If I could just gather up all the good energy that filled the spaces (both inside and out) and carry it with me in a little spray bottle, I would only be a spritz away from absolute peace of mind and focus that I am so craving in my day to day. Being in the room with you at our EW Open House last week was just what I needed, what I think we all needed. To be witness to the teachers’ sharing children’s stories of discovery, learning, and imagination and getting in on the connections they are making at home with you was not only pure joy, it was in itself, a whole new vaccine that I know I needed to ward off the emotions that have taken us on quite a roller coaster ride this year. Grateful. xoRoleen
As we teachers prepared to welcome the parents into the classrooms, the children started talking about what they wanted their families to see.
Basil Group
Tallulah: I want them to see the car I built in the block area!
Elliot: I am super excited for them to see the decorations we made for the doll house!
Everly: Maybe they will make me a note!
Mira: I want them to see my self portrait!
Penny: I want them to see the building I made with Talluah. It’s Dinosaur World!
Rufus: I want them to see the wood chips. I like playing Spiderman in there!
Aloe Veras Group
Adriana: What would you like your parents to see and feel as they come into the classroom for our open house?
Chloe: I want mommy and daddy to see the building space. I left a surprise there for them. They are going to love it!
Presley: We can make a “Welcome to The New School-West” sign for the whole school to welcome their pods parents.
Mia: For everyone to feel welcome, right?
Poppy: I want Mommy and Mamma to see the library. It’s astonishing here!
Christoph: I worked so hard on my hydrangea. My parents are going to be surprised.
Levi: And my parents will love my butterfly, right?
Christoph: Yes. They are going to say what an amazing work, right?
Adriana: Yes, there is so much work for them to see and learn from.
We were once again reminded of the importance of connection and why we so value the teacher-parent relationship. It was a pleasure to welcome you all in and to see the joy reflected on your faces. As we told the stories of the work and intention of the materials, we invited you to wonder with us together on how to intentionally continue to find ways to maintain our connection and reciprocal communication with the entire school. Thank you for making the time to come in and learn about the children’s work. Adriana, Amy, Mary, Cynthia, Susan, and Vanessa
What an amazing afternoon it was being able to laugh with and hear the teachers share stories about the work the kids are doing in class. For a brief moment being with fellow parents and teachers inside the classroom everything felt normal and right. My heart was filled with happiness & joy seeing all the magic that was being created and it is a testament to the love, dedication and passion the teachers put in day in and day out. I walked away with an overwhelming sense of calmness and confidence that coming back to NSW was definitely the right thing for our kids. Allison (Chloe and Colin)
In this singularly difficult year, we were so fortunate that our children were able to grow and thrive in an environment that celebrated their creativity and centered their emotional well-being. I was particularly impressed by how the teachers used the transformation of the space as an opportunity to find new ways for the children to connect across individual pods. -Farooq (Uma)
Connection to the other parents that we convened with in the room – was just as powerful as the children’s work. As we viewed the progression of growth for our children we were also able to reflect on the progression of growth for ourselves. CC (Poppy)
It was so fabulous to be in the spaces and interact with the teachers. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. I particularly loved the pictures on the wall of each kid in their mask and without their mask. Lisa (Eve)
Thank you for Friday, it was incredible to experience the space and see all the work you are doing with the kids. So grateful for all you do. Priya (Uma)