 4-5 Trip to Historic Fort Ross |
 Learning Japanese calligraphy |
Parents: Download a PDF copy of the 2008-2009 REACH Parent Handbook here.
Thoughts on choosing a middle school
Living in the Sebastopol area, we are fortunate to have a variety of schooling options for the 4th-8th grade years. Middle school, and the two years leading up to it, are an important formative time for children – changes happen rapidly as they begin to grow out of the protected arena of childhood and start to meet the wider world in a new way – in many instances, it is the time when they are ready to engage with life with more independence. From this perspective, making wise choices in the middle school years seems particularly important.
One of the most striking things about the Creative Arts Magnet program at Brook Haven School is that it strives to support and foster the growth of each child’s individuality and strengths in many areas: socially, academically, and creatively. By the time they reach 4th or 5th grade, some children might find themselves either one step ahead or behind their peers in one or more of these three areas. The pressures to ‘fit in’ socially in subtle or overt ways can be a confusing or frustrating experience for a student in a school where insufficient attention is paid to their social needs.
 A Winter Play |
 Celebrating International Foods |
One of the beauties of our program is how it is designed to enhance the creative spark unique to each student – whether that be through strong academics supported by engaging project-based learning; or the variety of enrichment subjects taught regularly each week; or the well-designed ‘Owning Up’ social curriculum, designed to foster respect for and acceptance of all students – all integrated into the California standards-based curriculum by a group of dedicated teachers who are passionate about the vision of the program. Through all this, the program strives to offer students an educational experience where their individuality is honored, and they are challenged to become all they can be.
Another strong feature of our program is how it is founded in partnership. Central to the program is the commitment to a collaborative communication and decision-making process between parents, teachers, the program director, and the Brook Haven and Sebastopol Union School District (SUSD) administrations. The REACH Parent Foundation Board (RPF) is a dedicated group of parents who work to make this process smooth and effective; to carefully manage the funds donated monthly by families to support the mission and vision; and we have been delighted by the spirit of willing collaboration that we have found at our home here in the Sebastopol district.
A description of the program’s merits would be incomplete without mention of the wonderful, dedicated parent body. This is a welcoming and active group of parents committed to creating an environment that both enriches our children’s education and strengthens our community. Many aspects of the program rely on parent volunteers – an important and valuable facet of the partnership for enriched educational experience along with the teachers and the administration. Educational and social gatherings are planned throughout the year to bring together students and families; and monthly parent meetings offer information, child development-based educational evenings as well as a chance to contribute to the strengthening of the program and the development of friendships.
 Braving the Ropes Course at Westminster Woods |
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