House in The First Program

The First Program has House as the basic organizational feature serving as the student’s home base and the place for core academic work. Following the guidelines articulated in Dalton’s K–3 Curriculum Guide, the House Advisor and Associate Teacher implement a program of language arts, social studies, and mathematics in conjunction with specialists in Spanish, music, art, science, health, library, chess, theater arts, and physical education. In addition, reading and math specialists work with students individually or in small groups to provide support and enrichment. While academic work is paramount, the purpose of House is to create a feeling of safety and security and to be a comfortable, supportive place for learning. Within House, there are regular opportunities for lessons and activities that serve to develop children’s social-emotional growth and nurture the ethical development critical to effective functioning in a complicated world. It is the House Advisor’s task to be in close contact with the parents, formally during Conference Days in the fall and spring, and as needed to keep parents informed as to the multi-faceted growth of their children.