From Teachers.net:

By Sue Rockwood

It’s Writing Workshop time with my Kindergarten group.  We’ve just had a mini-lesson in which I modeled showing “the inside story” – drawing and telling about how I felt when my cat knocked my laptop off of my desk.

We talk about how to show and tell how we feel in our writing.  Telling the “inside story” is an idea for our writing toolboxes — along with labeling pictures, making the characters talk, and describing with our senses about smells, sounds, etc.  Students get writing paper and settle in.

As I circulate, I am happy that a new student is comfortable asking me “Will you help me write?” (yes, by encouraging you to do as much as you can on your own and then supporting your growing edges) and another student has an idea and is writing down all the sounds he hears in a sentence (next time we get together, I will show him how to put spaces between his words to make it easier for a reader to read his story).

As I visit with each student I think about their individual stages of development and what “next step” they are ready to try.  Science helps  me know the steps and how to help students along them; art is in establishing trust and confidence, in celebrating the students’ temperaments and skills, and in giving them just what they need right then to keep them inspired and advancing.

As an important part of the Greening Greenwood initiative, Greenwood Friends School has been evaluating ways to improve our energy efficiency and establish a sustainable energy footprint. We recently participated in an energy audit through PPL Electric Utilities and are very pleased that we earned a place on their Energy Smart Honor Roll. We are also proud of our use of Clean Currents wind energy as our renewable electricity provider. Our next project for Greening Greenwood is to increase the energy efficiency of our school by replacing the 70-year old windows in the original part of the school with energy-efficient windows. If you would like to support this project please consider purchasing Eco-cleaners, attending the Jazz Benefit, or donating directly to the Support Greenwood campaign.

Brenda has informed the Greenwood community that she has accepted a new position as Head of School at Friends School of Wilmington in North Carolina beginning in the summer of 2012. This represents an exciting opportunity for her and we congratulate her on this appointment. Brenda has been an outstanding leader of Greenwood Friends for the past 4 years and has greatly strengthened our school; she will be missed.

The coming transition in leadership is important and the Board of Trustees is happy to announce that Cindy Schultz is wonderfully suited to step into the role of Interim Head of School in 2012-2013. Her familiarity with Greenwood Friends School from her fifteen years as parent, volunteer, and Board member, her strengths as an administrator, and her love for children will ensure that next year Greenwood’s growth and vitality will continue to flourish.

The trustees invite all members of the Greenwood community to a discussion on February 7 at 7 pm in the school library. Brenda, Cindy and many Trustees will be available to answer any questions about the process that is unfolding. This is also an opportunity to congratulate Brenda on her professional success and to welcome Cindy into the interim role.