The West Coast Collaborative: The New School-West, Voyages Preschool, Branches Atelier, Bright Start, and The Growing Place have embraced a focus on the intersection of technology and nature. Technology is a part of children’s culture in their daily experiences and because we can not, should not, ignore it if we want to honor the whole child, our focus is technology as a tool of discovery and creation rather than the media promotion of technology as passive consumption.
Because children often remind us to slow down, to look more closely at the world, and to wonder at what we have begun to take for granted in adulthood, we began with the digital microscope. We look at ourselves, the textures and colors of our skin, of plants, animals, and bugs and how they all rely on the other. By sharing the view, we more easily engage with the unseen and gain a broader awareness of time, the environment, and the interconnectedness of all living things. We invited the community to join us and collaborated with Voyages Preschool at this month’s ARTwalk and hope you all come back again and again to engage as we stretch time, deepen relationships, and extend an inclusive community in Mar Vista.
It is magical being at school at night. For me the big take aways are the magic of growth and time and slowing down.
Having the laptop stations and worms and food set up to look at under the microscope reminded me of how nice it is for the kids at New School West to have the space and opportunity to have unique experience set up for them that are open ended and invite exploration.
It was also nice to be able to recognize past graduates, now 3rd and 4th graders, in the dark from down the street even though we don’t see them that often – something about being back on May street where we’d seen them so much in the past. And then to be able to walk in with my 3rd grader Danny and see documentation of his from when he was in the East Wing and have him read it to me felt like a very full circle moment.
And then to see a young man come back to his old preschool to say hello to Roleen was a special reminder that this wonderful place continues to mean so much to so many.
And it was fun to end the evening by asking if a Robot wanted to come to school – a neighbor who is in commercial real estate as it turns out, but likes building things, had built this to go to dance parties and had just brought it back from Burning Man, well her actually. We invited him in and the kids loved meeting her. There may not be boy colors and girl colors as Danny read me from the documentation – but there are girl robots that light up and twirl. Thank you New School West for always shining bright in the community and being a place that allows special connections with our kids, each other and our community. Amanda (Lily WW)
For me, the highlight of the evening was watching Finn feel so at home in the environment. She was sharing all the different spaces with my mom and I, excited to tell us all about the work she’s been doing. I also felt especially thankful for all the teachers! All the care and work they put into NSW is astonishing, and so inspiring! The messages about identity really struck me and I loved how these ideas are being discussed with the children. I also learned how I can continue those conversations at home. And I was thankful for those tools.
Sonia made a beeline for the West Wing and it was great to walk through the classroom with her and absorb all of the new wall photos and artwork. Drop offs and pick ups are often such a rush so it was great to spend some slow time with her in the space.