Rebecca Karr

Greetings and Happy New Year!

It is always such a treat to see everyone after a break! 

Every group got into the swing of things with little difficulty. By the time I took a walk-about mid-morning, the whole school was humming and happy! Good things are happening here! Thanks for your children!

This month is busy with Admissions and Exmissions. 

Debbie and I have scheduled morning visits for new families applying for enrollment in the fall. Already we have met lovely families who will hopefully join us in the fall.

We will be seeing families until the ISAAGNY Notification date of Thursday, March 2nd with a decision week till March 9th.

Ongoing independent schools are putting final touches on their process for Kindergarten enrollment for the fall.  

They will be notifying families on Thursday, February 9th with a decision week till February 16th.

And you are in the middle if you are a returning family! Next week you will receive a form to indicate the fall schedule you would like for your child along with a Tuition schedule.

Your child’s Enrollment Contract will be based on this schedule. It will be due by February 28th with a deposit of $5000 to secure the spot for the fall.

I will also send out guidance for handling news with our children when the time comes. Please watch for it. It’s important!

Here are a few dates for your calendar:

• Monday, January 16th: School closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Monday, January 30th, 6:30pm live at school: Raising Compassionate Children with Jason Craige Harris. See the following bio and description of this two-part workshop series.

Jason’s BIO:Jason Craige Harris is a voice for healing and transformation. He works in a variety of contexts, with a range of age groups, and across sectors to promote cultures of dignity and belonging. He brings together insights from diverse fields as a coach, writer, educator, researcher, and storyteller. Jason specializes in conflict transformation, restorative justice, leadership development, and inclusion strategies. He regularly advises parents, educators, and leaders on how to create environments where children and adults can thrive.

Jason is the Managing Partner at Perception Strategies, an international consulting firm, and Social Impact Producer for IndieFlix’s latest film on race and mental health, Race To Be Human. Previously, Jason was the director of diversity and inclusion at a NYC independent school, where he co-led the school’s peace, equity, and justice department, and taught courses at the intersection of ethics, history, and religion. Jason sits on the boards of Seeds of Peace, Hidden Water, and Getting to We. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice.

Raising Compassionate Children: Part 1   (Part 2: May 1st)

A simple gander at our news headlines reveals a simple yet profoundly painful truth––a lack of compassion abounds in our world. As parents/guardians, our responsibility for rearing children ready for this complex world has taken on new urgency and significance. We must be equipped with tools to raise compassionate children––and to ready them to address the gap in care and belonging in the world around them. In this talk and Q&A, Jason Craige Harris will share insights from the psychology of compassion and belonging and what it has to teach us about empowering children to make a real difference in the world.

Jason has been a support and friend of Chelsea Day School for several years supporting our endeavors to communicate our best selves to each other and within our school. He has helped us “tell our stories”  to know each other better…….Please mark your calendar to experience this deeply kind and wise man!

Because of Admissions, I will not be able to have any Chats until our family meetings are done. If there’s a break in the schedule, I will set one up for us. Thanks for your patience.

Once again, Happy New Year and welcome back!

See you at the door!

Warmly,

Jean

Greetings,

I’m never quite sure how these 2 weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break come on like a tornado with so much to do/explain/write/think about! But we are here again and we will shine through!

Winter Fair: Saturday, December 10th from 10am till 2pm. For the first time in 3 years, we will once again open our doors to the magical Winter Fair. The school will be transformed into an arcade of different activities in each classroom, along with entertainment, a quiet room, and a food court. Something for everyone. I hope you can make it!

We will set up starting on Friday at 3pm through the evening when you will make your new best friend as you install a ship or train tracks as the school is transformed. We’ll have beer, wine and pizza to keep the wheels turning till done.

Thanks to all who have signed up to help. It’s always a fun evening!!

More opportunities to help on Saturday include helping with activities in a classroom for a shift: 

Helping kids with an art activity, or planting activity, or game that will be set up. Everything needed will be in the room. Please check out the volunteer link and have your partner/friend watch the kids while you sell cookies, for example.  

A special thanks to all, especially Jillian Cohen and Sarah Carter, our fearless leaders!!

What’s becoming an annual Book Fair is up and running as per notices sent out by Mike Kavey and Liz Liu. Thanks to you both!  It closes on December 23rd.

Ongoing School Process: Things arewrapping up as Confidential Reports are being crafted and sent to the schools of your choice. They will be submitted before we leave for break. Be sure to submit the Release Form giving me permission to send them. Also be sure the school has sent us the correct form to use for their school. 

I am available to meet with you before break if you’d like.

Then we wait…..

