At River Valley School, we are inclusive by design. Our school community is made up of passionate and engaged students, teachers, families and staff, bound by a belief that Independent school education should be inclusive and accessible to students from all walks of life. In fact, inclusivity is what sets us apart. Unlike most independent… Continue Reading
Kindness Through Their Eyes
February 24th is Pink Shirt Day or Anti-Bullying Day! Schools across the globe use this day to engage in anti-bullying fundraisers and kindness days in support of this important initiative. As a school of young children, we chose to approach the day with discussions and activities surrounding kindness that were differentiated for each grade level. Even though pink shirts… Continue Reading
Ottawa – An Incredible Journey
By: Lucy Bridge, Grade 6 Students at RVS In May, 55 River Valley grade fives and sixes went on a residential trip to Ottawa. They were learning about the Canadian government. Everyone was excited about the trip but we were also a little nervous because for many of us it was the first time away… Continue Reading
Mathematics in the Early School Years
Mathematics in Preschool, Kindergarten and Grade One, is all about building strong numeracy understanding and developing foundational skills that will prepare children for more complex math in years to come. What is numeracy? Alberta Education defines numeracy as the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with quantitative and spatial information, to make informed decisions… Continue Reading
Number Talk
Number talks are 10-15 minute conversations that occur in the classrooms once or twice a week, around intentionally designed computation problems. They are grounded in conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning moving beyond rote procedural knowledge. During a classroom number talk, students come together to communicate their mathematical thinking by sharing and defending solutions they solve… Continue Reading
The Value of Fine Arts in Education
When children speak from their hearts, they can change the world! They must be heard. Self worth determines their future. Curiosity must be nurtured through the senses where hands-on learning is intensified in a vibrant environment of possibility. They must be challenged to risk fearlessly. … Continue Reading
Teaching and Learning
Relationships (noun) – the way in which two or more people or things are connected or interconnected (Oxford Dictionary) Responsive (adjective) – giving response; quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically (Merriam-Webster); making a positive and quick reaction to someone or something (Oxford Dictionary) Relationships are central to learning experiences. Foundational to good teaching… Continue Reading
Girls and Science at River Valley School
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Madame Currie This year, our students embarked on an exciting journey of investigation and creation during STEM classes (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Together, students challenged themselves in… Continue Reading
The “Right Fit” – A Big Decision
The search for the “right fit” school for your child is rarely easy. It is likely one of the biggest decisions you will make besides choosing to have children in the first place (no pressure!). By choosing the right school for your child, you are acknowledging their uniqueness, giving them a head start in life,… Continue Reading
What is Wonder?
Noun: a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. Verb: the desire to know or be curious about something. When we say Wonder Lives Here at River Valley School (RVS) we can apply both definitions. Elementary school is often the time when children develop certain belief systems about their capabilities. During these… Continue Reading