It is said that baseball is America’s favorite past time. Well, that may not be true here at Van Derveer School. Mr. Diaz, literally, is the 49’ers biggest fan, and his enthusiasm is contagious! Our school community has caught the football fever and today everyone is dressed to support their favorite team. Football seems to have taken over.
Each day at recess, groups of student bound up the hill, girls and boys alike, to play some football! While Mr. Diaz has the privilege of quarterbacking these games, I have had the pleasure of observing them. The students are learning so much more than making a first down, catching and throwing…..
They are learning that their classmates have different abilities;
They are learning the importance of good sportsmanship and being a good sport;
They are learning the feel of an adrenaline rush after running around exercising,
They are learning that friends can be on opposite teams, and still be friends,
They are learning to try, try and try some more,
They are learning that some days you win, and some days you lose.
During recess, our students have the opportunity to practice the character education skills that we are teaching them in the classroom. The playground has become its own outdoor classroom. So no matter who wins on Sunday, we are teaching our students that there is more to a game than the scoreboard may show.
Are you ready for some football?
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Leading with Heart
As we start a new year, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. I find the start of a new year to be an exciting opportunity to celebrate and contemplate, to recognize and reorganize, to acknowledge where I have been and plan for where I want to be.
Nicholas Diaz, assistant principal, and I have taken time to reflect on ourselves as school leaders at Van Derveer School. Through our conversations and reflections, our collegial dialogues and musings, we realize that each day we endeavor to lead our school with passion and heart. As such, the podcast, Leading With Heart, was created.
We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Van Derveer School: a place to learn, a place to grow, where children come first!
Nicholas Diaz, assistant principal, and I have taken time to reflect on ourselves as school leaders at Van Derveer School. Through our conversations and reflections, our collegial dialogues and musings, we realize that each day we endeavor to lead our school with passion and heart. As such, the podcast, Leading With Heart, was created.
We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Van Derveer School: a place to learn, a place to grow, where children come first!
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