SelfDesign LifeShift 7: Gateways Program

We were talking about this at the beach today, so I thought I would put some info on here for others to look at. I see in this letter, which I missed from back in May, that it says that there is going to be a Kelowna Learning Circle. However, the letter I received from the LC in Nelson says there is only one in Nelson. (If anyone wants more info I can email you the attachment that came with this letter from Barbarah Nicoll detailing the program)

Dear Families of SelfDesign 13 & 14 yr old learners,

We imagine that you are enjoying the summer, reveling in this beautiful province where we all live. At SelfDesign we are also enjoying the out breath of summer, while still working on a few projects that are dear to

our hearts.

One of these projects is our Gateways Pilot Project for 13 and 14 year old learners. You may have already heard about this via a Village announcement, and we wanted to follow-up with this short email to

ensure that you are aware and invited to consider if this is a fit for your family.

Gateways is a pilot initiative of SelfDesign to invite young people aged 13 and 14 to move more deeply in to their own personal ‘selfdesigning’ while learning together with others who share their interests and

passions. We feel this approach will support learners as they move towards more independence in their learning, something that they can fully pursue as they turn 15 and move into SelfDesign High.

The Idea

In the Gateways program, learners will create both an individual learning plan for the year and will work with a group of other learners to identify activities and projects to do together.

A Gateways LC and/or Mentor(s) will provide team support for the group, for both individual learner’s plans and group project plans. The group learning will influence and support the individual learning plan.

Gateways is being offered in two forms: a province wide online group and learning circles in centres where there are 6 or more learners who wish for this.

We have learning circles that will meet face to face forming in Nelson and in Kelowna. There is also interest in Victoria and Nanaimo.

If you are interested please email Barbarah Nicoll at barbarahnicoll@selfdesign.org

I have attached our Gateways Information Letter with more information and FAQ’s if you are interested.

With a sincere wish for a glorious summer for us all,

• Barbarah Nicoll . Vice Principal SelfDesign High & Kathleen Forsythe, Vice Principal SelfDesign k-9


SelfDesign Gateways Pilot Project