​​Irwin Park students have been hard at work this week, collaborating with their teachers and their peers preparing to lead a conference about their goals, strengths and academic progress. It has been an exciting week where each student and classroom reflected on the work they are most proud of; pieces that illustrated student growth and strengths. Student checklists also considered the broad range of learning opportunities available to our students.

As citizens of a first world country, we tend not to think much about our garbage or where it goes once the garbage men have picked it up. It just goes to the landfill, right?

During my two week stay in Nicaragua this past February we spent a day in Managua's dump which they call La Chureca. As we were entering, we were engulfed in the most vile smell. Imagine the smell of a dump here, then add the effects of the intense dry heat of a country near the equator.

Thank you to our Irwin Park Kindergarten teachers for creating the magical world of Busy Town. Busy Town marks the conclusion to a highly integrative Social Studies unit on Community.