From the Principal

10/25/2024 7:09 am

Hello Dallin families,

What a beautiful week it’s been! We’ve definitely been spoiled this fall. Most importantly, the weather has allowed us to be outside every day, which has been crucial for the success of our Playworks program during recess. I’ve noticed more structured, inclusive, and fun recess periods following lunch. Students have choices, are trying new games, and are playing with new friends. Our 4th and 5th-grade recess captains have been fantastic at encouraging students to move and experiment with different activities. They’ve also stepped in as referees, often making tricky calls in the heat of the moment! The best part is that recess has been peaceful, which was our main goal in bringing this program to Dallin. We hope our students feel the same, and they’ll have the chance to share their thoughts in the upcoming Panorama student surveys.

In addition to new recess structures, students across the building have been deeply engaged in our new curriculum as part of the EL Education rollout. Last week, representatives from the EL organization visited classrooms to help us reflect on our early progress. We listened to students analyze poetry and explore deep themes of loss and author’s purpose. We observed students working collaboratively to create “magnificent things” for their classrooms, such as book hospitals and scoop chair organizers. Our youngest students unpacked learning targets and explored important new vocabulary like attributes and details. Beyond simply enjoying time with our students, we also watched our teachers skillfully implement a thinking curriculum with purpose. Their intentionality and effort are inspiring to witness.

At the end of our visits, we compiled a list of celebrations for Dallin, including:

• Consistent evidence of students fully engaged in their lessons
• Teachers offering specific, kind, and helpful feedback to support and encourage students
• Thoughtful and purposeful lesson planning
• All students across a grade level experiencing the same lessons together
• Instructional support staff and teaching staff working together to ensure all students can access the learning
• Joyful teachers and students!
• Students participating in rich academic conversations

We also left with clarity and excitement about where we can continue to grow. This year, our school will receive ongoing support from the EL team through coaching and strategic planning. I’m eager to share the outcomes of this work with families, especially as we develop strategies that can be used at home to support learning.

As a starting point, I encourage families to ask their child what they learned each day during their Module block. After you’ve heard either a) “I forgot,” or b) a one-word response, follow up by asking if they remember the Learning Targets for the day. They may not recall at first, but I wonder if over the course of the year, you’ll hear more and more as students become familiar with this routine.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our work at Dallin. I hope everyone is well and enjoying this amazing stretch of fall.

Be well,
Thad