Students Feel Valued

"Students know they are valued" is a statement in CA's philosophy.  I asked 4th and 5th grade students if they feel valued.  After a brief discussion of what that means, they told me "yes". Once again they managed to surprise me with their observations when I asked the question "what are some of the ways we make you feel valued?" I expected to hear things such as teachers display their work in the classrooms and hallways, we announce how they are doing with their running goals every Friday, teachers tell them when they are doing well.

These more obvious ways of showing them they are valued were not what the said first. These are the things they told me:

• They liked that when they came back to school this year the playground looked so nice and that the main playground equipment had been painted. They understood that work had been done to prepare it for them so that they had a fun, safe place to play together. Thank you Mr. Widlacki and Worley Grounds.
• They liked that we had also gotten some new things for their P.A. Classes.
• One student commented that it was great to have the pavilion built last year because they really needed shade on the playground. Others quickly agreed and added that the pavilion is a nice place for lunch and that their teachers sometimes have outdoor classes in it. Thank you, Mr. Jolley, for the pavilion!
• They mentioned the new technologies that have been added this year. They enjoy using these resources to learn.
• One student said it made him feel valued that the teachers try to have good classrooms. That led to a discussion about two aspects of "good classrooms":
• The physical arrangement and appearance of the classrooms are well suited for kids, inviting, interesting, and comfortable.
• The other aspect of a good classroom is the lessons and activities the teachers plan.  Students appreciate interesting and challenging learning experiences.

Overall, the students let me know that they do know that they are valued at CA.  That is a nice feeling.