Wenzhou Dalton International School is celebrating Helen Parkhursts birthday by making an exposition of history of Dalton in China.

 

Helen Parkhurst birthday in Shenzhen Dalton Xinhua School

 

Celebrating the 136th anniversary of Helen Parkhurst on 8 March. The reportage by Rene Berends.

Exactly this day the Dalton community is celebrating Helen Parkhurst's 136th birthday. Thanks to René Berends we can learn more about Helen Parkhurst' birthday. The article below:

Celebrating the 136^th anniversary of Helen Parkhurst on 8 March

René Berends, 2022

Every year, teachers at Dalton schools around the world commemorate Helen Parkhurst's birthday. This year, too, this will happen at many places. But on what date exactly do we celebrate her birthday? And in what year exactly was she born? There is some confusion about Parkhurst's date of birth and year of birth.

She herself writes in a curriculum vitae that is preserved in the archives of the Dalton School in New York, 7 March 1887, the same date that Diana Lager (1983), Dorothy Luke (n.d.) and Susan Semel (2002) mention. 

Vern Pinkowski, an inspector of education in Wisconsin, who wrote in the nineties, for the local historical society of her hometown Durand (Wisc.), a small biography, mentions the year 1886. He indicates that he had seen authentic, genealogical sources in Wisconsin. What those are exactly, unfortunately he doesn’t say. 

Kuipers (1993) tells that during a visit to the Netherlands, Parkhurst told that she was born on 8 March 1886. Diana Lager (1983) points out that in various sources also the years 1885 and 1892 are mentioned. We find the year 1892 also on the certificate that Parkhurst received in 1957 when she was honored by Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands as Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau.

So, when I visited Durand for my research on her biography, I went to the Pepin County Government House and asked for her birth certificate. I knew already that Diana Lager reported in 1983 that the original deed was destroyed by fire. And I also knew that a Dutch researcher, Cees Janssen, stated in 1996, that he didn’t find the original certificate. 

As I expected there was indeed no original certificate. In the register of the population of the municipality of Durand (Wisc.) there was only an 'uncertified copy' of the birth certificate, which act was drawn up under oath by Parkhurst before a notary. And this act indicates that she was born on 8 March 1886. 

So we are almost certain that Helen was born on 8 March 1886. 

My research took me also to the Historical Museum in Durand, the archives in Stevens Point and

River Falls and to the Dalton School in New York. In these archives I found a beautiful picture of Helen only a few month old and some old pictures of Durand (Wisc.) where she was born.

Durand was founded 40 years before her birth, in 1856, in the valley of the Chippewa River. More than thirty kilometers downstream this river flows into the Mississippi. Because of its location Durand was a natural trading place. Timber traders sailed with their wood rafts on the river along Durand and farmers from the area regularly came to the market.

 

Helen’s parents ran a hotel – Parkhurst House –. In the archives of the Historical Museum I even found an old postcard of Durand where we can see Parkhurst House, the hotel of her parents.

 I hope that we can now celebrate her 136th birthday in peace and with certainty on 8 March next.

 

Growth mindset in the perspective of Independency.

The vision on Independency in the eyes of the team of teachers and mentors from Shenzhen Dalton Xinhua School is the result of their hard work of more than one year. I

According to the teachers, in the first place, independent child stands for for self-development. Independency develops a sense of dignity and helps the child to appreciate the value of time.

The child becomes custodian, not in a custody and he focusses his complete energies on the task in hand. Consequently, children become much interested in their own progress.

Below the posters of the teachers with pictures of a tree that symbolizes the aspect of a personal growth. Posters present a vison on Independency concerning children from Grade 1 till Grade 6.

The Dalton Plan: A child's lifetime experience.

We are glad to share the news that our new book "Dalton Plan: a child's lifetime experience" has been printed, officially published and now available to order. The aim of the book is to spread Dalton education in both primary and secondary schools in China.

The book has been published in Chinese at North East Normal University in Changhun, China.

Congratulations to Wenzhou Dalton Elementary School.

