The "Why" Behind Enrichment Days
Your investment in the hearts and minds of children has eternal value!
By: Rebecca Little, Lower elementary principal
At times, we all need refreshers and reminders of the “whys” behind things that are unique to Perimeter School. So, why do we have Enrichment Days?
PRECIOUS TIME
The definition of the word enrichment is “the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something.” Our Enrichment Days do just that for our covenant relationships and our academics.
When we talk about Enrichment Days, most of us think of the Fridays in first and second grade when we were assigned a topic to teach to our child’s class. These special days were created for several reasons.
As a covenant community, we make a promise to teach our own children and other children in the school what it means to be a follower of Christ and to shepherd them in their walks with the Lord. Friday Enrichment Days offer a precious time not only to engage students academically but to share the gospel and our love for Christ.
Serving in the classroom on these Fridays also demonstrates to our children that we care about and are involved in their education.
We as parents are their primary educators, and these Fridays allow students to be inspired by their parents teaching them, naturally weaving God’s truth into each subject.
Another great benefit of these Fridays is getting to know other covenant parents. Investing in both parent and child relationships is what builds a stronger and more solid covenant community.
LIFE-LONG LEARNERS
But let us not forget that Enrichment Days do not end when our children leave Lower Elementary! These special days continue for all of their years at Perimeter School, and even though they may look a little bit different, parent involvement is still so important and has the same purpose as in the younger grades.
By serving in the classroom, parents are continuing to demonstrate the value of life-long learning to their children and are contributing to the instructional and spiritual growth of all the students in the class.
As children get older, it is vital for them to have other adults in their lives who demonstrate godly character and give them guidance and wisdom that coincides with what is being taught at home.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE
While I have shared much about the relational reasons for Enrichment Days at Perimeter School, the educational benefits are also valuable.
A key focus of study for my masters’ degree in education was the importance of experiences to increase a student’s depth of learning. Perimeter School implements this with excellence!
Most of our Enrichment Days are created to introduce a subject or to bring a unit of study to life. They enhance the curriculum by giving students a deeper understanding or a broader view of a topic. What better way to highlight a book that has been read, an artist that has been studied, or a time period that has been researched than by a day of meaningful activities.
You know that these days are impactful when an older student happens to see the lower grades participating in Monet Day, Beatrix Potter Day, Seder Day, Colonial Day, or Star Night, and says, “I remember that day!” Experiences have a lasting effect on our memories and can solidify learning in many ways.
ETERNAL VALUE
Take it from someone who has walked in your shoes and can now look back on the path that our family journeyed at Perimeter School. My husband and I will always be grateful for the days that we were able to sow seeds in the lives of our children and other covenant children through Enrichment Days, and we continue to be thankful for the other parents that were willing to do the same.
I hope these words have given you a refreshed look at the unique and meaningful days we have here at Perimeter School, and the next time you are given the opportunity to participate in an Enrichment Day, I hope that you will have a renewed perspective. Your investment in the hearts and minds of children has eternal value!
God shows up in our messy places and transforms ordinary moments into holy ones.