An exciting way of learning and a chance to productively extend the school day for the benefit of students as well as their parents are favored magnet themes for the New Lebanon Elementary School in Byram.

"To see that by the time they (students) leave the fifth grade, that they will have the tools to be engaged in a very animated discourse, to have the skills to be engaged in an oral argument," said New Lebanon Principal Gene Nyitray, "That was what was so intriguing for us."

Nyitray was reporting to Superintendent Betty Sternberg and the Board of Education (BOE) the latest findings of his Magnet School Committee at last Thursday week's monthly BOE meeting at Cos Cob School.

Nyitray's committee had observed children engaged in a Paideia- styled seminar at the Yonkers PS 24 School in Yonkers, N.Y., wherein the children were engaged in a dialogue. "The students listen to a question and learn what their peers are thinking and saying," he said, "and the kindergarten kids are saying yes I agree with X's answer because "

Nyitray said his committee had first focused on adopting the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program that is the theme of The International School at Dundee (ISD). The IB program aims to

Advertisement
develop inquiring youngsters through intercultural understanding and respect. "But then we discovered Paideia," said Nyitray.

Members of his group had attended the annual National Paideia Conference in Chapel Hill, N.C., and learned about the Paideia Project - a Socratic form of teaching created by renowned educator Mortimer Adler. Adler's philosophy was that "All learning is active not passive," said Nyitray, "It involves using the mind, not the memory."

Paideia comes from the Greek word for "upbringing."

The committee had also seen Paideia at work at a magnet school in Bridgeport, called The Classical Studies. Amy Rose, New Leb. first grade teacher and Committee member had liked their before and after school programs. "They would be good for the emotional, physical and educational growth of our children," she said. "The kids could attend yoga, and dance programs, and cooking." Having "a more structured program," she said, "would enhance our best prospects."

A survey sent out to the Byram community had indicated a strong interest for an after-school enrichment program as many of the parents are working.

"And did I mention we are just off Exit 2 and a 10-minute walk for the Port Chester station," said Nyitray, emphasizing the school's handy location for commuters.

Could the Socratic educative style be combined with an IB theme, queried board member Dr. Susan Ellis.

"Yes," said Nyitray, "we have considered this." His committee could combine "an A or B (theme) or an AB or a BA," he said, but in the end, "The teachers will have an important part in this final step."

BOE member Jonathan Cohen, having heard the Socratic approach in action with kindergarten students, quipped that "We could borrow one of those kindergartners for our budget process."

Nyitray believed the themes they were considering "will appeal to all kids in Greenwich to consider New Leb as an attractive alternative school."

Once the theme is chosen, the next step will be to set up teacher training in the fall to give teachers a year to train and "and do their planning," said Nyitray.