Twelve helmeted heads turn in unison as Jamie Rohrbacher flashed by on a zip line through the redwoods. Submitted Photo
Twelve helmeted heads turned in unison as Jamie Rohrbacher flashed by on a zip line through the redwoods. Yazbeth Navarrete was next. They were part of a group of mothers, all volunteers and leaders at Flowery School, who had been invited to participate in a retreat day Nov. 27 at the Challenge Sonoma Ropes Course. The event was both an appreciation of these women’s commitment to the school and an opportunity for team building. The adrenaline-filled ride on the zip-line was the culminating experience of the day. The federal FLAP (Foreign Language Acquisition Program) Grant recently awarded the school paid for this opportunity.
These women give meaning to the wonderful term “co-madre” — literally, co-mother, a friend who is sharing with you the job of parenting. The group included PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) moms, along with teacher/translator, Alicia Sardoch.
Challenge Sonoma provided the perfect course leaders for this group. Longtime Flowery volunteer and grandparent Diana Rhoten worked with veteran retired Flowery teacher Jim Tonnery to facilitate one incredible activity after another.
The morning began with a game of “Steal the Witch” that pitted the team of moms against one of the course leaders. With cooperation, determination and a lot of laughter, the moms ultimately were victorious. From there the activities became progressively more demanding. Low ropes events required individuals to rise to challenges with the support and coordination of their teammates. Outfitted with harnesses and helmets in the afternoon, the Flowery group faced the high events with mixed feelings.
“I went in there with a lot of trepidation, and then it turned into the most beautiful and amazing experience I’ve ever had. I think it’s the group I was with and the encouragement and the love and support I felt that got me up that tree…twice!” said Jamie Rohrbacher.
Gathered afterward at the home of Flowery Dual Immersion Coordinator Justina Montano, the ropes course participants and leaders viewed a slide show of photos from the day while discussing the experience.
One mother commented that a powerful part of the retreat was building community between the two cultural groups.
“All the parents took risks and trusted others, some of whom they did not know well. I have great respect and admiration for the Latina moms with differing levels of English fluency,” she said. “They took a huge risk in coming to an event where they were unsure what was expected of them. They left their children at home to participate in an event with other Flowery parents to build community.”
Everyone was struck by the group’s willingness to take risks, communicate, support and trust one another across cultures and languages. “What a powerful gift to the school community, our children and ultimately the community of Sonoma,” remarked another mom. “They loved having a little of the experience which their children live daily in this dual immersion school, where all students learn in both Spanish and English. These “co-madres” hope that the ropes course retreat day becomes an annual tradition.
Flowery partners with the Adele Harrison Middle School dual immersion program to educate children for success in a global society.
