Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year at Charlottesville Day School. It promises to be another great year of growth and learning for the children we are blessed to work with during these critical years of their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The CDS community takes on an awesome responsibility with your children. Speaking for the administration, we are honored that you give us the opportunity again this year.
This year's school-wide theme is especially appropriate for the mission of CDS. The theme is titled "Through Innovators Eyes." The idea is twofold. First, the children will learn about the significance, successes, struggles, and talents of the many innovators whose ideas impact our daily lives. The theme presents a context for lessons within the preschool all the way through upper elementary school. This includes history, science, counting, shapes, math, art, language, and on and on. Second, and perhaps most importantly, the theme is designed for our students to think as innovators think. They will develop their own ideas rather than simply deliver known answers. If we create the right environment, they will not hesitate to offer tentative ideas in collaborative sessions designed to work through concepts. As they succeed, they will view themselves as participants in the world they occupy and be especially motivated to refine their language, math, and artistic skills so that they can participate in creating real change in their world.
CDS believes that a child's intellect and abilities are not fixed. Instead, their academic outcomes are yet to be determined and always capable of growth. We use assessments to guide our teaching. They are tools for great teachers to celebrate and challenge each child. But we deemphasize testing for the sake of external consumption and reject academic autopsies designed to avoid challenges or accountability.
We are thrilled by the variety of minds under our roof each school day and look forward with eagerness to see where they can lead us. We strive to create classrooms where all of the children believe in themselves and one another. We create an environment of teamwork, recognizing that most innovators are part of a team of thinkers; they rarely work alone. We are optimistic that the school-wide theme of Innovation will promote such a positive atmosphere. What better metaphor is there for having a mindset of continuous personal growth than studying individuals who saw the world around them as a canvas for great, new ideas?
Please take advantage of this theme and talk to your children about the innovators you admire. These can be artists (Georgia O'Keefe to George Harrison and those other three guys), scientists (DaVinci to Ben Franklin), humanitarians (Roberto Clemente to Melinda Gates) or whoever comes to mind. You should especially include innovators you admire from areas of particular interest to you in your careers or other parts of life. And be sure to include family members who came-up with innovations that your kids still follow today - even if it is as simple as my grandfather's idea to cook Bruns Chicken only on very low heat. Let your precious children know that they inherit not only the benefits of these ideas but also the tradition and obligation of continuing to improve the world with their own ideas.
We hope you enjoy this innovative year.
Here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:
September 10-- School Spirit Day (Wear your CDS Shirt)
September 13/14—Adult Kickboxing Conditioning Session #1 Classes Begin
September 14-- 10:00 AM Whole School Photo (All Students Attend)
September 21—Back-To-School Night 6:30 - 8:30 PM this is a required adults-only event-- childcare is available if you choose to sign up for it. jbreeden@charlottesvilledayschool.org
October 11-- CDS Charity Poker Event (Zocalo, 7:00 PM)
October 13--CDS Parent-Teacher Book Club—Mindset (order your book today! It is great)
October 22-- Grandparents Day
October 27-- 6:30 PM Guest Speaker, Dr. Carol Tomlinson!! RSVP to sbruns@charlottesvilledayschool.org
Sincerely,
Dave, Stacey, Annelise, and Kim
