It’s Saturday, September 13th, 2014, and Jim and I are heading out to Louisville tomorrow morning for a couple of days thus the head start on my “It’s Monday” column. There’s always a lot of information with so much going on that it clears my head to put it down on paper. You should have received a condensed version of events coming up via email but this one for the blog has a few more details for those who just want to know more! The new school year is well on its way and it’s amazing to see how the children are settling in and making new friends all while trying to stay cool! It’s never easy to begin a new experience but it’s the community committed to working together that makes the road a little less bumpy and this is definitely a community that cares.
That said, we still have a few “kinks” that we’re trying to work out. It is our hope that we can link the blog calendar to your phones as we’ve done in the past so on Monday a parent support team will be working with Kris to see how we can get information to you more efficiently. Our goal is not to bombard you with emails but rather to streamline the avenue for you to receive info that is really important for all of us to stay linked. Thanks for being patient with the process. We’ll keep you posted.
Sounds like the Parent Teams are well on their way to working together and we are also in the process of putting everything together in the “Teams” part of our blog. I know that some of you didn’t have the chance to sign up at our Parent Partners meeting but it’s not too late. It’s absolutely not too late! And now that you may be more comfortable with each other and understanding a little more about everything that goes into the organization of this school, you may want to review the Parent Teams again with a different eye. If you DID sign up and you don’t see your name on the Team roster under your chosen committee, let us know. Some of the blog info has not been revised yet so hang in there with us and let us know how you want to help. In the meantime, here’s where we could use some help:
Handy(wo)man help: Do you love to work with tools? Do you like to sand and/or paint? Are you a fix-it kind of person? And tell us you love to plunge toilets!!
Do you like to shop and/or run around and do errands?
Do you have connections with discounts for computers, camera, furniture, etc. purchases?
Do you love to clean, organize, and toss?
Do you have access to a truck? Sometimes we need things to be picked up and sometimes it’s just to haul things away.
Do you have any unique talents? Play music? Sew? Cook? Do you have access to a kiln for our young potters? Let us know more about you.
Our goal here is to create a list of people and skills so we can do a shout out to that particular group of people so everyone doesn’t have to receive the information that is not pertinent to them. Here’s what I know about myself, I HAVE TO ASK FOR HELP otherwise I get overwhelmed and then I have trouble prioritizing. I am soooo grateful when I can let things go in order to move onto bigger things. You are a huge part of making that happen. And what a support for the teachers when I’m not crazy!!! I thank you. Even better, they thank you!!
So. . now the calendar in detail:
Thursday, Sept. 18th: 6:45 to 9:00. “What’s ‘Reggio’ all about?” Come join me for one of my favorite evenings. We’ll explore and go deeper into the values inspired by the children, teachers, and community of Reggio Emilia, Italy, that continue to guide not only our work with the children but our lives outside the school. Sam will be here for those of you who might need childcare to make this happen for you. $10 per child and sign ups are on the door for that as well as for bringing nibbles and wine.
Saturday, Sept. 20th: 9:00 to 2:00. The Book Fair/Bake Sale is one of the sweetest days of the year and the Library Team is working hard to make it another great event. Here’s what they have to say:
“The book fair is a joyous New School West tradition and community event. We celebrate the day with books, song, readings, yummy eats, as well as juicing and bookmark making for the children. BUT – we need your help to make it happen! A portion of the book sale proceeds go the school, and the bake sale is equally important for the event – where all sales go directly to NSW. If you have even an hour to spare on Sept 20th, please sign up at the front door. This is one of the easiest & sweetest ways to help support the school – and you will have fun too!”
So, sign up, get involved, come and enjoy!
Sunday, Sept. 21st: 2:00 to 4:00. Grand Opening at the Pedagogical Institute (PI). RSVP at www.thinkwithus.org and come see this amazing space where teachers, parents, and community can come together to dialogue, share resources, and find camaraderie with other educators beyond our own school all in focus of education for young children. NSW will be greeting at the door.
Monday, Sept. 22nd: Noon to 1:00. First ten parents who get back to me can have lunch with me and the directors and parents from the founding PI schools at the Pedagogical Institute. I know it’s a hard time for working parents but if you can make the time, it’s a great beginning to what this PI is all about. . . connecting people, and parents are a big part of this connection.
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd: Photo Day. Maggie Storm will be here to take our Group Photos and will stay to take some individual photos, as well. If you don’t come on Tuesdays or are only here in the afternoon, please come or know that we will reschedule and photoshop your child in. We want all the children included. East Wing takes their group photo at 8:30am and West Wing at 8:45am. Order forms for all photos were sent to you via email on Sept. 2nd and they are also posted on the blog. NSW receives all proceeds from the Group Photo courtesy of Maggie Storm. Make payments to “Maggie Storm” and drop in the “PHOTOS” file box in the office.
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd: WW Parent Teacher Conferences begin. Schedules listed where you Sign in/out. We have designated times that work best for the teachers with the whole school in mind. If the times don’t work for you, be sure to let us know and we will work around your schedule.
Friday, Sept. 26th: Early (12:15) pick up day. It’s a teacher in-service afternoon. The West Wing will also have parent-teacher conference times available for parents. If you need to bring your child during those designated times, we will have teachers available to support that.
Wed, Oct. 1st: Sara Perets from Sunshine Shack Preschool in Hollywood will begin her 3 part series on Cultivating Family Intention. $75. You really DO want to do this! In our busy family lives, often we can be challenged with slowing our pace to create a family that is rooted in purpose, intention, and a deeper sense of family culture. Sara will discuss what intentions are and how we can stick to them. She will help you create a family mission statement and also introduce family vision boards. Cultivating this connection can help our families live more meaning lives with rich relationships and purpose. What a gift!
Sunday, Oct. 5th: Comedy Night at the Morgan Wixson Theatre. Doors open at 5:30 with a no host bar and some good food to nibble. Show starts promptly at 7:00. Tickets are $35 or 2 for $60. It’s a night you won’t forget so buy your tickets now!! Seriously, it’s a night you won’t forget and I can’t think of anything better than laughing together. xoxoxoxoxoRo