A Word from the Wise

"A word of wisdom is just enough to get a kid in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade to start thinking. It's more than a bumper sticker or refrigerator magnet and less than a sermon. . . ."

Cathy Runyon
September 17, 2002 
Grand Valley Advance
Hudsonville, Michigan

"A Word from the Wise"

Wisdom comes from many sources - Plato, Aesop, Solomon, and Jiminy Cricket.

Jiminy Cricket?

"Jiminy Cricket," said Dave Powers. "He said, 'Always let your conscience be your guide.' That's wise."

A word of wisdom is just enough to get a kid in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade to start thinking. It's more than a bumper sticker or refrigerator magnet and less than a sermon.

"We began this last year," said Riley Street Middle School Principal Rich Kornoelje. "Over the course of the year, we had far fewer disciplinary referrals, and more people on our special honor roll." Based on feedback from teachers and students, he said, Project Wisdom was a factor in the improved school atmosphere.

This year Powers launched the program at Baldwin Street Middle School.

"We were always looking for anything to increase our school climate," said Powers. The one-minute Project Wisdom videos reinforce other visuals in the building designed to make kids feel safe and welcome.

Project Wisdom, a for-profit company based in Bellaire, Texas, is one of several special programs nationwide designed to build character and values into the students learning experience. Billed as "a daily pause for reflection on life's larger issues," Project Wisdom is now in use in about 7,000 schools.

This year's worth of messages consists of a few sentences inspired by some nugget of wisdom literature. Sources come from many cultures, and focus on values such as achievement, courage, diversity, education, forgiveness, freedom, generosity, gossip, honesty, manners, leadership, patience, and respect. They all end with this admonition. "Make it a great day, or not…the choice is yours."

Administrators who buy the program agree to use the material exactly as written. At Hudsonville's two new middle schools where technology is available, delivering the information through daily TV broadcasts made the most sense. Students volunteer to read, and are given the material in advance so they can practice. They carry the bulk of the airtime, but sometimes teachers, administrators, or people from the community are invited to read.

"The pieces are pre-printed, and must be read as printed and not embellished. We've had good success with that. We've had no problem with that," said Kornoelje.

One day this week, students at Riley Street will hear eighth grader Josh Zimmerman read inspirational tidbits based on "He who asks a question is a fool for a moment. He who never asks a question is a fool forever," a saying of Confucius, reinforced by the Danish Proverb, "Better to ask twice than to lose your way." With five other volunteers, Josh went to the school's "TV studio," a bare room with a video camera and I-Book for edition, to be filmed.

Another Riley Street reader, Rachel Brookhouse, said students enjoy the peer broadcast, even though they joke about it.

Specifically, it's Project Wisdom, the student-delivered Hudsonville character education program that's getting plenty of praise.

When the dose of positive thinking and values education is delivered via the TV screen by their fellow students, it is even more attractive.

"When we see someone (on the screen), we mock them, but then we have to do it, too," she said. Her favorite episode in last year's daily broadcasts was one read by a teacher, Connie Brady, whose message was on modesty.

"It said the way you dress shows what you are inside," said Rachel.

Powers said the two middle schools stress three main values - to do the right thing, to do your best, and to treat others as you would like them to treat you. Those values are taught as a foundation for life as well as school. Last year, Powers said, staff and teachers tried to come up with quotes to pass along to students. "This is much more organized."

The material is not religion in disguise, Powers said.

"It's really removed from anything spiritual," said Powers, adding that the material is not connected to any particular religion. "It would be compatible even with secular humanism. It's about choices."

On the other side of the video camera is Riley Street technical director Dorothy Grotenhuis.

"Everything that has to do with technology kind of gets handed my way," said Grotenhuis. "Rich received information about the program though the mail, and approached me about it. We ordered the binder from Project Wisdom and started fumbling our way through it."

Grotenhuis said they began by having Riley Street staff read the material, but soon ran out of people. When student volunteers also ran short, she went to other sources. "I started going to elementary schools, and used former teachers. That turned out to be one of the students' favorite series," said Grotenhuis.

The student who drew the most applause was seventh grader Erin Snoeyink, whose tape was played last spring for the Board of Education in Kornoelje's presentation of the program. Snoeyink is blind. As students watch her read a Braille script about having a positive attitude, it made a big impression. Snoeyink will be back for a second appearance this fall. The irony, said Grotenhuis, is that she will not see her own broadcast.

"Probably some schools do it live, but we found it's best to tape it, "said Grotenhuis. She does only minimal editing but lets students have all the time they need to get it right. "So far, the record is 17 takes." Tapes are made on Friday morning, with minimal disruption of students class time, and air the following week.

Grotenhuis hopes to include more members of the community in the taped series. Those interested in contributing should contact the school.

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