The culture and climate at Renaissance is crafted with thought and care because we want each individual that walks through our doors to feel a sense of belonging to something uniquely special. We accomplish this by creating a healthy and positive environment through the development of mutual understanding and trust and shared values and behaviors resulting in deep connections among individuals. These are the things that bind us together and make cooperative action possible.
QUICK LINKS
RENAISSANCE CORE VALUES
Empathy - Feel with and for others
Stewardship - Carefully and responsibly manage something that has been entrusted to your care
Integrity - Do the right thing, even when nobody is watching
Beneficence - Bestow your generosity, but as though no such thing as gratitude existed
Perseverance - Continue an action or belief over a long period, and especially despite difficulties or setbacks
ROLE OF THE TEACHER
“No significant learning can occur
without a significant relationship.”
- JAMES CORNER
RELATIONSHIP BUILDER
Building relationships between staff, staff and students, staff and parents and staff and community is core to Renaissance’s philosophy of teaching and learning. A quote by Dr. James Corner that graces our main hallway gives the purpose for this belief, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”
COMMUNICATOR
Teachers strive to form bridges between school and home. One way is to share the journey of discovery undertaken by students so parents can see how such a journey can be exciting and fulfilling. Teachers use a variety of formats - paper, email, instagram, blogs, websites; whatever best fits the needs of the teacher and the families they serve. At the beginning of the school year your student’s teacher will let you know the preferred method of communication.
LEADER & LEARNER
We are all leaders and learners at Renaissance. We respect, teach and learn from one another. Staff use their first names knowing that respect is earned through mutual acceptance, trust, and understanding. A title such as Ms., Mrs., or Mr. in front of a staff member’s first name is added to recognize their unique leadership role.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROTOCOLS
Instructional protocols are used by teachers at Renaissance to support the success and empowerment of our students, ensure every voice is heard while encouraging critical and creative thinking. Below is a sample of instructional protocols used by teachers at Renaissance.
RENAISSANCE RITUALS
OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Outdoor Learning Environment at Renaissance is an extension of our traditional playground, providing students with natural places for exploration, solace, and creative/unstructured play. OLE serves as an outdoor classroom, service learning site, and natural schoolyard.
We transform conventional thinking about outdoor environments and plan our outdoor learning environment as thoughtfully as we do our indoor learning environments.
The out-of-doors offers a large world for children. It can provide places for freedom, exploring and solace. Being in natural outdoor environments helps children thrive, not only physically but also socially, emotionally and intellectually.
Well-designed outdoor learning environments reduce stress, sharpen concentration and promote creative problem solving. We can nurture children’s enthusiasm for the out-of-doors and their commitment to protecting nature.
When planning our outdoor environment we consider:
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Connecting children to nature
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Caring for plants and creatures
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Landscaping for adventure and drama
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Creating places to feel powerful and competent
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Designing cozy spaces and gathering places
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Enhancing play with props and activities
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Defining spaces for people and things