From the Director’s Chair September 2008
Posted by lsnl in : From the Director's Chair, September 2008Well, I think extra recess would take away some of our sadness…
As I wandered down the first floor corridor yesterday, intending to observe several different classes in action, I suddenly happened upon that elusive and unforgettable experience: the teachable moment. Children were seated in a circle, legs criss-cross, while teacher Judi Morrow elicited ideas from the group.
Let’s write cards to make her feel better.
Umm…I think we need to have a funeral.
Hermy III, the class hermit crab, had succumbed after a short but fatal illness, and each child offered ideas for providing solace to their classmate, the girl (known in local parlance as Hermy III’s “mom”) who had contributed her pet to the school. This being second grade, the ideas continued….and became increasingly more creative.
Maybe we could share our thoughts about Hermy III out loud, and explain what she meant to each of us, and what we liked about her.
How about having an extra recess time?
Yes, I was a bit skeptical about that last one, too. But Judi, in a masterful and respectful way, checked with our recess advocate to discover the reasons behind his idea. In so doing, she helped him to know that each voice would be trusted—that she would listen for his “best self.”
Well, I think extra recess would take away some of our sadness…it’d make us feel better to do something fun.
As Judi shepherded the listening and sharing process along, she reminded them of the importance of noticing their feelings, finding a meaningful way to grieve, and then moving on. There was plenty of space for the full range of feelings: from those who were sobbing to those whose sense of loss was momentary. And the children’s kindness emerged clearly and resonantly as they reached for and discovered words to affirm each other. After a few moments of deliberation, the children decided that writing cards would be the best way to express themselves and console Hermy III’s mom.
This fall, as I come to know and observe the work of our faculty, I continually find that patient attention is being given to the spiritual and ethical growth of children even—or especially—when the circumstances take us by surprise.
I’m delighted and honored to be part of this caring community—and I thank you for making me feel so welcome.
Janet Chance
Director of Lower School
Note: Cards for Hermy III were crafted by members of the class and will serve as eulogies at the interment, which will be held off campus in a private ceremony.
News You Can Use September 2008
Posted by lsnl in : News You Can Use, September 2008Early Morning Care
It’s several weeks into early morning care, and we are very excited about our smooth transition. Students are adapting well and eager to start their day. While we appreciate parents wanting to stay, we encourage you to drop off your child with a “Have a great day!” Due to all the construction on the former field and the increased number of students in early morning care, space is at a premium both inside and out. Here are some reminders to help your child get off to a great day:
- Students arriving for early morning care should go directly to the playground and check-in with Vicki Miles or Marcy Sosa.
- Supervision of students begins at 7:30. If students arrive slightly before 7:30 they should be seated in the Lower School lobby, but please understand that they will not be supervised until 7:30.
- Prior to 8:05, students and parents should not be in the Lower School building, even to drop off backpacks.
- It is school policy that electronic devices, including but not limited to gaming devices and mp3 players, are not to be used on campus.
- We will be outside most days, so we encourage students to dress for the weather.
Some additional reminders for Indoor Morning Care
- On rainy days, students will meet in the activities room, located in the lower level of the Lower School.
- Board games, coloring and activities will be provided. We encourage students to bring a book, as well.
Pre-K Drop-Off Reminders
Here are a few helpful reminders for pre-K families:
- Please do not park in front of any driveways
- If parking on Stokley St., pull up as close as you can to the brick path, but do not park on or near the bend (at the corner of Stokley & Coulter).
- If a car ahead of you leaves, pull into that spot to avoid parking near Midvale.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep the arrival process safe and enjoyable for everyone!
-Marcy Sosa and Charlie Kaesshaefer
In the Classroom September 2008
Posted by lsnl in : In the Classroom, September 2008Welcome to our new faculty members–and congratulations to those in new roles!
Janet Chance arrived on campus July 1 to begin her work as the new director of Lower School. Janet has a B.A. from Swarthmore College and two master’s degrees, one from Harvard University in education and one from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School in English. She co-facilitates Friends Council on Education’s SPARC program and began her teaching career at Tokyo Friends School.
Former first grade teacher Rebecca Cox has moved to Penn Charter’s new pre-kindergarten and an exciting role as the arts integration teacher.
Lyndsay Franklin is working with Candy McGuire in kindergarten for a few months this fall while Debra Symonette is on medical leave. Lyndsay has a B.A. from Dickinson College and is pursuing a degree in elementary education at West Chester University. She taught most recently at Fairville Friends School and has also taught at Wilmington Friends School.
Drew Jennings is the newest member of our second grade team. Drew comes to us from Wilmington Friends School, where he taught for five years, including two years in second grade. He has a B.A. in intercultural communication from the University of New Mexico.
Marla Levin has joined the faculty as a full-time member of the fourth grade team. She previously taught fifth grade at the Lower Merion School District. She has a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Maryland. Marla is already familiar to the Lower School as she taught fifth grade last year during Ruth Aichenbaum’s sabbatical and kindergarten during Joel Eckel’s paternity leave.
