Dear Henderson Mill Community,

This past Friday I had the opportunity to tour some of our neighbors around our wonderful school.  In the past, these groups have included parents of prospective students, real estate agents, families looking to move into the area, and even other educators.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to walk many other interested parties around our building, slipping into classrooms to see the great work that our students and teachers are doing.  During these tours we talk about everything from workshop model in literacy and math to STEAM education, to our school culture initiative, PBIS, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.

The nice thing is that we have a universal approach that makes it all come together.  Our efforts are not only to raise smart children, but also good people. How do we do this?  It all aligns behind our mission of providing meaningful experiences to our students that enhance their creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and citizenship.  The creativity and critical thinking goes to the “smart children” part and the collaboration and citizenship goes to the “good people” part.  The wonderful thing about how we teach at HMES is that raising good people and smart students need not be separate efforts.  Sure we set aside one Wednesday morning a month to teach skills that support our PBIS efforts, but it is our STEAM projects that really bring it all together.  Our major STEAM projects are social action focused.  Whether your child is studying erosion in 2^nd grade, hunger in 5^th grade, or water conservation in 4^th grade, this integrated work leads students to not only gain grade level skills and knowledge that take them from where they are and advance them forward, but also has them engaged in meaningful, purposeful work that sets them up to make a positive impact on the world.

The students of Henderson Mill are the movers and shakers of this next generation, empowered with STEAM skills to take on the challenges that will inevitably present themselves.

For the past couple of years, we’ve held two Community Open Houses during the school year.  This year is no different.  We’ll be opening the building up again on February 2^nd to any interested community member (even you!).  Thank you for spreading the word about the excellence that lives at the Mill!

To engaged learning,

Mitch
Mitch Green
Principal
Henderson Mill Elementary School