In the classroom, teachers intentionally build and sustain relationships with students. When a respectful relationship is formed between teachers and students, they are able to work in collaboration helping to increase participation, engagement, and achievement. Respect is built in a variety of ways by teachers. 

A life of significance is when your moments impact the lives of dozens, and you inspire them to create moments of meaning in the lives of others. It may seem difficult to track the impact of such a life as it ripples out into the world and inspires moments for hundreds and thousands of other people.

According to years of research, having a child’s family engaged with their school will result in positive outcomes for the child’s academic achievements and socio-emotional development. This engagement can be positive on different levels for the child, for the teacher, and for the parent.

The Woods winter sports season wrapped up on March 1st. We had 8 basketball teams and a swim club. Our student athletes had fun and worked hard to improve over the season.

Making and keeping friends can be one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks of childhood. Everyone wants that one “mejor amiga, número uno best friend” like Daniela has in Meg Medina’s book Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, my February Book of the Month. 

Upper school students in religion have been working on a project entitled, "Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood" in honor of February being Black History Month.

Second grade has been learning about Gail Gibbons. She is our author study this trimester. We are enjoying her books and learning a lot! 

During the month of February, the Lower School did a three-week fitness unit that included the pacer test, jump roping, and yoga.

Community is one of the many reasons we love the Woods - the community as a school, the community among our families and the community in each classroom among students and teachers. Math class is a community, centered on “mathematical excitement.” Stanford University Math professor, Jo Boaler, explains this excitement in a math community is fostered by five C’s – curiosity, connection making, challenge, creativity, and collaboration.

In the learning process, there are many ways to gain an understanding of various topics. In seventh grade social studies, students participate in visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities. During the Upper School Parent Visiting Day, the class reviewed material about the first peoples to the Americas.

Sixth grade French students have been studying lots of adjectives and learning to describe the physical and personality characteristics of their family, friends, teachers, and classmates.

Humans are social creatures. We thrive on relationships. However, most people probably do not put much thought into building and maintaining connections with those around them. With just a little effort we can develop very rewarding friendships and partnerships, and reap the benefits of them.