Before school activities provide CAL students with creative outlets

Mornings start the right way at CAL.

In the last two years, the school has introduced morning activities to give students a choice how to spend time between arrival and the welcoming announcements.

Along with recess, younger students can choose to venture to the coloring room for some artful expression or the LEGO room for hands-on construction. Older students have access to a lounge in the library where they can read, chat with one another or just relax before school starts.

CAL Principal Abby Meyer said by offering the morning clubs, students have an outlet to sharpen minds and encourage creativity leading into a school day.

“It was important for us to have our kids start their day in a really positive way,” she said.

Meyer said the clubs were added because some students did not respond well to recess in the morning. However, recess is still offered because other students enjoy expending energy and physical exercise before the day begins.

“Some of our kids know they need to get all the wiggles out and they’re out running and running and that’s good for them,” she said.

Clubs begin as students begin arriving around 7:30 a.m. Meyer said they’re encouraged to eat breakfast before going to their respective activity rooms. She said the combination of a balanced breakfast and a stress-free yet engaging activity in the morning facilitates a positive, productive school day.

“They come in calmer,” she said. “They start their day in a much more positive manner and that carries on through the rest of the day.”

Meyer said she’s especially encouraged by the response of the morning clubs because students build already formed relationships and begin new friendships through the activities.

“A lot of kids decide as a friendship if they are going to recess or the coloring room,” she said, “so it’s still a time for them to be social but it’s a time for them to be doing things are calming.

“It’s a really calm morning,” she added. “It’s really just starting our day off in a positive manner.”