Teacher's Meaning of Space
While walking around the neighborhood we got the sense that there was no school and neighborhood connection. No one in the neighborhood spoke poorly about the school. They just did not connect to it.
After this visit we spoke with faculty members at Furness about the neighborhood and its meaning to the school. Multiple teachers felt that the students are viewed as a "nuisance," especially at the end of the day when they all leave. One teacher said that students act crazy when they get out of school, which concerns neighbors. There are tensions because the neighborhood is predominately white, but the school is extremely diverse. During the 1990s, students were allowed to use their lunch periods to hang in one of the outside lots, but due to gangs or cars driving through the neighborhood that privilege was taken away. The only interaction happens at the beginning and end of the day.
A teacher mentioned the School's desire to change this relationship. There is a community service staff member who organizes outdoor activities with the kids. Students are also involved in the program buildOn. Through this program, students volunteer, develop leadership skills, and establish a sense of belonging to the school and community. Teachers think positively about that program, but it does not strengthen the ties to the immediate neighborhood.
While walking around the neighborhood we got the sense that there was no school and neighborhood connection. No one in the neighborhood spoke poorly about the school. They just did not connect to it.
After this visit we spoke with faculty members at Furness about the neighborhood and its meaning to the school. Multiple teachers felt that the students are viewed as a "nuisance," especially at the end of the day when they all leave. One teacher said that students act crazy when they get out of school, which concerns neighbors. There are tensions because the neighborhood is predominately white, but the school is extremely diverse. During the 1990s, students were allowed to use their lunch periods to hang in one of the outside lots, but due to gangs or cars driving through the neighborhood that privilege was taken away. The only interaction happens at the beginning and end of the day.
A teacher mentioned the School's desire to change this relationship. There is a community service staff member who organizes outdoor activities with the kids. Students are also involved in the program buildOn. Through this program, students volunteer, develop leadership skills, and establish a sense of belonging to the school and community. Teachers think positively about that program, but it does not strengthen the ties to the immediate neighborhood.