THE POWER OF ORAL HISTORY STORYTELLING IN SCHOOLS

1. THE POWER OF ORAL HISTORY STORYTELLING IN SCHOOLS It only takes one generation to forget�.. Think of your own families. Who was the keeper of your family history? Our stories die with us. What stories, information, background would die with you? Our life is our journey, Our journey is our story, Our story is our legacy. A school is no different than a family. The richness of how a tradition began, the symbolism, names of key individuals who created programs, invested their hearts and souls into a particular aspect of the school, understanding context for a mission statement. Think of your own families. Who was the keeper of your family history? Our stories die with us. What stories, information, background would die with you? Our life is our journey, Our journey is our story, Our story is our legacy. A school is no different than a family. The richness of how a tradition began, the symbolism, names of key individuals who created programs, invested their hearts and souls into a particular aspect of the school, understanding context for a mission statement.

2. Presented at NCEA By Amy Luskey-Barth April 15, 2009

3. What Is Oral History? �The systematic collection of living people�s testimony about their experience.� -Judith Moyer Schools are made up of people. Schools are made up of people.

4. Why Oral History? To connect a school�s present with the past as a foundation for moving into the future To preserve and pass on a school�s identity for future generations If your school�s walls could talk, what would they say? Show excerpt from �Dead Poet�s Society�. Show excerpt from �Dead Poet�s Society�.

5. SOURCES Former students� scrapbooks and journals Yearbooks Archival newspapers Letters Interviews Library Show the copy of the scrap book by the pioneer class Look for the historian!Show the copy of the scrap book by the pioneer class Look for the historian!

6. HOW MANY WAYS ARE THERE TO TELL A STORY? - Chronological - Thematic - Non-linear Narrative - Point of View Testimonials

7. Chronological Time line Key historic events

8. Thematic Central Metaphor or Image Philosophy Statement Guiding Principles Mission Statement Central Question

9. Non-Linear Narrative Does not need to be chronological Think of the way a yearbook is organized: Academics Athletics Arts Activities Campus Ministry/Service

10. Point of View Testimonials Interviews with members of the school community Students Alumni Parents Faculty - past and present Coaches Benefactors Former Principals and Administrators Schools are made up of people. They each have a story to tell.Schools are made up of people. They each have a story to tell.

11. What Story Do You Want To Tell? Purpose- What do you want the take away to be? Celebration of an anniversary Orientation for new students and families Recruitment Development/Fund Raising Audience - Who are they?

12. Live Production Vs. DVD Presentation Theatrical performance /event integrated with multi-media presentation Considerations: Utilize students from choir, dance, drama. Staging and technical requirements of a stage production: lighting, sound, set Performance space DVD Considerations: Post-production editing

13. SERVITE PROVINCIAL �Voices That Matter� Told the story of key individuals who made a significant contribution to the development of the Servite Order in the United States. Chronological approach and point of view testimonials, quotes and narration delivered live. Source material: Archives and interviews. Photo Slide Show Audience: Opening of Provincial Meeting

14. TRI-SCHOOL THEATRE PROGRAM ENCORE: Anniversary Celebration of Theatre Program Chronological approach Highlighting award-winning shows Testimonials by former cast members Multi-media video excerpts of productions woven with the narrative Audience: Alumni

16. Rosary High School Royal Roots Thematic: Image of a tree The story was organized in a non-linear way according to the metaphors associated with a tree: Roots, Growth, Branches and Blossoms Testimonial Interviews were woven throughout each segment

17. ROOTS Image: Seeds The seeds of Rosary were planted by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange Topics: How Rosary High School got its name The beginnings - interviews with CSJ�s and alumnae from the pioneer class Show excerpt Chapters 4 4:58 - 5:43 7:30 - 9:20Show excerpt Chapters 4 4:58 - 5:43 7:30 - 9:20

18. ROOTS Image: Seeds The seeds of Rosary were planted by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange Topics: How Rosary High School got its name The beginnings - interviews with CSJ�s and alumnae from the pioneer class Show excerpt Chapters 4 4:58 - 5:43 7:30 - 9:20Show excerpt Chapters 4 4:58 - 5:43 7:30 - 9:20

19. GROWTH Image - The trunk of the tree - layers of bark This segment focused on the growth of programs, traditions, spiritual life, and academics. Topics included: Facilities The symbolism of the school crest Development of all school musical Red & Gold Campus Ministry Athletic Teams / Sports Show 19:38 - 20:26Show 19:38 - 20:26

20. BRANCHES Image - Branches of a tree This segment focused on Rosary�s outreach into the community and across the globe through the work of alumnae Show 57:11 - 59:25Show 57:11 - 59:25

21. BRANCHES Included recognition of alumni who have returned to the school as faculty and staff and alumni �parents� who sent their daughters to Rosary also. �Women of faith, raising women of faith.�

22. BLOSSOMS This segment focused on the vision for Rosary High School�s future Echoing the �Yes� Mary�s �Yes� The Sisters of St. Joseph�s �Yes� Benefactors� �Yes� to the future of Rosary Included a statement from the president of the school. Show: Ch. 31 1:18:44 - 1:24:33 (through end of dance)Show: Ch. 31 1:18:44 - 1:24:33 (through end of dance)

23. STAGES OF PRODUCTION PROCESS PRE-PRODUCTION Select Production Team Establish Budget Production Schedule (work backwards from deadline) Allow a minimum of six months Identify theme, purpose or metaphor Identify the audience Outline the script Create a list of interviewees Create list of interview questions

25. POST PRODUCTION Scripting Edit and sequence interviews into a cohesive story. Storyboard photos Select music for underscoring

26. PRODUCTION TEAM Director Content Expert Technical Director Interviewer Photo Historian

27. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS Equipment Sound-proof space for recording interviews Pro�s and Con�s of on camera interviews Photos - digital vs. archival Scanning

28. SCRIPTING Know what story you want to tell. Shape the interview questions to draw out out that story. Ask leading questions. You may have to augment the interviews with narration and for transitions. This is a complex puzzle when drawing from multiple sources - allow plenty of time because you can�t begin this process until all interviews are complete and a transcript is made. You may solicit written testimonials. These could be used for narration.

29. SOME WORDS OF CAUTION Accuracy: Fact check! People�s memories are not always accurate. Errors of omission: Purposely or Accidentally omitting people or programs can undermine the good intention of the oral history.

30. RE-PURPOSING The investment you make in an oral history project can work for you in other ways: Recruitment Website and podcasts Orientation Transcribed stories can be compiled into a book on the school�s history.

31. RELEASES According the the Oral History Association, all interviewees should be informed of potential uses for their interviews and be asked to sign a release. This is especially true if quotes will be used for future brochures or marketing materials.

32. BUDGETING Equipment Purchase or Rental Post Production Editing Live Production Expenses Duplication of DVD�s Transcription Personnel Videographer

33. RESOURCES aluskeybarth@rosaryhs.org http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/oral/online.html http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/oralHistory.html#RELEASE istockphoto.com Strategymfm@mac.com Momentum Magazine September/October Issue 2008 ascap.com WWW.Westwcea.org/bestpractice.html for a copy of this power point.

34. Royal Roots Video Clips Created for Rosary High School Amy Luskey-Barth Director Faith Manners Co-Director/Photography Janet Reynolds Assistant Director Sr. Margaret Scharf - Song of Blessing Composer Maureen Toner - Song of Blessing Choreographer Liturgical Dance Narration: Mayo Crismon Sr. MaryAnne Huepper

35. THANK YOU! THE END