The Weekly Bulldog
November 8, 2018
From Tim: Ongoing reflection is a cornerstone of learning
Dear Families,
We were pleased to share your student’s progress with you during our fall conferences last week. The conversations we have with you are designed to be collaborative assessments of where children are, academically and socially, and how we can help them progress. As with all forms of assessment, we believe that the purpose of the conferences should be less about evaluation and more about illuminating specific ways students can improve and grow. Towards this end, our assessment process begins with mechanisms for children to reflect upon their own learning, in age-appropriate ways.
In the earliest grades, children respond to such questions as What is your favorite thing about school? What is the hardest thing? At the 3-4-5 level, children identify areas of strength, areas to work on, and goals for themselves. In middle school, students complete self-evaluations in each area of study, again following a format that notes specific strengths and areas for improvement. Our goal is to help our students take ownership of their progress and discover that the habit of non-judgmental self-reflection is a powerful tool for learning.
The first of our 7 Goals for Learners focuses on “Self-Awareness – including self-advocacy and confidence in one’s beliefs and abilities.” We strive to find ways within our program for students to learn about themselves – their strengths, their challenges, their passions, and their hopes. The current conference and progress report cycle provides such an opportunity. We know that our students graduate from Stanley with a deep capacity for self-reflection and a heightened self-awareness. In high school, this translates into better decision-making, an ability to set formal and informal personal goals, and an enthusiasm for meeting those goals with confidence.
Ongoing reflection is a cornerstone of learning at Stanley. We know that when students, or any of us for that matter, are given time to reflect about what they’re doing or what they’re learning, they understand more fully why something is the way it is, not simply that it is, and I think this distinction is critical. For learning to progress beyond basic recall of information, or application of a rote procedure, to the level of true understanding, we must give our students chances to reflect upon how the learning connects with them or with our previous knowledge.
Two reminders:
Parent Association Meeting -- Tomorrow, Friday, the 9th at 8:30 a.m. in the lunchroom. Division Heads Joanna Hambidge, Stephanie Collins, and Greg Chalfin will lead a discussion on homework, including why it’s part of Stanley student experience and tips for helping children manage this responsibility.
Multicultural Feast – Saturday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the ballroom. Hope to see you there!
All the best,
Tim
Top Five Things
1. Preparing for change and preparing for adulthood
2. Let's all stay healthy together!
Please do not send your child to school when there is any indication of illness (fever, sore throat, vomiting, headache, deep cough, ear ache, etc.) If illness begins at school, every effort is made to contact parents so that the child may go home to rest comfortably. Your child should be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to the classroom. Your good judgment regarding your child’s health and well-being is important to your child, other children and the staff.
3. Coffee with our head of school
4. Book fair scares up some great books!
5. All in for The Stanley Fund!
We're officially kicking off the season of annual giving at Stanley and rallying our community to reach 100% participation for The Stanley Fund. Your donation supports teachers, campus, financial aid, off-campus programs and much more. On December 4, Stanley will receive a pro-rated match from the Colorado Gives Day $1M incentive fund for each contribution made. Preschedule your Colorado Gives Day gift anytime, or donate today at stanleybps.org/donate.
Upcoming Events
November 9
Parent Association Meeting, "Handling Homework"
November 10
November 12
November 14
"Midsummer Night's Dream" Performances
November 15
Last day for Thanksgiving Food Drive
November 16
November 19-23
December 1
Remember to RSVP for Grand People Day!
Friday, Nov 16, 2018, 08:30 AM
350 Quebec Street, Denver, CO, USA
Stanley British Primary School
Email: admin@stanleybps.org
Website: www.stanleybps.org
Location: 350 Quebec St., Denver
Phone: (303) 360-0803
Facebook: facebook.com/stanley.british/
Twitter: @stanleybps