Last Saturday, Roleen and Ellen Khokha taught their Reggio class on ground at New School-West
The Stevens (Harrison EW), Michies (Hayes EW), and the Karsentys (Diego WW) hosted a yummy Mediterranean Night with good spirits all around.
On Tuesday, and every first Tuesday of the month, the parents host the the teachers for lunch! Thanks, Laura (Ava, EW), for setting us up with you and the Teacher Appreciation Team contributing delicious treats.
Mica (EW) celebrated his birthday by reading and donating a book.
Flowers galore! Lucy C. (WW, obscuring mom, Lisa with flowers in this photo) and Eli showered us with beauty.
Snack was brought by Mason and Zoe, Kayden, Estelle (EW) and Sonia, Sawyer, and Ennio (WW)
And there was a pizza making moment with Laura (Ava’s mom, EW) that had everyone stacking unusual toppings on their pre-cooked slice, then picking them off to eat a cheese pizza! It was super fun for all.
And Monika (Julian, EW) joined our EW planning meeting and she had this reflection:
Today I had the privilege of attending one of the weekly East Wing teachers’ meetings, and what a treat that was!! After touring New School West two years ago, we already had the sense that the school was special and unique. Once our kid began classes, our instincts were quickly confirmed as we came to understand that it wasn’t only our children who would travel a warm and magical journey of learning and growth but that we, the parents, would be transformed as well. But the truth is that beyond observing the loving and knowledgeable teachers in action under the lucidity and expertise of Roleen’s leadership, it was hard to pinpoint the secret of NSW’s unique approach to the Reggio methodology. Today, as I listened to Amy interrogate and call into question the food dehydrator practice, I understood a major component of the school’s success. The teachers and administrators are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating their practices, regularly striving for change and improvement, even when the practice hasn’t presented any problems at all!! It’s that drive for transformation and innovation that best explains, for me, the magic key that NSW has found to model and unlock our children’s curiosity. Thank you NSW for teaching me one more valuable lesson today!