• January 14th

• NEWS! We've Launched SelfDesign-ISK for teen learners!!

Please check out our new program offerings at SelfDesign-ISK High School

• November 20th

• NEWS! Change of school status to K - 12 program - very exciting!

We wish to share exciting news with Learning Consultants and families enrolled in SelfDesign, Wondertree Learning Centre(s) and the Homelearners Network of the recent merger of the International School of the Kootenays with SelfDesign Learning Community, effective November 1.

International School of the Kootenays, or ISK, is a (BC) Ministry-certified online high school program offering the complete BC Graduation Program. That is, the full suite of core grade 10, 11 and 12 courses, and a range of elective courses needed for students to qualify for Dogwood (graduation) certification.

ISK, based in Nelson, began its development in 2005 and opened its door to students and began offering online courses in September 2007. Its foundation rests on holistic and international peace studies, and a perspetive inspired by Waldorf education. ISK pioneered workshop courses that offer learners the option of meeting together weekly with a mentor in a subject area of their choice. A team of 12 instructors at ISK is presently providing courses to around 70 BC-based learners, and the school is also supported by an active, enthusiastic board.

What this merger means for SelfDesign and ISK

With this merger SelfDesign is now a fully-certified K-12 Distributed Learning school in British Columbia! and able to offer (free) enrollment in both Graduation Program courses AND alternative 'SelfDesign-style' courses to learners ages 14-17 years (grades 9-12 equivalent), beginning in February 2009. This is wonderful news to us, as we had been meeting with frustration in our ongoing attempts to persuade the Ministry of Education to permit us to offer a SD-style for learners turning 15 years. We can also tell you that this merger meets with the full approval of the Inspector of Independent Schools with the Ministry of Education.

We intend to continue supporting ISK - now (temrporarily) identified as 'SelfDesign-ISK' - and its high school course offerings, and we are just now beginning to conceptualize a SelfDesign-style program that would operate (in the eyes of the Ministry and the BC School Act) as an 'alternative', supportable program.

NEWS: We've Launched SelfDesign Global!!

It's true - SelfDesign is now available to learners and families living beyond British Columbia!! We've designed programs with Learning Consultant support for ages 5 - 18 years, programs for parents, a unique Teen-only online Learning Community, and more!

Please check out our new program offerings at SelfDesign.com

2008 Learning Consultant Collaboratory - We just completed another rich and valuable Learning Consultant training, this time at the Chehalis Healing Centre nearby to Harrison. This year we added another 12 consultants to our team of 75, to provide learning services to the 700-plus learners that are enrolled with SelfDesign for this coming year, and to accommodate learners applying for our newly-formed 'SelfDesign Global' program.

Wrapping up 2007-08 school year - Well, SelfDesign has wound down another very successful year, providing learning services to around 700 enrolled children, and their families. We wish to thank those people who participated and contributed in this past year, including those enrolled in SelfDesign as well as our 60-plus Learning Consultants and other special mentors who made this a memorable year. We also extend our gratitude to staff of the Independent Schools department in Victoria who also assisted us.

Enrollment for the coming year has been open for more than almost two months now and we are anticipating providing services to around the same number of learners as this past year. Please refer to the 'SelfDesign Programs' link on our home page for enrollment information if you are interested in learning more.

'Surpass' program for teens another success

From June 22nd - 29th, we held our second 'Surpass' program for teens, 13 - 17 years, at Camp Byng on the Sunshine Coast. By all accounts the program, which featured many varied activities focused on personal growth and leadership development (and having fun), was a wonderful experience for the 30 participants who came from throughout the province. Some of the activities offered were film and video-making, drama, fencing, cedar bark weaving and much more. As was the case last year, many of the participants had never met face-to-face though they had crossed (virtual) paths as members of the SelfDesign Learning Community over several years. Ten returning participants from our first year renewed acquaintances and made new friends as well. Here's a typical comment from a participant: "Overall the week was really fun and inspiring! I had a really great time and met a lot of new interesting people!." We plan to offer another Surpass program next June or July.

