“Connecting a Community” was presented by Cindy and Jennifer at East Wing, Parent-Presentation Night last Wednesday. This presentation revealed teacher observations and intentions for bringing a classroom community together in an empathic awareness. Through videos and photos of the evidence of this work playing out daily, the parents who came reflected on how they saw the invisible string of connection.
Deeba (Aiden, EW): I remember a difference in the energy. When we started in the West Wing, I felt there was something a little off with Aiden. Over time, it changed and in the East Wing now, I’m asking him, “What will you miss about New School-West?” He says, “My friends”. I asked, “Which ones?” and he said, “All of them”. Same with the teachers, all of them, so the invisible strings are really strong.
Margaret (August, EW): Seeing this empathic journey that started in November was amazing. The picture of the teachers doing plays was a huge moment for us at home. August and I would talk about it for weeks. When Flora cried in the play because her friends were laughing at her, it was so profound for August. The understanding that came from that was huge. We talked about those feelings. What we hear at home is that school is working on feelings and bringing the group together.
Kelly (Eliotte, EW): We were visiting family in Alabama and it had been a long time since I’d seen them so I teared up. Eliotte came over to me and told me to take a deep breath in, blow it out slowly. She rubbed my back and said, “It’s ok. Sometimes grown-ups cry too.” Yes, they do! I was amazed at her ability to understand and support my feelings.
Teacher Cindy: It was with that piece about Loveland, when they felt we should know better because we are grown up, that they realized that these feelings are lifelong. That began the shift to expressing ideas a little differently.
Scarlett (Ozzie, EW): Our children are complex, capable beings. The work never ends. Everything in there (the presentation) applies to me. It doesn’t matter if I’m 5 or I’m 40, we’re still working on it. The children are operating on such an intuitive level and we feel so fortunate that they are embraced and nurtured by teachers who are willing to work with them on that level.
