Last week we enjoyed a series of special events as a celebration of the year-long All-School Unit, “Water, Water Everywhere!” As our students participated and contributed to these events, they demonstrated manners, responsibility and respect, about which we can all be proud.
On Tuesday, guest speaker Nicole Lyddane shared her experiences working with a project that brings fresh water to villages in Kenya that otherwise suffer from extended dry seasons. (Click here for more information and photos from Kenya.) After her visit, Nicole told me that “the kids were great – they were polite and asked great questions.” We often hear this kind of feedback about our students after field trips and special events. We never tire of hearing it, and I wanted to pass it along to you, as well. Good old fashioned manners.
On Wednesday afternoon, as we gathered for the Raindrop Run, students placed donations for the Kenya project in water jugs. These donations, totaling more than $700, have special meaning because they were not just given to them by adults. Rather, the students earned them by doing chores at home over the past couple of weeks. I encourage you to see the bulletin board on the first floor of the classroom building to see the “raindrops” upon which the students listed their chores. Good old fashioned responsibility.
On Thursday, the entire school took a field trip to the Stroud Preserve, just outside of West Chester. Students explored and discovered even the tiniest life forms that live in and around the creeks. They learned from “Teacher Fred,” the preserve manager, about the importance of stewardship. Fred also shared a special guest – a red-eared slider he had found in the marsh. As I observed our students, I saw them responding positively to the expectation that they respect the plants and animals in the preserve – leaving them be so that life can flourish. Good old fashioned respect.
These special events served to bring the whole school together in celebration of our All-School theme. As I reflect on the past week, I am greatly appreciative of the teachers who planned and carried off these meaningful events. And for the students manners, responsibility and respect, I feel a great sense of pride. Good old fashioned pride.
(For pictures from the Raindrop Run and Stroud Preserve, see the slide show to the right.)
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