Back-to-School Night part 2

(an experiential event)

Do you ever wonder why your child looks forward to school so much? Well here is
an opportunity for parents to see first-hand, through their eyes!

For preschool, kindergarten and first-grade parents

Thursday, January 26^th (7 – 8 pm)

For second- through fifth-grade parents

Thursday, February 2^nd (7 -8 pm)

Science students learning about phase changes with dry ice
while Video Conferencing with a class in North Carolina

Last year our early childhood (preschool and kindergarten) teachers provided a mid-year opportunity for parents to learn what really goes on in the classroom. It was intentionally not a repeat of the beginning of the year Back-to-School Night that was primarily an orientation or a straight description of the grade-level curriculum. Instead it was an experiential evening, which immersed parents in engaging activities that gave the real feel of what their children’s days are like.

Although initially apprehensive about parental response, the early childhood teachers emerged excited and pleased by the reaction of parents, with many parents saying that we should do this more often, and that they learned so much more about the grade-level experience by “doing” rather than by just listening.

Based on these reactions, we are expanding this opportunity for parents at all Lower School grade levels.

Snack satisfaction!

Teachers are planning activities that they have done with students that will engage parents in the types of learning that their children are involved in every day. Some teachers are planning to work together as a grad- level team, others will involve specialist teachers. Parents will probably be surprised, and we hope pleased, by what they learn about how learning might be different than what they experienced as they were growing up; how it can be truly engaging; and why their children look forward to being at school everyday. There will be the opportunity for discussion and bonding amongst parents and teachers. It was wonderful last year to hear how much laughter there was during the early childhood events.

We hope that every parent will take advantage of this enlightening opportunity.

In Praise of the Outdoors

I admit it, I’m prejudiced. Having grown up in a lighthouse and having worked in northern New Hampshire before coming to Dwight-Englewood, my experience is different from many a New Jersey native’s, especially those who call Bergen County home. Kids from the New York metropolitan area, like city and many suburban kids throughout the nation, are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. TV and video games have replaced unstructured outdoor play, and the draw to the mall scene and the material world is often far greater than to any nature center or other natural area.

Well dressed for winter recess!

If kids think of the outdoors, they often associate it with having to travel to Vermont to ski or with seeking out an artificial manicured field to play an adult-organized team sport. Just outside the Lower School we have playgrounds and informal fields on which our children can play. It is important for younger students to get outside whenever possible. Being able to test and challenge themselves physically in unstructured ways is critical for developing children. Learning to participate in activities where rules and relationships are negotiated help develop the social skills that promote self-confidence. Simply being outside, even if it is cold or a little rainy, can reinvigorate children in a way that indoor activities cannot.

Happy to be outdoors!

It is our hope that parents are supportive of the school’s policy to have students outside for part of every day. Of course, there may betimes when it is pouring rain or the wind-chill is so low that even a shortened recess is not prudent. There also may be times when a documented medical condition will keep a student indoors for short periods. Just the physical release is worth the trip outdoors. Add to that the social benefits, and it is a slam dunk. To make sure that students can take advantage of all that recess has to offer, it is important that they always come to school with appropriate outerwear. It is easy to take off unneeded clothing, as students often can stay surprisingly warm once they get get running around, even on the coldest days. They should have warm jackets, hats, and mittens during the winter months. If it snows, students love to dig and roll in the snow, which we support, but only if they have snow pants and snow boots so they can avoid an afternoon of sitting in wet clothing. We are hoping for some snow this winter, as we are in the process of buying kid-friendly snow shoes that can be used during science classes.

Third Graders with Former Lower School Seventh Grade Partners During a Holiday Gift Exchange