Stand Together’s Post

Colegas belles, As the new school year begins and you prepare to welcome your students into the classroom, I urge you to reflect on the activities and icebreakers traditionally used to start the year. Many of us have assigned the familiar “What I did this summer” activity in the past, before we knew better. What’s more, TpT is plagued with similar activities to be quickly printed and used after every single break. It’s crucial though, to recognize that these seemingly harmless prompts may unintentionally cause distress to some students. Consider the child who couldn’t afford a vacation, the one who spent the summer caring for younger siblings because their caregiver was absent or unable to provide. Think of the student who hid under the covers at night to escape the chaos at home, or the one who eagerly awaits the start of school because they relied on school lunches for their only regular meal. Imagine the child who wears last year’s clothes because new ones were out of reach, and the child who dreads being asked about their summer because all they did was pull through. We can’t possibly be aware of every reality! For these students, being asked to share about their summer can be a painful reminder of hardships they’d rather forget. Instead, I encourage you to pose a different question, such as “What are you looking forward to this school year?” For children in fight or flight mode, projecting their minds to a better future can help them feel hopeful and step out of survival mode. This simple shift can make a world of difference, creating a supportive environment and a sense of belonging from the very start. Incorporating trauma-informed pedagogy is essential in fostering a classroom where all students feel safe, valued, and respected. Let’s ensure that our teaching practices reflect a deep understanding of the diverse experiences our students bring with them. By doing so, we can better support all our students—especially those for whom summer was not a time of joy, but of survival. Thank you for your dedication and care as we work together to create compassionate learning environments for all students. In community, Françoise PS: mark your calendars for the IG live we’ll be hosting with Omar Rachid on August 20th at 7:00!

Read Mr. Anderson's first blog of the new school year here. Our core values guide all we do as a school. #ldnont #privateschool

One thing we love about #SchoolChoiceWeek is getting to hear about the experiences of our students and families! ❤️ We'd love to hear from you! What is your family's favorite thing about Breakthrough? Tell us in the comments! #NationalSchoolChoiceWeek National School Choice Week

Celebrating the incredible achievements of our Early Childhood and Primary School students! These young minds have shown remarkable growth and development, and we're excited to see what they'll accomplish. A big congratulations to our graduates and their families! Let's shower our graduates with love and encouragement! Share your well wishes in the comments below. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥⁣ 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘐𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 #𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥⁣ #𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘺⁣ #𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘮⁣ #𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺⁣ #𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴⁣ #𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭⁣ #𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭

What we love most about our work is the kind of relationship we have with the people we work with, especially our students. Kelly, one of our education coaches, once said, “We’re more than tutors; we’re their mentors and big sisters.” And that hits home. Every child has the potential to do great things, but it takes a whole family to support them. Sometimes they just need someone to guide and support them the way they need, whether it's parents, teachers or someone they can get along with like a 'Big Brother/Sister' (but happens to know EVERYTHING about study, school and ATARs). Either way, we love working with families and then, through the process, BECOMING family... Because that's when the biggest challenges are conquered and when the biggest, most hard-won battles are finally won and celebrated — TOGETHER. Beyond the tutoring and sharing best practices in navigating high school or getting into dream courses in university, the kind of bond our students build with us is why we get up each day. We love that even after high school, they choose to stay in touch and keep us up to date about the exciting new things happening in their lives. As your honorary 'big sister or brother', we're so proud of how each of you is growing into more and more of your best self. And you know what? We also look up to YOU because you'll be the future 'big brother and sisters' for the next generation. 💛 #KalibrateEd #AussieParents #StudentSuccess #LearningInOz #NorthShoreMums #SydneyMums #LaneCoveMums #HillsDistrictMums

In the world of early childhood education, we’re all about planting seeds for the future. But here’s a fun thought: If you could give one piece of advice to policymakers about nurturing young minds, what would it be? Share your wisdom and let’s sprinkle a little inspiration into the conversation and keep those policy discussions as lively as a kindergarten class on a field trip!

School’s out for summer in our neck of the woods!🏝️ Whether you’ve wrapped up or still have a few days left, congratulations to all of our teachers, admins, and staff on another fantastic school year. 🍎📚 What’s on your summer agenda? Let us know your goals down below! ☀️⬇️ #Education #EducationalConsulting #EducationLeaders

Financial Literacy has never been more important than before, and the unfortunate reality is that many public school curriculums do not currently provide the roadmap for students to be financially responsible by the time they turn 18. I’m looking forward to partnering with Motivate Our Minds beginning later this month by offering weekly financial literacy to students ranging K-5. Planting the seeds of financial success early in development will set these kids up for success! https://lnkd.in/eZCTW-nf

The Cost of Tradition: Are Homecoming Mums Worth the Price Tag? As we move through the homecoming season, one tradition that stands out—especially here in Texas—is the homecoming mum. Once a simple corsage symbolizing school spirit and camaraderie, mums have now evolved into elaborate displays of creativity, often costing hundreds of dollars. It’s become a tradition rooted in pride and school spirit, but it also raises an important question: At what point does tradition become a burden? For many families, the escalating expense of these mums creates financial pressure. What was once an affordable and fun way to celebrate school pride has now become a competitive, and sometimes exclusionary, status symbol. The emphasis on bigger, better, and more elaborate designs can unintentionally put a strain on students and parents alike, turning a joyful event into one marked by stress and financial strain. What if we reconsidered the true value of homecoming? Could we shift the focus from the price tag to the memories, friendships, and sense of community that truly define the spirit of the event? Schools and communities have an opportunity to foster inclusivity by promoting more accessible ways for all students to participate without the pressure of extravagant spending. It's worth pondering: How do we honor traditions while ensuring they remain inclusive and meaningful for everyone involved? What are your thoughts? Have we lost sight of the true meaning behind this tradition, or is this evolution just another part of keeping school spirit alive? Let’s continue the conversation.

Understanding the foundation of tomorrow starts with exploring early childhood development. Dive into the wonders of this crucial phase—it's a journey that unveils endless possibilities. Read more, learn more, and discover the incredible impact it holds for our future generations. #EarlyChildhoodExploration #LearningMatters #ProgramsforParents