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Lower SchoolA Letter from the Head of Lower School Greetings and welcome to the MPH Lower School! Loving to come to school is what it should be all about, and the children in the Manlius Pebble Hill Lower School do. From the moment the children step off the bus or exit the car they skip off to class greeting friends and teachers with smiles of joy. Students enter the classroom eager to be a part of the energy provided by the intellectual stimulation of their peers while personal exploration and risk-taking encourages them to "own their learning." Our students grow to develop and understand what it means to reach for and attain their "personal best" rather than fall into the trap of comparison and competition. Through close collaboration between the students, parents, and teachers, children thrive within a safe and supportive environment. Early in the school year, Lower School children are introduced to or reminded of the "5 C's" - Concern, Confidence, Cooperation, Consideration, and Courtesy - which are the foundation for the Big C: Character. These qualities provide the keystone for "personal best" not only as an individual but also as a citizen of greater communities. Through the Social Responsibility accreditation initiatives currently being developed and enhanced, our youngest students take on active roles within their many communities from family and school through Syracuse and the world. They learn that they can make a difference. The academic program offered in the Lower School provides not only the skills to become an independent learner but exciting learning experiences within which those skills are practiced and applied in context. Students know "why" they are learning and value its purpose. They are given opportunities to share their accomplishments within their classrooms and at regularly scheduled assemblies providing public speaking experiences from Pre-K onward. The classes in the Lower School are team-taught with an effort to integrate the content areas with the skill development of language arts and math as well as the encore classes such as art, music, dance, and world languages. This results in students recognizing from early on that learning and critical thinking come from making connections. Reading is taught by reading fiction and non-fiction literature aloud, in groups and independently with a focus on developing strong decoding skills and comprehension. Math concepts and skills are developed within problem-solving situations in the form of stories or games that are often tied into the themes of study offered in class at that time. Speakers, visitors, and productions are often brought into the classrooms and assemblies in addition to the many field trips offered to the Lower School students. Keep in mind that some of our best speakers and presenters are parents! We encourage parents to come in and share with students their expertise or their family culture adding depth to everyone's learning. You will find your child excited at the end of the day and eager to share with you that s/he has climbed up on a fire truck, held an owl, or met real actors! But the end of the day isn't necessarily at 3:10. After school, many children participate in activities including Chess Club, Drama Club, or International Club. Our coverage program, Grace R. Kniesner Extended Day Program, provides after school care in which students can fill their time with outside or inside activities such as sports, games, crafts, or computer activities. All of these successful programs exist, thrive, and grow because of the talented and dedicated faculty you will meet as you explore the possibilities at Manlius Pebble Hill School. Thank you for your interest in the Lower School. If you would like to contact me, I am available through email at adanial@mph.net, or you may phone 315/446-2452, ext. 113. Andrea Danial  |
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