Bright Ideas
Brighter Future
VOICE your ideas to help us shine
ENGAGE in a dynamic dialogue
CREATE innovative solutions for our school
You are invited to:
The Gordon Parks
OPEN SPACE EDUCATION FORUM
It’s free – just bring your ideas
Saturday, March 27, 2010
9:00 – 5:00
Gordon Parks Elementary School
3715 Wyoming St., KCMO 64111
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to contribute to the future of Gordon Parks Elementary!
Why are you hosting an Open Space Forum?
Since 1999, Gordon Parks has been an educational beacon for Kansas City families. And yet, we are not satisfied. Our calling as a learning community will only be realized when each child is educated to achieve his or her unique greatness. How do we get there from here? We need the collective wisdom and experience of members of our community to help blaze new paths, find new resources, nurture new ideas and determine new strategies. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness, we have invited a broad range of stakeholders including parents, staff, board members, volunteers, educators, donors and community members to participate in a journey to uncover innovative solutions for our school. If you are passionate about urban education, if you love the children who attend Gordon Parks, if you want to make a difference in the future of our community, we want you to attend the Gordon Parks Open Space Forum.
What is "Open Space?"
Open Space "is one way to enable all kinds of people, in any kind of organization, to create inspired meetings and events" (excerpt from
www.openspaceworld.org). It is carefully designed to allow maximum involvement and creativity in a highly constructive atmosphere. The Open Space format is highly flexible so that the content is entirely determined by you. The event will be inventive, creative, productive and full of surprises! This is not to suggest that the forum will not have content or outcomes - there will be both. But, achievement in the meeting will be dependent upon individual and collective responsibility to make it happen.
"In Open Space meetings, events and organizations, participants create and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around a central theme of strategic importance -- the common result is a powerful, effective connecting and strengthening of what's already happening in the organization: planning and action, learning and doing, passion and responsibility, participation and performance" (excerpt from www.openspaceworld.org). Participation in this event is voluntary, even for faculty and staff members.
I still don't understand. What does an Open Space Forum "look like?"
If "Open Space" is a new concept for you, you might find the following YouTube video link helpful. It demonstrates the process of an Open Space Forum and shows how the participants freely move from discussion to discussion and how all ideas are recorded.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM6WqXAvHzM
Why do you need me?
We all share a collective responsibility for the education of our community's children. You are part of our learning community and your participation will become a vital part of our school's direction. You will be a co-creator in the future of Gordon Parks Elementary. This is the best opportunity for your voice to be heard.
Must I stay the entire day?
We strongly encourage participants to attend all of the sessions throughout the day (and we think you will want to!). Dropping in and out of the day can effect the consensus building process. Advanced registration is necessary so that we can utilize our space at the school in the most efficient way.
Please RSVP by calling 816-753-6700 or emailing
.
What Gordon Parks promises . . .
1. Before we adjorn, every issue of concern to any attendee will be on the table, if they choose to put it there
2. All issues will receive as full a discussion as you choose to give them
3. To prioritize all issues and recommendations
4. To distribute a written record of discussions to all attendees at the Forum's conclusion
5. And finally, that we will identify working groups and immediate next steps for all of the primary issues and keep you informed of our progress
Will there be food?
Yes! We will provide lunch, as well as other snacks throughout the day to maintain your mental focus and clarity!
Please RSVP to 816-753-6700 or
.
