Louisa May Alcott was spot on when she said, “It takes two flints to make a fire.” That is why we truly enjoy opportunities to collaborate with members of our community, especially when it comes to educational opportunities for students of the Monomoy Regional School District. So, when we were asked to work with the schools to help engage the community in a discussion about “Deeper Learning,” we were on board and ready share the excitement for this novel approach to learning.

Prior to Covid-19, the Chatham Elementary School was selected as one of only 21 schools in the state to participate in The Kaleidoscope Collective For Learning’s pilot program dedicated to rethinking education through the “Deeper Learning” model. This model brings innovation to the classroom, engages the whole community in learning, and redefines education so that it comes to life for every student.

As part of the district’s continued exploration of this learning and teaching model, community members, educators, and students in grades 8 through 12 are invited to read In Search Of Deeper Learning: The Quest To Remake The American High School by Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine and to participate in a library-led book discussion scheduled for Saturday, March 27th at 3:00 pm via Zoom. This book discussion is meant to foster an exchange of impressions and ideas and to prepare for the author’s live, virtual visit on April 28th at 6:30 pm.

Books are available in several formats through the EPL and should be read (or listened to) prior to the book discussion meet-up. Registration for the book discussion group is required through the Library’s Calendar of Events. Once that discussion group is full, we will offer an additional program date(s) for registrants on the waiting list to accommodate the community’s interest in this important topic. For further information or questions, contact Tammy DePasquale at tdepasquale@clamsnet.org or Meghan Kemp at mkemp@clamsnet.org.

Tammy DePasquale, Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services