Off to a Great Start…
One of the many things I value about teaching at Rockway is how we do beginnings. The start of a school year can be tumultuous, however Rockway is very intentional about giving both their teachers and students a solid start – grounding us in our mission, and providing us with the tools we need to be effective both academically and interpersonally.
What does a great start look like? Here are some snapshots of this year.
Eating Together: Before students are even thinking of school, Rockway staff & faculty were gathering together to dream and plan. Here we are picnicing (and laughing!) together at Rockway Gardens.
Learning together: Our pre-school meetings include lots of intentional professional development for the heart, soul, and mind. Highlights this year included a session on Mindfulness/Resilience in the classroom and continued IBL (Inquiry-Based Learning) training.
Welcoming together: The Kick Start BBQ provides a chance for us to meet and get to know students who are brand new to Rockway. It’s a key event for students making the major transition to a new school community. Here we are being welcomed by our Student Council presidents.
Singing together: Our opening chapels help set the tone for the year – we sing, we listen, we pray together as a community. It’s an amazing thing to do this alongside your students. Here we are singing about our theme for this year: Trust for the Journey.
Planning together: Our Student Council spends an entire day in retreat dreaming up special events for our community. Here they are (looking a little chilled!) as they do their planning and develop as leaders.
And there’s more to come!
Our great start continues with a few key events:
Family Welcome Night – Sept. 14th, 7 pm. Parents are invited for an evening of connection.
Student Council Lunch – Sept. 18th, lunch time. The food trucks are coming! This student-led event is designed to help students get to know each other and mingle with people in other grades.
I feel blessed as a teacher to be able to serve the Rockway community, and am so very grateful for this great start to the year.
Sara Wahl, Rockway Teacher since 2003
