Trinity Valley School added an extraordinary Pre-K 4 program in 2019. Recently, we interviewed students in our inaugural program, asking them, "How have you grown over the years?" Out of the mouths of babes came honesty, reflection, insight, and pure joy.
This class, comprised of 32 four-year-olds, gained tenacity, strength, and independence as their Pre-K year was interrupted by a major interruption that caused them to receive instruction from home from March through May. COVID! The fall of 2020 took us into cohorts. These events did not break their spirit but grew them as learners. When asked to share how the years between Pre-K and second grade developed them as leaders, they responded with the thoughts on these pages.
We see much hope when we pause to consider how these next-generation leaders present themselves and reflect on what they believe is most important. They have grown in character and greatness over the past four years at Trinity Valley School. Tenacity, respect, honor, gratitude, and abundant joy offer us belief and pride in these young children as we project on our future.
I learned a lot about kindness from my first teachers. They dropped off all of our schoolwork, wrote with chalk on our driveways, and brought balloons for our birthdays.
I didn't know anything about how to use technology. I had to learn fast because that was how we talked with our teachers and saw our friends’ faces over Zoom. I am good at using technology now to communicate.
In kindergarten, it was easy to help students new to our school. Lots of us had already been here a year, so we helped the newer kids get around. We already knew where the nurse was and where to go for PE and the other special classes. We kept them from getting lost.
I didn't know it when I was little, but when I was in Pre-K and kindergarten, our teachers had to eat with us every day in the classroom. They were always wiping down our tables. I think that is how I learned to keep my desk clean and wash my hands to keep other people safe.
I feel like I have been at TVS my whole life. I am good at holding doors and greeting new people. We learned how to be respectful of first responders when we were in Pre-K. It is easy to still be thankful when I see a person in the military. All my teachers still remind us of respect.
I think we learned how to do hard things like wear masks and stay in small groups. You figure out how to do the next hard thing when you do hard things.
Every morning at carpool, we would stand with our teachers and watch the big kids raise the flags. Even if we were talking or running around, we would stop and put our hands on our hearts. We still do that in class. I remember it is important, even four years later, to freeze when we say the pledge.
