This was certainly not the school year that we envisioned when we walked through the doors in August. Over the past two and a half months we were tasked with shifting to distance learning in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. It was not easy or ideal by any means, but in true Danville fashion, students, families, and teachers rose to the occasion.
Although we were unable to return to school for the rest of the school year, I believe we all did an amazing job staying connected and supportive to each other and remaining engaged in our academics. In an attempt to capture these elements, I have compiled this video to showcase just some of what has transpired since mid-March. It is nothing short of incredible. I hope you find comfort in knowing that you have completed this mountain of a task, and that we remain committed to our students and families more now than ever. We can't wait to be reunited with everyone again in the fall. Take time to enjoy yourselves and those you love this summer. youtu.be/DTucMi-9L5Q
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Our guidance classes have spent the first few weeks of school exploring their similarities and differences through a series of individual exercises, restorative circles, and team work aimed at fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. Often times we are quick to assume that we don't have anything in common with someone else based on assumptions we make about others appearances or groups they belong in. Upper elementary classes worked in partners and small groups with peers that they didn't know well and completed a 20 item questionnaire to discover what commonalities they shared. Students found that when we actually take the time to ask each other questions and get to know each other, we discover that we have more in common than we originally assume. Students noticed that they can use the information they learned about each other, to be more inclusive in the classroom, on the bus, in the cafeteria, and at recess. Kindergarten students read an interactive story about an alien who comes to earth, and has a lot to learn about how to make a friend. They helped the alien feel welcomed by introducing themselves to him and explaining what it means to be a friend: being kind, having fun, sharing, and playing together. They also practice using "I-statements" when their friends weren't being kind or sharing. Finally, they got to practice these skills working in pairs in their classroom, finding two toys both of them enjoyed playing with. I couldn't have been more impressed with how well all the students worked together.
Under the leadership of the middle school Be The Change Club, our entire elementary school participated in a month long kindness challenge last fall. I collected student artifacts throughout the challenge and I am so excited to share just some of the highlights with you. I am so proud of these kids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKfp3zNyBfo&t=3s |
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