leadership of all kinds in every person in our community.
We seek to build community not only during classes but also in our hallways, the lunch area and during recess—typically overlooked times and places that we refer to as our “Gray Areas.” In these Gray Areas, we make a special effort to connect with others, be inclusive, and keep our eye toward building community.
Community Core at OSS
Community Core Days start our school year. Students and staff experience a retreat to deepen our understanding of the OSS core values, recommit ourselves to an environmental ethic, and practice working and learning together outdoors before classes begin on the New Bedford campus.
Advisory is a weekly block during which we meet in small, intimate groups of mixed-grade learners (5/6 and 7/8) to explicitly study and practice the social and emotional literacy skills known as Community Core tools that help us live our core values.
Community Meeting is an all-school gathering every Monday and Friday when we share important news, announcements, appreciations, and use of Community Core tools.
The big/LITTLE program connects pairs or trios of older and younger students together for structured experiences and mentorship that often blossom into mutual support and friendship.
Morning Meetings are held every Monday morning during an extended Homeroom block by grade level. It is an opportunity for each grade cohort to connect, build community, problem-solve, and prepare for the week ahead.
We integrate use of and reflection on Community Core tools into daily classroom instruction, outside service and leadership projects, family events, and all other parts of life at OSS.
