Preschool is filled with a million moments of learning, bonding, and most importantly joy. Children approach the world so differently than we do as adults and the things they observe, do, and say help us see the world in a different light. As we approach the holiday season, we wanted to share just a few of the many preschool moments that brighten our days and bring smiles to our faces.
Sharing Chinese Culture and Tradition with Our Grandfriends
Grandfriends Day was an opportunity to celebrate and thank the family and friends whose support helps each of us, and our school, grow and thrive. Part of the opening agenda was a spirited Lion dance and kung fu performance by our kindergarten classes, which is one of the many ways our students build authentic connections to Chinese language and culture.
2019 Dali Trip Journal
Published Authors!
During their first grade year, three PKS classmates created a story called “Friends in the Arctic” as part of their shadow show project.
The story follows a group of friends who live in the Arctic. One day, they are unexpectedly sucked into a black hole and need to make their way home. By working together, they find a diamond that helps them escape and return to the Arctic.
After the project was complete, Sinan Laoshi submitted this story, along with several others, to “Xiao Pi Pa”, the only Chinese language children’s magazine circulated throughout North America.
We are proud to share that “Friends in the Arctic” was recently selected for publication. Congratulations Arjun, Jaclyn, and Lucas on being published authors, and to Jaclyn for her beautiful illustrations!
Building the Future of Bilingual Education
Almost ten years ago, I wrote an article titled "Academic Rigor and Student Engagement: A Perfect Match." While many feared that they would need to sacrifice student engagement in the service of academic rigor, I argued strongly that academic rigor could ONLY genuinely come together with student engagement, and that truly rigorous learning at its core needed to be about exploration, discovery, creativity, inquiry, and pattern recognition.
PKS Selected to Present at National Chinese Language Conference
On the Road with Chris Livaccari
Time to Let Them Fly: A Mother's Story
A personal essay by Denise Svenson, PKS Elementary Math Specialist:
“…My [temporary] presence had an obvious impact on the group dynamic. Students have had the habit of code-switching without realizing it, and the habit was impossible to break…This trip marks a rite of passage for our kids. To make it a family trip would be taking away from everything we’ve hoped for them - independence and confidence navigating in a Chinese-speaking environment.”
Sharing Best Practices in Immersion Education
PKS was invited to Washington, DC as part of a symposium on immersion education. Seven of our faculty members visited four schools, deepening their knowledge of best practices while sharing some of their own unique insights. Our expertise on how to integrate Mandarin immersion within a progressive framework was noted as "the only model out there combining data-based immersion practices with rigorous PBL."
Inaugural 5th Grade Class Trip to China
Inquiry, Discovery, and the Bilingual Brain
A Message from Our Incoming Head of School
Teacher Profile (Effi Wang)
First Graders are Community Planners!
Last week, our PKS first graders continued their discussion on "community." Students read the mini-book I Love My Community and used the Chinese names for libraries, parks, toy stores, restaurants, and soccer fields. The mini-book ended in an open-ended form that invited students to think about what other places could be added to a community to make it even better.