WGO - ES Archive: February 27

WGO

Issue #25: February 27, 2025

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From the Principal

Ms. Michelle Alzamora

Dear Families,

I want to sincerely apologize for the technical difficulties we experienced during the parent chat on Sunday evening, "Rethinking Rigor: Nurturing Critical Thinkers." My intermittent internet connection was incredibly frustrating, and I genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding. A huge thank you to Andy, our assistant principal, for seamlessly stepping in to keep the presentation on track despite the interruptions. We are so fortunate to have him!

Here's a summary of the key points we covered (or intended to cover!):

We started by discussing the common misconception about rigor. Many people equate it with more homework, increased pressure, and rote memorization. However, we think that rigor is about the quality of thinking, not just the quantity of work. It's about fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a genuine love of learning.

We explored how the concept of rigor has evolved. In today's world, students need to be able to analyze information, solve complex problems, think creatively, and adapt to new situations. Deep learning, fostered through a modern understanding of rigor, prepares students for this rapidly changing world.

We also shared examples of what rigor looks like in our classrooms. For instance, in math, students might solve real-world problems instead of memorizing formulas. In science, they might design experiments. In language arts, they might engage in close reading of complex texts or write persuasive essays.

How You Can Support Critical Thinking at Home:

While Andy did a fantastic job, I know the flow wasn't ideal, and we missed some opportunities for deeper discussion, especially around practical tips for parents. Here are some concrete things you can do to nurture critical thinking in your children:

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of asking, "What did you do at school today?" try "What was the most interesting thing you learned today and why?" or "If you could change one thing about your school day, what would it be and why?"
Encourage Curiosity: Create a "curiosity jar" where family members can write down questions they have and explore them together. Visit the library and explore topics your child is interested in.
Provide Opportunities for Problem-Solving: Involve children in age-appropriate problem-solving activities, such as planning a family outing, figuring out how to fix a broken toy, or even deciding what to have for dinner.
Limit Screen Time and Encourage Other Activities: Balance screen time with activities that promote critical thinking, such as reading, playing board games, building with blocks, engaging in hobbies, and spending time outdoors.
Discuss Current Events (Age-Appropriately): Talk about news stories or community issues and encourage your child to share their opinions and back them up with reasons.
Encourage Different Perspectives: Ask your child to consider different viewpoints when discussing a story or issue. "How might someone else see this situation?"
Value the Process Over the Product: Praise effort and perseverance, not just the final result. Focus on the learning journey and the strategies your child used to solve a problem.

Join Our Next Parent Chat!

Please join me for our next Parent Chat on April 28th at 6:00 pm about how we are approaching Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI). To ensure a smooth presentation, I will log in from school, where we have a reliable internet connection. I look forward to connecting with you then!

Yours,

Michelle

Class Placement - Family Feedback Requested

Believe it or not, we are already beginning to think about classroom placement for next school year. Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. We will consider each individual child’s needs as well as the make-up of the class as a whole. Our overall goal is to create balanced classrooms where each child has adults and peers that support them as a learner.

We invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes. In order to do this well, we do appreciate your input about your child. Please note that we will not consider requests for specific teachers or other children in the class.

When considering class rosters we place more of an importance on placing students who will be good learning partners together than we do on placing children with friends. The biggest concern that we hear from parents at the beginning of the school year is that their child is not placed in a class with their closest friends. While we understand that when this happens children feel sad and worried, in nearly every situation like this, the child feels significantly better about their class within a week or two and by the end of the first month, they do not even remember that they were worried or sad about their class placement.

Please complete this form to let us know about factors unique to your child’s needs. The survey is available until Thursday, March 27th. All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by the teachers at your child’s current grade level, our counselors, and our administrators.

Ramadan Considerations

Classes begin at 9:00 each day during Ramadan. Students may arrive at school at 8:40 and play on the playground until they are picked up by their teachers. Our end-of-the-day times will not change.
Students are invited to go to the LC during snack and lunch if they are fasting. They may also use the LC as a place to pray. If your child is fasting, please let their teacher know so we can offer them support as needed.
The 1st recess is canceled.

From the ES Counselors

Updated Resource Webpage - Discussion ideas and coping strategies when approaching unfairness, violence, crime and war with your child.

Talking about topics like unfairness, violence, crime and war can be hard. You might not know what to say in the moment. Being ready for these talks can help. Please check out the resources on this page and let us know how we can support you!

Tim Steadman and Hayley Jeanes