What does it mean to be a good neighbor?

A new Norwich Historical project to better understand the community

I am sharing this announcement from Sarah Rooker of the Norwich historical Society.

You may have seen a whole bunch of fences out front at NHS. They are creating a community weaving project with Marion Cross and then the entire school. It's going to be in the Valley News on Sunday.  Kids will be outside at NHS at 9:15 on Friday continuing their weaving. Every child at Marion Cross has discussed and written about what it means to be a good neighbor. They have written their responses onto strips of fabric and now they are being woven into a giant woven fence art piece.  I'll be sharing their thoughts about what it means to be a good neighbor on the listserv over Thanksgiving and the community will be invited to add their own thoughts. Fabric will be available on our front porch all next week. 

Sarah

Sarah Rooker, Director
Norwich Historical Society277 Main Street / P.O. Box 1680Norwich, VT 05055
802-649-0124
www.norwichhistory.org

26. The Good Neighbor Project: Weaving Community Together
From: Sarah Rooker <sarah@norwichhistory.org>
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2022 23:59:00 -0500

This fall, Norwich 6th graders visited the historical society several
times to engage with the exhibit, "Mending the Spaces Between."  In
addition to a historical study, students also explored the local
artists’ responses, considering how art can bring healing, activate
conversations, and inspire change. Students then engaged in their own
art project that asked them to consider what it means to be a good
neighbor and then brought their thoughts together into a woven art
piece.

Thinking about being good neighbors helps us step back and see
ourselves in context.  For the 6th graders, the project was a chance
to help create a new expression of a better way - and to be leaders!
They explained the Good Neighbors project to younger students, and led
them through every step. School librarian, Jillian Van Ells, shared an
inspiring story about neighbors who enjoy and share with one another
with the school, and the 6th graders led their community groups in
brainstorming about ways we can all be good neighbors to one another:
helping, respecting, being friendly and kind to one another.  Then
they helped younger students inscribe these cloth strips with their
ideas. After two visits to the historical society, they were able to
weave all their ideas onto a 100' fence.

Many thanks to the volunteers who provided fabric, cut fabric into
strips,  supported the students on the weaving days, and designed
banners and signage. Pam Smith cut hundreds of strips of fabric from
her stash. Thank you! Thanks to the Norwich Rec department for
providing fencing. It was so fun to collaborate with Leslie Dustin and
Caitlin Eastman at school.

Add your voice!

Over Thanksgiving week, discuss with your family what it means to be a
good neighbor. Write your ideas onto a 3 1/2" wide strip of cloth,
using a black waterproof marker. Bring your cloth down to the
historical society and weave it onto the fence. Share your words by
clicking the button below.

No fabric? No worries! There is a tub of fabric strips, markers, and a
notebook for recording your thoughts sitting on our front porch.

This is a project for Thanksgiving week. This pop-up art will
disappear in about 10 days!

Here are a few words of wisdom from the students about being good neighbors:

Be respectful, not loud
Share with neighbors
Introducing yourself, saying hi
Share food
Keep your yard clean
Invite your neighbors over to meals
Take care of their pets if they’re away
Go shopping for them if they’re sick




--
Sarah Rooker, Director
Norwich Historical Society
277 Main Street / P.O. Box 1680
Norwich, VT 05055
802-649-0124
www.norwichhistory.org