Purpose, Loneliness, and Communities

This chapter argues that schools must reclaim their role as hubs of civic renewal and community building. The text begins by addressing generational disagreements around technology, concluding that everyone is struggling to adapt to a digital revolution run rampant. Churches, unions, civic organizations, and recreational clubs are in steep decline. This has resulted in a deep loneliness that must be addressed. The chapter paints schools as uniquely qualified to use their existing structure to impact society. Three pillars are proposed for rebuilding trust and connection: renewed civics instruction emphasizing interdependence, authentic collaboration with families, and intensive community support. Conversations with Alfie Kohn and Tom Vander Ark underscore the dangers of neglecting social-emotional learning and civic engagement. The primary argument is that schools must prepare students academically, but also tap into the need for purpose and belonging. Society is lacking the skills to participate meaningfully in democracy, which is causing a deep divide. In order to cross this divide, we must come to think of schools as staging grounds for community participation.