Flex Block

Flex Block

Flex Block is a relaxed, student-centered block designed for teens to connect, create, and pursue their own interests. Each quarter--or even each week--may look a little different, with a mix of student-led clubs, creative projects, and open studio time.

Students might:

• Join or help lead a student-led club based on a shared interest

• Work independently or with friends in our Maker Studio, with access to art supplies, LEGO, and other creative materials

• Start a group-project, create or play a game, or work on something of their own choosing

• Hang out and socialize in a relaxed, supervised setting with an added option of participating in the adult-monitored FlexChat mid-week for planning & communicating about FlexBlock.

Flex Block is intentionally less structured than a traditional class, while still providing a welcoming environment, adult supervision, and clear expectations for respectful community participation.

Have an idea for a club or project? Bring it! Flex Block is partly what students make of it.

DETAILS:

• Students register for Flex Block by quarter so that fellow students know they won't show up to an empty Block! Unlike other courses, Flex Block can be joined at any time during the quarter.

• Students must be 12 years old to hang out on the Block past 1:15 pm.

• Flex Block carries a small fee to help keep our "Maker Studio" stocked, help pay for room rental & paid supervision, registration software & group facilitating.

• Once registration closes, any clubs that require pre-planning will register from the Flex Block roster via email.

• Flex Block will also include the ability to communicate via an adult-monitored "Google Group" (similar to a private group forum/e-mail thread) during the week called "FlexChat." Here, students can share club ideas, make plans, ask questions, show off projects, and stay connected between meetings. It is simple to use online using just an email address.

There are strict policies in place surrounding FlexChat:

• At least one Harmony adult is the admin of the group and can see the entire conversation.

• The space is for Flex Block-related socializing and planning, not general social media.

• Parents give permission for participation and voluntarily become group "managers" who have complete access to the group and all messages but are expected to refrain from posting or messaging.

• All posts originate by default from the group email address to users' emails private, OR users can opt to use their personal email.

• There is no direct/private messaging possible--all interaction is public.

• Kind, respectful, appropriate communication is expected, just as it would be in-person at Harmony.

• Only currently registered members of Harmony FlexBlock may access the FlexChat.

• Harmony reserves the right to remove any student or adult from the chat if needed