Why Green?

At Green Elementary, every adult is dedicated to empowering and educating the whole child. This is evidenced through our implementation of morning meetings, restorative practices, and daily adult interactions with students. Walking through the hallways of our school during the first fifteen instructional minutes of the day, you will see children and adults gathering together in a circle as students respectfully pass a talking piece, naming their feelings and discussing relevant classroom topics. Morning Meetings are a big rock at Green and transformative for our learning community. This sacred time gives both adults and students the space to check in with one another on social and emotional levels. In Morning Meetings, teachers facilitate learning centered on the 7 Habits and Positivity Project strengths. Every staff member participates in this time of community and growth. 

We believe in an assets-mindset approach to our children. Translated: We not only celebrate academic growth, but we also celebrate children’s content of character. All stakeholders are taught to view children through the lens of their character and principle-centered strengths, rather than solely their academic achievements. As a result, we teach children to discover and celebrate their own strengths. Following in this belief system, we approach behavior management through the lens of Restorative Practices. We view children as multi-faceted, layered human beings with strengths and gifts. Instead of valuing compliance, we value relationships. Adults choose their language carefully when they communicate with children and understand that every interaction with a child is an opportunity to communicate that child’s worth and potential. When conflict does arise, we have a team of trained staff who facilitate restorative circles to resolve the conflict. These circles teach children how to seek to understand different perspectives and find win-win solutions to problems. 

Every Green student knows that s/he is valued for more than simply academic abilities. They know that they are part of a community that makes building and sustaining relationships a top priority.