Dear Sixth Grade Families,
I hope you are enjoying summer and spending quality time together as a family.
Since March, I have been on a fascinating learning journey. It started with the book Dopamine Kids by Michaeleen Doucleff, then led me to Robot-Proof by Vivienne Ming and Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Joseph Aoun. Along the way, I have read countless articles, listened to podcasts, and explored research related to AI and education.
All of this learning has left me feeling both excited and a little unsettled. The world is changing rapidly, and the impact of AI on education, work, and society is only beginning to unfold. The truth is, no one really knows exactly what the future will look like. What we do know is that our children will need more than just academic knowledge to thrive in it.
As I have reflected on these ideas, I have found myself asking a simple question: How do we help build "robot-proof" children? In other words, how do we help our students develop the skills and habits that technology cannot replace?
The research points to a clear answer. We need to place an even greater emphasis on curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, adaptability, ethical decision-making, and lifelong learning. We also need to help students understand how to use powerful new tools like AI thoughtfully and responsibly.
With this in mind, our sixth-grade teaching team is excited to elevate and innovate parts of our program. Strong academics will always remain the foundation of what we do, but we are also looking for new ways to help students develop these essential human skills. Financial literacy, meaningful AI integration that strengthens thinking and learning, DMPTV, expanded leadership opportunities, and an incredible service project in Tijuana helping a deserving family are just some of the ideas we are developing for the coming year.
Del Mar Pines has a long and proud history of preparing students for middle school and beyond. As the world continues to evolve, we believe it is important that our program evolves as well. We are committed to building on our strengths while creating new opportunities that prepare students for a future that will undoubtedly look different from today.
The sixth-grade teachers and I are energized by this challenge and excited about the possibilities ahead. We look forward to partnering with you as we help our students grow into capable, compassionate, and adaptable young people who are ready for whatever the future brings.
Have a wonderful rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Warmly,