Surpass 2008 Participants

We are a little over halfway through this our sixth year, feeling:

- very grateful for the families and learners participating with us this year; SelfDesign is obviously attracting families from many varying backgrounds and we thank you for your many remarkable efforts and contributions,

- excited that in the past year we have successfully accomplished another growth phase, to accomodate many more people wishing to participate in SelfDesign,

- relieved at the completion of this year's FSA testing period; participation in this year's testing produced many varied emotions for parents and learners ranging from satisfaction to ambivalence to irritation to deep frustration. We will be recommending significant changes to the Ministry in a follow-up letter based on this year's experience,

- disappointed that yet another request we sent to Minister of Education Shirley Bond last fall for a meeting to brief her on SelfDesign methodology and identify ways in which we might contribute to the Ministry's 'School of the Future' project, has been turned down. We find this very puzzling; we thought the Minister was sincere when she presented three of the SD Execuctive with 'Certificates of Recognition' at a ceremony last spring and told us she was "very interested in learning all about SelfDesign," however, we have rebuffed in all attempts since that time to travel and meet with her - at her convenience and on our resources.

• December 2007

WOW, it has been a very busy fall in SelfDesign and it is hard to believe it is the cusp of winter already! We had a very successful launch of SelfDesign in September-October, after having expanded to close to 700 learners (incuding Special Needs) for this year. Expanding on this scale was quite a test of our ability to scale up, and we are very pleased with our results to date. As in past years, our Learning Consultants and families are enjoying many rich exchanges and we feel our methodology is contributing to many important and varied learning experiences.

Earlier in November, SelfDesign was inspected by the Ministry of Education, Department of Independent Schools, as per Ministry regulations. Following two days of reviewing our program, the inspectors offered many enthusiastic and suportive comments. In a written, follow-up report, our certification was renewed and we were commended for many positive elements of our program, especially "the vision and commitment directed to establishing a Distributed Learning program that offers flexibility and choice."

• September 2007

'Beyond' program for GVRD-based teens (starting Oct. 5th)

BEYOND is a project to engage teens in exciting hands-on projects that revolve around the theme - "how do you want to influence your world?" Participants will meet at Wondertree Learning Centre at 4196 West 4th Ave in Vancouver, Fridays 10-4pm. The project will include workshops, field trips, guest speakers, mentors and more with the purpose of engaging teens in projects reflecting their enthusiasms and curiosities. Through this exploration participants will learn about communication, leadership, networking, critical thinking and much more.

For a brochure please contact Verena Gibbs (verenagibbs@wondertree.org).

• September 6th

'Learning Your Way' course for teens, 14 -18 years now open to public (reg. closing September 21st)

With the start of a new learning year, SelfDesign and the Wondertree Foundation have launched 'Learning Your Way', a unique, leading-edge course for teens, 14 - 18 yea . This 10-month, online course is intended to provide participants with many important skills and experiences focusing on Learning Excellence, Modeling Genius, Financial Literacy, Creative Brainstorming and Independent Enterprise. Tuition is $250 per participant. The course is almost filled up but there is space for 5-7 more learners. Contact Michael Maser if you are interested in a detailed course outline (michaelmaser@selfdesign.org).

• September 4th

SelfDesign launches new learning year, grows to 650 learners

Hello, well we've had a very busy summer but today's the day we launch our new learning year. Last spring we began experiencing significant growth in enrolment and that has continued unabated, presently tallying around 650 learners. To meet our new demands, we have hired and trained an additional 28 Learning Consultants, though we are presently very close to our capacity for matching learners with available LCs. Almost all of our staff are continuing in our program with a few shifts here and there. Throughout the summer we continued to implement improvements in our procedures and incorporate new technologies, leaving us very excited about the coming year.

New Learning Consultants in training at our recent

Collaboratory on the Sunshine Coast.

