“Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party.'” ~Robin Williams
Dear Caedmon Community,
Despite the rather brisk mornings this first week back after the break, I still feel the optimism and fresh excitement of spring! We have all sorts of events to look forward to before the end of the school year; in-person cocktail parties for our new (now "ish") parents, the CFA Benefit (Welcome to the 60's), the Fifth grade musical, graduation, and stepping up. But I am really speaking about the spring in your step and the smiles on everyone's faces when the weather warms up, the sun rises a bit earlier and remains in the sky a bit longer, and flowers begin to bloom along the streets.
Every spring I feel a magnificent sense of renewal, and even more so this year, as we dig out from the last two years of the pandemic. The Caedmon faculty had an enlightening professional day on Monday. Dr. Donna Volpeta, from www.pathwaystoempower.com
Dr. Volpeta gave us very practical language and images, which we can also share with your children. Just like understanding how the skeleton supports the body, and musculature helps one to walk, run, and stand, knowing how their brains work and grow is vital for a student. Donna explored classroom tools to increase student resilience, and gave specific and important insight into the way the brain reacts to both positive and negative, physical and social, perceived and real threats and rewards. The information was particularly helpful, unpacked under the lens of the pandemic, wearing masks, and much greater socialization needs.
Here are just a few of the faculty insights and take-aways:
- The importance of free play in developing executive functioning skills
- Getting language to explain how our brain works and a new lens through which I can plan lessons
- We need to let our children experience failure and how important that is for their confidence in the long term
- Reinforcing routines that promote coping skills and resilience
- Using the actual science and naming the brain chemicals (i.e. cortisol) with the students to encourage metacognition
- Strategies for independence underpin everything
I am beyond excited as we plan for the CFA Spring Benefit Reverse Auction, which this year will thank our incredible faculty by creating an extensive Faculty Professional Development Fund. As we start anew in September, the Caedmon teachers, staff, and administrators, like their students, are eager to continue their learning. And we look forward to working with them to create a robust set of opportunities to do just that.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Matthew
