The Network in the Schools Program

The main component of Network in the Schools (NIS) program is the 4 Part Meeting. Participants meet once a week in a circle in the classroom. Initially an outside facilitator runs the meeting, but eventually teachers, counselors, and students get group leadership status.

  • Self-Affirmation - The first part of the meeting is an opportunity for the participant to say something positive about him or her self: "My name is Joyce. My dream is to be a doctor, and I like myself because I am smart and I listen to the teacher." Sometimes it is the child's turn to have everyone in the group say something positive about him or her.
  • Self-Concern - The second part of the meeting is a voluntary opportunity for the participant to speak briefly about some problem or issue about which the child is concerned. This can be personal or school-related, or just about anything. The important issue for the facilitator is to keep it brief and to recognize when a referral or intervention is necessary for the child outside the NIS boundary.
  • Self-Improvement - The third part is an opportunity for the participant to work on setting, and achieving, a short-term, reachable, specific goal to become a better person. This can involve family or school, and could even include playing more if the child is too studious.
  • Self-Reflection - The last part of the meeting is a minute of silence, holding hands, reflecting on what's been said, and recognizing that there are things in our lives over which we have no control, and we need to come to terms with that.

    • The complete Network in the Schools program includes the Clearing Meeting, where participants can speak more at length about issues brought up in the 4 Part Meeting. In New York, gang members have used the Clearing to resolve disputes that would result in violence if taken to the streets. There are also induction and recognition ceremonies and graduation exercises. Once children have expressed their dreams, NIS attempts to connect them with organizations and individuals that can encourage their dreams. Teachers and administrators are asked to treat each child as if he or she had achieved the expressed dream. Discipline then becomes more effective, as a teacher can ask, for example: "Would it benefit a lawyer to speak in such a manner?"

    When a child has committed to a dream, he or she is inducted into the Society of Career Dreamers, an after school organization where members work on achieving their dreams, and encourage other members' dreams. A child whose dream is respected and encouraged can begin to hope again and often their negative behavior declines or stops. There have been instances where a child brought NIS home, the parents responded in kind, and the home environment improved as a result. But even if this does not occur, even if the home environment is not nurturing, the child still has a nurturing community, a safe place to go.

    NIS is designed to be an integral part of the school curriculum, and is intended as a long-term program. An important aspect of NIS is that students who have an affinity for group leadership receive training and go to lower grades to run meetings. An immediate benefit results: younger students build relationships with older students! When these facilitators turn sixteen and get working papers, NIS gives them jobs starting at seven dollars an hour to run meetings in other schools, therefore making NIS self-propagating. Imagine a time when a significant number of NIS students graduate and start making their way in this society!

    NIS Immersion

    It is the long-term goal of this project to provide the NIS environment in all areas of a child's life. After-school programs, such as San Diego County's Critical Hours Centers, create a perfect site for "Network Out of School". Camp Pegasus, a summer camp for "at-risk" teenagers is also in the plans. We call this "NIS Immersion", providing a NIS Community in-school, after-school, and during school breaks.

    Network in the Schools Continuity

    NIS is a comprehensive, integrated, and far-reaching program. It is therefore important that there be continuity in the NIS coverage throughout the district and at all levels of educational institutions. To that end, Dreams 'N' Aspirations, Unlimited, a California-based non-profit organization, is being formed.

    Network in the Schools Works!

    Back to Dreams 'N' Aspirations, Unlimited Home Page

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