'Surpass' program for teens a wonderful success

From July 2 - 9th, we held our first 'Surpass' program for teens, 13 - 17 years, at the Xenia Centre on Bowen Island. By all accounts the program, which featured many varied activities focused on personal growth and leadership development (and having fun), was a wonderful experience for the 20 participants who came from throughout the province. Most of the kids who participated had never met face-to-face though they had crossed (virtual) paths as members of the SelfDesign Learning Community over several years. Here's a typical comment from a participant: "It was one of the most inspirational, fun weeks I've ever had. I enjoyed all the activities and meetings and made tons of new friends. I also tried and learned a lot of new things." We plan to offer another Surpass program next June or July.

Surpass Participants enjoying a hike

SelfDesign book garners top award from Neurobiological Learning Society

' SelfDesign: Nurturing genius through natural learning', by Brent Cameron and Barbara Meyer (2006, Sentient Publications) has just been designated the 2007 'Top Choice' book award by the Neurobiological Learning Society (NLS).

The NLS, based in Hawaii, was founded by Dr. Dan Janik in 2005. Dr. Janik is a former pediatric neuro-surgeon, neurology researcher and author of 'Unlock the Genius Within; Neurobiological Trauma, Teaching and Transformational Learning (2005; Rowman & Littlefield Education; ISBN 1578862914). Brent and Barbara traveled to Hawaii this past May at the invitation of Dr. Janik to gave a presentation overviewing SelfDesign to the NLS.

Comments from reviewers of the SelfDesign book included the following: "A remarkable breakthrough in the area of neurobiologically-underpinned educational psychology, this work provides incisive insights into the definition, management and effective delivery of transformative, wholistic learning, specifically from K through 12. Replete with examples of humanistic, student-centered, psychologically-grounded action research, this book is a must-read for educators, administrators, parents and students alike."

The website for the NLS may be found at: drjanik.tripod.com/nls.html

'Teen Program' proposal update - We have been informed by Susan Penner, Inspector of Independent Schools, that our proposal for a SelfDesign-style program for teens, 15 - 17 years, falls outside the bounds of the BC School Act, as amended by Bill 33 last year. We met with Susan on two occasions to discuss our proposal and we are grateful for her willingness and efforts to consider this, at the direction of the Minister of Education. Subsequent to this decision, we have pointed out to Susan and the Minister that it is the nature of the School Act, and not SelfDesign, that is discriminatory in nature, and we have encouraged the Ministry to amend the Act to accommodate our proposal, and to help better meet the legitimate learning needs of BC youth in the future. Thanks to members of our community who wrote letters of support for this proposal!

Re-enrolling and enrolling for next year - We have begun re-enrolling procedures with next year in mind and, due to heightened interest, we have begun a wait-list for people wishing to enroll in the program for next year. Enrollment information may be found by going to the 'SelfDesign Programs' link and clicking on SelfDesign Learning Community'.

March 27th, Victoria.

Minister of Education Shirley Bond presenting Brent Cameron, Kathleen Forsythe

and Michael Maser with 'Certificates of Recognition' acknowledging our work

in pioneering SelfDesign Learning Community and for having won a

2006 'Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence'.

We feel this moment also represents a culmination of hopes, dreams, risks and accomplishments

of so many parents working in loving support of their child's learning interests.

As well, our award can be considered a significant validation of home-based learning.

Thank You! to the SelfDesign community, present and past, and to the pioneers

who came before us for helping make this happen.

"It is only when children are accepted as they are,

with their unique gifts and limits, when they are listened to and respected,

that they will be able later on to accept others."

- Jean Vanier, 'On Becoming Human'

March 27th, Victoria

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell co-presenting

Brent Cameron, Michael Maser and Kathleen Forsythe with 'Certificates of Recognition

for Outstanding Contribution to Public Education'.

