Examples

A long-standing tradition at Scattergood is that everyone living at the school work for the community. This expectation is the foundation of the crew program. We believe that all work has dignity and is intrinsically rewarding, and that the community as a whole benefits when we all contribute to its sustenance. Staff and students work together to cook the community’s food, clean its buildings and maintain its grounds, giving us a sense of common responsibility for running the school. Each person has a work crew for about 50 minutes each weekday, and crew assignments change every month.

Students have some choice in determining the crews on which they serve. The rotation program helps students build a knowledge base in skills from several occupations. In any given year, thanks to the crew program, a student may learn how to cook, troubleshoot computers, or build a room addition. Through crews the school hopes students come to learn greater responsibility, an appreciation for the work of others, and a stronger connection with the school. All staff are expected to participate in and supervise the crews. Through this communal work, we hope to foster a spirit of egalitarianism, knowledge of our interdependence, and a sense that all are responsible for care of the environment.

Crew Descriptions

AM/PM Main

Two crews take care of the Main Building- AM Main and PM Main. The work on these crews includes sweeping and mopping upstairs and down, vacuuming and straightening the Social Room, cleaning the bathrooms, and taking out the trash. The AM Main crew meets before breakfast while the PM Main crew meets directly after lunch.

Art Building

This crew makes sure that the art studios are clean and functional for the many Scattergood students and staff who use them.

Boys and Girls Dorm Crew

These crews make sure the dorms are livable places for all. Their duties include cleaning the bathrooms and the lounge areas as well as vacuuming the hallways and sweeping the stairs. Students are independently responsible for keeping their own rooms clean.

Classrooms

Classrooms crew takes care of keeping the classrooms clean and ensures that they are inviting places to learn. Their work includes cleaning chalkboards, emptying trash, and sweeping and mopping floors.

Egg and Chickens

This crew feeds and waters the chickens as well as cleans out the chicken house. They also gather and clean the eggs and make weekly deliveries to the Scattergood kitchen.

Facilities

Facilities crew takes care of maintaining the buildings and grounds of Scattergood. The work varies from the time of year and often reflects seasonal chores. In the fall, facilities crew often rakes leaves; while on snowy winter days, they shovel and salt sidewalks. Other days are spent replacing burnt out light bulbs or other requested repairs.

Farm Crew

This crew helps with all aspects of the school farm. Typical activities include feeding and caring for the livestock, trimming hooves, cleaning stalls, and weeding and mowing.

Late Mop

After evening study hall, the late mop crew descends onto the kitchen and dining hall to do a final sweep and mop.

Library

The library crew assists the librarian in the care and maintenance of the library. The typical tasks include cataloging and shelving books, dusting and vacuuming, and updating the newspaper rack.

Meal Prep

Meal prep crews for breakfast, lunch and dinner assist the cook in getting the meal out on time. This crew is responsible for helping to cook the meal, setting the tables, chopping veggies, setting up the salad bar, or anything else needed by the cook. With out the meal prep crew – we wouldn't eat!

Meal Clean-Up

Breakfast, lunch and dinner cleanup crews take over the kitchen after mealtime. From putting away leftovers and washing pots and pans to sanitizing all surfaces, this crew ensures that the kitchen is in top shape for the next meal.

Technology

The technology crew assists the technology director in providing technical support for the community. This crew may replace printer ink cartridges, troubleshoot computer problems, or return repaired laptops to students.