 Following a series of teacher trainings, lectures and seminars both online and live (since 2018), as well as a positive audit online, Dalton International board nominated Wenzhou Dalton Elementary School in Wenzhou, China, as International Dalton School. As a result, the school has joined the community of International Dalton Schools across the world.

The International Dalton School in Wenzhou, is a private school that firmly adheres to Dalton principles, mission and vision as promoted by the Dalton International.

It is our immense pleasure to Congratulate You and Your School on obtaining the predicate "International Dalton School".

It is for us, Dalton International a meaningful and special occasion.
We can be proud and honored that although we speak different languages, we share the same educational values. Dalton International message is one hope for the future. It is supported by practical initiatives that will lay firm foundations to continue our mission of connecting Dalton schools in China.

We would like to wish the whole team of Wenzhou Dalton Elementary School a further success in Dalton Plan implementation.

The message of President, Dalton International on 100 years of existence of Dalton Plan in Ascham School in Sydney.

The message from President of Dalton International for Ascham School in Sydney on the occasion of the celebration of 100 years of Dalton Plan and 120 years of a school existence.

A Message from Roel Röhner, President, Dalton International - Ascham School

"Dalton makes a difference" published in Chinese Dalton magazine.

Dalton International would like to wish all International Dalton Schools as well as members in China a successful and a healthy Chinese New Year 2022. This is always a hopeful time, as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. And while 2021 was difficult for everyone, we need to look forward to that brighter days ahead of us. We are looking forward to see the whole community of Dalton International again, we miss you!

Below the cover of my article to Dalton magazine in Wenzhou titled "Dalton makes difference". The title was designed in the shape of a tiger by an art teacher form Wenzhou Dalton International School. 

One hundred years of Dalton in Ascham School in Sydney

Congratulations to Ascham School in Sydney on your 100th anniversary of Dalton education. At Dalton International, we admire your school development and the high level of Dalton approach implementation. In addition, we admire your commitment to excellence in education. With gratitude and appreciation, we look forward to a conference and celebration in November 2022.

A new member of Dalton International

Following a series of teacher trainings since 2018 and a positive audit, Dalton International board nominated Kindergarten no 34 in Koszalin as International Dalton Kindergarten. As a result, the kindergarten has joined the community of International Dalton Schools across the world:

International Dalton schools – Dalton International

The International Dalton Kindergarten no 34 in Koszalin, is a public kindergarten that firmly adheres to Dalton principles, mission and vision as promoted by the Dalton International:

Dalton designation – Dalton International

Dalton International would like to congratulate the Kindergarten number 34 in Koszalin for making a significant step forward in their Dalton development.

Happy International Day of Education

Today, the world is celebrating the forth International Day of Education under the theme “Changing course, transforming education”. The United National General Assembly proclaimed the day as International Day of Education on January 24^th, 2018. It is highly important to demonstrate this day the possible steps that needs to be made to provide a fundamental right for education for every child.

We always say each opportunity where we can act and transform  our world as Helen Parkhurst called for needs to be fully exploited.  Dalton International believe that creating appropriate conditions for children to grow to the fullness of their potential across the world is necessary. 

Dalton International would like to wish all International Dalton Schools worldwide a Happy International Day of Education.

 

 

Grade 1 students in Wenzhou make a final semester evaluation.

Grade 1 students  in Wenzhou Dalton International School did the evaluation of their work in the school semester 2021/2022. On the basis of their experience, they set the the goals for the upcoming school semester. The assessment for learning implemented this school year made children more aware of what they have already learned and helped them to improve their future performance. Consequently, children obtain a sense of the feeling that they are owners of their own learning process. "Hope Maps" created by children help them to understand the learning process and make their learning more efficient. Thanks to new assessment for learning techniques of giving feedback, children have a better overview of what there strengths and weaknesses are. Such constructed learner's feedback guide learner to reflect on their learning, take action and let them move forward on their Dalton journey.

 

The upcoming online training for International Dalton Kindergarten, Koszalin, Poland.