preschooler winter 2014

8/19/2019 Preschooler Winter 2014

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IT TAKES AVILLAGE

Frannie

Hochberg-Giuffrida

Chair,

Board of Trustees

We are hal way through the school year. Your children are set-tled; NCRC is theirs, a home away rom home. Te Boardo rustees is delighted that Dr. Val Wise, our new Heado School, has fit in so well with our community.From the Board’s perspective, her transition hasbeen seamless. She is intimately amiliar withNCRC’s mission and works daily to ulfil it. She

leads our community intentionally and purposeully.

Te Board, confident in Dr Wise’s leadership, is ocusing its

attention on strategic issues. Among other projects, we areworking on the budget or 2015-2016. As in all years, we mustensure that we compensate our amazing aculty airly andcompetitively. Tis year is o particular concern in light o sig-nificant increases in the cost o health insurance. We also mustkeep tuition competitive so that amilies continue to chooseNCRC. Like most independent schools, tuition does not coverthe entire cost o an NCRC education: there is a gap o almost20 percent. o deliver our model curriculum and continue to beat the oreront o early childhood education, NCRC relies oncharitable donations to the Annual Fund and the Leading the

Way campaign.

Beyond the tuition gap, NCRC also has an additional financial

pressure that affects the budget. Just six years ago, NCRC’s High-land Place campus underwent a $6.4 million-dollar renovationto provide our children with a beautiul, state-o-the-art acility.o ensure generational equity, NCRC, like most other inde-pendent schools, financed the renovation with a 30-year bond.Te principal payment on this bond will rise rom $100,000 to$200,000 in the 2015-2016 school year and will remain at thatlevel through the 2026-2027 school year. As has been the case,

we pay the principal payments rom current revenue.

Because o the generosity o past and current amilies, and thestrong and visionary leadership o past and current rustees,NCRC is able to ulfil its financial obligations and live its mis-

sion. We are well-positioned to do so or the coming years. Tatsaid, unrestricted gifs enable NCRC to continue to meet its corecommitments, have low aculty-to-student ratios, offer generoustuition assistance, and launch new initiatives. Your gif to NCRCenables the school to continue to be a model preschool operat-ing at the oreront o early childhood education, demonstratingbest practices, and ostering confidence, kindness, and a love olearning in all o our children.

You’ve probably seen it many times—you know those tiny words printeon the rear view mirrors o new cars, “Caution, objects in the mirror arcloser than they appear.” I eel that way sometimes when I think aboutmy tenure here at NCRC. By standard measures, I’ve been at NCRC osix months. By the measure o my heart, it seems as i I’ve always beenhere. It’s just so right.

I began my tenure with several attainable goals. My primary goal wasto immerse mysel in the magic o NCRC. It was imperative or me toassimilate its history i I was to understand how NCRC got here, to thisparticular moment in time. I wanted to know what its ounders intendeor this then-trailblazing institution begun by innovators interested inchild study and parent education. Tey believed so firmly in these coretenets, in act, that when the grant that unded the institution ran out,parents raised more than $32,000—in the midst o the Depression, minyou—to buy the property and run NCRC as an independent preschoolhave a duty to nurture, protect and grow these proud beginnings.

Bringing mysel to the present, to my role as Head o School, I used theStrategic Plan as a kind o road map. I planned to lay my own trajectorover the bones o this guiding document. I vowed that the Strategic Plawould continue to be a living, breathing document, not simply perchedon a top shel in our office, hidden, out o sight and out o mind. InsteaNCRC’s Leading the Way Strategic Plan, designed to guide us through2016, actually serves as a guidepost. And we’ve made tremendous progress on this plan as well as other initiatives the NCRC community hasidentified as crucial to its growth and sustainability.

For instance, NCRC was the first preschool in thearea to receive AIMS (Association o IndependentMaryland and DC Schools) accreditation andrecently I took part in addressing some o theissues we’d decided needed to be strengthenedwhen we looked at them objectively during the

accreditation process.

Dr. Valaida Wi

NCRC

Head of Schoo

Honoring our history;

...continued on back page

Fostering our future

T he

Presc h o o l e r

winter 2015


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EUROSCIENCE IN THE

U URSERY Tom Josephs (Erin, PM Rainbow)Have you ever worried about your child’s ascination with squashing ants? Or their obsession with having thesame bowl, spoon and cup or their breakast each day, with cereal, milk and juice provided strictly in order?Have you puzzled over why your perectly reasoned logic-based arguments only seem to make their tantrumsworse?

Te answers to these questions and many more were provided by Dr Val Wise at the first o a series o monthlyBrown Bag talks or the NCRC community in October. At the talk, titled Neuroscience in the Nursery, Valexplained the implications o three strands o research into pre-schooler brain development.