• February 2007

• Contacting Minister of Education wrt SelfDesign-style program for teens, 15 - 17 years

- In late January we sent Minister of Education Shirley Bond a proposal and request to support a SelfDesign-style program for teens, 15 - 17 years. We have not yet received a response, but considering the points advanced in the government Throne Speech of February 13th, it appears very timely to urge you to contact the Minister directly. Below are included some key points, verbatim, from the recent Throne speech, pertinent to about adding more choices and more flexibility for kids. That's what we're asking for, government support for a program grounded in more choice and flexibility.

If you craft a letter, we would ask that you consider referring to our proposal, to the points below, to your own situation. We also suggest referring to how the Independent Schools department has extended itself to support and assist our program to date, for which we are grateful. It strikes us as highly unfair that the Ministry is denying young people the opportunity to continue in a program of their choice. If you write a letter would you kindly cc it to the SelfDesign Executive.

the Minister's contact address is:

Honourable Shirley Bond

Minister of Education

Government of British Columbia

minister.educ@gov.bc.ca

Excerpts from Government Throne Speech, February 13, pertinent to Education

• We need to improve to meet the needs of students who are failing to complete.

• This year, new steps will be taken to lift our students to higher levels of achievement.

• These reforms will be focused on improving quality, choice, and accountability.

• New legislation will be introduced to broaden the mandate of school boards, as reflected in a new title: Boards of Education.

• Amendments to the School Act will also be introduced to enable boards to offer "special academies" upon the approval of school planning councils and consultation with parents.

• More choice and flexibility will be encouraged to better meet student needs.

• Amendments will be introduced to broaden the Education Minister's capacity to create provincial schools and offer more choice in learning.

• Provincial schools will offer new choices in curricula, new course content, and new demonstration schools better tailored to unique student needs.

• These new provincial schools will build on the virtual school that is now serving over 16,000 students provincewide.

• January 15th, 2007

"When learning is curiosity-based, discovery-driven, and mentor-supported,

it is almost always effective, and the majority of what is actually learned is predictable

and rarely ever includes unwanted triggers and behaviors."

- Daniel Janik, MD; 'Unlock the Genius Within’

• December 15th, 2006

SelfDesign named as Winner of 2006 Prime Minister's Award!

SelfDesign Learning Community was contacted this week as a winner of a 2006 'Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Achievement'.

SelfDesign co-founders Brent Cameron, Kathleen Forsythe and Michael Maser, named as recipients of the award, acknowledge the efforts of many people who have contributed to the development of SelfDesign and its efforts to provide leading-edge learning services. Begun in 2002 SelfDesign is certified as a category 1, internet-based independent school in British Columbia.

"Receiving this award is a real honour and tribute to our colleagues, our very hard-working Learning Consultants, and the wonderful efforts of our learners and their families in our program," says Cameron, who founded the Wondertree Learning Centre and Wondertree Foundation for Natural Learning, the parent organization to SelfDesign, in 1983.

The Prime Minister’s Awards "are designed to honour the overall accomplishments of a single teacher or a team of up to three teachers. The awards recognize the efforts of outstanding educators in all disciplines at both the elementary and secondary levels who better equip their students with the skills needed to meet the challenges of a 21st century society and economy."

SelfDesign also congratulates these other British Columbia educators named as PM Award winners: Andrew Lum, North Delta Secondary School; Maryam Moayeri, West Vancouver Secondary School; Lorraine M. Baron, Mount Boucherie Secondary School, Kelowna; Briar Ballou, Handsworth Secondary School, North Vancouver; Linda Beaven, Summerland Secondary School; Sharon Conrad, Brookswood Secondary School Langley; James Cram, Ladysmith Secondary School; Don Hutchinson, Montgomery Middle School Coquitlam; Christina MacDonald, San Josef Elementary, Holberg; Janet Williams, MacKenzie Secondary School, MacKenzie

contact information: Brent Cameron, 970-372-1111 (Ft. Collins, Co); Michael Maser, 604-886-8783 (Gibsons); and Kathleen Forsythe through the SelfDesign office at 604-224-3640 (Vancouver);

for more information on the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence, go to: www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1437

• November 2006

SelfDesign Learning Community

(photo by Tim Fitzgerald)

"What people really want, if it doesn't sound too soppy, is to live their love. Every day! Eat things because they love them, share food because they love to be with people. Just live out of love, love for beauty, love for truth, love for children and animals. It is our nature to live expansively and generously, not cautiously and calculatingly."

