Greetings Discovery families!
As we near the end of the first month of school, I hope your family is settling into your routines for back to school. My son is playing tennis, officiating soccer, and tackling a full sophomore schedule. My daughter is playing two instruments in band/jazz band, playing volleyball, and focusing on her seventh grade year. My wife and I are hanging on for the ride!
It is a busy time here at the start of school, and now that school is well under way, it is important to check in on how our students are doing with their school work. The demands of life and the balance of work and family has never been more challenging, yet it is critical that we take the time to check in on our kids. Parent Access is a great way to see what is going on academically with your child at school. If you have not already done so, I strongly encourage you to sign up. Stop by the main office or check in with Esmy in the Family Resource Center to sign up. Esmy also has computers you can use to check parent access if you do not have a computer at home. Even better, get your child in the habit of monitoring their own progress and sharing it with you!
Thank you to all who showed up at our Back to School and Curriculum night functions. It has been great to see the energy created by families walking our hallways in some cases reconnecting with Discovery after a summer break, and in some cases getting to know Discovery as a new family to our school. While these events are great for getting acquainted, a more in depth conversation about how learning is really going can be done at our upcoming parent conferences. Conferences will run on Thursday, 10/20 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m.. Teachers will not be available from 5:30-6:00 so they can have a dinner break. On Friday, 10/21 we will run conferences from 8:00-11:00 a.m. You do not need to schedule an appointment for parent conferences. We do an open drop in format where you can come at your leisure and meet with teachers. Please allow yourself enough time to check in with everyone you want to talk to and still finish by 6:00 p.m. (dinner break), 8:00 p.m. (end of Thursday evening), or 11:00 a.m. (end of Friday morning). We look forward to seeing you at our fall conferences.
The MYP Learner Profile focus for the month of October is CARING. Students who are Caring show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. This is my favorite profile trait. Students who show empathy and compassion. Students who demonstrate respect and commitment to serving others. Students who act to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Are there any better statements that could be made about someone? I want a school where we are known for the caring and compassion of our school culture. Please join me in developing CARING in one another in such a way it lasts well beyond this month!
Empowering students to create a better world,
Mark Cain