Te first was the finding that young children go through ‘sensitive periods’ where external experiences have aparticularly strong impact on brain development. A amiliar example is the development o language wherethe sensitive period lasts rom birth through to around six years old. Perhaps less obvious is that a ascinationwith small objects, such as ants, is another example. In this case, the brain is developing its capacity to controlhand-eye coordination and fine motor movement. Tere is also a sensitive period or the development oa sense o order, which explains why our little ones can get so upset at changes to their standard routine, atbreakast or other times. While navigating these sensitive periods can be challenging, they are also a tremen-dous opportunity as once the sensitive period has passed development in these areas is much more difficult toacquire naturally and needs to be ormally taught.

Te second strand o research related to the idea o ‘fixed mindsets’ versus ‘growth mindsets’. According to thistheory, people with fixed mindsets believe that qualities such as intelligence, creativity or sporting ability arefixed traits, while those with growth mindsets believe such qualities can always be developed urther throughlearning, work and practice. Te benefits o a growth mindset include a greater capacity to seek new challeng-es, develop intellectually, and to take risks in order to find creative solutions to problems. Te research sug-gests that a growth mindset can be established in early childhood, including through an environment whichencourages children to attempt new tasks and provides positive eedback which identifies the specific stepsthey took in accomplishing the task.

Finally, Val explained some o the thinking behind the ‘whole-brain’ approach to child development. One as-pect o this is the idea that the lef side o the brain is concerned with logic and order, while the right side dealswith emotion and intuition. In early years, children are or the most part operating with their right side as thelef side is still developing. Tis can explain why it is usually ruitless to attempt to reason logically with anupset preschooler. Instead, a better tactic is to attempt to make an emotional connection with their right brain,

or example by empathizing with their eelings or by distracting them with some new stimulus.Te talk provided a ascinating introduction to the topic o childhood brain development. For anyone who isinterested in finding out more Val has suggested the ollowing books: Mindsets by Carole Dweck, Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky and, o course, Te Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and ina Payne Bryson.

Oh The Places We’ll Go

Child Development Through The Sea

FEBRUARY 13

MARCH 13

APRIL 10

MAY 15

Brown Bag Lunches

1725 Eye Street, NW, Suite 3

1-2 PM

SENSITIVE

PERIODS

IN

CHILD

EVELOPMENT:

How the science is

applied at NCRC

Children in our Bunny class are in the sensitive period ororder; this is especially truewhen it comes to temporal or-der – the use o schedules andset routines. Our little Bunniestend to be less flexible when itcomes to changes in routine.As a result, it is important thatthey come to school on timeand are as regular as possiblein attendance. When estab-lished routines are amended ordisturbed, it is much more di-ficult or the Bunnies to recov-er. Te Bunny aculty workshard to provide a schedule thatsupports the children’s needor order while giving themplenty o time to adjust i achange in routine is warranted.

Beehivers are entering thesensitive period or socialbehavior, especially in thedevelopment o sel-aware-ness. Tey are beginning torecognize their eelings andhave the vocabulary that helpsthem express those eelings.You can almost hear themsaying, “I have eelings and Ihave words that can tell mewhat my eelings are – I don’thave to just all apart.” Re-minding the Beehivers to usetheir words and being a mod-el or how it can be done areimportant during this phase.

Treetoppers & Explthe emphasis is agasocial behavior bunow moved more tothe interpersonal Te names “reetop“Explorer” are so apriate or this age gTey are now ready tooutward and are more interested inworld around them.can take the perspo the others, so modand encouraging pertive-taking are esse

Rainbows and Sunshiners are firmly inthe sensitive period or social behavior.Tey can take on the perspective o a riendand are much more ocused on developingsocial relationships outside o the amilycircle. Learning to live within a communityis an important part o their developmentand they are much more aware o the needso others. Te children are developing atrue sense o empathy. Giving them new ex-periences where they are immersed in di-erent cultural traditions and asking themto reflect on what they are experiencing isimportant at this stage. Longer play datesinvolving more children are also helpulat this stage so that they can work on us-ing their newly acquired negotiating skills.

www.bluerivermontessori.org


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NCRC: OUR YEAR SO FAR...

winter celebration

family work day

In keeping with yearspast, NCRC’s Family Work Day kicked

off the school year. With the help o parents,staff and students, we were able to improve physical

acilities and have un while doing so.

ogether we re-mulched the entire playground area, replenishedthe sand in the sand boxes, planted along the ront o the schooland embankment on Highland Place, rereshed the ranquilityGarden,leveled all slate pavers, raked and weeded throughout

the playground, re-painted benches and bookshelves, and deliv-ered gifs to the neighborhood.

Overall, the event was a success- amilies worked(and played!) together to revitalize our school and start

the year with a spirit o togetherness andcommunity.

Kate Soheili (Helen, PM Sunshine)

pumpkin party

Will we have enough prizes? Will there be enough food? Where exactly does thehay maze go again? Tough it was our second year together as Pumpkin Partco-chairs, in the last hours o preparation we still wondered! One thing we ner worried about – our amazing, creative, dedicated Pumpkin Party volunteeTe NCRC pumpkin party is a team event, and without the parents who givetheir time (and their baked goods), the magical transormation rom play-ground to spooky wonderland would not be possible. Tanks also to MaryanMcGowan who kept us all on track, and Carleese Dixon and crew who helpe

us get everything where it needs to be (and back again).

