Storyteller, May 2011
Observations
“…our theoretical intuition suggested a new element was needed in schools to make work more complex and to encounter children’s complex ways of knowing the world around them.”
- Claudia Giudici, pedagogista
Dear Families and Friends,
Currently the teachers and I are reading and discussing an article from the Summer, 2009 issue of Innovations in Early Education: the international reggio exchange. The article asks,”Is Beauty a Way of Knowing?” (Cooper, 2009). To answer this question, Cooper shares the perspectives of several significant members of the Reggio Emilia educational experience over the past 40 years, including Vea Vecchi, former aterlierista at the Diana School and Claudia Giudici, longtime pedagogista at Diana. Reflecting upon the creation of the atelier as a”research environment,” the Reggio educators speak of the languages that children employ as they investigate environments and subsequently express their feelings and theories about these encounters—both individually and in small groups.
At the core of the conversation is an epistemological question: How do children learn? Within our social constructivist response to this question, we affirm that children acquire knowledge through a polysensorial process of exploration—and this is where the languages play an integral role. We know that some children (and adults) perceive beauty and express beautiful ideas and emotions through paint or clay, while others find aesthetic pleasure in numbers or music. The list of children’s languages might also include water, sand, wire, dance, running, light and shadow, flowers, and block play. . .
If we think of the atelier as an interdisciplinary and intercultural space that offers children rich opportunities to engage in research using a multitude of interesting and inspiring materials and to express feelings, theories and an individual aesthetic sense, then, in a metaphoric context, we might consider the entire school as an atelier (Cooper, 2009).
Our May 25th Hundred Languages Open House is an event dedicated to making visible within our community “children’s complex ways of knowing the world around them.” We hope you will join us in classrooms, in the studio and in our outdoor environments, as we celebrate beauty as a way of knowing.
Warm wishes,
Nancy
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Click on the links below or scroll down for this month’s topics:
- PPS AZZURRA Raffle
- Lunch with Loved Ones: Friday, May 6th
- Outreach Committee Initiatives: Children and Families
- PPS Summer Programs
- May/June Calendar
- Pictures from April Events
- Preschool Mission Statement
PPS AZZURRA Raffle
Raffle tickets go on sale this month to win a yachting experience aboard the AZZURRA, a FARR 38 Design Ocean Racing Yacht, and a former class winner of the Sydney-Hobart race—one of the most punishing races anywhere in the world. The crew has raced this yacht extensively, and will be aboard to”show the ropes” to winners and their friends/family (over 14 years old).
There will be space for around eight guests (with a minimum of four experienced crew on board). Winners can choose their itinerary, anything from sailing a race course off Redondo Beach, to a late lunch in Marina Del Rey, for example. All course suggestions will be evaluated by the skipper, Tom Cahalane.
The sailing date must not coincide with an event on Azzurra’s race schedule, though there are many open days (weekdays and weekends) and enjoying the experience will easily be possible while the weather is still warm. There is also potential for guests to become future crew members. . .
Azzurra is owned by The Sailing Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose aim is to bring the excitement of Ocean Yacht Racing to many who may never have experienced this thrilling sport.
The winner will be announced at the Open House on Wednesday, May 25th. See Karen to purchase your chance to win this exciting yachting experience!
Lunch with Loved Ones: Friday, May 6th
As Breakfast with Loved Ones was especially for the men in children’s lives, Lunch with Loved Ones is dedicated to the special women in children’s lives. However, we so understand that moms and other important women in the family may have obligations that prevent them from attending—so, dads are welcome in the event that moms and grandmothers are unable to attend. Bring your picnic lunch and a blanket and join the children on the play yard: Cherry Blossom and Rosemary rooms—11:30 to 12:15 Dandelion and Sunflower rooms—12:30 to 1:15 Children will go home as their picnic ends, at 12:15 or at 1:15.
Outreach Committee Initiatives:
Children and Families Can Change Communities
Our collection of linens and towels for Upward Bound House was a great success! The people at UBH were thrilled to receive our donations worth about $1,000.”Thank you” to all who participated!
We donated about $600 to Save the Children’s Japan Relief Fund. Again, we thank our community for responding to children in need. We are also investigating the best way to send help to the victims of the catastrophic tornadoes in our own country and we will let you know how to partner with PPS in this effort.
On Saturday, May 21st, Outreach Committee members have made arrangements with Heal the Bay for PPS families to meet in front of the Annenberg Beach House for a Sat. morning Beach Clean-up. Please look for flyers about this community-building event that includes the whole family.
PPS Summer Programs
Summer Camp and Transition classes begin on Tuesday, June 28th through Friday, July 22nd , from 9:00 to 12:30 each day. Returning children and children who will graduate from PPS in June are welcome to participate in Camp. We have arranged for a Soccer Skills coach to join us once a week; Parker will continue to come on Thursdays and we expect to include Movement and Yoga, too. Our studio teachers will all be with us for both Camp and Transition and our Camp teachers will include Soraya and Sylvia, as well as Tiffany and Tanya. Children can attend all four weeks of Camp or selected weeks that match up with families’ summer plans. Summer tuition will be due by July 1st. Please see Karen for tuition amounts and enrollment.
May/June Calendar
- May 5 (Thurs) — AZZURRA Raffle tickets go on sale
- May 6 (Fri) — Lunch with Loved Ones
- May 21 (Sat) — Heal the Bay Beach Clean-up (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
- May 25 (Wed) — PPS Hundred Languages Open House (5 to 7 p.m.)
- May 27 (Fri) & May 30 (Mon) —Preschool closed for Memorial Day holiday
- June 1 (Wed) — Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
- June 3 (Fri) — New Family Orientation #1
- June 8 (Wed) — Marionette Puppet Show in a.m. for all children
- June 14 (Tues) — PPS Carnival, 12:00 dismissal
- DATE CHANGE June 15 (Wed) — End of Year Celebration, Sunflower and Dandelion Families (9:15 to 10:15 a.m.)
- June 15 (Wed) — last day of school for all children—11:30 dismissal
- June 28 (Tues) through July 22 (Fri) — Summer Camp and Transition classes begin on Tuesday (6-28), from 9:00 to 12:30 each day.
Pictures from April Events
Egg Hunt
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Week of the Young Child Parade
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Preschool Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve our community by offering a preschool experience for children and families that celebrates diversity, creativity and kindness. These values are embedded within a rich child-centered curriculum that provides individuals and groups with opportunities to investigate, explore and express themselves through meaningful play.