Greetings Crossing Park Families!
We are mid-way through October, and we are really getting into the rhythm. Students have settled in very nicely to new routines, classes, teachers and friends. We are so proud of our community and always looking for ways to make it even better.
When fellow Principals or our Director visit Crossing Park, they always comment on how calm and intentional our building can be despite its size. This is a strong indication of students being safe, happy and learning- which is always our goal and priority.
One of the things that we are proud of is our focus on speaking and listening as a skill set. The vast majority of communication in the world is exchanged verbally and processed by listening. This might seem like a simple and automatic kind of exchange, but it is something that we all need to practice. It is also the foundation of literacy development no matter if your first language is English or you speak another language (or more)! This means using new vocabulary, learning to pronounce, to speak fluidly and fluently and listen effectively. Strong learning starts with good listening skills!
When many of us reflect on our days in school, we think about lectures and writing down our responses to questions with pencil and paper. While this is an important skill, we know that students develop stronger reasoning and practical communication skills through verbal exchanges. We can grade student growth and achievement by listening to their verbal responses, too. This is an important part of modern education that benefits everyone. Written work and typing are important, but if you want to help develop students thinking and communication skills- have a conversation! Ask questions. Ask more and deeper questions- like "why" and "how do you know that is a fact". Let them think and exercise the most powerful muscle in the body- the brain. This isn't just about discussing stories or history lessons- it is very useful in math, science, and complimentary courses. Encourage your children to use new vocabulary. "What do you call that shape?" or "Why do you think Canada is colder than India?" These make students think and respond with new terms and reasons. And, this can lead to higher levels of achievement and stronger academic outcomes.
You don't have to be a professional teacher to help out academically. But, if you want to support their learning, have conversations with your kids about topics they're taking up. Reading with them is always a great idea, too! This is also a reminder that we try to make school a rigorous experience and these kinds of activities should be supplementary and brief- not more work for the sake of more work. Plus, we know that students thrive when they have a chance to play with friends, engage in sports and participate in other activities that help them be well-rounded people.
If you have any questions and you are concerned about English communication, please know that we will always locate an interpreter to help. We don't want any barriers for your family.
Lastly, this is a quick reminder that classes begin each morning at 8AM.
This means students should be at the building before 8AM- ideally 10 minutes before.
When students are late for morning classes it can mean losing important information and instructions. Being consistently late by a few minutes can add up to hours in lost learning. We want all our students to be safe, happy and learning. This starts with showing up and being on time.
Thanks for supporting us in this effort with your kids. We realize that circumstances arise from time to time, but we want to encourage everyone to help us when possible so we can help your child be their very best!
Sincerely,
Andrew Bews
Principal
Crossing Park School
t: (403)777-7195