A special tradition each year is our Celebration of Light. It is held on the Friday before we leave for Winter Break, December 16th to be precise. Since it is the darkest time of year, it involves lighting candles for the holidays celebrated in our community throughout the year. We sing songs with Richard, eat cookies and offer THANKS to our amazing teachers.

The last regular day of school will be Thursday, the 15th. The schedule for Friday and the Celebration is as follows:

• 2/3’s Classes arrive at 9am and go into their classrooms. Parents sit in the Big Room. Children will come out at 9:15am to sing with Richard from the stairs. Then all will gather back in classrooms, share some cookies baked by the kids, thank the teachers and the day is done!
• 3’s will arrive at 10am, meet in their classrooms, sing with Richard in the Big Room, share cookies, thank the teachers, and Winter Break begins!
• 4’s arrive at 11am, meet in their classrooms….and follow the same plan.

Please let me know if you celebrate a holiday that may not be on our list. We will add a candle.

It is a special day…..short and sweet…… as are our children!

I wanted to share with you that the Staff and I shared an inspired Staff Development Day in November with Jason Craige Harris from the Perception Institute. Over the past several years, we have worked with him in building healthy communication and enhancing our commitment to creating a diverse community in the school. A critical part of understanding each other is hearing our stories, Our day was centered around that. Jason will be back to continue working with our staff and with parents. Covid interrupted gatherings with parents and I am excited to bring us together in the new year.

In the new year, we will also bring back our Book Evenings. The tradition is open to those in our community who have published a book that may be of interest to our community. We have 2 alumni parents who are ready to share their books with us sometime in the new year. I am so excited to bring this back! Stay tuned!

At the Chat With Jean last Tuesday, I promised one more before the break! When we return, Debbie and I will be in the Admissions season seeing prospective families each morning till March. Thursday, December 15th after drop-off, we will meet in the Big Room unless the weather dictates that the kids need the indoor play space! Fingers crossed that it’s a sunny morning!

Once again, I am deeply happy to have our school fully open with appropriate caution. Seeing you parents and caregivers each day gives me much joy. Your puzzle piece makes us whole again!

I join the Staff in wishing you joy, peace and light….which is not far away. Look in our childres’ eyes!

Happy Holidays from everyone at Chelsea Day School.

With warmth and appreciation

Jean

Greetings and Happy Halloween! 

I trust the ghosts and goblins were tricky, kind and fun!

Reminder: We have a bucket ready for candy to send to First Responders. Your dentist will thank you!

As you know, Early VOTING is now open. I hope everyone will vote (November 8th) and may I suggest that you take your child with you to vote? They love putting the ballot in the scanner…..and getting a Future Voter sticker. Our kids are used to voting on all manner of things: the name of the new fish, the apple dish to cook, the book to read at meeting, at their young age, they get the reality that the one with the most votes wins. Simple as that. They will be very excited that you follow the same protocol about grown-up things. And you’ll be grooming a voter when the time comes!

Fall at Chelsea Day School is humming along with our traditional activities:

• Planning for the Winter Fair on Saturday, December 10th opening at  10am. Stay tuned for more details.
• Our change of seasons/clean /out the closets drive for Room To Grow is underway. An email was sent out and buckets are waiting to be filled in support of babies under 3 and their families.
• In the works are a can drive for City Harvest and Coat Drive for those in need.

Thank you all for your support. As one of our former teachers used to say: “If everyone does something small, something big happens!”

Please mark the following on our calendar:

• Tuesday, November 8th: 9:15am, Chat With Jean: in the Big Room (unless it’s raining) Kindly RSVP to me.
• Thursday, November 10th: Parent Conferences; Sign up for a Zoom with your classroom teachers. Enjoy your time together!
• Friday, November 11th: Staff Development Day: The Staff and I will work with Jason Craige Harris of the Perception Institute. We will explore various areas of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice including self-reflection and identity. We have worked with Jason in the past and welcome the chance to have him back. 
• Wednesday, November 23rd through Friday, November 25th: Thanksgiving Break.

Those applying out for the fall school year: Attached is a Language Surveyand a Release Form. Kindly include all independent schools that you are applying to on this form and sign it, please. This will allow us to send the Confidential Report to the schools in December. Thanks! Don’t hesitate to check in with me as you finish up your visits, interviews, any testing, etc. so that we are on the same page. There is such a wealth of excellent education in this city, both public and private. I hope, except for the stress, that you are enjoying the process and learning about some of these amazing institutions.

Admissions Family Meetings are about to start after Thanksgiving. I will do my best to continue with Chats on mornings when we don’t have Family visits. Our final Open House for prospective families will be held this Thursday at 6:30pm. 

