THE WHAT: WHAT IS CONNECTIONS?

Connections is a group of 10 students (gender and grade specific) led by a CVCA staff member, who meet regularly in a safe and supportive environment to discuss age-appropriate issues, one time a week for 40 minutes before or after chapel.

THE WHY: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CONNECTIONS?

• Create a place of community and openness where there is increased learning and growing relationships for our students with their peers, teachers, parents, and mentors.

• Connections is meant to provide each student at CVCA with the opportunity for an increased spiritual formation and mentoring relationship.

• Connections is meant to provide every student with a teacher that can serve as an advocate and advisor throughout his/her time at CVCA.

• Connections is designed to be a place where we “break the silence” regarding issues of life and spiritual formation while encouraging discussion with parents, friends, and mentors.

THE HOW: HOW WILL GROUPS BE FORMED?

We are working to be as strategic as possible in the formation process and give students some autonomous choice as groups are launched. Thus, students will have the opportunity to list several friends who they would like to be connected with in their group-life experience. Our goal is to match each student with one friend.

THE WHEN: WHEN WILL CONNECTIONS GROUPS LAUNCH?

• Chap Clark Hurt/Connections Concept and Philosophical Development
• Summer Curriculum Writing (Summer 2009)
• Pilot Groups (2009-2010 School Year)
• Staff Training (May and August 2010)
• Chapel Promo (May 20, 2010)
• Group Launch (Fall 2010 – Thursdays opposite Chapel)