Physical Activity. The qualities of physical fitness and health enhance the students’ welfare and academic achievement. Each child is encouraged to rise to his/her individual physical potential. Movement activities, dance and other forms of creative physical expression are infused into the everyday curriculum as well as meaningful work through the garden and farm lessons. To the greatest extent possible, classrooms and play yard space are organized to maximize the children’s opportunities for movement. Parent participation is a keystone of our program. A significant body of research indicates that when parents participate in their children’s education, the result is an increase in student achievement and satisfaction. Increased attendance, fewer discipline problems and higher aspirations have all been correlated with successful parent involvement. Active parents strengthen the school on many levels. As a charter school the individual skills, talents and interests of the parent body are resources which the school depends on. Additionally, strong partnerships with parents bring greater meaning and purpose to education by integrating the children’s school life into their family life and into their community. Successful parent involvement requires ongoing parent education. Parents organize and attend lectures, book talks, support groups, school festivals and class meetings-all of which focus on child development as well as specific aspects of the educational program. The school community is further connected through optional seasonal programs and festivals.
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