beLEADERS | IH Entrepreneurs' Center

Leading the Way - October 30, 2025

Leading Moments - Indian Hill Primary School

Careers for Kids: Our new IHPS STEM Series!

As members of the National STEM Honor Society, IHPS Teachers, Mrs. Amy Campa & Mrs. Becky Stevens, are working in collaboration with our IH Entrepreneurs' Center partners to create a new video series and STEM Challenge to our youngest Braves called, "Careers for Kids!"

The first area of focus was, 'Coding and Computer Programming.'

Click on the image above to watch the first episode of our new series "Careers for Kids."

Focusing on What's Important and Writing Fundamentals!

Ms. Ferry's 2nd graders were focused on their work as they were practicing sentence structures and when to use the trigraph 'igh.' Each time they were prompted, they tried to complete their sentence on their own, had it checked for understanding, and then shared it with their table mates. The 5C's were on full display and most of all the pride our Braves showed with their progress was the best part.

Novelists in the Making

It was difficult to capture all of the amazing moments in Mrs. Phelps' class this week because the moment I walked in one student after another wanted to share their amazing stories about 'bravery' they were working on. From zip-lining, diving in a pool, first day of school jitters, planning a party and first trips down the water slide, these incredible first graders were filled with immense pride as they wrote and illustrated their stories.

Readers and Creators Bloom in our Media Center!

Mrs. Mileham and Mrs. Anders have transformed our media center/library into a vibrant hub of curiosity, creativity, and connection. With their warm and welcoming approach, they foster a genuine love for reading in every student who walks through the doors. Whether helping students discover a new passion, explore a favorite author, or dive into a completely new genre, they have an incredible gift for pairing each reader with the perfect book.

Their dedication creates an environment where students don’t just read—they imagine, grow, and fall in love with learning all over again.

The Power of Play!

Earlier this week, I had the joy of watching a group of kindergartners dive into the magic of play—where curiosity meets creativity and imagination takes flight. From exploring hands-on STEM activities & materials to discovering books that sparked new interests and expressing ideas through free writing and illustration, every moment was filled with energy and purpose. Through play, our youngest learners practiced collaboration, critical thinking, and self-leadership—learning how to share ideas, solve problems, and take ownership of their learning. Most importantly, they reminded us that joy and fun are not just parts of learning—they are at the very heart of it.

Forces, Muscles and Imaginary Pumpkins!

Joy filled Mrs. Sweeney’s kindergarten classroom yesterday as our youngest learners explored the concept of “forces” through a hands-on, pumpkin-themed challenge! With laughter and excitement, students worked together to “land” their imaginary pumpkins into different areas of their classroom pumpkin patch—testing how hard or soft they needed to push to make the perfect toss. The activity quickly turned into a beautiful display of teamwork and encouragement: children cheered one another on, offered creative hints, and celebrated each success together.

During circle time, they reflected on how they used their muscles to move the pumpkins, proudly explaining the science behind their play. It was a perfect example of joyful learning—where curiosity, collaboration, and discovery took center stage!

Connect with us!

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!