- from an interview with Jean Liedloff, author of 'The Continuum Concept"

• October 2006

SelfDesign Learning Community 2006

"Learning and teaching unfold through time, space and place forming a path through life. It is a simple fact, basic to human nature yet, elegantly complicated in its expression. ... We have to facilitate our children and ourselves in that ancient journey to find our face (to understand our true character), to find our heart (to understand appreciate the passions that move and energize our life), to find a foundation (work that allows us to fully express our potential and our greatest fulfillment), and to become a complete man or woman (to find our Life and appreciate the spirit that moves us)."

- Gregory Cajete, 'Look to the Mountain'

Learning from the Master: Renowned native artist Bradley Hunt

sharing tips and strategies with SelfDesigners

• SelfDesign Chautauqua October 30th – November 5th

Get ready for our first Chautauqua of the year. As described in our Family Handbook, a ‘Chautauqua' conference is a week-long event, based in the SelfDesign Village, designed to share specialized knowledge and nurture discussion. When a Chatauqua is scheduled, anyone can offer to host a workshop or conference (for example, in ‘nurturing reading’ or ‘beginning guitar’ or ‘raising animals’) and people interested in that particular conference/workshop agree to participate. Our past Chatauquas have reflected the abundant knowledge and creativity among our learners and families. They’re fun!

• September 2006

SelfDesign Learning Community 2006

love is a place yes is a world

& through this place of & in this world of

(with brightness of peace) (skillfully curled)

all places all worlds.

- ee cummings, 'Love is a place'

What an inspiring poem by ee cummings, reminding us that September in SelfDesign is a month of YES! shaped by our love for our children. In September we say YES! to supporting learning guided by enthusiasm, wonder and delight. Like any authentic adventure worth embracing, our SelfDesigning is also characterized by mystery and not-knowing what lies in the future. Of course it's also perfectly natural to feel some trepidation as you renew your family's commitment to SelfDesigning, or if you are beginning it anew. After all, if we already knew what our learning journeys had in store for us, then how would we grow and learn through our journeying?! Notwithstanding the 'potholes' that will surely come your way through your SelfDesigning we urge you to be optimistic at the outset of your journey. Optimism, says Dr. Martin Seligman in his remarkable book, Learned Optimism, How to change your mind and your life, is good for us, it's more fun, and it will empower you and your children with a greater sense of resiliency when being challenged.

With the arrival of this newsletter (which we will provide to you monthly, throughout the year) we hope that you and your family are off to a successful and satisfying start on your year.

SelfDesign completes August workshop-training for Learning Consultant team

In anticipation of the start of its 5th year of operation in British Columbia, SelfDesign recently completed a workshop-training for its Learning Consultant team nearby to Gibsons on BC's Sunshine Coast.

This year's 'Collaboratory' featured comprehensive training for 18 new Learning Consultants joining the SelfDesign team and a very enjoyable gathering with approximately 30 experienced Learning Consultants returning to work in the program. New procedures were reviewed, especially a new way of paying for family learning resources and services, and many exciting discussions and presentations on nurturing learning rounded out the 4-day event.

Much thanks to Scouts Canada for use of Camp Byng for our retreat, as well as to many supporting family members who helped make this event the success it was.

SelfDesign, an innovative, online Independent school certified in the province of British Columbia, values and validates holistic, emergent learning. For the coming year SelfDesign is anticipating enrolling approximately 450 learners in its BC-based program.

Hope to see everybody again in 2007!