So, Why Bixby?
In 1989, Lynne Costain’s (Bixby aftercare teacher) parents were on a quest to find a school for their inquisitive, highly verbal daughter. One of Lynne’s preschool teachers had recommended…
Start With “Why”
Walk With Us, Learn With us, See the Possibilities In 1970 two individuals had a vision for a school that would be uniquely different from that of the standard educational…
Reflections On Our First Week And The Year Ahead
We have had a great first week of school! All of the hard work that our faculty did to prepare for the year was evident throughout the school, and all…
Time to Reflect
I love the very beginning of any break! From a simple Friday night signaling the start of another weekend, to the much more dramatic Memorial Day kick off for summer…
Top Ten Lessons
Last week, I was with a wonderful group of 4th and 5th graders who are in my outdoor elective. We were en route to Bridgewalk Pond and one child asked,…
Plain Spoken
I’ve been recommending a movie to a lot of friends lately, one called “Plain Spoken.” It’s sort of a concert film of John Mellencamp, who’s still performing at 65 years…
Use of Common Language for Positive Support
Bixby is blessed to have faculty who are experts in their fields and bring unique knowledge to the classroom for children. One challenge to this model is ensuring consistent language…
Reaching: Beyond Familiar Shores
On December 25th 2017, a small whale watching boat from the Pacific Whale Foundation (www.pacwhale.org) left the harbor of Ma’alaea on Maui. On board a mix of tourists, locals and…
An Ode to Teachers
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.89" background_layout="light"] If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them…
Preparing For Winter…Sing!
I know I am biased being the Music Director, but Winter Sing at Bixby School is definitely one of my favorite traditions. On the last day of school before Winter…
Wow! So Play Really is Work!
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.89" background_layout="light"] It all started out simply enough, two first graders decided to pick up a 3 x 7 foot heavy- duty plastic tub and move it…
Bixby School Student Council 2017-18
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.89" background_layout="light"] One of the most important things we administrators do is to look at our various programs and traditions from time to time to determine how…
Spud Bars and Transformations at Bixby School
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.71" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" border_style="solid"] When Pat and Bart opened the Bixby School that we know and love, basically it was a big McStain home, (Tom and Caroline…
Team Building At Bixby School
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.71" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" border_style="solid"] The first class all 1st-5th graders go to each day is Group Time, from 8:30-9:00. This is similar to a homeroom and serves…
Have You Seen Bixby’s Lower Yard?
I have always been struck buy the unique characteristics of Lower Yard. I’ve seen schools with engaging climbing structures and creative play spaces but nothing as complete and dynamic as…
Building The Leaders Of Tomorrow
The other day I came across a scene on the soccer field while picking my kids up from the after-school program that was so “Bixby” I had to sit and…
The Risks We Take
Think about the implications of a 2.5 year old child joining us and leaving us at age 11 to go to middle school! What happens in this part of early…
Eating The Rainbow
Have you had a chance to talk to your kiddos about eating the rainbow? This is the idea that we should be choosing a variety of different-colored whole foods throughout…
Back To School Night – Thursday, September 14, 2017
It’s an hour before back to school night. I’m in my classroom, cleaning my board as best as I can, even though some expo marker just refuses to come off.…
Garden to Table to Garden
What kids get excited over vegetables?? Bixby kids, of course. They are more willing to eat them after being part of planting, and watering around the school. One of…