The First Six Weeks: Belonging, Significance & Joy
Why WHPS begins the year differently—and why it matters for your child’s learning.
A Different Beginning
We all remember the droning teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Anyone? … anyone?” It’s the classic picture of disengagement.
And in many traditional schools, the reality isn’t far off. By day two, kids are handed workbooks—before anyone has checked what they already know, or whether the work is too easy, too hard, or even relevant. No wonder some students tune out.
At WHPS, we flip that script. The first weeks aren’t about busywork. They’re about belonging and significance: students and teachers take time to share their individual hopes and goals, and together they think about how to help one another succeed. From there, classroom rules grow out of that shared vision—so students buy in and truly care about themselves, one another, and the environment. At the same time, teachers are carefully assessing each child’s strengths and needs. When students feel known and safe, the work that follows is purposeful, challenging, and connected to their potential.
““The small investment at the start isn’t slowing down—it’s building momentum. When kids feel safe enough to take risks and push through mistakes, that’s when learning accelerates.””
More About the First Six Weeks
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Neuroscience is clear: kids don’t learn deeply just by receiving content. They learn when they feel safe, valued, and engaged—when they connect new ideas to their own lives. That’s when understanding sticks and transfers.
This kind of learning requires risk-taking: raising a hand with an imperfect idea, asking a question that feels uncertain, or being willing to be wrong in front of peers. When those risks feel safe, brains light up.
That’s why the opening weeks are an investment in engagement, not “lost time.” Building this foundation pays dividends—before children jump feet first into academics, they gain the confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging that make rigorous learning possible. The long-term payoff is evidenced by the kind of student achievement it ultimately leads to. Our 2025 ERB results and achievement data are incredibly validating, but they are just one part of the full picture of a WHPS graduate: a well-rounded learner grounded in belonging, confidence, and joy. That balance is what leads to academic excellence while still preserving the true joy of learning.
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This philosophy starts with our staff. Before the year even begins, teachers set and discuss their own professional goals, creating shared principles that ground us as a professional learning community.
We believe in shared efficacy so deeply that it’s not just something we “do to” students—it’s the culture of our adult community, too. Everything we practice with children is rooted in the same values we hold in working with one another.
Staff meetings mirror the same practices we use with students. Just as Morning Meeting gives every child a voice, our meetings begin with greetings, sharing, reflection, and activities that remind us every voice matters.
At one orientation this year, teachers were asked to build a duck from just a handful of LEGO bricks. The results were comical—some had long necks, others giant feet, a few looked more like spaceships. Yet every single one was still unmistakably a duck.
That’s the point: with the same purpose and expectations, each person brought their own creativity and voice. That’s the culture we want at WHPS—for our staff and for our students.
As USC neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang shared on Hidden Brain,”Great teachers do more than convey information. Emotion sits in the driver’s seat of learning.” At WHPS, we see that truth come alive every day. This episode is well worth a listen—it closely reflects the educational philosophy that guides our work at WHPS.
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Belonging doesn’t stop with students—it extends to families. That’s why we hope you’ll join us for:
Back to School Night – Thursday, September 4 (Parents only)
Welcome Breakfast – Saturday, September 6 (hosted by our Parent Organization)
You’re also invited to get involved with our Neurodiverse Family Affinity Group and Black Family Affinity Group (as a participant or friend and ally), which provide spaces to connect, share, and strengthen our inclusive community.
If you’ve ever wondered why affinity spaces matter—or why a small, already inclusive school like WHPS makes them a priority—please take a moment to review this recent article. These aren’t just calendar dates; they’re part of the same belonging and shared purpose that fuels your child’s learning.
A Shared Commitment
Mrs. Baroudi and I want you to know our door is always open. Everything we do centers on one goal—what is best for your child.
As we begin this year together, we feel honored to walk alongside your family. We know each child brings their own story, strengths, and spark, and it is our joy to nurture that every day. Thank you for entrusting us with such an important role in your child’s life—we don’t take it lightly. We are excited for the friendships, discoveries, and growth ahead, and we can’t wait to celebrate all that unfolds in 2025–26!
