Coleytown Charters

In September, each classroom at Coleytown developed a charter. The charter is a document

that describes how we want to feel in school. Creating a charter empowers students to

co create a positive emotional environment with shared accountability.

We used a few key questions in developing these charters:

● How do we want to feel in school?

● What do we need to do to ensure we feel this way?

● How do we handle situations in which the charter is not being upheld?

Below are some sample class charters:

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for classrooms to reflect on these charters. Students and staff can reflect on which feelings from the charter are aligned with the spirit of Thanksgiving. They can think about what they have done this school year to make others experience these feelings and how they want to continue "living" the charter each day. Practicing gratitude and reflecting on the charter are important practices for all members of the CES community.

In addition, families can participate in this wonderful work. Last week, all classroom teachers sent home optional activities about family charters. These were developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. These activities are for families interested in learning more about family charters and continuing this work at home.

We will continue to share information about our charters throughout the school year.

Saugatuck Congregational Church Thanksgiving Feast

On Friday during Community Time, the Coleytown staff and students made cards for the annual Saugatuck Congregational Church Thanksgiving Feast.  This is the 17th year that the CES community has made cards and decorations for this event.  Buddy classes worked together to create creative cards.  It's a wonderful way for the CES community to make a difference in our larger community.  Below are some photos of the buddies creating their masterpieces!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING COLEYTOWN!

Literacy Buddies

Today we welcomed students from Staples High School to Coleytown Elementary School.  These high school students are enrolled in a Children's Literature class and will be acting as "literacy buddies" for the CES students this semester. These buddies will engage in a variety of literacy activities with each other. 

Why do we have these literacy buddies?  For the high school students, they will have an opportunity to share their understanding of early childhood literacy with an audience.  In addition, they will be able to provide feedback to the second graders about their reading and writing.  For our second grade students, they will be have an authentic audience for their own reading and writing.  

In October, the high school students wrote introduction letters to their second grade buddies.  The second graders were so excited to receive these letters and write back!  

Today, the high school students came to CES to read to Mrs. Boyle's class.  Students brought different picture books to read aloud to their buddies.  They asked questions throughout to prompt discussion with the second graders.  Second graders also read from their book boxes to their high school buddies.  All of the children were engaged and happy to be reading with each other.

High school students will be visiting the other second grade classes next week.

Check out some pictures from the day!