It's Back to School Season!

I have always loved the Back-to-School season. From the first time I enter my local store ready to do my weekly shopping and am greeted by the $0.50 notebooks and $0.25 crayons, the excitement of a new school year begins to rise. Of course, I am disappointed that summer is ending, but I am also curious to see who will join my forever family of students.

Knowing that building relationships is the most important thing when we get your students, I was careful to not decorate every inch of the classroom. I intentionally made room for them to bring their whole selves into the community we would co-create. We had Village Agreements, not class rules, that we all agreed were necessary for everyone to feel safe enough to learn. Our morning affirmations established a norm that every day was a great day to learn something new. We took time to get to know each other and worked hard to ensure everyone experienced a sense of belonging

This year, pause and take inventory to make sure students aren't coming into YOUR classroom, but the class COMMUNITY that you will build together. Establish routines that remind students they are supported and that each day is a new opportunity for growth. And most importantly, have fun. I hope you have a fabulous school year.