TA News

Dear TA Families,

Here are a few ways to mark the milestone of finishing the first quarter …

Updating Portfolios 

As our first quarter of learning wraps up, we invite students to capture highlights of new skills, concepts, and experiences they’ve gained in recent months through digital copies and photographs of their work and add them to their portfolio. Think of this as the opposite of a homework bonfire. (While there still might be some paper to add to the kindling pile, it would be only after a careful review of what a student wants to save and what they want to let go of.)

All students, new and returning, worked on starting or developing their TA portfolio in a special extended advisory session on Sept. 29. Students can access them at any time and don’t need to wait for a teacher or advisor to prompt them. Ask your student to share their portfolio at home – available through their Google suite by clicking on the Sites app.

Getting Ready

Related to the process above – of reviewing, saving, sorting, and documenting academic work – our younger students especially (grades 7-9) might benefit from help going through their backpack and school materials and prepping for the new quarter. They know now what they need each day – and also what they don’t need. The transition between quarters is an opportunity to reorganize to feel ready and efficient for class each day (and maybe trim down the weight of their backpacks, too!).

Sharing Gratitude

I am grateful to our TA educators and support staff for their hard work this quarter (and every quarter!). A special shout out to our new faculty for jumping in, learning the ropes, and supporting students this fall. I invite parents and students alike to take a minute to send an email to a teacher, counselor, paraprofessional, coach, administrator, or other TA adult who has made a positive impact this school year. A little acknowledgement goes a long way!

Happy Autumn Weekend to All,

Carrie Brennan, Head of School

Featured photos this week: The TA bass fishing team competes on Lake Champlain, the high school food justice elective readies the hoop house for winter, and the 8th graders welcome a pet rat into their English class (a surprise visit for a group of writers who are passionate about the film Ratatouille).