Swan School prides itself on putting children first.  Since 1983 we have always asked ourselves, “What is best for children?  What supports the educational needs of Swan School students?”

Beginning in 2012 Swan School will be enhancing its strong program by balancing the school calendar.  This is a move that will support families in their efforts to provide their children with the best possible educational experience.  Read more about how balancing the academic calendar best supports children’s educational needs.

Dear Parents,

A truly great school keeps children as its central focus. It constantly adjusts to meet the needs of its students, using as much information as it can get (assessments, observations, parental input, research, etc.) to inform those adjustments. A great school’s mission and philosophy act as an educational lens to help keep that focus clear, frame the appropriateness of possibilities, and guide its decisions. One of the great things Swan School does behind the scenes is to always ask, “What is best for children?” That question guides everything we do here.

A bit before the winter break, parents of Swan’s preschool children, some board members, several staff members, and I got together to talk about how the school calendar could better support children’s learning. Over the years research (as well as educators’ observations) has shown that children learn continuously and not in discrete “on-again-offagain chunks.” We also know that short regular breaks from formal education are beneficial and allow students to digest what they’ve been studying.

Dear Parents,

What an amazing school year we’ve begun, busy but amazing. It’s hard to believe that the first term is already over and we’re in the midst of our snowy goal-setting parent-teacher conferences.

Conference time is always an occasion for me to reflect on what’s been happening in the school-lives of the children at Swan. This year has been unique for me in that a number of things have happened at once that have allowed me to gain a stronger appreciation for what is happening at Swan School.

Recently Betsy forwarded an article to me that was titled, The Growing Menace of Being Average. The article is geared toward small businesses but the main premise fits independent schools as well. In the article the author, Jon Schallert, states, “As owners, we have developed the ability to identify an average business… Most customers can’t see average from the street. Instead, they walk into average businesses and walk back out, impressionless. No memories. No moments of surprise.” He is

Dear Parents,

I came across an article the other day in Alaska Magazine that piqued my interest. You see, as an educator I have always been fascinated with how the brain works and how we learn. A few years back I ran across some research that was astonishing to me. It was found that connections in our brains physically “grow” when we learn. When I was younger I was taught that we actually lost brain capacity as we aged and that our brain was more of a library that held knowledge that we put into it. And once lost, that was it. Now neuroscientists have discovered that that is not entirely true. By studying Black-capped Chickadees, it has been found that one’s environment does directly influence brain development. Following is the article from the 2010 July/August issue of Alaska Magazine.

Dear Parents,

One afternoon in June, I was surprised by a knock at the door. Opening it I was face to face with 8 young men. They were all alumni from my past multiage classes, the youngest now a senior in high school and the rest in college. I hadn’t seen these “kids” since they were in 5th grade and now they were all young adults …and a lot taller! They had come with a plan to abduct me and take me out to pizza. Well, it didn’t take long until we had pulled some tables up at Ferino’s and were busily reminiscing about the days when we were in class together – the mascots, favorite class games, field trips, funny things that happened during earthquake drills, even math tests – I was amazed by how much they remembered and by what had stuck with them. Time went by too quickly and I found myself back home with a grin on my face that lasted at least a week.

Later in the summer I was able to reconnect with some cousins, Larry and Tad (we call him Tad, his given name is Stanley). They arrived at our home in mid-July, just before our trip to Idaho. I hadn’t seen Tad since I was about the age of our preschool Discoverers and he was in college, and it had been a couple of years since I had visited with Larry. Linda and I were able to play tour guides, taking them around Port Townsend and the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula. It was great fun, and we truly enjoyed reconnecting with these “long lost” cousins. Later while Linda and I were in Idaho, my parents and Larry joined us for about four days of camping. That’s when the reminiscing really began. You see when they were young Larry and Tad would often spend time with my father and his brother. I discovered that my father was quite the hooligan in his day. As the oldest he would often lead this group of 4 boys on some wild adventures, many of which I probably shouldn’t share here. However, the main thing is that they formed a strong bond, one that is just as strong today as it was in the 1930′s and 40′s.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been immersed in my administrative duties here at school. But just about every day I am happily interrupted by a returning student or by a child that is interested in our school. It is a delight for me to give a tour to prospective students and their parents, but I find a special joy in reconnecting with returning students. We often share a quick memory from last year or I excitedly lead them off to a part of the campus where there have been some changes or improvements. They always share a grin and I can tell from the look in their eyes that they are excitedly anticipating the beginning of school, a time when they can reconnect with their friends and teachers. A place where new memories are made and new bonds formed, perhaps strong enough to last a lifetime.

This Saturday, August 28th, we will all have the chance to reconnect and to welcome some new members to our Swan School family. Our annual registration and work party is always a lot of fun as we “spruce up” the school and get it ready for the new year. This time you will also have the chance to sign your child up for some extended day programs. I am pleased to announce that this year we will have offerings every morning before school begins and nearly every afternoon. There are art classes, music classes, morning fitness, and even a leadership institute! Dana Weir, the extended day art teacher will be on hand to answer questions and sign everyone up who is interested. Although it is open to all Port Townsend area children, Swan families have “first dibs” on the limited spaces. These new opportunities will surely create new memories and secure new bonds – and what better place for children to make those connections that at Swan School. I’ll see you Saturday

Russ

P.S. I couldn’t resist sharing this picture of my cousins and me at Hurricane Ridge this summer.