Ladies and gentlemen,
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address some words to you in this International Dalton Conference. The theme of my speech concerns the 7 basic assumptions of the Modern Dalton School. Most of the time I will speak to you in English. I apologize for my poor Czech.

During the 45 minutes of my speech you have the opportunity to listen, to think, to watch a video and to communicate with some of your neighbors.

summary
What is a Modern Dalton School?

1.       The Modern Dalton School educates pupils and students to free citizens with the freedom of speech.
          They learn to:
                            ·         Respect themselves
                            ·         Respect others
                            ·         Be responsible for their own behavior.

This means that in a Modern Dalton School there is much emphasis on the pedagogical goals and objectives of education. Besides, all of these educational goals for pupils should also be the goals for the teachers and other members of the staff themselves.

2.       In a Modern Dalton School are basic needs for children:

·         Pupils are connected with their teachers and the other pupils:
     “I am being loved.”

·         The pupils feel competent:
     “I am capable of doing something already.”

·         The pupils have (some) autonomy and can take decisions by themselves:
     “I am allowed to do and decide (some things) on my own.”

3.       Connectedness is for human beings very important. It is a basic need.
         We are very socially orientated.
        A school is not only a place where you can learn to learn, but also can learn to live. Together with the
        others.
 

        In front of you is a paper with a little task: find someone who …
        would you be so kind to fulfill this task? You can start now.

Assignment

·         Find someone who likes classical music or plays and instrument.
·         Find someone who is born in Brno.
·         Find someone who likes to read. What was the last book she or he read?
·         Find someone who likes to cook. Is there a speciality.

By asking questions like this you make connections with your neighbors and feel more ‘at home’. You can do something like this in your class, school or office.

4.       It is my opinion that while it is important to learn to live in a school, pupils and students should be           responsible for the procedures and the way we work and live together.
          For instance:
                        ·         By asking the pupils suggestions for the interior of the classroom and the school.
                        ·         By giving them responsibilities for an orderly surrounding and atmosphere
                        ·         By making older pupils mentor of younger ones.

Pupils and students can do much more than we think. From the age of 10, pupils can even act as a mediator for conflicts between pupils. You will see a video now, talking us to a peaceable basic school in the Netherlands. In this school the pupils have learned to solve conflicts themselves. Please pay special attention to the social end emotional skills of the mediator.

In front of you, you will find the Czech translation of the conversation.

Maybe you need it.

Film / video  (app. 10 minutes)

The mediators on the film did not learn these skills in a few weeks. It took months. Besides that all the children in the school have learned to prevent conflicts and to solve conflicts successfully.  By teaching them these skills, we can hopefully also add a little to a peaceable world.

5.       A Modern Dalton School offers an inspiring surrounding and atmosphere. Inspiration           starts with inspiring teachers. Teachers who dare to show what inspires them! This
          can be music, collecting stamps, drama, communication or taking care of the elderly.

          Only by means of our inspiration can children really learn to learn and learn to live.

 6.      The Modern Dalton School needs not only a new partnership with pupils ands
           students, but also with the parents. Too often are the objectives and expectations
           vague and implicit. Our pupils and students need guidance and role models. Too many
           children have to find out life by themselves.

 The school needs a communication plan. This plan explains the parents clearly (oral, written and by modern media) what the mission of the school is and what behaviour is expected from the parents and the pupils.        

                        7.       In a Modern Dalton School pupils / students learn proper behavior to learn and to
                                  live. But beliefs are also taught. They direct our behavior and inspire others and
                                  ourselves.

Basic beliefs are for me:
·         I can take responsibilities
·         I am a free man / woman
·         I can learn from others
·         I am connected with others.

The most important belief that we can give to our pupils / students is that they own the qualities to shape their life’s.

They are the directors of their own happiness. I hope you are too.

Thank you for your attention.
I wish you and inspiring life!

Drs. Ger Roos
Vice-director of School Advisory Center Utrecht (SAC) The Netherlands