Hello West Wing families,
We are at the end of the first week! The West Wing truly came alive with the children’s curiosity, laughter, and openness to trying new experiences. It feels so good making new relationships and learning who we are together!
We are all in transition. Establishing new routines and taking the time needed to get into a comfortable rhythm is all part of our new beginning together. For all of us, drop off is a new journey of saying goodbye outside of school. There are emotions that go along with it. At one of our parent Zoom meetings, Rebekah, Oona’s mom (Cilantros), shed light on this vulnerable moment as an opportunity to empower your child(ren). “I know you can do this and I love you. You’re going to be okay and I have to leave. You’re strong and you can do this and you’re going to have a great day.” The strengths and struggles of our children are all unique and different. We are here with you in all the ups and downs and very grateful for your partnership.
As we build routine in these first weeks with the children, we hope the children gain a sense of security and predictability as the schedule becomes familiar. Attached are the daily schedules for both groups. We are also attaching the Changes and Transitions article that is permanently housed in our articles section on the ParentsPortal, here again for your reference.
After saying goodbye, we had a morning meeting where we said hello to each other, sang songs, and then headed out for small group work and play. The West Wing children explored connections, environments and systems. The teachers learned a lot about what we had set up and how to tweak it for both groups.
The Cilantros (high resolution photos here)
In the Middle Courtyard, Cindy noticed the children’s interest in the activity in the Front Yard and introduced something really special – Woodworking! Through the sounds of hammering and sawing, the use of real tools encouraged strength and coordination, offering the children an empowered experience. In the classroom, the children were drawn to the Building Space and House Area with many opportunities for playful engagement and care for a space and each other.
The Dandelions (high resolution photos here).
In the Front Yard, the children were curious about every nook! Flora introduced brayers (rubber rollers) to explore the blend of colors with tempera paints. Throughout the day the children watered and cared for the plants, made sounds with the instruments and played house. In the classroom, Dana sparked the children’s endless creativity and imagination through light and shadow in the Exploration Room.
Reflection meeting is a time when the group gathers to share and listen to each other about experiences of wonder, new relationships, challenges, or discovery. It’s a practice that cultivates the group’s culture where discourse and collective “aha moments” occur.
We all eat lunch together outside with plenty of time for conversations to build community around a favorite ritual-eating!
Nap time was another new transition in the West Wing’s school schedule. All their mats were made up with sheets and lovies from home. Soft music played and teachers Wendy and Silvana comforted the children as they rested or napped with the Cilantros, and teachers Dana and Flora with the Dandelions.
The afternoon offered more time exploring the environment and sweet moments to make connections. We then gathered inside for our goodbye circles, inviting movement, fingerplays, and stories.
Here are some reminders for you as we go into our three day weekend:
Monday school is closed in honor of Labor Day.
Things that can stay at school:
- sealed bag of extra clothes + shoes + sunscreen
- sealed bag with crib sheet and nap stuff
- extra gallon ziplock or wet bag in case of an accident
Things that need to go back and forth:
- snack bag with extra mask
- lunch and water
- mask bag (including a separate bag inside for used masks)
The Cilantro parent check-ins are on Wednesdays at 3:00. The Dandelions meet at 3:30. For those of you who were able to make our first Parent Zoom, thanks for joining us! For those who weren’t able to attend — or for those who’d like to revisit — here’s the link to the recordings:
Cilantro: https://vimeo.com/manage/454194700/general
Dandelion: https://vimeo.com/manage/454194725/general
When you feel like you’re getting in the rhythm of things, we are reestablishing our bringing flowers sign up genius. The classrooms will be blooming with flowers from your garden, from the farmers’ market, or from Trader Joes! Check it out. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0449afa629a02-flower
Starting next week we will send daily emails of the appointment board. We will explain more next week the value of our appointment system and how it works.
We are welcoming back Evelyn to New School-West next week! She has been part of the New School-West community since 2008 and will be joining the Dandelion group with Dana and Flora. Mary will join the Aloe Veras in the East Wing part time after submitting a negative COVID test.
Thank you for your support in keeping all children in our community healthy by packing nut-free lunches and honoring the staggered drop off and pick up times.
It is a lot in the beginning. Remember to breathe. You are not alone. We are in it together! We appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time as well as your trust and look forward to discovering, like the children, more ways through which we can continue to deepen our connections. As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
We hope this post and this blog offer weekend conversations about new friends and the rich memories at school. Sit together and notice the photos with your child(ren) to spark conversations. See you next week!
-The West Wing Team