School: Environmentally Aware + Community Engaged

I will start by saying I really love the kids school. They are super excited to go every morning & many times they ask to stay at the after school program. It is a school that is super-involved in the the community and environment and celebrates both intellect and creativity. Almost everyday the kids come home with something very hands-on they have seen that is a conversation starter where either we, as parents, learn something new OR we can have a thoughtful conversations.

• Cleaning up Trash on the beach (Dinner conversation: How can we reduce waste - we have made real change in our family)

• Turtles hatching and their lifecycle (Dinner conversation: Teach your parents something new)

• Millipedes environment (Dinner conversations: What is their habitat made out of)

• Gardening (Dinner Conversation: why has or hasn't something grown? or wow that passionfruit is delicious!),

• Taking care of those in need (Dinner conversation: What does it mean to be homeless? how can we help?)

• The school gives back - each class chooses what they will do for the community.

• Music! The kids are finally into music! Ukulele, Steel Drums - Finn begs to go to scratch band every week. Also, the three island schools on the island got together to sing some beautiful songs (on two different occasions)

• Getting to know each other: The school is very open to learning about different people. Our daughter was able to bring in Kaya (our dog) because she talks about her so much at school.

Basically this school is teaching my kids to be aware and thoughtful of the people, places and things around them and emboldens them to be curious and make changes for the better where they see they can help. It is also nurturing their creativity - I really see them coming into their own. The teachers also help (via Class Dojo) to encourage questions and conversations about what happened during the kids day.

The list can truly go on..but so far the school is my favorite part of this adventure (and that means a lot considering the natural beauty surrounding us here)