Karen Leavitt, Head of Lower School
Dear Lower School Parents,
In my final communication for the 2022-23 school year, I would like to continue to share my gratitude for your loyal partnership. I have much to be thankful for this year at BZ, but at the top of my list is working together with our amazing families. Your support has been integral to the success of our program and has enabled tremendous growth for your children. It has been my absolute pleasure to help guide our Lower School this year, and I look forward to continued work next year.
This year was thankfully without COVID restrictions, yet we continued to talk about its impact, reminding us of the importance of consistency and structure and also identifying the need for additional layers of social/emotional support throughout the year. We also pinpointed the need to help students practice sitting with difficult tasks, further developing tenacity and stamina. Kids are accustomed to hearing me say, “You can do hard things!” Using programs like Responsive Classroom, Amazeworks, and The Nora Project, coupled with consistent classroom lessons on friendship, persistence, community, conflict resolution and problem-solving, enabled us to push forward in our rich academic endeavors. We were able to complete our curricular goals and feel prepared for students to rise to their next challenge.
As I am writing this note, we are in our final stretch, with 12 school days left. As I often communicate, parents and teachers always feel joyous at the end of a school year in anticipation of summer, family time and renewed energy. However, as we are offering kids congratulations on finishing their year, our students remain full of mixed emotions. Many of them are leaving a level of comfort and structure that is paramount, and heading into the unknown of camp and a new school year. A balance of encouragement and support, and the acknowledgment that “graduating” brings big feelings, will help guide our little learners into their next adventure with confidence. In these final days, we commit to a strong finish with Shark Tank projects, Hebrew Fashion Shows, field trips, Amazeworks reflections, Junior Great Books lessons, Shavuot celebrations, publishing parties and more!
As you think ahead to summer days, please continue to prioritize reading of any kind. All types of reading and listening bring value, and will set your students up for success at the start of next year. During the summer months, you can expect some communication from me about important happenings and updates.
From all of us in Lower School, we wish you a relaxing and rejuvenating summer. We will be anxiously awaiting your arrival back to school in August.
Warmly,
Karen Leavitt and the Lower School team