Winter Fair Message:

2022 Winter Fair
We are super excited for the Winter Fair to be back in full force for the first time in 3 years (since COVID). This is a day when we will also welcome back alumni, and invite families who are applying to the school to join our community for a fun day!
Mark your calendars. The Fair will be at the school on December 10th opening at 10am.  All siblings are welcome. This year’s theme is “Explore Your World”. The main room and each classroom will be transformed into a special room filled with activities and fun for all!
We will be reaching out shortly for volunteers to help with setup, day-of-fair support, and clean-up. Stay tuned for the invitation and more details!
Please feel free to reach out to the chairs Jillian Cohen (jillian.bridgette@gmail.com) and Sarah Carter (cartersarahp@gmail.com) with any ideas, restaurant donations for the food stalls, or any questions! 

Jillian and Sarah

I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving rich with family, food and fun! We have much to be thankful for.

Affectionately,

Jean

Good Day!

My sincere apologies for not adhering to the communication plan which goes like this:

•  Friday: Recaps from each class sharing life in your child’s classroom during the past week. How? Why? What? What’s next? These recaps will give everyone insight into the development of curricular themes, and the growth of the children as a group. See your class site on the website.
• First Tuesday of the month: Newsletter sent out from the office with important dates, things of note in the community and  things on my mind. It will also be uploaded onto the website.

I have said it already and will do so again: I am so happy to have all components in our community physically together in the building.  The hustle and bustle of kids, parents, caregivers, grandparents, staff interacting in the morning is a joy. I love greeting you all at the door each morning and getting the weather report from your kids!

The first and most joyous news is that Theresa, teacher in Classroom 2, gave birth to Imogen yesterday! She had officially started her maternity leave as of Thursday. Just in the nick of time! Imogen arrived the next day to happy parents Theresa and Tom! Our community grows! Watch for Imogen’s picture on the baby wall! 

We are so grateful and happy to welcome Anna Mallat back on staff in Classroom 2 for the duration of Theresa’s maternity and family leave. Anna worked with us for several years before Covid hit. She was a beloved part of our community then and remains so now! 

Several Groups have been set up for events going forward:

• Class Parents: Attached is the roster of Class Parents for the school year.
• Winter Fair: Our Winter Fair will be held on Saturday, December 10th. This is a wonderful community builder, welcome to prospective families and alumni gathering! Stay tuned for specifics. A robust Brainstorm was held yesterday under the guidance of Jillian Cohen. Stay tuned for developments and ways to play!
• Community Outreach: It is getting to be time to organize a few drives that we take part in each year: Room to Grow and City Harvest Can Drive. This committee is being formed from volunteers on the Parent Participant Form. Anyone is welcome to join! Stay tuned for details!

Dates To Note:

• Monday, October 10th: Indigenous People’s Day. School closed
• (FYI: Thursday, October 13th, 6:30pm: Open House for prospective families.)
• Wednesday, October 19th: 7:00pm: Class Night: You are invited to meet with your child’s teachers in their classrooms. It is an evening to share what happens during your child’s day, developmental milestones, and is a platform for upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences in November when you will talk about your child specifically.

Halloween is on the weekend this year. Our policy about the holiday is that we ask that your child not wear a costume to school. Although dressing up is the work of preschoolers, each classroom will have a special treat of the season, this year on the 29th, such as carving a pumpkin, cooking a special treat, making masks, etc. Costumes are best managed if you trick-or-treat after school in your neighborhood.

Thanks for understanding! 

Each year, I know that you deal with the mountain of candy in your home if you trick or treat! We collect the over-flow candy and send it to Operation Gratitude which distributes it to First responders, if this helps! A large bucket will be in the reception area for collection. It is packaged and sent out at the end of the week. Your dentist will be happy!!

Chats with Jean: Friday, October 14th, 9:30amam to 10:30 in the Big Room

                             Monday, October 24th, 9:30am to 10:30am in the Big Room

Please join me and other parents to Chat about living with one or more preschoolers. The agenda depends on who is in the group and what’s on your mind. This is one of the highlights of my work at the school! 

Please RSVP to Rebecca. If it rains (and the Big Room becomes an indoor space,) we will ZOOM.)

Parents applying out:

The season of applying to your child’s next step is in full swing. A few reminders:

• Information about events at schools you may be applying to are posted in the Big Room and on the site dedicated to you on the web. Please check on a regular basis.
• All Confidential School Reports go out from the office. I am the contact person. All reports will go out in December. Please follow the school’s individual instructions about reports.
• Classroom teachers are not permitted to write individual references. They are pivotal in writing the School Report.
• Please keep me posted if you add or delete a school from your list. An email is fine.
• I am available to meet about your process. I know it’s daunting and best if I know your thoughts so I can support you!

