Welcome from mrs. Kimberly Dessert

F.M. Kearns Primary School is a “Bucket Filling” community. We share how to be a “Bucket Filler” at Kearns School:

                        K ind words and actions

                                  E veryone is included

                                  A lways a positive attitude

                                  R espectful and responsible choices

                                  N ever give up!

                                  S afe at work and play

      To help ensure a safe, respectful and welcoming environment the faculty has embraced the Responsive Classroom approach that emphasizes social, emotional, and academic growth in a strong and safe school community. Our goals for discipline are that students feel physically and emotionally safe in school so that they can learn at their best and to develop self-discipline and the skills for working and learning cooperatively with others.

      Classes at F.M. Kearns Primary School are grouped heterogeneously and in the spirit of full inclusion. We are committed to the workshop approach to learning where instruction implements the gradual release of responsibility model: explicit teaching, modeling, guided practice and independent practice. Students participate in whole group, small group or independent learning. During all stages of the gradual release model discourse and questions from or between teachers and students promote inquiry (I wonder why that happened). We believe that learning happens through talk. Talk can benefit student learning, build teacher-student rapport, and determine student’s level of understanding. The workshop model allows opportunities where all voices are heard and students make their thinking public.

      F.M. Kearns Primary School is a professional learning community. The essence of a learning community is a focus on and a commitment to the learning of each student. We embrace high levels of learning for all students as both the reason we exist and the fundamental responsibility of those who work within it. As a PLC we work together to clarify what each student must learn, monitor each student’s learning, provide systematic interventions that ensure students receive additional time and support for learning when they struggle, and extend and enrich learning when students have already mastered the intended outcome. There is a belief that the adults at F.M. Kearns Primary School must also be continually learning. The teachers are organized in collaborative teams that work interdependently to achieve common goals linked to the purpose of learning for all.

      We look forward to another great year with your children and working together on their learning journey!

     Please feel free to stop by with any questions or concerns about your child's academic or social development. I maintain an open door policy.

Sincerely,
Kim Dessert, Principal
F.M. Kearns Primary School