The Colonel John Robinson Elementary School is one of three PK-2 schools in the town of Westford. At Robinson, we strive to promote excellence and to assist students in reaching their fullest potential. In order for this to happen, we know that we must provide students with a safe environment in which to learn. From the moment students and their parents/guardians walk through the doors of our school, it is important to us that they feel welcome and part of a community. We accomplish this goal by teaching and practicing our core values of Safety, Perseverance, Inclusion, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork (SPIRIT). Students at Robinson demonstrate these core values each day through their words and actions. As a staff, we are committed to our continued growth as educators. The open concept structure of our building provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate regularly, and, as such, build in our capacity as a staff. Teachers often bring classes together when introducing a new skill or concept so that students also have a greater chance for collaboration. Staff members at Robinson work diligently to implement research-based best practices, and continually seek ways to build upon their already strong skill set. This is accomplished through school and district based professional development, as well as participation in professional learning communities. Students who attend the Robinson School are exposed to a variety of learning opportunities. Our staff members believe in the importance of educating the whole child. To that end, students receive direct and explicit lessons in character education. These skills are also practiced and reinforced throughout our school building, and throughout the school day. Each grade level participates in “compassion projects” that support our greater community, such as fundraisers and food/can drives. These experiences emphasize the value of caring for each other. Learning at Robinson includes activities that are applicable to the real world, whenever possible. To better prepare our students for 21st century careers, we know that we must develop, cultivate, and support our students’ ability to think critically, to communicate effectively, to create bravely, and to collaborate productively.