Happy New Year! I trust that the holiday season was peaceful and relaxing for you and your family. As we turn the page on this New Year, we look forward to these next few months with great anticipation. Having successfully completed the first trimester, our students are now ready to make even greater strides. The pace at each grade level has intensified, and the students are stepping up to meet new challenges. Our staff is engaged in professional development designed to help us meet our school goals in Writing and Mindfulness/Growth Mindset. Our annual school goals are carefully chosen each year with student achievement in mind. Please read on for important dates and programming information.
Washington School Partnership With Teacher’s College, Columbia University
Last month, we announced our partnership with the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP). As a partner school, a Senior Staff Developer from TCRWP is visiting Washington School for five days of on-site, classroom-based professional development. Our training is focused on the Writer’s Workshop Units of Study writing program. The staff developer will be providing demonstration teaching lessons, staff coaching, and overall curricular development and support. Modeled, demonstration lessons will be conducted in classrooms at each grade level. Our first training day was held in December. We will host four more training days over the next three months.
REA/REF Denim Days
You may see our staff members donning denim on select Fridays over the next few months. Staff members make a contribution on these “casual Fridays” to raise money for two important causes in our school district. The Rutherford Education Association (REA) Denim Days are held to fund scholarships awarded to graduating seniors. The Rutherford Education Foundation (REF) Denim Days are held to raise money for gift baskets will be auctioned off at the REF Wine-Tasting event in May.
Second Cup of Coffee
A popular feature at Washington School over the years, Second Cup of Coffee is a series of teacher/parent workshops focused on strategies that you can employ at home to help your child. Our third installment for the 2018-2019 school year will be held on Friday, February 8 from 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Reading Specialist Mrs. Rachel Mejias and Grade 2 teacher Mrs. Megan Joyce will present Strengthening Non-Fiction Reading Skills. While initially planned for Grade 2 parents, we are also inviting interested Grade 3 parents to attend.
Classroom Yoga/Mindfulness
In February, our students in Pre-K 3 through Grade 3 will be participating in classroom yoga and mindfulness exercises under the direction of the team from Core Yoga for Youth. This is the second installment in a series of three visits during our school year. In addition to this activity, all classes participate in daily/weekly exercises that promote mindfulness and stress reduction