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Our town

Recent Activity

As many of you know, Philo is in its infancy. We are still in the garage so to speak, but we are an ambitious team and have accomplished quite a bit in the past months. Overall, we have taken the time to better articulate our mission and improve our approach in general. In recent activity, we have partnered with a handful of local social organizations and we are not stopping there. In terms of our website, we have taken steps to increase usability and host relevant information. Check up on our inititives or get informormed about our new goals by utilizing our website, newsletter, podcast, or social media outlets and remember, #PhiloOn

Hamilton Research Wrap-up

As Aug. closes so does our in classroom research at Hamilton. This marks complete the first stage of our plan to create a lesson that utilizes films to teach about cultures and media literacy. Due to an honest dialog and collaborative spirit Hamilton has allowed Philo to truly gain insight into our established objectives; to familiarize ourselves with the 5th grader mentality, understand how culturally diverse classrooms are and observe day to day digital media habits. Further, Philo has solidified its position at Hamilton as a resource, friend, and committed agency.

Through hours of immersion Andrew, Philo's Rn'D was able to follow 5th graders through their day to day lives at school. Participating in everything from math to recess he discovered that diversity extends far beyond cultural boundaries in a 5th grade classroom. With each day of research the nuances between children revealed themselves. Understanding these differences coupled with charting the cultural diversity of the classroom is vital to building a plan that resonates with students.

Ultimately, saying goodbye was hard for both Andrew and the kids, but the surprise Goodbye party sponsored by the 5th graders softened the blow; that or the Twix candy presented as gifts.

Please look on pg. for special thanks to Hamilton staff

Ode to My Defense Mechanisms

(pictured below, furthest right)

Philo would like to shout out Erin Nistler. Erin Nistler is a Philo sponsored artists who has created many original works for the organization. But, of course, our space is not the only place she hangs her work. Her piece called "Ode to My Defense Mechanisms," featured in last month’s newsletter, recently decorated the walls of the Minnesota State Fair.

Her piece is "about how women defend themselves against physical and verbal advances of men. It's easy for a cactus, far more complex, and often ineffective, for a woman. It’s about how cacti can tell you "don't even think about touching me, not even on the shoulder oh my god!" Without using words. It's about how women will tiptoe around conversation instead of saying "back off" because of they do, a man may turn violent."

Erin Elizabeth Nistler of St. Paul deserves a shout-out for the candid humor of “Ode to My Defense Mechanisms,” a self-portrait in which she depicts herself as a spiky, green-skinned cactus crowned with red blossoms and big blue ear studs. ~ Star Tribune