Daily Schedule

The daily schedule is designed so that students move throughout the school for their classes while teachers stay put. Children experience ownership and responsibility for their daily activities and have the opportunity to literally move their bodies throughout the day, rather than being asked to always stay seated. Returning students guide new and younger students to their destinations so that everyone feels at home from the first day of school.

Class Descriptions

Home Center
There are four Home Centers. Students may have the same Home Center teacher for up to three years. Home Centers are multi-age divisions. Your Home Center teacher is your go-to person for communication about your student. Each student has a cubby in his or her home center for personal items.

During morning Home Center time, students are free to go into any room at school, as long as a teacher is present. All Home Centers have different unique features and items for learning and play.

All-School Meeting
The whole school community meets in the gym every morning for meeting. Announcements, sharing, songs, questions-of-the-week, and special ceremonies may take place during this time. Parents and relatives are welcome and encouraged to attend meeting.

Reading
A typical week for younger students includes:

• word and syllable making
• oral reading
• phonics workbook
• play making

A typical week for older students includes:

• silent reading
• oral reading and discussion of a group book
• written response to a weekly U.S. history unit
• writing in a home reading journal
• listening to a chapter of a novel read by the teacher

Older students rotate into three different classes over a year; the fall class is focused on American history fiction and non-fiction

Writing
A typical writing week includes:

• chosen- and assigned-topic writing
• spelling and mechanics instruction
• reading a piece of writing to the group

All students ages seven and up have keyboarding practice and free writing on computers
All students ages eight and up have weekly spelling and journal writing homework
All students ages nine and up have instruction on library use and do a research project yearly

Math
A typical math week includes:

• games and manipulatives
• instruction in a small group
• assigned practice work

Big Recess
Depending on the season and the weather, children can take advantage of exploring our stream and pond, several playing fields, fort building, climbing, swinging and sliding structures and sledding and skating on our winter rink. In inclimate weather, recess is held indoors in our gym and an open class room. Recess is always monitored by a dedicated staff member.

Explorations
Every two weeks students hear a description of the classes to be offered and then choose one. Sometimes there are age restrictions for classes. The kindergarten is kept together as a group and rotated through the teachers. Older Home Center teachers keep track of students' selections to ensure diversity. Science, history, geography, social studies, cultures, and language are included here. There is always a Spanish choice. Sample choices: Mystery Powders, Let's Take a Trip, Microscopes, Eyes on the Prize, Anansi Tales, Bread.

Silent Reading
During Silent Reading, the older students have a chapter book of their own choice that they read. Learning younger readers look at picture books and practice sounding out words and reading aloud.

Arts
Every two weeks students hear a description of the classes to be offered and then choose one. Sometimes there are age restrictions for classes. Older Home Center teachers keep track of students' selections to ensure diversity. Art, crafts, theater, music, dance, and sports are included here. Sample choices: Chinese Ribbon Dance, Hockey, Drawing Ducks, Baskets, Ukrainian Eggs, yoga, batik and chorus.

Home Center Time
Older Home Centers do jobs every day. Each Home Center has an Outside Day once a week. Other days there is free time, listening to a book while drawing or doing quiet activity, and sharing.

After School Activities
Bridge Buddies is a daily after school program that runs from 2:45 to 5:00. It includes outside and gym play, math homework help, board games, art projects, free time and is based on the interests of the student group at the time. Parents coach soccer and basketball after school. The main focus is on instruction and having fun, and some of the groups scrimmage with other schools. Other activities have been DCF and Red Clover book clubs, chess club, yoga, French, and drumming, offered by parents, teachers, and alumni. The school is happy to accommodate afterschool activities.