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Elementary School
Although we started the year with pandemic restrictions, it was wonderful to transition into a more typical school environment by spring. We loved seeing our children’s faces without masks for the first time in a long time.
This year in the elementary school we were particularly focused on building a culture of inclusion and belonging so that all students feel that they are an important part of our ASB community. We did this in a variety of ways but mostly as a part of the new daily morning meetings focused on building community, student voice and connection and through our student lead monday morning announcement videos that highlighted how we are all similar and different at the same time.
Instructional Programs New Math Curriculum
This year, the ASB elementary school implemented a new math curriculum, Bridges. Bridges focuses on developing mathematical concepts, fluency and understanding how to approach and solve complex and narrative problems.

Bridges includes daily math practice during Number corner, which is an engaging 15 minute instructional skill-building session where students compare sets and numbers, model and solve complex problems, and identify mathematical patterns. In addition to number corner, students are engaged in activities and games are designed for children to work at their level, to differentiate needs and to build computational fluency and problem solving in addition to collaborative communication skills.
Elementary math instruction is carefully sequenced along research-based learning progressions, to allow for depth and focus as children progress in knowledge and skills.
School Community SOS Galgos

Our partnership with the SOS Galgos foundation continued to grow this year. Our first graders learned about Galgos and how to best care for them. the Galgos came to campus weekly and were read to by our 1st grade students. In addition to reading to the Galgos, first graders also learned that the GALGOS need community support. They learned how to raise awareness for Galgos through developing informational videos to be shared during the monday morning announcements.

They also decided that they could help the galgos by creating a variety of products and art to be sold at a student run farmers market. It was a special project based learning experience for first grade students. This program has helped our students gain confidence as early readers and gives them an opportunity to put their learning into practice through read alouds.
5th Grade Pyrenees Trip
This trip has been a cornerstone of the elementary school experience for almost 10 years. The trip consists of a 4-day, 3-night trip to the cerdanya region of catalunya. With the support of our partner organization, Organitza, our students participate in activities including rafting, horseback riding, hiking, caving, orienteering, and a ropes course.

Our students walk away from this experience with a new level of independence, confidence, and connections to their peers before heading off to middle school.
Celebrating Neurodiversity Month
ASB elementary students celebrate neurodiversity month for the first time and it was a big success. all students learned about neurodiversity and how all brains work differently. We learned about the different ways brains can work differently, that can cause challenges and creative thinking. Students taught one another about learning differences and challenges and shared how we can support one another. This was a very successful learning opportunity for our school community.