Cary School | Grove School

A Parent's Thoughts on the New School Transition

Suzanne Kissel | May 10, 2010 | Comment

In Latin, the prefix ‘trans’ literally means ‘across’, ‘beyond’, or ‘on the other side.’ As a medievalist, I’m honor-bound to start this posting off with a bit of Latin.

My four-year old twins, Tyler and Henry, started the Grove School about three weeks ago. My children had been through transitions before and had always come through with flying colors. After having a nanny for the first two years of their lives, they transitioned to full-time school relatively quickly after being carefully introduced to the culture – as one would lower a bagged fish into an aquarium slowly before releasing it. At the end of two years in this school, Tyler and Henry were perfectly at home in a room teeming with children and didn’t even blink much of an eye when a favorite teacher moved on to another location. Although I regretted the teacher’s departure, my husband and I had sought to bring up resilient children and it seemed as if we’d accomplish our goal.

The Grove School had not even opened in Cary, NC, when we decided that we were going to move the children there. Our four-year old twins were in danger of getting lost in the classroom of 16 students where they received little personal attention and learning seemed divorced from the real world. Although the twins loved their school (once I left the room, at least), I didn’t think that we would have any trouble leaving it. In fact, I planned to immediately blog about their success to both herald the Grove School’s charms and my own exceptional decision-making.

It didn’t happen like that.

What I had forgotten was that four-year olds are very different from younger children. My kids loved the Grove School’s structure, not having to fight for a tricycle, and the experience of creating pet rocks after getting a pet fish for the classroom. However, I soon realized that I was in a very different place from my children. On the ride home after their third day, Tyler asked when his friend Sarish was coming to his new school. Henry said that he wanted Tom Conroy. When I told them that these boys were staying at the old school, both twins fell silent. “Don’t you like your new school?” I said.

Both boys nodded.

Tyler said, “All my friends are gone, mommy.”

I tried telling them that they would make new friends, that we would see the old friends, and that everything would be just fine. My words were true, but they just felt hollow.

Among so many other things, I am used to being the historian. I take the photos and record the things that the boys might not remember later. Our transition to the Grove School made me realize that, for the first time, I was not the sole keeper of the past. Tyler and Henry had their own memories and had already put down roots with people who I only knew by name. The twins had gone to school for forty hours a week for two years and, quite simply, missed those special little boys who had shared that time with them.

I know that my boys will make important friends at the Grove School; however, these friends will not appear overnight. It will take time for my boys to find people with whom they resonate and to form a foundation of shared experiences. In the meantime, I have arranged two weekend playdates – one with Jack and one with Carson.

Tyler and Henry will enjoy this, just as much as they will enjoy running into the Grove School Monday morning to tell Ms. Sue all about it.

And I will remember to keep in mind that my babies are growing up

Suzanne has her Ph.D. in Medieval Studies, but currently works with educational technologies. She lives in Cary with her husband, identical twin boys, and sweet Jack Russell terrier. Her children attend The Grove School.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, parents

Dirty Water, Clean Water

Scott Andersen | April 16, 2010 | Comments (2)

Next to our children, water is one of the most valuable resources we have on this planet. Today in Ms. Sue’s Pre-K class, the students performed an experiment about ways in which we can clean water. Before even starting the activity, Ms. Sue asked the students to name and predicts methods that would clean dirty water. You can see some of their responses on the screenshot photo of the smart board in their class. Some of their ideas were to “scrape” the water, use a wash cloth, and to use “soap and water” to clean the water. As it turns out, the used a wash cloth over the top of another jar to ask as a filter to clean the water.

The students began their experiment by going outside to get the dirt so they could mix it with the one jar of water to make the dirty water. After stirring it up, the students then poured the dirty water through the wash cloth that was covering the empty jar. The students observed that a lot of the dirt and sand that was in the dirty water jar, was collecting on the top of the wash cloth. They observed that the wash cloth cleaned the water, but did not make it totally clean like it was before the made it dirty. Nonetheless, one of the lessons learned was that was can actually clean dirty water and that by experimenting, thinking and being creative, we can find solutions to real-world and important problems that we face.

Finally, the last photo shows some of the vocabulary and the writing of one of our Pre-K students. I find that a student’s vocabulary and their potential for learning dramatically increases as creative teacher like Ms. Sue, use engaging and fun strategies with their students.

Keywords: Cary, curriculum, early childhood education, Eco Friends, Grove School

Children’s Health

Dr. Debra Bell | April 7, 2010 | Comment

Children’s health is a topic that gets a lot of attention. You can’t pick up a parenting magazine without finding at least 5 articles about health issues. Unfortunately, even with all of this attention, our children are facing severe and worsening health challenges.

One out of four children suffers from allergies
One in ten children has been diagnosed with asthma
Type II diabetes is being diagnosed in children as young as 10
25% of our kids are overweight
One in twelve children has ADD or ADHD
One in ninety-one children is on the autism spectrum.

