YPL schedule for the coming year

[alt_sinistra]

First, my condolences to the surviving family and friends of Mr Crouch, Jr. and his mother. As some of you may be aware, Mr Crouch, Jr. was instrumental in consulting on a number of security considerations around YPL event and trip planning, and his devotion and dedication to his duty, the Protectorate, and the Lord Protector were clear in every moment of that work.

Regrettably, time continues to march forward, and we are already behind schedule in making final arrangements for this year due to the exciting recent announcement of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. We've arranged the events at Hogwarts this year to include our visiting students as much as feasible, to better demonstrate the skills, learning, and experience that our students gain through participation in the YPL programme. Further details about each activity will be forthcoming, but I wanted to make the dates available as soon as possible for all those who may need to make relevant plans.

(It is possible that one or two dates may shift over the course of the year, based on various other needs, but we believe these dates are now fairly firm.)

We have had several other interesting proposals for activities this year, and space and time allowing may make optional participation in several activities possible over breaks in classes.

October
On October 22nd, the YPL will welcome our guests with an exercise to introduce them to the grounds and other spaces of Hogwarts, giving everyone a chance to learn more about our richly historic location, and meet a variety of students. CCF students and YPL counselors should be alert for announcements about planning meetings, and will be expected to assist in the practical details of the day, all others are welcome to participate.

December
In late November and through December, YPL students in years three and up should plan on some meetings and tutorial sessions so that they may provide support at an event related to the Tri-Wizard Tournament. We anticipate these sessions will be about 2 hours in length, and happen every two or three weeks, depending on your focus.

On Saturday, December 3rd, we will welcome several medwizards for an extended lecture and training session. A general workshop will be available to all YPL members and our foreign guests, while our CCF students (who have already learned some basic material) will also attend an additional workshop with greater detail and expectations.

January
On January 28th, we will have an excursion for all YPL members that will test orienteering, strategy, and leadership skills. Students should dress warmly, and practice a variety of warming charms. Again, our foreign guests will be welcome to join us, provided they attend the preparatory meeting.

March
On March 3rd, we will welcome a visiting artist, Melete Pencarrow, who will lead YPL participants in creating a wizarding mural depicting an event in Hogwarts history. Students will do much of the background design and painting of the mural, and she will assist with details. Students will also learn about mixing pigments for wizarding paintings, the rich language of symbol in artwork, and lectures on notable painting and portrait technique illustrated by the Hogwarts portraits and other pieces. Mrs. Pencarrow will be residing in Hogsmeade for the duration to assist, with a formal presentation of the finished artwork following the spring holidays.

YPL students should allow two to three hours in their schedule each week (for the duration of the project) for a combination of small group lectures and work on the mural, though of course students wishing to contribute additional time will be welcome. Our visitors are welcome to attend the lectures on request.

May
Finally, on May 26th, we will welcome a panel of distinguished witches and wizards with great experience in international wizarding relations, including those teachers guiding our visiting guests. They will discuss and explore where the new horizons in Protectorate diplomacy made possible through the Tri-Wizard Tournament events, and what opportunities in the field might be open for students in the coming years.

Final notes
As always, all students in years one through three are welcome and encouraged to participate in the YPL and explore the opportunities available to them as future productive members of our Lord Protector's realm. Continuing beyond year three requires a greater commitment and success in a variety of skills. Students who expressed a wish to continue (via application to the CCF) last year, but who did not attend the summer training are welcome to attend general YPL activities, but will not be able to participate in the extra training and opportunities of the CCF courses.

Should you have any questions, I have a number of tasks taking my time this weekend, but you may leave a note here (a private message, if you prefer), or can find me in my office during my usual open office hours this week.

Comments

[alt_susan]

Thanks, Professor Sinistra!

All of the programs sound snitch, but especially the artist residency.

[alt_sinistra]

I'm glad you're pleased, Miss Bones. I think we've got a particularly nicely balanced schedule this year, given the various schedule challenges, and the desire to include our guests as much as possible.

Mrs Pencarrow's been kind enough to send along copies of prints of past projects she's worked on, and they'll be available in my office when I'm there for students to look at, and some additional reference books about materials. (Some of which looks quite fascinating: I had no idea the number of substances used to make paints.)

[alt_susan]

Having all the guests ought to make YPL even more interesting!

If you don't mind, I'd love to come up and look at the prints--I've been more focused on writing recently but I'd love to do more art again and learn more about the magical aspect.

I think sometimes people don't think of art as being important, compared to some of the other things we do, but I'm glad you do.

[alt_sinistra]

Come by any of my open hours this week, and you'll be welcome to take a look. I know Madam Pince has a few older titles on the topic in the library, as well.

On art - honestly, there's a great deal I don't know about it. One of the things I've particularly enjoyed about the YPL planning work is getting exposed to so many new topics and ideas. I'd meant to work on other things tonight, but found myself turning to the art books, and really being quite intrigued. I do agree with you that the arts are a powerful way to shape how we - the school, the Protectorate - see ourselves, too, of course.

[alt_susan]

Yeah, I really believe art can change people.

Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_padma]

We're all looking forward to the YPL as always, Professor.

But I was wondering...I don't see anything on your schedule about codes. Was there a problem with it? I mean, I thought it was rather a good idea, it sort of goes with that whole Ministry campaign about saying something if you see something suspicious. Doesn't it?

I mean, I can understand if the Ministry thinks we want to learn how to speak in codes. But I want to learn how to decipher them, is all.

Or is it still being considered?

Thanks very much for everything you do for the YPL, though, Professor.

-Padma Patil

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you for asking, Miss Patil - you were on my list to write to as soon as I got a chance. (This weekend has not gone the way I'd originally planned, and I wanted to make sure to get the general announcement up first, along with other time-sensitive commitments.)

I did bring your suggestion forward to the Ministry committee that provides direction for YPL activities. We spent quite some time talking about it, and a number of the people on the committee thought it was a particularly clear and thoughtful proposal.

However, with the addition of the TriWizard Tournament and our guests, other members of the committee felt that it would pose two complications. First, it does not highlight the glories of the Protectorate or the YPL programme as clearly as we might wish, and second, that there are some security and practical aspects that would need to be addressed. Solving the latter problem simply weren't possible given the vastly increased demands on a number of Ministry departments due to the Tournament.

It is possible there may be a CCF-only session during this school year, once the initial flurry of planning settles. If not, it will certainly be part of the CCF activities next summer. Your initiative was definitely noted, and several members noted that you are a credit to your house, and to the YPL programme.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_padma]

Yes, Professor. I think I understand.

Thank you for thinking about it, anyway. And I hope we do get to work on something over the summer.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

I appreciate your understanding, Miss Patil. I do believe we'll be able to sort out the strong opinions of the various committee members given some additional time, and arrange something for the summer.