Gratitude & Growth: Lower School Fall Highlights with Dr. Carrie Abood

In this episode Dr. Carrie Abood, Lower School Principal, shares fall highlights and expresses Thanksgiving gratitude. She reviews how the school has embraced the core value of a compassionate community through chapel, kindness initiatives, and classroom projects. Dr. Abood describes student leadership growth—especially among fifth graders—with examples like athletic involvement, Operation Christmas Child, and a new lower-school student representative group. She also highlights signature programs such as the speech meet, shepherding and reading buddies, and the responsive classroom approach that supports social-emotional learning. She praises the teachers’ dedication, collaborative professional development, and commitment to both academic and spiritual formation. Academic progress is tracked with assessments like NEWA and DIBELS, with focused work on writing, reading comprehension, and math groupings. Preparing students for transitions, particularly fifth graders moving toward middle school, includes executive skills training, increased responsibility, and leadership opportunities. The episode closes with Dr. Aboot giving thanks for the school community and praying for rest and growth for families over Thanksgiving.