The traditions of “Istochnik” give it its reputation, style, uniqueness, and inimitability. Some of these traditions are still quite new, while others are well-established and strong. And the main chroniclers and guardians of these traditions and rituals are the teachers and students themselves.
- Newspaper “Magic Carriage”. Kind, bright, and sincere children’s polyphony. A “screen”, where everything is visible, contains not only traces of the past, but also announcements, and a key for future affairs.
- Tea ceremony. A pleasant meeting over tea with special rituals and heeart-to-heart talks. Its target tasks are psychoecology of the personality through the integrative work of the sensory apparatus (taste, color, aromatic smell), oxygenation of brain cells, work with images, and teaching etiquette.
- “Springs: Book of the Path” A collection of creative works by children and adults dedicated to school and kindergarten graduates. This unique, special book brings together the most memorable chapters from school and kindergarten life. “The Book of the Journey” is a traditional graduation gift.
- Initiation into Disciples and Pupils. A ceremonial welcome ceremony for first-graders and kindergarten students into the friendly Istochnik family, accompanied by the presentation of school-branded paraphernalia—blue ties, badges, and personalized gifts.
- Christmas Charity Fair is a joyous common cause aimed at providing gratuitous aid to those inneed.
- Hike. A long-awaited traditional event that marks the beginning and end of school year. These are always exciting routes, full of games, entertainment, competitions, quests, and songs.
Tradition is the part of our past that we help to move into the future.
Victor Krotov
- Child-parent days. Joint family activities – sports, creative, intellectual – are the path to successful cooperation between the family and the kindergarten.
- Child’s life diary. Correspondence between children, teachers, and parents provides an opportunity for children to learn new things about themselves. The information is presented in a friendly, businesslike tone, setting a benchmark for the next level, or appropriately harmonizing the student’s current state.
- Development tree (individual or group tree). A mirror of a student’s success. A leaf is awarded for the development of something new; a branch is awarded for the formation of a sustainable new quality.
- Reflective circle. A time when the entire group gathers together in a circle. The theme corresponds to the day’s events. In the morning, goals and activities for the day are outlined; the mood and focus for the day are set through a catchphrase or affirmation. In the evening, reflection occurs on how the student achieved their goals: what specifically they did; how they felt; how it helped them, others, and the group; what more they can do, etc.
- Schoolwide recreative gymnastics “Spirit flair”. It is developed on the basis of asynthesis of eastern and western approaches to health preservation, which is carried out daily with the aim of attracting children to “inner silence” and the coming day.
- Collection of works by kindergarten pupils. A “piggy bank” of children’s creative words and catchphrases, which is replenished by everyone: the children themselves, teachers, kindergarten staff, family members, neighbors…
- Holidays. A unique form of spiritual self-expression and self-enrichment, a creative collaboration of the trinity – teacher, child, parent, and, most importantly, a special state of mind, the need to share the joy of being with others, the need to be together.