Seaman students outline classroom charter, digital-wellness and engagement goals

Students from Ratner Seaman School opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a short program showcasing school goals. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America," a student-led recitation began, followed by a principal-led overview of the school's priorities. Principal Clender said the school's first stated goal is "to nurture a stronger sense of belonging and connectedness among students, staff, and families through responsive classroom practices like morning meeting and beyond."

Student presenters described concrete classroom practices supporting that goal. Fifth graders explained a classroom charter that defines expected feelings and responses to conflict, and described using a "mood meter" during daily morning meetings as a tool to build empathy and peer understanding. The students also highlighted a new digital-wellness approach that limits nonacademic device use (for example, during indoor recess) so students spend more time in face-to-face activities such as board games and collaborative play. The principal and student presenters framed these changes as part of a larger effort to increase social-emotional learning and student belonging.

The presentation concluded with examples of interdisciplinary work and engagement strategies. A fifth-grade group described an environmental-project that combined science, art, math and writing to create persuasive materials on topics including deforestation and water scarcity, while other students described Turn-and-Talk, gallery walks, and explicit learning targets used to sustain engagement. The principal thanked faculty and families for support and closed the student portion with the school's closing line and a call to "be your best self."