Notes from Rice Creek

Hello Rice Creek Families,

Just a couple of notes:

Yesterday, we had a school-wide lockdown drill with intruder where we practiced gathering in a hidden corner of the classroom with the doors locked.  Shortly before the drill, we had a discussion with the children about what this would look like and why we practice this type of drill. Basically, we let the children know that the guides' most important job is to keep all of them safe, and that practicing this type of drill allows us to make sure we have done all we can.  We wanted to let you know of this drill since it might bring up further questions at home, but also so you could even take the opportunity to have an intentional conversation with your child about this unfortunate reality (if you feel that would be appropriate). 
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.   

First grade students will be coming home with a sheet for families to fill out and return to school.  This is connected to work we are doing on making personal timelines.  Thanks so much for looking out for this in their folders.

Warm regards, 

Nadine

Rice Creek Newsletter_March 16th

Dear Rice Creek Families,

It was so wonderful to see so many of you these last two days.  It is a pleasure to sit with you and spend some time focusing on your child.  Our partnership builds community and fosters the very best for our students and we appreciate the time and dedication you show attending conferences.  As we move into the last months of the school year, and reflect back on how we have had opportunity to watch your child grow, rise to challenges, learn from one another, and build ever-stronger relationships and community we are extra appreciative of the time we get to spend with these lovely humans at this exciting and precious time in their lives.

As we head into the final months of school we will continue to work and grow as a community.  There is some big work on the horizon, in the form of Human Timeline studies, Timeline of Life research, building land and water formations, planting and growing a mini garden, and scientific classification of plants and animals.  With much of the work ahead of us, we look forward to heading into the warmer air and getting outside to learn.  We will also take some time to explore how diversity in our community creates rich beauty, and listen and honor one another's family stories.  You will find attached an interview form that will come home with your child next week.  Please take a look at this and reply with any questions or insight on how this fits your family experience.  There is no need to complete it and return it, as we hope you and your child can talk and fill it out together.  I simply wanted to give you a chance to see what will be coming home.

 

Thanks again and enjoy the weekend.

 

Nadine

http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/165_TT_Family_Ties_Fabric_Tales_Data_Sheet_6-12.pdf

 

 

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Nadine McNiff

Lower Elementary Guide

Great River School

1326 Energy Park Drive

651-305-2780

"The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behavior towards him. We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practiced to perfection only when working among children." (The Absorbent Mind). 

How Testing Fits into our Work at GRS

Hello All,

We hope this weekend finds you well.  I am writing to communicate some work that will be coming up for our third-year students, MCA testing, but thought it a good opportunity to share with our whole community how standardized testing fits into the big picture here at GRS.

As stated above, third-grade student will be taking Reading MCA tests on Monday.  There is no need to plan differently for this time.  Students will do this work during the morning work period.  Please see the words below, written by Erik Arke, to better understand how we recognize the importance of this work in context.

"The results of the test (i.e. "how the children score") is not important to us necessarily, but we want to help them feel confident about taking it.  We are well aware that these tests do not indicate the progress of the whole child, and this whole child is whom we educate at Great River.  The test is a very narrow window on who the child is, and even that window is distorted by the medium by which the data is gathered.  Nevertheless, we do some preparation, and we encourage the children to work their hardest and do their best on the test.  Placing pressure on them to do well would only result in anxiety.  If they ask you about it, please do not make it a big deal.  Perhaps ask them how they feel about it, and discuss whatever feelings they have.  The most important thing is for them not to feel that the results of the test will reflect who they are as a person.  The results will certainly not!"

Best,

Nadine McNiff

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Nadine McNiff

Lower Elementary Guide

Great River School

1326 Energy Park Drive

651-305-2780

"The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behavior towards him. We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practiced to perfection only when working among children." (The Absorbent Mind).