(this message is linked to the Fundraising to the right of the NSW blog for reference)
Dear Friends,
Every year at this
time I find myself excited about all the events on the calendar that bring us
together as a community – Bowling, Comedy Night, Secret Tastings, Silent
Auction Dance Party and of course graduation. However, I also find that I want to explain why some of
these events focus on fundraising and why it is so important to The New
School-West.
Your tuition
dollars go directly toward staff salary, benefits, scholarships, teacher
workshops, conferences, continued education, operating costs and other perks
that help the school retain its phenomenal curriculum and teaching staff. This year, we are also reaping the
benefits of the teachers’ work with Stuart (music), Ilaan (creative movement)
and Flor Ferro, a teacher from First Presbyterian Nursery School who comes
every Friday afternoon to work with the teachers with their documentation and
their classroom environments.
Every day we are
learning more about the importance the environment plays in the development of
each child. Our fundraising events raise money to enhance the whole school
environment. “Organization”,
“simplicity”, “beauty”, are words that guide us as we work toward enhancing
defined spaces both inside and outside of NSW. We also support the extras that are important for the
teachers to continue their work while studying the Reggio approach. Past
fundraising efforts have helped NSW with the following major projects:
·
Sending the
teachers to Reggio Emilia, Italy to study for a week in 2007 at a cost of
$48,000!
·
Transforming
the middle courtyard to a “piazza” that welcomes and supports relationships
throughout the school (removing fences and extending platforms, adding couches,
trees, awnings, tables, etc.).
·
New floors,
windows, and fresh paint (inside and out).
·
Redesigning
the alley with children’s silhouettes (our grads from 1994!) to create a
permanent, more beautiful fence.
·
Adding a
library and solar tubes to the Back Patio to bring us amazing rainbows and
natural light.
·
Implementing
an efficient security system to free the children and teachers from constant
buzzing while providing parents with quick access.
·
Purchasing
additional technology for the teachers such as computers, digital and video
cameras, projectors, printers, copiers, and scanners.
All of this has
been accomplished with the continued amazing talents and supports of NSW
parents.
On April 17th
NSW will open our doors for the second time to a national educator’s tour
sponsored by the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA). In preparation for this big event, our
fundraising efforts for this spring are focused on The Environment as the Third
Teacher. Our hope is to complete
the following:
· Shades for the new windows to enhance the
beautiful indoor/outdoor transparency and connection.
· Beautifying the school entrance with a
walkway that incorporates found objects and plants.
· 40 stools (that still have to be built) to
sit with the tables in the middle courtyard that were designed and built for us
by a graduate parent.
· Replacing the woodchips in the front yard
with a new material (research in progress)
· And our long-term dream is to complete the
redesign and actualization of an updated kitchen and teacher lounge. This area
needs to serve as a kitchen, meeting space for teachers, parents, and small
group work with the children, documentation center and organizational
systems.
Fundraising is not
meant to overwhelm you but be fun, social events to draw you in while
supporting the school. With that
in mind, we try to plan a variety of events in which you can be involved. The fall included the Giant Pumpkin
raffle and Holiday Bazaar. We just
held a fantastic Comedy Night and look forward to Jim Heimann’s L.A. Outtakes
at Walgrove on March 6th, Secret Tastings on March 13th,
and the Black and While Ball/Silent Auction on April 10th.
Our goal is to
raise $40,000 to support the school improvements this year. With your help, it
should be an easy task all while we’re having fun together. In closing, I want to recognize and
thank each and every one of you for being such a special part of the NSW
family. Together, our families and
teachers create a community that supports our children and their future.
Roleen