Dear Grace Families & Friends,
There are so many awesome things happening at Grace School. In fact, sometimes there are so many positive things occurring that it’s easy to forget how far we’ve come.
I recently took time to reflect on the many changes at Grace since Fall 2007 when we held “Build the Vision Night.” This was an enthusiastic, high-energy event where parents and faculty brought shape to the vision of Grace School and shared their ideas for making us even stronger.
Since that fall, here are just a handful of the additions and changes that have come to Grace School:
- Added director of curriculum and instruction to oversee this crucial area, which includes professional development for teachers
- Development and implementation of a new, aligned curriculum for PK-8 so that concepts taught in each grade level build upon each other in the four main subject areas
- Development and implementation of Christian Studies program in Middle School to help students live out their faith and better equip them to defend their faith
- Created a guided reading library to support a balanced literacy learning environment
- Created an academic PK4 environment where children are taught by certified teachers
- Restructured to provide for full-time positions of school counselor, development director and Middle School instructional technology specialist
- Added new SMART technology in all classrooms and renovated 3rd grade classrooms to also include eco-friendly materials
- Increased communication with weekly Gator Mail, teacher websites, and Twitter
- Certification for all teachers
- Added band program for Middle School that now, in year two, is open to 5th graders to help them transition to Middle School
- Opened sports program to 5th graders to help them transition to Middle School
Isn’t this amazing? More is planned, including increased our Classroom Campaign to bring the new “3rd grade learning environment” to all classrooms and increased opportunities for our students to lead and learn.
The future of Grace School is bright. If at any time you have questions or ideas, please feel free to call me. I would love to hear them.
Many Blessings,
Liz Walgamuth