 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
party is, the better.
Parents should remember that they are giving the birthday party, and the party reflects the family’s values and
standards in terms of the guest list, the activities chosen and the behavior allowed. Particularly as they grow
older, your children may want parties that you are uncomfortable with in some ways, and we urge you to stand
firm under pressure. Parents in the past have had family parties (have invited parents and sibs of invitees,) or
have asked some parents of invitees to stay to help with a party in order to make the party work for their child
and all of the children.
Above all, be clear about important details and your expectations such as the time of arrival and departure,
the policy towards gifts, the entertainment, the menu, dress, whether sibs are welcome, etc. It’s always a good
idea to check with parents of invited children about any allergies (food, balloons) or special considerations
(fear of clowns, tires easily, etc.)
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Integrated Arts
A full-time teacher of the arts offers classes integrating movement, drama, music and art. Every class
participates in an extended weekly session.
Physical Education
A physical education specialist provides a full program of gymnastics, sports skills training, movement and
fitness. Every class participates in three periods of physical education each week. A separate pair of sneakers
must be kept at school for gym classes. Outdoor shoes are not allowed in the gym.
Peer Mediation
As a community school we place a high value on helping children gain the skills they need to work together
and to solve their own problems as they arise. This is a skill increasingly valued in the workplace. Student
volunteers from the 10, 11, 12 year old classes and the OSP to are trained to mediate conflicts that occur at
recess. Peer mediators spend six intense hours at Camp Harrington in West Boylston earning the skills they will
need to do this mediation process. Students learn to listen to both sides of a conflict without taking sides, to
listen for the underlying, often unspoken, needs of the children they are helping, and to help the children solve
their own conflict rather than imposing solutions on them. Participants in a conflict at recess can choose to get
help from the peer mediators on duty that day. Students in the conflict must agree to mediation before
beginning. If they don’t, they can always go to get help from a teacher , instead.
Assemblies
Assemblies are held once a week. These assemblies are for announcements, presentations or discussions, and
are lead by the Head of School or OSP students. Parents are welcome to attend assemblies.
Spanish
The oldest classes in the school receive Spanish instruction two or three times per week. Our program
emphasizes conversational Spanish, basic vocabulary and Spanish culture. Teachers of younger classes may
arrange special activities with the Spanish teacher on an individual basis.
SWAP
Students in all but the youngest class at Touchstone participate in SWAP (School-Wide Activity Period), which
runs on most Fridays from 1:30 to 2:40 p.m. TCS staff members or guests teach some SWAP sessions, but most
are taught by parent volunteers eager to share their special interests, hobbies, and skills with the children.
SWAP activities range from the physical; Broadway Jazz Dancing, Contra Dancing, Outdoor Games, to the
Cultural; Egyptian Treasures, El Rey Leon, French Cultures, to the Scientific; Learning about Bats, Paper Airplane
Making, Chemistry with Mr. Wizard to the Practical; Sewing, Cooking, Building Picnic Tables to the Whimsical
and Creative; Clay Works, Saori Weaving, Clowning Around.