Teachers patiently work with kids who want to participate all the time and provide clear expectations about when it's ok to share and if it isn't time, when the next sharing time will be.
Kids who are uncomfortable speaking up in class often find that once they have relationships with their teacher and classmates, participating gets easier. The community has experience with selective mutism and values whatever form of communication is working best at the moment.
Our staff is small, and kids take classes with the same teachers year after year so these relationships have a lot of time to grow.
Fidgets and alternative seating (standing, pacing) arrangements are a normal part of a Cascade classroom.
Maximum class size is 16 students so each kid gets individual attention.
Parents can scaffold a kid who needs extra support in class, or be in the hallway outside the classroom for a little less support. Some kids feel safer just knowing that their grownup is in the building.
Our part time schedule makes school accessible for a lot of families.