From the FREEP

I usually write in the FREEP around this time each year reminding us all of the reasons to keep our children enrolled in The School in Rose Valley. However, when I retrieved the last Oldest Group Woodshop and Sports Newsletter written by Mike from Haley's backpack, I saw that my work had already been done. Read on. . . Dana

by Mike Nowell

Dear Parents,

The following is re-printed from the February 6th OG Woodshop and Sports Newsletter

I have a favor to ask. Step back and really listen to what your children have to say over the next two weeks. In the car, at the dinner table, at the organized sports event, when their friends are over, when you tuck them in at night, really listen to what they have to say and the way that they find to say it.

Whether you call what you hear self-confidence, empathy, character, love for life, interpersonal insight, self-awareness, simple humanity or any of the other qualities I get to see and hear them bring to my classes each week, recognize that these children have become markedly different from many of their peers. Turn on talk radio and you'll find that they're markedly different from a great many adults as well.

A large component of the education a child receives between Preschool and the Oldest Group at Rose Valley doesn't fit neatly into a curriculum handout. It doesn't appear as a section on the SAT's, and it doesn't receive annual funding from the state or federal government because they can't figure out how to make "whole child" a budget line item.

During our first Sports class when I tell children that, "I don't care what kind of athlete you become. I care what kind of person you become," I am speaking to this concept, making no pretense as to my goal of helping them develop the ability and courage to consistently recognize and choose the right and the good in any situation and to my commitment to unconditionally support them to that end.

Rose Valley has become known for its students maintaining a passion for discovery, for caring about learning long after most children have lost that treasured inborn spark. I ask that you take the next two weeks to really listen and fully discover the true passion and care they manifest for the people in their lives and the world around them. Having grown up in a small community that truly knows them, respects them and loves them, these children embody the transformative part of a Rose Valley education that will fundamentally shape their future lives and ultimately serve them and those lucky enough to know them more fully than any other part of their experience here.

I don't worry that these children are going to make it in the world, I worry that there are not nearly enough children like them, children who are going to change the world. I am proud to be their teacher, proud to work in a school that supports this kind of complete education and proud to be in partnership with parents who work to develop these qualities in their children as well.

Listen and be proud of the kind of people your children are becoming.

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20 School Lane : Rose Valley, PA 19063 : 610.566.1088 : office@theschoolinrosevalley.org