Dear PJS Parents,
I hope this letter finds you all well and in anticipation for the start of the new school year. My summer has been full, immersed in professional development with faculty/staff, enjoying PJS Reimagine Summer Camp, and designing plans for our evolving and expanding indoor and outdoor classrooms and playscapes. I also took time, as we all should, during the summer months, to be with my family and focus on the importance of renewal and introspection. In the midst of turmoil and conflict in the world, I am so grateful to have found and be given the opportunity to lead a safe haven, such as Princeton Junior School, where community is of utmost importance and all are embraced and valued.
Our 2016-2017 school year will be abundant with learning experiences influenced by the International Baccalaureate framework that considers both the academic and social curriculum of developing young minds. In July I was very fortunate to participate in the IB Conference of the Americas, held in Toronto, Canada. Susan Weintraub, our IB Coordinator, joined me for this unforgettable experience where we networked with distinguished IB Schools across the globe, learned the latest and greatest educational practices and became in awe with what our Princeton Junior School is now a part of. The resources and opportunities that the IB program has to offer became especially evident to us. Moreover, the emphasis on intercultural engagement and world peace as part of the IB mission and curriculum framework is ever more relevant and remarkable in our complex and changing world. During the chilling moments as we heard news of the events in Nice during their Bastille Day, I stood in a large conference hall participating in a peace circle dance led by native people of Canada together with thousands of other educators from across the globe. I was overwhelmed with faith and hope as we were united in our shared vision across cultural differences and commitment for peace.
At Princeton Junior School, we strive to live guided by our community covenant, curriculum, and the special bonds that are nurtured in our own oasis, so that our children may become peacemakers, forging ahead with confidence, compassion, and the strong ability to make our world a better place. In one of my favorite books, Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child, Robert Brooks expresses that this is the time in our children’s lives to bolster their self-awareness, efficacy and confidence. The natural outcome of making our children feel known and understood is finding their ‘sweet spot’ for learning.
PJS is steadily growing and maturing as a world school, creating a lure in the local community and beyond as the only private elementary school in NJ offering this kind of IB exemplary education. This and our longstanding reputation serving early through late childhood is an attraction for not only families, but teachers who bring expertise in pedagogy and in the core subjects such as mathematics and language arts. PJS promotes professional development with educators who have taught across the globe and understand firsthand intercultural engagement. The lessons learned from their experiences are weaved into our school’s curriculum and core values. We are also fortunate to have attracted experts in the field who want to be a part of our school community and have offered their services as consultants.
Our school is growing. Our reenrollment is the highest it’s been in several years welcoming 30 new students to our community. This has all been made possible by the support and shared vision of our Parents Association and Board of Trustees.
Soon your family will be hearing from your child’s grade level teachers, as preparations begin for the start of school. I hope to see you at our ‘Meet & Greet’ (invitation attached) on September 1st at 1:30pm. In the meantime - explore, discover and savor the wonderment of summer alongside your child.
Warmest Regards,
Silvana
I hope this letter finds you all well and in anticipation for the start of the new school year. My summer has been full, immersed in professional development with faculty/staff, enjoying PJS Reimagine Summer Camp, and designing plans for our evolving and expanding indoor and outdoor classrooms and playscapes. I also took time, as we all should, during the summer months, to be with my family and focus on the importance of renewal and introspection. In the midst of turmoil and conflict in the world, I am so grateful to have found and be given the opportunity to lead a safe haven, such as Princeton Junior School, where community is of utmost importance and all are embraced and valued.
Our 2016-2017 school year will be abundant with learning experiences influenced by the International Baccalaureate framework that considers both the academic and social curriculum of developing young minds. In July I was very fortunate to participate in the IB Conference of the Americas, held in Toronto, Canada. Susan Weintraub, our IB Coordinator, joined me for this unforgettable experience where we networked with distinguished IB Schools across the globe, learned the latest and greatest educational practices and became in awe with what our Princeton Junior School is now a part of. The resources and opportunities that the IB program has to offer became especially evident to us. Moreover, the emphasis on intercultural engagement and world peace as part of the IB mission and curriculum framework is ever more relevant and remarkable in our complex and changing world. During the chilling moments as we heard news of the events in Nice during their Bastille Day, I stood in a large conference hall participating in a peace circle dance led by native people of Canada together with thousands of other educators from across the globe. I was overwhelmed with faith and hope as we were united in our shared vision across cultural differences and commitment for peace.
At Princeton Junior School, we strive to live guided by our community covenant, curriculum, and the special bonds that are nurtured in our own oasis, so that our children may become peacemakers, forging ahead with confidence, compassion, and the strong ability to make our world a better place. In one of my favorite books, Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child, Robert Brooks expresses that this is the time in our children’s lives to bolster their self-awareness, efficacy and confidence. The natural outcome of making our children feel known and understood is finding their ‘sweet spot’ for learning.
PJS is steadily growing and maturing as a world school, creating a lure in the local community and beyond as the only private elementary school in NJ offering this kind of IB exemplary education. This and our longstanding reputation serving early through late childhood is an attraction for not only families, but teachers who bring expertise in pedagogy and in the core subjects such as mathematics and language arts. PJS promotes professional development with educators who have taught across the globe and understand firsthand intercultural engagement. The lessons learned from their experiences are weaved into our school’s curriculum and core values. We are also fortunate to have attracted experts in the field who want to be a part of our school community and have offered their services as consultants.
Our school is growing. Our reenrollment is the highest it’s been in several years welcoming 30 new students to our community. This has all been made possible by the support and shared vision of our Parents Association and Board of Trustees.
Soon your family will be hearing from your child’s grade level teachers, as preparations begin for the start of school. I hope to see you at our ‘Meet & Greet’ (invitation attached) on September 1st at 1:30pm. In the meantime - explore, discover and savor the wonderment of summer alongside your child.
Warmest Regards,
Silvana