“The premise is that it’s another space and place to connect with each other,” Activities Director Brooke Slayton said. “They have fun, they laugh, they respect each other and tell stories.”
The one-hour second period activity starts by “breaking bread” with each other -- in this case not bread, but donuts -- and moves on to ice breakers and smaller circles of students who ASB leaders lead through a series of eight to 12 questions. The questions for discussion may range from a starter question about favorite foods to deeper questions, such as about the students’ biggest fears and struggles on campus.
One hope is that students will learn to develop listening skills, which Mrs. Slayton said were damaged by the time away from school during Covid distance learning. To help students understand that they need to stop and listen to others, students pass around a “talking piece” so they pause to listen carefully to the person whose turn it is to talk. Mrs. Slayton said it is hoped that friendships develop from the circles, or students may find a new person or two to say hello to while passing in the halls during passing periods or in the quad at lunch.
Students may be nominated by staff to participate, or they may scan a QR code posted on campus, found in Daily Announcements or Liberty 101 and are open until about three days prior to the event to volunteer to be part of the quarterly activity.
Mrs. Slayton said the Listening Circles are becoming part of the Liberty culture, adding, “Hopefully we can grow the program to 100 or so students in the next year.”