Our little star

As many of you know, Casey started her school “career” at Renaissance Academy Charter School.  In Kindergarten she’s doing outstanding and we love the curriculum.  Not only does it focus on the basic reading, writing, math, science, etc.  But the overall focus at Renaissance is to “build” the student as a whole.  To teach them respect, justice, hope and courage are some of their core values.  In my opinion, you can leave school and be an A+ student.  But if you don’t have the confidence in yourself, don’t know yourself and don’t understand how the “world works”, your potential is less. 

Not only are we impressed with their core values, but they really push kids to be independent.  But not in a bad way.  They teach them, even in kindergarten, to be responsible for their own actions and things.  They also teach them how to solve problems on their own and how to express their feelings (sad, happy, angry) in a productive manner.  All these things really make a well rounded student, child and future grown-up.

They’ve really dived into the Reading program in her class and Casey is reading so well!  She’s also doing very well with Math and can add and subtract.  She’s definitely an intelligent little girl.

I REALLY love the school’s Code of Conduct (I’ve highlighted my favorite part):

I AM HERE TO LEARN - Therefore I will:

• Respect myself, others, and the environment. 
• Cooperate with all school personnel. 
• Do nothing to keep the teacher from teaching, or keep anyone, including myself, from learning.

Casey has her parent teacher conference this afternoon, so I was looking over her report card.  Her teacher had the following to say about her and I got a tear of admiration in my eye:

“Casey is a kind, gracious, and wonderful student, who has a beautiful smile that lights up her face.  She plays well with all the other children and has many friends.  She enjoys running and playing tag during outside recess.  Casey exemplifies the core values of justice, hope and courage.  She is kind and friendly to everyone and treats all fairly.  She offers hope and friendship to all, but especially to those students who are having a difficult day.  She has been a positive role model this entire year!  Keep up the great behavior Casey!”