MESSAGE FROM JULIE Dear TLS Community, We hope you’ve felt it all year ... the energy and vibrancy that occurs when teachers collaborate to design experiences that work ... no matter the situation. This has been The Little School’s trademark this year and it has created incredible opportunities for your children to grow, connect, wonder and thrive. With a year of purposeful design under our belt, we have reflected and gathered our observations as a faculty on the ways that our wellness and learning protocols on campus were successful. We also reached out to families for input on what worked for each of you. “Thank you for your continued partnership and for sharing your amazing children with us each day.“ This spring, we’ve taken all we have learned and made adjustments for the fall that we think will best serve our students’ emotional, social, intellectual and physical growth and wellness. We plan to have all students on campus in the fall and are excited to share our plans for the 2021-22 school year! Thank you for your continued partnership and for sharing your amazing children with us each day. Gratefully, JULIE
THE LITTLE SCHOOL
MEANINGFUL OUTDOOR LEARNING Increased time outside leads to increased health, stamina and wonder, as well as greater scientific knowledge, stewardship and sense of place. Without a doubt, our students also benefit from outdoor time to joyfully play, run and imagine. They find inspiration for writing and reading in contemplative spaces in the forest, for math as they estimate tree density or tally pinecones, for science in every puddle and under every rock. In hands-on ways, they learn about how issues of the environment intersect with issues of justice. They learn about the history and people of our land as they garden and explore our forest. Next year, we will continue to commit heartily to outdoor learning and the incredible academic, social, physical and emotional benefits it bestows on our students.
SOCIAL JUSTICE, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
As a progressive school, we have always worked to educate children in ways that prepare them to be community-minded, compassionate citizens and problem-solvers. This year – from the 2020 election, to COVID, to the broader societal issues of race and inequity – we have embraced our active role in teaching students the skills and dispositions that enable them to learn and work effectively in a diverse and complex world. Our values and goals around diversity, equity, inclusion and justice will continue to evolve as we build community and plan curriculum anew each year. As we embark on the 2021-22 school year, we are committed to making TLS a place where every child, staff member and family feels a sense of intrinsic value and belonging. 2021-22
CHILD-CENTERED SCHEDULING In response to COVID in the 2020-21 school year, our specialists were integrated with one level over an 8-week block, and both teachers and families observed many benefits to this design. Schedules were designed carefully around student needs and interests because we no longer had to rush transitions or cut off activities to “get to the next thing.” Specialist curricula and projects were more connected to the rest of the school day. Having a synchronized group of teachers working together meant that schedules could also be adapted to create small learning groups or longer blocks of time for choice activities, academics and thematic learning. For 2021-22, we have the opportunity to improve upon this as follows:
SPECIALIST INTEGRATION Two specialists will work with each level for four-week blocks. For example, your child has music and P.E. for four weeks in a row, and the next block they have art and T.E.D., and the next block they have library and E.E. Additionally, they will have more opportunity to have ongoing connection with specialists at specialist studio times. The initial block schedule will be available in September.
STUDIO TIME Students will have access to specialists even when they are not in their block, to provide ongoing connection, learning and choice. This means regular time in the library to check out books, even if their level is not integrated with library for that block.
COMMUNITY TIME Our weekly schedules will include schoolwide community time to allow for cross-level interactions like class buddy get-togethers, electives, open choice, special guests and Community Sings. THE LITTLE SCHOOL
COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENTS We are so excited to sing and to gather together, and we are eagerly planning for that eventuality! When we get the green light on safety, we will gather and sing with abandon! Sing-alongs, student performances, guest speakers, visiting artists, community celebrations and parent education events will fill the Rivers Building. We also hope to open up the Big Field for families after school and will reach out in the fall about the return of many traditions and the inception of new ones.
THE RETURN OF ENRICHMENT
HOT LUNCH
We anticipate that we will be able to offer after school enrichment classes in the fall. Ray will connect with some of our favorite organizations from the past and reach out to new groups to offer artistic, culinary, athletic, musical and maker classes for our students. Fall enrichment opportunities will be announced in August.
After countless interviews, we are thrilled to announce that Green Sprouts will be offering an optional hot lunch program in the fall. Their COVID-safe approach to healthy, hot foods is just what we’ve been seeking for the school. More information about their menus and pricing will be available later this summer.
2021-22
HEALTH & WELLNESS The school will continue to follow recommendations from the CDC, Department of Health and State of Washington regarding COVID protocols. We anticipate the following layers of safety will still be recommended in the fall:
Mask use on-campus until vaccination for children is approved and available.
3-foot physical distancing indoors.
Required quarantine and COVID testing if students travel or encounter other types of exposure to COVID-19.
Maintaining hygiene practices, including hand washing when entering buildings, after using restrooms or before eating. Daily wellness checks.
6-foot physical distancing during meals and/or eating out-of-doors.
Maintaining indoor ventilation with open windows and air purifiers.
Strict illness policies for students and faculty.
The most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is through masking and vaccination. Our faculty is fully vaccinated. As information about vaccination for children unfolds, we anticipate that this vaccine will fall under the same regulations as other childhood vaccines. We will expect students to be vaccinated as available unless they qualify for religious or medical exemption. THE LITTLE SCHOOL
CALENDAR
ALWAYS ONLINE AT THELITTLESCHOOL.ORG/CALENDAR AUGUST 29
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
SEPTEMBER 06 08
LABOR DAY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
OCTOBER 08 11
IN-SERVICE DAY HALF DAY; PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
NOVEMBER 11 22-23 24-26 29
VETERANS DAY REPORT WRITING DAYS THANKSGIVING BREAK IN-SERVICE DAY
DECEMBER 17 HALF-DAY DISMISSAL 20-31 WINTER BREAK
JANUARY 03 17
IN-SERVICE DAY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
FEBRUARY 21 PRESIDENTS DAY 22-25 MID-WINTER BREAK 28 IN-SERVICE DAY
MARCH 14 25
HALF DAY; PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
APRIL 04-08 SPRING BREAK
MAY 06 20 27 30
ARTS FESTIVAL PREP DAY REPORT WRITING DAY REPORT WRITING DAY MEMORIAL DAY
JUNE 10
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
2021-22
We CEDARS AND WOODS
MEADOWS
SCHOOL DAY 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
SCHOOL DAY 8:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. (full day) 8:45 a.m.-noon (half day)
A.M. DROP-OFF WINDOW 8:15-8:30 a.m. P.M. PICKUP 3 p.m.
THE LITTLE SCHOOL
A.M. DROP-OFF WINDOW 8:30-8:45 a.m. P.M. PICKUP 3:15 p.m.
EXTENDED DAY MORNINGS 7:45-8:30 a.m. AFTERNOONS 3 or 3:15-6 p.m.