by Ken Danford | Sep 15, 2022 | self-directed learning, Uncategorized
I’m very happy for the people receiving up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness due to President Biden’s recent announcement. I know this reduction will make a huge difference in their lives. At the same time, I worry that student loan forgiveness sidesteps the real...
by Ken Danford | Sep 7, 2022 | self-directed learning
On Tuesday, September 6 North Star held its Opening Ceremonies! We are back! Here is a reasonably solid transcript of my Welcoming Message. — Welcome! Year 27! Year 8 in this building! I especially want to welcome our new families and new staff members. We have...
by Ken Danford | Aug 23, 2022 | self-directed learning
Here’s a handy list for when you are bored: fifty “Essential Experiences” to consider. This list, compiled by Chris Balme, is targeted at middle schoolers, though I think it would work for people of all ages. I can see retirees going down this list, and middle-aged...
by Ken Danford | Aug 9, 2022 | Uncategorized
July was a tragic month: we lost a treasured alumna, Jana Abromowitz. Jana was killed by a housemate for reasons that are impossible to comprehend. This death has been a shock for our community, and we are doing the best we can to respond. Jana was a member of North...
by Ken Danford | Jul 15, 2022 | self-directed learning
I have attended the Alternative Education Resource Organization’s Annual Conference just about every year since 2006. This global event is the largest and most enthusiastic collection of people I know interested in making education more learner-directed. AERO’s slogan...
by Ken Danford | Jun 30, 2022 | Uncategorized
We are on our way! Thanks to the Vela Education Fund, along with the generosity of alumni donors at our Bonanza (matched by a gift from Board member and Alumni Parent Emily Harding-Morick) we are proceeding with hiring an Alumni Coordinator to create the North Star...
by Ken Danford | Jun 15, 2022 | self-directed learning
Presentations-Day Trips-Family Meetings-Shindig-Bonanza! Well, it has been a busy month at North Star, and to put it mildly, our hearts are full! Here is something of a photo essay from the past few weeks. Presentations: Teens are invited to share a particular...
by Ken Danford | Jun 1, 2022 | self-directed learning
Here’s some news from our industrious Science class! Thank you, Melanie! (K.D.) — One of the few silver linings of the first year of the pandemic was teaching outdoors as much as possible. This year I wanted to continue using the outdoors as my classroom. Since...
by Ken Danford | May 23, 2022 | self-directed learning
Our spring job posting for a new core staff member netted 13 applications, and I spent the better part of a few weeks exclaiming, “I want to hire them all!” We have chosen to hire two people instead of just one for the fall, and we may have to find ways to include...
