I don’t know how it happened, but the school year is nearly over. And what a wonderful year it has been.
A couple of themes stand out for me. First, the level of parent participation in our school and the quality of that participation has been particularly deep, substantive and energizing. Second the faculty’s engagement with our major educational priorities – Differentiated Instruction and Diversity – has been deep, substantive and energizing. (Oops, I am repeating myself!). Additionally, the strategic planning process generated an inspiring amount of in-depth thinking and collaboration by all members of our community.
For example:
- At our end of year Thank You party for parent volunteers, it was impossible to read the list of committees, contributions, and people involved. It was just too long.
- 235 parents completed the Differentiated Instruction survey and wrote a total of 54 pages of comments. I have read all of them. They will be part of the faculty’s end of year assessment of how thoroughly we have implemented the program, and what our goals will be for next year.
- An equal number completed the Cafeteria Survey. As a result we have designed an RFP for food services and sent it to several vendors. Look for revisions and enhancements next year.
- As part of the Strategic Planning Process, hundreds came to the Listening Forums, 70 attended the Educational Ideas for the 21st Century Workshop on May 7-8, and 50 will participate in the June 15 Workshop to consider the realities of money, space, and time to implement new programs.
- Nearly a dozen different cultural identity groups formed and met this year. These groups provided students with an opportunity to meet across grade levels to exchange stories and make connections with other students, faculty, and staff with whom they shared an identity.
- Small group instruction is a reality throughout the School; Lead Teachers are collaborating with Learning Resource Teachers and Associate and Co-Teachers to differentiate learning tasks.
- Fifth graders completed the Carol Dweck “Fixed Mindset-Growth Mindset” curriculum, and now know how to grow their neurons and optimize their learning. Click here for an example.
All of this is possible because teachers and parents have extended themselves to provide the needed energy and thoughtfulness. Being part of a community whose members care deeply about children in the most authentic way, and engage with one other with genuine optimism to produce meaningful learning experiences for children, is a real privilege for me.
