Just before April vacation, I attended a wonderful celebration and annual tradition at the Memorial School ~ Celebrating Seniors & Friends Day. It was a wonderful community event that allowed our children to share their artistic and musical talents with the special people in their lives. It was clear from the number of people in attendance and the positive energy in the room, that the entire community had pride in its school.
There is lots of talk about the concept of The Whole Child, and I am proud to say that here at MERSD I regularly see evidence of it in the day-to-day work we do with our students. This spring alone there were several standout examples of how our program seeks to develop well-rounded students who excel not only in traditional academic pursuits but also the arts, sciences, athletics, and community involvement.
· MERHS Drama club took first place at the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival.
· Debate & Speech Team put in another commendable performance placing eleventh at State Championship Tournament sponsored by the Massachusetts Forensic League
· MERMHS Robotics Team competed in US FIRST Competition at Boston University's Agganis Arena.
· Independent staff members had work published in the Gloucester Daily Times.
· Essex Elementary celebrated Health/Wellness with interdisciplinary lessons and activities throughout March.
· Memorial School celebrated poetry month with daily activities and demonstrations of student work that encouraged creative thinking and writing.
· Middle School Students traveled with their teachers and principals to Washington, D.C. to actively learn first-hand about their nation’s history.
Whole Child Tenets
- Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
- Each student learns in an intellectually challenging environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.
- Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.
- Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
- Each graduate is challenged academically and prepared for success in college or further study and for employment in a global environment.
For more information on the Whole Child visit http://www.wholechildeducation.org/
