The Value of TIS (Part 4)

Throughout the series I've written about The Innovation School, I have talked about the school from my perspective and what I love about the school. For the last blog of the series, I am going to talk about the school from the perspective of Paige (4)  & Sebastian (8). 
 
To get some ideas I sat down and had a conversation with them and asked them what  they LOVE about school. 

Paige said she loves to paint and make jewelry.  Almost every day when I receive the daily report I see pictures of Paige doing what she loves - painting and making jewelry. She comes home every day so proud of her creations. I try to keep some of her bracelets because they are so cute, but she almost always steals them back from me and reminds me that they are hers.  They are valuable to her because she made them.  Paige also mentioned that she loves recess. She enjoys interacting with all of the students at the school and for some reason, it must be the love and culture at the school, because she also loves to have time with her brother (it’s definitely not like that at home!) Paige also loves to see the class pets Mango and Reece,  two guinea pigs that add some additional joy to the class. She had so much fun the day the school took the afternoon to go sledding. She would really like to do that again!

Sebastian also loves to create. He enjoys participating in art and making things at school. I remember when I was in school we had one day of art (on Fridays), otherwise we didn’t do much art because most of our days were focused on the main subjects. I love that the school allows the students to be creative, because Sebastian LOVES it! When he brings his art home, and he always insists that we keep it and hang it up for a while. He also enjoys Science and Math. Getting to play a game on a subject he loves is always something he is interested in doing. One of his absolute favorite things about school is recess and time in the gym. Sebastian loves sports and he is very athletic. So anytime the school or another student makes up a game that involves some sort of physical activity, Sebastian is all in. Sebastian also enjoys Drama Club. Once a year The Innovation School puts on a play in the Spring and Sebastian has participated the last two years in the play. His part has been small but he always enjoys going to the practices and performing the night of the play. He also enjoys the Learning Adventures the school has throughout the year. This year he did some physical activity lessons and learned about the game Risk. He really looks forward to field trips. He enjoys going to the library, Walmart (to shop for project supplies), and visiting places around Bismarck/Mandan area. He also had a great time when we went sledding as a school and is looking forward to the skiing and skating activities that are coming up this Winter that The Innovation School has planned!  

Both Sebastian and Paige thrive at The Innovation School. When I asked them about attending a traditional school, neither one of them were interested in making that change. The idea of having to follow a more traditional means of learning is not something either one wants to experience right now.  The Innovation School is Sebastian & Paige approved! So, if you have considered The Innovation School, I highly recommend attending their Open House on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 5pm-6pm to see in person what the school is really like!

Angie Gross

​Life Coach, military servant, and mother of two TIS students (Sebastian & Paige).