Home

In November, the 7th graders showcased their stream health data in a mini science forum, welcoming visitors to learn about the condition of our Indy streams. Students collected, identified, and analyzed stream macroorganisms from the tributary on campus (fondly known as the Little Trib), using data tables and graphs to represent findings. They engaged attendees in discussions on the data they collected, fielding questions and sharing insights from their research. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to practice sharing their work and gaining valuable feedback on their conclusions.

For anyone interested in ways that teachers can teach better, students can learn better, and
schools can better prepare young people for success, this is a fascinating point in time. That’s
because advances in our understanding of the way the human brain works and learns are beginning to influence educational practice as never before. 

What happens to the infinite array of questions that preschoolers have? They can be endless, tiresome, even embarrassing when asked in public. Interestingly, such questions are a perfect vehicle for cognitive development.

Our 5th graders are published authors! During their poetry writing unit, each student created 6 different types of poems. They then picked their favorite one (or two favorites) to add to the class book and included an illustration. Each class was also tasked with creating a cover for their book and a dedication page to anyone of their choosing. Mrs. Shockley and Ms. Nelson shipped the final books off to be published and they arrived!

The Modern Epidemic, Fast Fashion: The True Cost, AI-Generated Art: Controversy, and The Importance of Oyster Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay. These topics and more were explored by our Class of 2023 for their Capstone Projects, presented earlier this week.

As a teacher of mindfulness at The Independence School, I often wonder how I can enrich the minds of my students and introduce them to the researched benefits of cultivating a mindfulness practice. Simply put, mindfulness is the art of paying attention to what is happening right now, in the present moment. Think of it as a tool for one to use to calm down and focus on what they are doing. Read more about the benefits of mindfulness practice in school.

Members of the Center for Wellness, Innovation and Learning (CWIL) team, Vicky Yatzus, Bernadette Gilmore, and Dr. Dahra Williams, were selected to present at this year’s ERB Conference in New York City on April 24 and 25. Given the overall conference theme of “Connections,” the group from Independence presented the school's work and research in mindfulness, outdoor learning, and social/emotional learning (SEL), all ways of making connections and improving student wellness and interest. Read more to learn details about the presentation. 

The topic of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is not new, but over the past 5-10 years, it has been gaining strong traction in education due to increasing evidence that SEL is a critical aspect of learning and connection with others. The Independence School has adopted a PreK through 8th-grade SEL program called Second Step with lessons around empathy, managing emotions, problem solving, valuing friendships, managing relationships and social conflict, and more. 

This November, as part of the Character Development Program, our 6th and 7th grade students completed their in-school hour of community service. Each group was tasked with coming up with their activity and executing it. Read more for a few examples. 

This week, our ECI students shared snacks, laughs, and friendship with their 8th grade buddies. This program pairs our younger Patriots with role models to inspire them while offering our middle school students a chance to hone their leadership skills. We can't wait to watch these new Patriot Pal bonds grow throughout the school year!

Many of our students recently teamed up with Drip Coffee in Hockessin to decorate coffee sleeves with heartfelt designs and messages, bringing a little extra warmth to the community. Beginning February 14, these one-of-a-kind sleeves will be wrapped around hot coffee cups until they run out, just in time to share the love for Valentine's Day and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day! Read more to see a few of the designs.