The Rookery

I am very happy to report that the Herons have set a new record.  We set out chairs for lunch in an astonishing 1minute, 52 seconds.  When we began the year, four minutes seemed a very fast pace.  Our new record caused such a celebration that a staff member came down from the 2/3s to see what was happening.  (To the right, you'll see the successful team holding the watch documenting their time.)

I'm sure that an outsider would have difficulty understanding how putting out chairs could have taken on the importance it has in the Herons.  But, if we frame it differently, the value becomes more apparent.  We had a system that needed to be optimized.  We studied the system and made refinements.  After each trial, we analyzed our results and made further changes to the system.  Classic engineering.

If we look at setting out chairs from a community development standpoint, the benefits are clear again.  We have a common goal that is impossible to achieve if we do not communicate.  Every person in the community is needed and valued; they each have different strengths that are crucial to the success of everyone.  As we achieve incremental success, our community strengthens and we celebrate together.

Finally, I personally believe that if one is asked to do something, one does it to the best of one's ability.  It is important to do work well.  This shared value is crucial in a progressive setting where we do not rely on external motivators like grades.  Our kids have to believe that working (and working hard) is simply what one does.  Sure, setting out chairs might not be something kids would choose independently.  But, it is something we have to do so we might as well have fun and do it well.  

In case you're curious — here are the tweaks the Herons put in place to achieve our lightning fast speed:

• Set chairs at the farthest tables from the source first.
• People who can carry many chairs should be the ones making trips into the closet, other people can set them around the tables.  This will cut down on traffic jams.
• Be careful, when chairs fall down, it costs a lot more time than if you spend a little while working more carefully.
• Open the chairs after the traffic has moved to a different area.
• Talk to each other so that everyone knows who needs chairs.
• Encourage each other.