I think that’s plenty for now!

One last thought: We are beyond phase-in and all classes are becoming their own community. This important time of fewer children, less time is essential to the smooth operation of a child-centered classroom. The children continue to learn that the environment is another teacher available to them in the way that they need.

I am posting an article on the web that speaks to creating a “Yes” Environment. Good food for thought! Enjoy!

Have a lovely, long weekend. Again, welcome home!

Warmly,

Jean

Article: Creating a “YES” Environment

WELCOME HOME!
2022-2023

Last night at the Opening of School Parent Meeting, we welcomed Parents to join
the Staff in person for the first time since 2019 in officially opening the School
Year! Parents of returning 3 and 4 year olds joined those of 2, 3 and 4 year olds
new to our community once again to hear what/why/and how we support the
growth of their children and their parenting.

The classrooms, the third teacher as we call them, are set up to receive the
children tomorrow. Materials are intentionally placed for maximum independent
use by the children. A provocation may be evident to inspire a question,
conversation, beginning of a unit of study by the group. The phase-in schedule
will help the children begin to understand the room, materials, and people in this
new safe place in small groups. Within a few weeks, the entire school will be
humming along with the ups and downs of real pre-school life.

Everything feels fresh and new. The bare walls are the blank canvas for the
emergent of work and documentation of the every-day exploration of materials
and relationships inherent in our life together. The connection between home and school is critical to the operation of a safe school. We need each other. Our Mission honors relationships and its many nuances. They keep us healthy.
I am so relieved and delighted to bring all the pieces of this puzzle together again.
Welcome home!

Dear Community,

And so we come to the end of another year together at Chelsea Day School. It’s hard to fathom that this all started 40 years ago when a door of opportunity opened in front of me. I walked through and never looked back.

Every day, every child, every family, every educator has been a gift. This school is the composite of all who have touched us. We started in the sand box. We are now all grown up. Thank you for your important part in our evolution!

As in any organic institution, there are changes to be weathered each year. This year we will be saying goodbye to 4 devoted teachers who have collectively given 43 years to the growth and support of so many small children and their families.

Erika, our art specialist, will go on to work  with children with special needs. Keegan will go on to direct another small downtown preschool. Patti will step away from teaching to pursue other goals and interests, while Lisa will continue her love of writing and supporting families in the world of NYC education as an educational consultant. We wish them every success and happiness. We are so much better for knowing them!

Thank you, those of you who have signed up to meet with me about What’s Next? for your family. I am so pleased that most would like an in-person visit! I miss being with you, she said selfishly!

As you have heard, we will be stepping back carefully into our tradition of the end-of-the-year Watermelon Party. As with the Auction, we ask that everyone attending, adult and child alike, be tested before coming together. This and other details will be repeated before June 10th, but I wanted to reassure everyone that we will be as diligent as we can right till the end!

(Shazia: A very heartfelt Thank You for orchestrating our safety all year through the many ups and downs of this pandemic! You are amazing and much appreciated!)

I cannot close this letter without sharing some of the thoughts running through my head after yet another tragic school shooting. Thank you for being in touch. I commiserate with you completely and although I don’t have the answer, I do have some thoughts that I’ll share with you.

By way of reassurance, our school has been deemed safe. At least once a  year, the facility is screened by local police and school security personnel from larger schools in our neighborhood. After Sandy Hook, we installed bullet-proof glass at the entry, we have buzzers that connect us directly to the police precinct, and have installed cameras around the perimeter and in the hallways. Any one entering the building is screened in the office for admission.

I do not suggest that you talk with your little ones about this unless they bring it up. At that point, reassure them that their home, school, and family are safe.

My thoughts and feelings as a parent, educator, community-member go something like this:

• These incidents are not ok. We cannot absorb them feeling that there’s nothing that can be done. 
• Be creative. Start small. Don’t stop. Use of tobacco in this country was changed for our collective health. Let’s revisit how that happened.
• Write. Call. VOTE.  Take your kids to Vote. They know about voting. Protect our collective right to vote.
• This is about all of our children. Children are hurting other children. As parents, where do we draw the line? Who is creating the safe boundary? The children need us.
• We are not at war. Why are military weapons in the hands of anyone, let alone our children?
• Write. Call again and again.
• I am here with you.

I wish you a delightful, adventurous, healthy summer rich with new words, beautiful sunsets and hugs galore.

With appreciation and affection,

Jean