And for the first time in recent history, our children are not expected to live longer than we are. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to help your children move in the right direction on the path toward better health. The following are my top five things to do on your quest for better health. Of course there are more things you can do, and I encourage them, but for the sake of space, here are the top five.

Put good things into your body. This is the number one thing in achieving better health. Our body needs good building blocks. The food we eat should be whole, fresh, organic, clean, unprocessed, and full of nutritive value the way nature designed. We should avoid “edible food like substances” – processed foods full of chemical additives, dyes, and sweeteners (especially artificial).

Our drinks should be clean and pure as well. Water is the best liquid you can put into your body. 75% of your body is water and it needs to be replenished daily.

Get proper amounts of sleep. Sleep is the time that our bodies use to build, process, heal, regenerate and rest. We all need it. Without it our brains, digestive systems, immune systems, and muscular systems don’t work as well. Most children require 10-14 hours of sleep per day (newborns need more).

Have a positive mental attitude. It is absolutely true that our bodies are affected by our attitudes. In order to have a positive mental attitude, children need a home where they feel safe, happy, comfortable and confident. The saying “laughter is the best medicine” is very true. It boosts immunity, thereby making our children healthier. Focus on giving your child an environment where they feel loved, accepted, and confident.

Get plenty of exercise. Children are little balls of energy and they need to move. Kids should be getting at least one hour of structured physical activity and one hour of unstructured physical play per day. It stimulates their brains, balance, dexterity, muscles, and bones. And, it prepares them for a lifestyle of activity as they grow. Children who are active are more likely to become adults who are active.

Make sure the nervous system can integrate all the information coming in. Your nervous system is responsible for reading and adapting to your environment. This is the system that regulates the other four key aspects of good health. Without a properly functioning nervous system, the body cannot adapt to the demands put on it and injury or illness can be the result. The best way to determine if your child’s nervous system is functioning properly is to visit a chiropractor for a check up.

Dr. Debra Bell received her Doctor of Chiropractic at Life University in March of 1999, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Before becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Bell was a Coach with Gymnastic groups in Georgia and North Carolina.

Keywords: Cary, child development, community, healthy body

Farmers Market Inspires My Belly

Scott Andersen | April 5, 2010 | Comment

I am starving! I just spent some time at the opening day of the Western Wake Farmers Market. The Grove School is a sponsor of this year’s Farmers Market.

It was a beautiful morning and there were people everywhere. A band played music, the mayor of Cary sampled the fresh and homemade goodies, and hundreds and hundreds of people walked away with delicious and locally grown and made products. Whenever I attend the farmers market, I always get VERY hungry and I also get inspired to cook. Both happened again today.

I enjoyed going from tent to tent and seeing all of the wholesome goods. I was blown away by the quality of the produce, especially the ripe and red tomatoes. Tomatoes are a favorite of mine and these looked delicious. I also enjoyed a nice array of jellies and jams (see photo). Our friends from the Great Harvest Bread Company were there too.

You can also read about it in the Cary Citizen. Of course, you know me, I had to shoot some video as well. You can find it below.

Keywords: Cary, Dr. Scott Andersen, farmer market, Grove School, healthy body

Ms. Sue's "Flowers"

Scott Andersen | March 29, 2010 | Comment

This is video of Ms. Sue and some of her Pre-K students in our outdoor grove. The students have just completed two weeks of study on plants. On Tuesday, March 30, 10:30a-12p and 4p-6p, we are hosting our Spring Flower Round Up. Everyone is invited. A schedule of the events can be found below the video.

Schedule for the Spring Flower Round Up
The following schedule will be used for both our 10:30a and 4p start times:

Gathering - songs, a book
Spring Flower Obstacle Course – the children will follow the course, collect the flower parts (roots, stems, leaves,blossoms) and then assemble them at the end. Takes place in the outdoor grove.
Snack - fruit flowers made with fresh, organic fruit
Tissue paper sunflowers and flower holders
Closing - songs and info packet

We will also have opportunities for parents and friends to tour our facility. This is also the last push for our “March Madness” registration fee incentive. Ask for details!

Keywords: Cary, Dr. Scott Andersen, Grove School

It's Spring in the Classroom Too!

Scott Andersen | March 22, 2010 | Comments (2)

***UPDATED 3/26 with new photos. ***

Spring is here. Not only are we excited because of the lovely weather, but we are thrilled because of the great teaching and learning going on in our classrooms.

This post shows photos and videos from our preschool classroom. They are in the middle of their PLANTS unit of study. As part of their work, they have been planting flowers, making a flower shop and studying the life cycle of plants.

They also have been planting and caring for the vegetables and herbs in our organic garden. This first photo shows an art project that they have worked on everyday during the unit. Look carefully and you will see the petals of a flower. When done, these petals will be peeled off, leaving behind their impression on the paper. The petals will then be posted as well.

