"Circle the World with Love"

Welcome to an exciting new school year! I hope that your child’s first few weeks of school have been filled with curiosity, wonderment, joy, and new friends. The emphasis of our Christian/Character Education program is on nurturing and guiding our children in their own emotional development and spiritual growth. We help each child with making the transition from knowing the good to doing the good. Some of our learning techniques and processes include using puppets and role plays, singing, listening to and creating our own stories, journaling, art activities, playing games, working in small groups, and participating in service projects within our school and community.

Our focus for the first weeks of school are:

* Helping children love and respect themselves (exploring feelings, strengths, talents)
* Sharing our love and respect with others (friendship)
* Being aware of God’s presence and love in our lives

As part of our CE program, we also offer training in peer mediation for students in grades 3-5. Conflict resolution skills are taught in preschool - grade 5.

Another important aspect of our program is the Peace Team, which involves the 5th graders. Their year-long focus is on personal leadership and being of service. They are on duty during lunch-recess providing help to the younger students.

Please stop by the CE House for a visit. We have a peace room where students (and adults) may spend a few moments of quiet, reflective time sitting or reading. Also, students can come here to settle conflicts with the help of a peer mediator.

I look forward to meeting you, and learning and growing with your children.

With a warm aloha,

Shirley Rivera
CE (grades 3-5) / Counseling PS - grade 5