Bulletin Board Game
This winter, Westbridge Academy students and staff developed a bulletin board game for Black History Month.
This winter, Westbridge Academy students and staff developed a bulletin board game for Black History Month.
There have been so many losses during the pandemic. The pandemic stole routine, structure, relationships, connections, and face-to-face learning. How can we expect our students to be ready to learn in a crisis if we are not tending to their emotions?
At Westbridge Academy, all the supports are in place to make every moment – even conflict – a moment of teaching and realization. Jose and Marco's situation is an example of how that works in practice every day at Westbrideg Academy.
At Westbridge Academy, learning is intentionally rooted in resilience. Across every content area, we teach students to make a plan, pace themselves, take steps and implement them intentionally, reflect by taking breaks, and then repeat that process, making changes as dictated by successes and failures.
Last year, five of the students who left Westbridge Academy did not wear a gown or toss a hat in the air. In fact, they did not even earn a diploma. Rather, they were placed back into classrooms at their sending public school.
Westbridge Academy's “Bridges to Home” events offer fun structured activities for students and their families, designed to deepen connections and build positive relationships.
Many school districts have expressed interest in placing students with us, so we are offering options. Most districts and families have told us they prefer in-person intakes. Safety is always first.
Leaders at Westbridge have extended our school’s tech support team to help families and students, ensuring they have the devices and internet services they need.
While COVID-19 may have prevented our doors from opening, it did not prevent our students from learning or our teachers from teaching.
At Westbridge Academy, remote learning does not mean we are “distanced.” In fact, in some ways, we are closer than ever. We are using our virtual spaces to check in on students, asking them open-ended questions, and allowing them to share their experiences.