Orit Netter is teaching first grade with Beth Gould. Orit most recently taught at the nearby Wissahickon Charter School, which has a strong environmental focus and with which Penn Charter has a service learning partnership. She also taught at the Miquon School. A graduate of Tel Aviv University, Orit also has a master’s degree in public health from Temple University and a master's in education from Chestnut Hill College.
Laura Rhoades is teaching pre-K. A graduate of Skidmore College, Laura has a master’s in educational psychology from the University of Colorado. Laura comes to us from Colorado, where she taught kindergarten for five years at the Vail Mountain School.
Lyndsy Rosenfeld is co-teaching with Carol Spadaro during the first trimester while Karen Riedlmeier is on sabbatical. Lyndsy has a bachelor of fine arts from the University of the Arts and did part of her student teaching at Penn Charter, where she has also been a long-term art substitute in the Lower School. She is currently working toward a master’s in painting from New York University.
Caroline Studdy is a member of our new pre-K team. Caroline comes to us from teaching pre-K at Plymouth Meeting Friends School; she also taught pre-K in New York City and established an after-school language program in Spain for young children. Caroline has a B.A. from New York University and an M.S. in elementary education from Hunter College.
Kudos to our playwrights!
Three Penn Charter students-Ethan A., Jimmy P. and Ben S.-placed first place in the Philadelphia Young Playwrights contest for the plays they wrote during fifth grade. As winners, their plays will be performed at the Art Alliance at 251 South 18th Street, Philadelphia. Ethan’s play Fish, Chips, and Bullies and Jimmy’s play My Friend and Enemy: The Thief will be performed on Saturday, Oct. 25th at 11 a.m. Ben’s play Friends till the End will be performed on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. Admission to the plays is free and we encourage you and your children to attend to enjoy and celebrate the works of these young playwrights.
Opening of Pre-Kindergarten
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the doors of the new pre-Kindergarten facility opened to welcome 28 children and their families. With approximately 5,000 square feet of renovated space within the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, the children easily settled into their new home consisting of two classrooms, a studio, kitchen, faculty room, and a large activities room. Designed specifically for the four-year old child, each room reflects the philosophy of how young children learn best. For example, within each classroom are specific areas of interest, including dramatic play, science and nature, creative arts, and language and math centers. Children work independently and in small groups with a teacher using a variety of multi-sensory materials as they question, explore and make sense of their world. Social skills, math, language arts, science and social studies are integrated into a project-approach study – important and purposeful work initiated by the children’s questions and interests. Pebble Path, the pathway that leads to our outside playground area, has already captured the interest of our youngest students. We will be working with them to see where this “path” leads.
Our Studio space is a unique component of the pre-K program. Throughout the day, a third of the children from each class leave their homeroom to go to Studio. Using a wide range of mediums such as water, sand, wire, clay and paints, arts integration teacher Rebecca Cox guides the children in exploration. In Studio, children have the opportunity to communicate their thinking not only through words but through materials that may appeal to their individual learning style. In the afternoon, Rebecca leads the children in a Movement Class of dance, yoga and dramatic interpretation in the large activities room. Our activities room, complete with a large block building area and tricycle course, is also the place where children learn Music with Margaret Lea and Physical Education with Pam Shannon.
As the year progresses, we hope to expand our travels over Penn Charter’s 44 acres. So if you see a line of singing, laughing and joyful children, please wave hello to the “super lifers,” the William Penn Charter class of 2022!
Joan Rosen
Director of Pre-Kindergarten
Admissions Corner September 2008
Posted by lsnl in : September 2008, Admissions CornerWelcome new Penn Charter students and families! In addition to the pre-Kindergarten and kindergarten classes, there are 23 new students in the Lower School this year. Please join me in welcoming the newest members of our Lower School community!
Do you have a child who is ready to apply to Penn Charter for September 2009? If you have not already received our new admissions packet, please contact Debbie McIlvaine at dmcilvaine@penncharter.com right away. We are now scheduling parent meetings and play days, and we anticipate a large group of applicants for a limited number of spaces in kindergarten this year. It is important to have your application complete by Dec. 15 to be in the first round of admissions decisions.
Admissions Volunteers Needed: Thank you to all the families who have already signed up to help with the admissions effort this year. It’s a great way to get involved and to learn more about the school at the same time. Please return your blue admissions volunteer form as soon as possible.
Fall Admissions Open Houses: Saturday, Oct. 18 from 2 – 4 pm and Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Please encourage your friends and neighbors with young children to attend. We rely on current parents to spread the word about Penn Charter through your enthusiasm about your own experience. Let me know if you would like more invitations to distribute.
Attention Fifth Grade! All students in fifth grade are asked to serve as tour guides at our Open Houses. Fifth graders are enthusiastic and knowledgeable ambassadors for our Lower School, and we are counting on the whole class to help with tours. Please turn in those permission slips!
I welcome your feedback and suggestions at any time through the year. I can be reached at extension 119 or jbiehn@penncharter.com, or just stop in to the office. It has been fun for me to reconnect now that I am back to work after my year at home with my baby. Thank you all for welcoming me back to Penn Charter!
Jenni Biehn
Director of Lower School Admissions