Our activities stayed tried and true this year. Te kiddos (and grownups)strung candy necklaces in the Witch’s Kitchen, glued and glittered spookypumpkins, ran madly through the hay maze, searched or buried pirate’s goldexplored the Wizard’s un house, bounced in the moon bounce, and rode theponies. Tose looking or a quiet moment listened to a story or had their acpainted. And then there was the ood – pizza, and cupcakes, and popcorn, oh

my!

We hope that you and your kids enjoyed this year’s pumpkin party. We had agreat time putting it together!

Laura Desai (Jackson, Explorer), Vanessa Beckman (Willa, AM Sunshine),and Jennifer Ward (Bridget, PM Sunshine)


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It’s a party with a purpose,a glitzy event or a good cauand a dinner where we seekyour dollars and donations

It’s NCRC’s Annual Tuition Assistance Auc-tion on February 21st at the U.S. ChamberCommerce.

Each year, this event raises hundreds othousands o dollars to help students whocould otherwise not afford NCRC go to ou

amazing school.

Te theme this year is Circle Our World , acelebration o the importance o diversityoutside NCRC and within it, and a recognithat every child - no matter where they stain lie - can make a world o difference i gthe chance.

So how can you help? 4 Attend the auction and bid!

4 Donate! I you are a regular at a restaurantalk to the manager. I you have a cellar ull owine, chip in a bottle. Have a vacation house

Perhaps auction off a week.4 Fund A Scholar. During the live auction wwill ask olks to raise a paddle to und a schoTis is an awesome way to ensure that every

gets an opportunity to attend NCRC.

Our Strategic Plan says that we would ensure that “NCRC is at the oreront o current methodology and emerging best practices in earlychildhood education” under the section on Faculty and Staff Development. Tis year at NCRC our proessional development theme ocuson the latest in neuroscience. We read Te Whole Brain Child as a community and discussed how the young mind works and how we, as ecators can use this understanding to improve our teaching. We held numerous ormal and inormal discussions on this topic as well as oth

relevant to the latest evidence-based findings in early childhood education. We grew as a group o proessionals because o these stimulaticonversations.

We took our charge to “strengthen the NCRC community by supporting, educating and engaging parents and amilies...,” to heart, too. Nothe plural in parents. Ofen, male figures are lef out o critical parent/child activities. At NCRC we recognize the value o male figures in achild’s lie. So did the men who participated in our Fathers, Grandfathers and Fatherly Figures events in December and January. One atherwho attended wrote an eloquent email saying he no longer elt alone in his journey as a parent. At NCRC, we create opportunities to supp

families in the vital work of raising our next generation.

In an effort to connect with people where they live and work, we recently created Oh Te Places We’ll Go, Child Development Trough theSeasons, brown bag lunches and educational discussions led by NCRC aculty and staff. By going out in the community to speak about earchildhood education issues, we make our programming more accessible to those who work downtown and help create a community o co

cerned parent learners.

My heart beats by a measure that doesn’t include minutes or months. Instead, it responds to the children we are charged to care or and tea

the children whose inner workings we are challenged to understand more completely each day. My units o measure are growth attained agoals met. My heart’s pulse is uelled by plans developed and visions created. So, no wonder everything eels closer, bigger, more vibrant -because this is NCRC .

HONORING OUR HISTORY; FOSTERING OUR FUTURE

Te Preschooler relies on the ideas and writing talents o the NCRC community and we welcome all contributions and suggestions, big or small. Inparticular, i you have great ideas or amily summer activities in the DC Metro area then please share or next issue’s ‘Summer in the city’ eature.

Tank you! Robin Orseck, Kristin Solheim and Kate Josephs, Preschooler Editors

GET READY

FOR THEnight of the year Shannon Forchheimer (Casey, AM Rainbow)

When my first son came through NCRC, I was completelyunamiliar with school undraising efforts, and in act hadnever heard o an Annual Fund. Tree years later, I am nowserving as an Annual Fund co-chair with my husband, ScottForchheimer, J aybi, and Helen Rhee. My husband and Idecided to take an active role in the Annual Fund because ithas a such a direct impact on our kids at NCRC, every day.It’s what allows or my son to get assistance rom the SOSeam, to be taught by talented and caring teachers, and toenjoy all o the top notch acilities that NCRC offers. It’s whatenables NCRC to remain a magical and extraordinary place -one that all three o my children will at some point enjoy! Indiscussing the Annual Fund with parents, my co-chairs andI have greatly enjoyed learning about your personal NCRCmemories and stories, as well as discussing how the AnnualFund enhances our children’s preschool experience. I youhave questions, please don’t hesitate to contact mysel, any othe Annual Fund co-chairs, raci Grigg, or Carolina Herrera.

...continued from front

Dina Tilghman (Eli, Exp

JO I N THEI you would like to contribute to the upcoming summer issue, please

contact Robin Orseck [email protected] - we would love to have you! PRESC HOOLER

TEAM!

preschooler winter 2014

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