We Know Kids!

EACH WEEKDAY MORNING I PARK MY CAR and walk through part of our beautiful campus to the main building of our school. It always feels good to be here. Why is that? Well, to begin with, our grounds, which change in appearance seasonally, are beautiful, and I am always greeted with a smile and kind or funny remark by Ray. Perhaps I should just allow these gratifying feelings to exist without any further thought, but for some reason I found myself slowly reflecting on 'why' I continually feel this way, day after day, and year after year. The following are some of my thoughts.

The children at Oak Lane Day School are a joy to teach. Their curiosity knows no bounds, which is stimulating, exciting and challenging for those of us fortunate enough to be teaching them. This curious state of being is perhaps one of the most important traits of a good student, as without it, their minds would not grow in directions needed for self fulfillment, success, and contentment. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "At the birth of a child, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity."

Another reason our school shines is because my colleagues, the teachers of your children, reflect the highest qualities of educators. They are full of positive energy, have profound respect for education and children, and continually demand what often seems to be the impossible from themselves. New ideas are embraced while traditions are carried on, and difficulties are analyzed and tackled. They are able to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge in their students, and they understand and believe that there is no limit to their own personal growth as teachers and human beings.

Last and far from least, you, our parents, round out our community. You have placed your most valuable treasure(s) with us, and your faith and support is reflected in all that you do for your children, for the faculty, and for our school.

How fortunate for all of us here at Oak Lane Day School to have found a place where students, teachers, and parents work together with mutual respect to create a place of learning where every one of us, both children and adults, can thrive and shine.

-- Ruth Solomon, Learning Skills --