Cliff Valley School: Practices and Guiding Principles

The following principles and values guide the policies, practices and development of our school:

Cliff Valley School values the diversity of tradition, spiritual, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds in our community and the community at large.
In an environment which acknowledges and respects individual differences, children learn to value and accept themselves and others.
Children are natural learners. In a rich, nurturing and safe environment, children will actively explore and use all their senses and resources to make sense of the world around them.
Children thrive in the security and safety of a community where adults work openly and cooperatively, and a partnership of shared responsibility exists between home and school.
Children learn through active participation in the processes going on around them.
Children learn to respect others when they are respected.
Cognitive, physical, social, moral and affective development follow specific patterns and sequences.
The foundation for symbolic and abstract learning is built upon concrete experiences.
Children learn best when they are allowed to rediscover and reinvent the patterns and relationships in the world around them.

GOALS

CHILDREN WHO ...

Are self-directed, joyful learners;
Are active participants in the learning processes;
Are effective communicators: confident and competent in articulating their observations, discoveries and ideas;
Are explorers, adventurers and risk-takers;
Are responsible, sensitive and caring members of the community;
Are respected, trusted and loved;
Are respectful, trusting and loving;
Are expected and encouraged to do their best;
Appreciate the special gifts and talents of others and themselves.

A PROGRAM………

That recognizes and accommodates individual differences in development, temperament, learning style, tradition and lifestyle;
That is academically strong and enriching;
That fosters an appreciation of the visual arts, music, and the natural world through active participation;
That is rich in opportunities to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, and mathematical reasoning;
That is focussed on all domains of the developing learner: affective, cognitive, social and physical;
That integrates basic skills and concepts into the context of real-life experiences and student-initiated projects;
That allows for the pursuit of special interests and the development of individual talents;
That broadens and enriches the child’s view of the world.

TEACHERS……………

Who respect and accept each child and family;
Who are flexible, creative, competent, consistent and nurturing;
Who are active members in, committed to, and share the values of the community;
Who take every opportunity to encourage a child to use thinking and problem-solving skills;
Who make every child feel safe, valued and loved.

A COMMUNITY IN WHICH……

Members share common values, goals and guiding principles;
Parents and professionals communicate openly, and are partners in responsibility and commitment to the children and the community;
Policies and practices are fair, equitable, and ethical;
Administration and governance is stable and reflects the values of the community;
Finances are managed soundly and responsibly.