The next photo shows the “flower shop” in the classroom. The remaining photos show a flannel board, a vase of flowers, the word wall that goes with this unit, and some organic carrots the students are growing.

The video that is at the bottom shows a student independently using the flannel board to describe the plant life cycle. Listen carefully and keep in mind the words and pronunciation are those of a three year old. Note how he works to sequence the components of the life cycle.

His description was based along activity in his class where Ms. Alli covered, in a variety of ways, the components of the plant’s life cycle. I visited one day when she was using the smart board to draw a cross section of what a plant looks like both above and below the ground. She had the students help her draw the roots which were under ground.

Check out the video too…remember to listen carefully.

Keywords: Cary, curriculum, Dr. Scott Andersen, Grove School, life cycle, plants

Sparks Shooting from Diapers?

Scott Andersen | March 17, 2010 | Comment

I found this interesting question on Ask Mr. Dad and thought I would share it with you. I have had this same experience, but never knew the science behind its cause. Ahh, the many wonders of diaper changing!!!!

Keywords: diaper changing, Dr. Scott Andersen, Grove School

Busy Saturday in Cary

Scott Andersen | March 13, 2010 | Comment

I had a busy Saturday today. First thing this morning, I attended the Push the Pace 5K run to support pediatric brain tumor research. It was well attended even though it was a soggy morning at the park. We provided organic fruit for the runners to enjoy. Of course, I took some video, so watch below.

The Grove School also participated in the Spring Garden Party hosted by the Garden Supply Company. This was a wonderful indoor and outdoor event that provided many fun activities. We were there with one of our sensory tables filled with sand and “fossils” for children to discover. We also provided a little planter with soil and some vegetable feeds. We will be there for the next week as well. Come by and see us. Also, take a look at the video below.

Keywords: Cary, Dr. Scott Andersen, Eco Friends, Grove School, healthy body, Healthy Me

Inspection Perfection…Well, Almost!

Scott Andersen | March 11, 2010 | Comment

We had our first sanitation inspection today since we’ve opened the doors. You may not know, but these inspections are unannounced. Our inspector came today around 1:00. He visited our kitchen, every classroom and even our outdoor classroom. He checked water temperatures, cleaning practices, safety of chemicals and equipment, and even inspected our composting bin.

He said we did very well and we received the highest rating of SUPERIOR. We almost had a perfect score. The only thing we lost 2 points on was for the spray bottles we use in our restrooms and diapering tables. It turns out that we mixed the bleach at the incorrect concentration. The good news about this is that he let us know of a new product that was approved by the state that does not contain bleach. Many of our parents have expressed concern over the use of bleach. I have recently discovered that I am allergic to bleach, so on a personal level, I am thrilled.

When he left, he said we have a wonderful facility and was very impressed with our school. I was just glad the inspection was over and that we performed well. We will have another one the last half of the year.

Keywords: Cary, Dr. Scott Andersen, Grove School

Providing Positive Guidance

Sue Davies | March 11, 2010 | Comment (1)

In my daily interactions with the children in my care I often refer to the class as a “team”. The children respond to this in such a positive way.

We are a little family in our preschool classroom. A community of three, four and five year old boys and girls, learning through socialization how to be a friend, appreciate each other’s differences and similarities and respect the people and the world around us.

A child’s sense of self comes from the support of the adults in his or her life.

As a teacher, I know I play an important role in helping children deal with every day feelings in their world. I know that each child is an individual. I speak to each child with respect and interest, always addressing them by name and asking them to do the same for me. I happily greet each child as they walk into the room each day and follow up with friendly conversation with their parents too. While these gestures come naturally, I know too that I am modeling for the children the basics of socialization and communication each and every day.

I support the children in their efforts to communicate, helping with words and accepting their feelings as they develop the ability to grow and make sense of the world. The use of positive language, so crucial when speaking to children, builds a trusting relationship with each child.

In the preschool classroom, children learn to develop social skills to help them work and play, take the initiative and cooperate with those around them. Sharing, taking turns, respect for others and friendship is modeled by the adults in our school.

There are very simple and direct rules to follow in my preschool classroom…be kind, be safe and be the best friend you can be.

I assist the children in verbalizing their needs in a socially acceptable way. I encourage the children to be kind, caring and show empathy to all and thus find a room full of multi-tasking, problem solving children with a real sense of pride and accomplishment in who they are and what they can do.

For me, it is truly rewarding to see the mastering of skills in each and every child as they blossom and grow into bright and independent thinkers at The Grove School and beyond.

Susan has been married for 27 years to her husband, Barry, and is the mother of three daughters. Caring, teaching and loving them has reinforced her desire to be an educator of young children. She has over 20 years experience working with young children.

Keywords: Cary, early childhood education, Grove School, staff

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