As students and staff returned to school this fall at Totoket Valley Elementary School, they were very excited for some new opportunities developed by staff to enhance student engagement, deepen school connection, and ensure critical thinking within the curriculum.　

One such change was the addition of a new specials block in addition to the traditional physical education, art, library, music and band.　 The new block will include a trimester approach where students will gain instruction in social emotional learning in the first trimester, health and wellness in the second trimester, and hands on learning/MakerSpace in the final trimester. Collectively, this program allows student to practice metacognition, recognize their emotions, resolve conflict, build empathy for others, learn about wellness, nutrition, and growth and development, and practice building, making, and creative problem solving.　 Thus far students have enjoyed the experience and TVES principal Carter Welch, Ed.D., has noted, "...the idea of SEL (social emotional learning) has become part of the whole school's vocabulary," and that he is "...encouraged by the learning that each trimester will bring to students."

Additionally, students at TVES are extremely excited about another change this year, the whole school Friday Enrichment Program.　 Through this effort, students have self-selected areas of personal interest to explore and ultimately demonstrate their learning in a deep and personalized way.

The enrichment clusters led by TVES staff members include mixed grade level small groups of students. Examples of some of the student offerings are Physical Engineering, Strength and Conditioning, Board Game Development, Secret Garden, Mystery Science, Photography, Food Truck Design, Student Government, Culinary Explorations, Story Telling through Boxes, Young Poet's Society, Yoga, The Sky's the Limit, Cultural Experiences of the World, Unified Sports, Brain Games, Story Chasers, Wilderness Warriors, Advanced Math, and Escape It.

Welch stated he has been amazed at how this program has transformed energy and enthusiasm at TVES.

"Both staff and students are so excited each Friday for this program and the fun and hands on learning that they have together," said Welch. "Deep student led learning like this that allows students to explore personal interest, dive deeper, demonstrate Habits of Mind, and ultimate create a personal way to demonstrate their learning is a big part of how TVES has organized itself this year, and we hope it will pay big dividends in engagement and student achievement."　

Parents have also shared their enthusiasm about the school and their new approach to learning this year with positive comments about how excited their children are to come to school, how much students have enjoyed connecting with varied staff members in such personal ways, and how complimentary they are of the school for taking a different student-led approach to learning. Welch hopes to celebrate student experiences and accomplishment in January and again at the end of the year with student led demonstrations of learning that will include parent and community invitations.