In the age of “LOL” and “:)” some might argue the art of writing is being erased, but one school is focusing on the importance of the pen, or the keyboard, as a life skill.
Brown School, a non-sectarian independent school in Schenectady, is preparing to launch a community writing center for all students throughout the Capital District. Initial efforts will focus on serving area students, with its teacher Annu Subramanian leading the effort, but Head of School Patti Vitale said she hopes to expand the program to also include adults looking to sharpen or enhance their skills.
“I think it is very important for Brown School to be a part of the community,” Vitale said. “I want us to expand our ways and be more of a school to the community and not just here Monday through Friday from eight to three.”
The Brown School Writing Center will open this summer and offer programs including preparation for standardized testing, college admissions and other writing courses. Also, the center could help someone learning English as a second language.
“Communication is a very important of a student’s ability to be independent in society,” Subramanian said. “We can take them up and build their skills, so they can present their thoughts and skills and proposals in a better way, whether it is a job or a college course, they can shine.”
Allowing students to be confident in their writing allows them to be more successful not only in high school and college but throughout life, she said.
Vitale said the school still teaches elementary students how to write business letters even though the technology landscape is changing forms of communication. She said there is a “certain skill” that goes along with emailing, too.
Subramanian said sometimes there are students wanting to try out or excel in creative writing, so offering a mentoring program through the center would allow students the opportunity.
“A student can always benefit from supplementary instruction,” she said. “One-on-one instruction sometimes helps some students better than a classroom environment.”
Vitale said the writing center also allows the school to stay connected with graduates and their needs.
“They can look at us as a place to always kind of come home for additional support and help,” Vitale said. “The people who really know them as learners and writers can help them with their writing needs.”
One student is already taking advantage off the services Subramanian is planning to offer at the writing center.
Zaina Siraj, an eighth-grade student at Brown School, is working on a book for young Muslim girls to help them with problems they might face in everyday life.
“As a Muslim, I personally have experienced hardships in school and outside of it, such as not fitting in or being different,” Siraj said. “I want to be able to tell those young Muslim girls that they are not alone and that they don’t need to feel put down or ashamed.”
She said Subramanian has helped her edit her writing and also offers ideas when she gets stuck.
“I feel that the writing center would be a great way to help bring writers to a place where they can feel comfortable in sharing their ideas and making them become reality,” Siraj said.
Subramanian has a background in technical writing and business writing, but she has also authored two books. Her first novel, “Waiting for the Perfect Dawn,” began as a thesis for her graduate program at Union College, which focused on diversity and cultural issues.
Subramanian was chosen as one of four national finalists by the Norman Mailer Writing Center. Also, she received the Educator of Excellence Award from the New York State English Council in 2011.
The writing center will be open to all students Monday to Friday in the summer during the day, with the hour still to be determined. During the school year it will be open after school.
“If we see a need we can adjust the hours later on,” Subramanian said.
There would be a fee for students outside of the Brown School to utilize the center, but keeping the center affordable is important, Vitale said.
“There are a lot of tutoring programs that are very expensive and I think we have to be aware, especially in this economy, we have to meet people at their levels,” Vitale said.
For information on the writing center call Brown School at 370-0366 or visit www.brownschool.org.