Posted on 01/01/2007 6:08:37 AM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
The administrative office in Fulmore Middle School is probably the last place anybody would expect to see a tiny crystal hanging from the ceiling. But the spinning object isn't just for show at the Central Austin school: It's good feng shui. Stacy Davenport, a feng shui consultant, has spent the past two months bringing the basics of the ancient Chinese philosophy to the campus grounds, offices and classrooms. Feng shui emphasizes using space and colors as a way to achieve harmony with the environment.
The crystal on the office ceiling is meant to deflect energy. The back wall is painted red to activate vision. Wind chimes both inside and outside the office "help to bring song into the space," she said. Davenport was asked to donate her services by a friend, Ellen Miller, who volunteered at the school through the Austin Rotary Club. Another feng shui devotee, Miller said she encountered a lot of negative energy at the school last year. "The energy was so bad and down," she said. "Now, it's heading uphill." Students and teachers painted two main areas of the administrative offices and cleaned the entire school: hallways, cafeteria, bathroom and 75 classrooms.
"Schools have so much more different kinds of energy," Davenport said while strolling the grounds one recent afternoon. "Plus, (kids) are so sensitive. If you shift the energy, they'll feel it." Yolanda Melendez, a sixth-grade teacher, incorporated information about feng shui into a lesson about Asia. She also reorganized her classroom, moving her desk to the "power" area in the back, decorating her room with purple and green accents and putting pictures in a corner, meant to emphasize a connection to others. She said the change has been good. "I totally believe in feng shui," Melendez said. "I believe it's made a difference to the attitude of students and the overall atmosphere of the school."
Counselor Jeffrey Healey agrees. "When people put forth the effort and energy, you see a change in the staff," he said. Davenport said she sees a larger benefit to the seemingly small changes: "You're touching over 1,100 people immediately here, and then there's the rippling effect into the community." Davenport hopes to work with six schools annually. In addition to Fulmore, she has donated time to St. Stephen's Episcopal School. She plans to start at American YouthWorks and the University of Texas Elementary School in the spring.
Austin. 'Nuff said.
MMTU--you forgot the barf bag warning!
Watch the Penn & Teller "Bullsh#t" on Feng Shui.
They bring 3 "experts" in to Feng Shui a house, each of the frauds gives a diffrent answer. Their off camera comments are hilarious ( one guy " the place still looks like sh#t). And they all basically are selling expensive furniture and doodads. It was a riot.
Sounds like a lot more fun than "readin, ritin, and rithmatik"! But you still wont be able to read your diploma.
barbra ann
Just be sure none of the faculty are seen wearing crosses,
and that nobody says "Merry Christmas!"
That would be bad juju. . .
With deep knee bendings, belly scrapings, libations and prostrate pleadings of forgiveness, I repent.
Batavia's personal Feng Shui: Plant cactus in full sun and azaleas in shade; flush toilet and put seat back down.
While religion and respect are banned from classrooms, school administrators embrace blatant superstition. Santeria, anyone? Animal sacrifice is multicultural.
Feng Shui is for GULLIBLE IDIOTS!!
My Daddy (God bless his soul) always said to tell the truth no matter how much it hurt.
So, Stacy, I don't mean to do you harm, but let's get real shall we?
But you still wont be able to read your diploma.
Coming to a school near you, Pictoplomas. Yes, now even the average public school graduate will be able to tell what's on his diploma.
Penn and Teller did a hilarious takedown of Feng Shui in their excellent series entitled "Bulls---". BTW, their expose on bottled water was equally hilarious.
No doubt!! But hey, it FEEEEEELS good and it's for the children, doncha know?
Good grief. Next thing you know they'll have children praying and reading from their Bibles at recess. This corruption of our children's minds has got to stop! /
Did you check out her web site?
"Hand Analysis Consultations"
What rubbish. How about she can analyze my foot up her ass!
Multicultural perhaps, but not catholic ((that's a test)). My culture doesn't practice animal sacrifice. Impoverished cultures practice animal sacrifice.
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people ought to be armed where they will, with wits and guns. NRA KMA
Yeah, but try to say that the Emperor of conservative talk radio has no clothes as he prates of homeopathy.
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people ought to be armed where they will, with wits and guns. NRA KMA
The school needs to be sued to remove her.
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