Lower School Student Life
Cannon's Lower School Student Life program offers additional learning and leadership opportunities to our junior kindergarten through fourth grade students. Students engage in meaningful experiences that lead to deeper understanding and ignite their curiosity. Our youngest Cougars are paired with our Senior Cougars, and friendships blossom that last well beyond the academic year. Cannon traditions and special events are planned throughout the school year, often including family members.
Adaptive Expertise Days
Adaptive Expertise (AE) Days are designed to further enhance the Habits of Mind and Habits of Spirit that are fundamental to Adaptive Expertise. AE Days are allotted times throughout the school year where the normal school day schedule is dismissed and students are involved in interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities during the course of the day that will lead to deeper learning on various topics. They present an opportunity for students to learn, explore and internalize sometimes new, often times known, information in new and enterprising ways. AE Days are chock-full of fun, innovating and ‘out of the box’ experiences that our students will recall long after their Lower School days have ended.
In 2020-2021, AE days focus on “Explore the Unknown”. Each AE day, students take a deep dive into one of our Cannon Core Values with hands-on experiences and lessons learned to share with their families. Students also get to choose a passion class to take during part of the day. These passion classes include topics like astronomy, cooking, woodworking, making survival bracelets, painting, and much more. AE days are truly magical!
Junior Kindergarten/Senior buddy program
Our Junior Kindergarten/Senior Buddy program is an established tradition that gets right to the heart of our School’s Mission Statement: Nurturing Relationships. We pair our youngest students with our oldest to create a program that develops lifelong relationships and instills a bond within our Cannon Family.
The JrK student's Senior Buddy meets with your child and your family over the summer to make a personal connection, greets your child the first week of school with a welcoming poster, and walks your child to class. This is just the beginning of monthly activities that include pizza lunches, Teddy Bear Picnic, Fall Celebration Party, Project Wrap In, Valentine’s Day Party, and Spring Celebration.
At the end of the school year, the JrK Buddies celebrate their Seniors by making posters representing the colleges that their Buddies will be attending. When the Senior’s dismiss from their Senior Pictures, they proceed through a line of their JrK buddies holding the posters. This program is truly one of the most memorable in the life of a Cannon School Student “Lifer” and represents how we engage, begin, and celebrate the continuation of our students on their journey of growth.
Student Council
The Lower School Student Council facilitates connectivity for students at school and in the community. It provides leadership opportunities, personal growth, and encourages students to think beyond themselves. Elected representatives and officers are held to a high standard of accountability, and agree to demonstrate academic integrity and exemplary conduct.
Responsibilities of the Lower School Student Council include:
- Brainstorming ideas to incorporate our core values into our year together
- Contributing to community service efforts
- Contributing and putting into action ideas that energize our Cannon School Spirit
- Collaborating with the Middle School and High School to create a feeling of community and unity
- Helping to update and maintain the Student Council Bulletin Board
- Maintaining a positive Cannon Cougar Spirit
I had always wanted to be part of Student Council. I thought it would
be fun to participate, and I was glad to have the chance to make our school a better
place.
Cannon Traditions and Special Events
Every school has its own unique culture and traditions that it make it a special place for our students. At Cannon, we have many favorites - the Teddy Bear Picnic, Gold and Maroon Day, and Olympic Day - just to name a few. Our youngest students delight in these occasions throughout the year, and our Upper School students reminisce fondly, sometimes reliving these events with their JrK Buddies or capturing them for the upcoming Yearbook. The journey of growth at Cannon is a real adventure!
Lower School Family picnic
The Lower School Family Picnic is held at the beginning of each school year, and provides families the opportunity to connect with each other, as well as with faculty and staff, all while enjoying great food, games, dance and laughter! Parents, faculty and staff all work together to make this a momentous and fun-filled event each year.
Grandparent and Special Friends Day
Grandparent and Special Friends Day provides a time for our student's grandparents or other friends to visit their classrooms and enjoy special performances or activities.
Junior Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic
Junior Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic is a Cannon favorite! Each Jr. Kindergartener brings in his or her favorite Teddy Bear, and the Head of School awards "medals" to each bear based on an outstanding characteristic.
Gold and Maroon Day
Gold and Maroon Day offers students the chance to participate in a variety of challenges, including tug-of-war and relay races. Parents also get into the action!
Olympic Day
Olympic Day is held each spring, with each Lower School class representing a different country which they have learned about ahead of time, and competing in a variety of games including sack races, shoe kick, relays, and more. The ceremonial Olympic torch is lit at the start of the games, and Closing Ceremonies conclude the event.
The Living History Museum
The Living History Museum offers fourth-grade students the chance to dig deep into a favorite historical figure, presenting facts about that person's life, and dressing and acting the part. Students from other grades, parents, and faculty visit the Museum and learn from the figures as they come to life!
Continue Exploring Cannon's Lower School
Learn about Cannon's foundational grades of Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten.
Learn more.
First grade is an exciting developmental year!
Learn more.
In second grade, the student is at the core of all that we do.
Learn more.
Third grade is a fun-filled year of growth and change for both students and parents.
Learn more.
Cannon School's learning support program is designed to help students with learning differences become successful learners and self-advocates.
Learn more.