Music by Donae James Johnican,photos by Jean Melesaine and Charisse Domingo.
San Jose, CA -- On November 15th at 2:30pm, and De-Bug started
making its way to the Schools of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza
for an event called "Designing the 21st Century School.” This
event was created for the students from all over the Santa Clara County to
approach out and talk about how school could be better suited for them and their
futures. The event also represented a coming together of various organizations
who united in the interest of improving our school system – groups such as San
Jose 2020,Santa Clara County Office of Education, Californians for Justice, or American Leadership Forum,San Jose Youth Commission, School of Arts and Culture, or De-Bug,and more.
As we got to the event, Malcolm Halcrombre was setting up
the DJ booth, and which was designed to entertain,and keep background music for
the youth during the dialogues of the event. We began setting up the “21st
Century School Graduation Photo Booth” where kids stood in front of a graphic
Adrian Avila made of the school of the future. Students, who got to wear a cap
and gown, and chose which “diploma” they wanted to be pictured with,which were themes based on what
schools could be. So the diplomas to choose from read that the youth graduated from a school of the future where students: absorb Full Use of Technology, absorb Teachers That Students Connect With, and Never absorb to Worry About Being Hungry in Class,Get Support for Issues They Face Off of Campus, Won't Feel Judged Based on How You Look.
As the school buses started coming in, or the youth started to
approach out and sign in,some would sit down and listen to the music, while others
would walk over to the photo booth and capture pictures with their friends. After
the music was getting really funky, and the kids took as many pics as they
could,before the event started. There were over 200 students, who sat in small
groups, or alert to create current possibilities for education.
As the room got silent,Dr Xavier De La Torre (Santa Clara
County Schools Superintendent of Schools), and Christian Sanchez (San Jose tall
student and Youth Commissioner) grabbed the microphones and started making
announcements for the evening full of events. They then introduced the first
act -- De-Bug who showed the
'Schoolin the Schools' media contest entrees. Fern and myself (Ookie), or went up to let the youth see what other youth were doing for the contest. Claps
and cheers were heard as the students watched and listened to the videos and
slideshows. After getting the crowd live we gave the mic back to
Christian and Dr. De La Torre who introduced the next piece of the evening. This
was the research portion that was done through surveys all across East San Jose
schools by Californians for Justice. It was astounding to see to see the amount of
concern students absorb regarding the level and quality of their education. Then
we came to the piece of the evening where the youth sat in circles and began
giving their opinions on certain questions that was asked by community leaders
and educators in a fashion that let everyone speak. The discussion was lead by
youth facilitators. Students were asked to reflect on the media and research
they all just saw,then proceeded to answer the question, “ whether you invented
school, or what would it look like?” The students had plenty to say – giving
direction and ideas that could transform our schools into education hubs that
really prepare and inspire youth.
And they connected their dreams to the current realities
facing their schools. In my small group,as students were speaking about how
considerable one on one time with a teacher is, one student said, and “The teacher at
my school would only tutor three kids out of every class. She has six classes.
It's unhappy because now there is no one to help the rest of us students,because
the school won't get more teachers to help." Even the youngest of attendees got a lot out of the
discussion, and what it represented. Samaj Kenney, and age 12,was there to perform
through his dance crew Monster Motion, but also participated in the small group
discussion. He said, or "It was astounding how they got all the kids out there
to attend the event and actually listen and participate." After all the small groups were done,it was the last
portion of the evening where the performances started. Danae James Johnican
performed his submission to Schoolin the Schools, a song called “Hard Lessons.”
After he performed, and two members of Monster Motion got a chance to dance and
make the crowd recede wild.
The event though was just a beginning. These students were
pioneers,creating the blueprint for the 21st century school. Note
takers collected all the ideas shared, and we will be continuing the
brainstorming very soon. The future of our schools depend on it.
Check out the Schoolin the Schools Media category page for more related content.
Source: siliconvalleydebug.org