Kingfisher Family,
As we prepare to return to school tomorrow, I hope each of you have enjoyed a wonderful Fall Break. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and know our teachers are anticipating welcoming your children back and picking up where they left off.
Since we opened our doors 12 years ago, we have believed education is about far more than academic achievement alone. Our mission is to nurture the whole child—supporting their growth not only as learners, but as humans. To do this well, we value the well-being of each person and work diligently to integrate the emotional, intellectual, social, and physical dimensions of well-being into our daily routines.
We believe students thrive when they feel safe, supported, and understood, so we intentionally create opportunities for them to develop self-awareness, resilience, empathy, and healthy coping skills. Through classroom discussions, reflective practices, and daily interactions, we encourage students to recognize and manage their emotions and navigate challenges with confidence.
To develop intellectual well-being, we foster students’ curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning by encouraging them to engage deeply with ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and see challenges as opportunities to grow. This helps them build confidence in their ability to think critically, solve problems, and take ownership of their learning journey.
Now more than ever, we understand the importance of social well-being for our youth. We know we are made for community, not isolation, so helping students develop social skills shapes how they learn to connect, communicate, and build relationships with others. Similar to emotional and intellectual well-being, we are intentional in the ways we support this domain, whether it is through specific lessons, modeling empathy or helping students navigate specific situations. When young people feel included, respected, and supported by their peers, they are more likely to engage fully in school.
Last and of equal importance is our students’ physical well-being. Active students are more focused, engaged, and ready to participate both in and out of the classroom. Studies consistently show that people who move often and develop healthy nutrition and exercise habits feel better, experience less stress, feel energized, and are confident. We integrate both unstructured (think: recess) and structured programs (think: PE, health, sports) to strengthen students’ bodies and minds and support their ability to learn and grow.
As I shared in last month’s Imagination Insider, one of the best ways you can support your child and school community is to engage. In support of your child’s well-being, I encourage you to ask curious questions, give your child space to answer, and listen intently. It is amazing what you can discover! How did you feel today? What did you learn? What was easy? What was hard? What was fun? What made you laugh? Who did you each lunch with? Who did you play with? How did you move your body today? Conversations sparked by these questions not only strengthen your connection but also nurture your child’s growth in meaningful ways.
In summary, each of these aspects of well-being - social, emotional, intellectual and physical - is essential, and they work together to develop resilient humans. As our school year resumes, we will continue to implement curriculum, programs and activities that support each child’s overall well-being. We want every Kingfisher to thrive not only inside the classroom, but also in the hallways, on the playground, in extracurricular activities, and in their communities.
On behalf of the entire Kingfisher community, I thank you for entrusting us with your children and for your confidence in the work we do with them each and every day. Together, we can serve as role models and celebrate growth in all its forms! It is a privilege to walk alongside them—and you—on this journey.
With gratitude,
Jenn Townley
Head of School, IC Imagine