Hi, Friends. It feels like forever since we’ve talked.
Here are the subjects I’d like to share with you:
Kindergarten Transition Night TONIGHT 6:45-8:45 — for kids going in 2011
This week I sent out Registration Letters
Silent and Live Auction – Saturday, February 26
WW Teachers Share the Kids’ Work – Monday, February 28th, from 3:30 to 5:00
REGGIO INSPIRED RETREAT – March 3rd and 4th the school will be CLOSED
Kindergarten INFO Night – NEW DATE March 22 – for kids going in 2012
ITALIAN EXCURSION – ROLEEN, KRIS AND OTHER REGGIO DIRECTORS – April 11th-15th
The Coffee With Roleen this week reminded me once again how much I miss you. I just wish we could just “hang out” together all day. You make me laugh. But, reality sets in with that dream and the reminder of all the work that still needs to be done. This week, it’s Registration Letters to be mailed. With over 200 “regrets”, I’ll need that Mojito ready upon entry at our party on Saturday. Can I just say, this is my least favorite time? So many wonderful people, friends of yours and now friends of mine that want to be a part of our day to day life here at NSW. I appreciate the kind words and all the sweet messages but more importantly, I appreciate that you understand that this process is not easy. . . for any of us!
So with that, I’m looking forward to playing with you on Saturday. Leah and her committee have been working like crazy to get everything ready for us and the word is. . . we are in for a treat. Final count for food is due on Wednesday. Be sure to buy your reserved space, bring some friends, and get ready to bid on some amazing Silent and Live Auction items. Hey! And get ready to swing Mima off her feet! Kris is picking her up at the train station and she’s coming to spend the night with us with a sleep over with Paola! She misses us, too! (For those of you who haven’t had the fortune to know Mima. . .you’re in for a treat!).
Kindergarten Transition Night is scheduled for this Wednesday at 6:45-8:45.It’s a time for parents whose children will be going onto kindergarten in the fall to come together and talk about the logistics and the emotions that go along with change. I’ve invited some past parents to come and share their stories. Flora will be here to support childcare with sign ups on the main door. Bring some refreshments, your questions, and your listening ear.
This night is different from the Kindergarten Night that we schedule every year for the families whose children will attend kindergarten in 2012. Tanya Anton will be coming again to share her expertise about the public school system and information to help you navigate this new world. We’ve changed the date on the original calendar to March 22nd. More information will go out closer to the time but mark your date books now. The time is 7:00 to 9:00 and we will have a teacher support child care.
On Monday, February 28th, from 3:30 to 5:00, the West Wing teachers will come together and present their work with the children. It’s always a great time to sit and enjoy all that goes on around here and we learn so much from each other. I hope you plan to come.
On March 3rd and 4th the school will be closed so the teachers can join other teachers from our local Reggio-inspired schools for a planned Retreat that has now become an annual experience.
It all began in Italy in 2007, when were lucky enough to study the schools in Reggio Emilia together as part of a collaborative grant written by Ellen Khokha from The Growing Place. We are still learning from our experience and continue to work together to keep us inspired and fresh. We remain very grateful for our NSW parents who raised $40,000 so we could immerse ourselves in this amazing school culture and learn a deeper way of teaching as learners together. It will be two days filled with visits to other schools and mini workshops that will have us sharing our work with each other. We have also invited professionals in a variety of fields, such as writers, artists, movement specialists (and more) and it’s all organized by the teachers. I know it’s never easy to find childcare on those days we close, but we appreciate your support. We always walk away even more inspired.
So this leads me to some important news. Some of you may know that Ellen is retiring from The Growing Place this year. I believe September is her last month. She’s had quite a year leading up to this and it’s not easy for her and for all of us who see her as an amazing, generous leader and for me, a dear, dear friend. With that, she wants to go out with a “bang” and has planned a small excursion to Pistoia, Italy, to tour some schools there. She’s asked me and Kris to join her, along with some other directors and some ECE professors. I think it’s lovely that she’s included us (and a treat for Kris to be included as a Co-Director. . . finally!) and I’ve said yes for the both of us. My only wish is that I could close the school and take all of us. The trip is planned for the week of April 11th which is the week before our Spring Break. My plan is to take some extra time for visiting with friends. With that, I’m shifting some calendar items. The Kindergarten Night is now on March 22nd which I already mentioned.
I know there are probably a million more things to tell you but for now, it’s time to get to the next step. Today we greet the principal and kindergarten teachers from Westwood Charter. They’re coming to see just how do these children and teachers do what they do?! Yep, they’re pretty amazing. Talk with you soon. xoxoRoleen