Ventana Viewpoints | March 2017

Happy spring!

We hope you're enjoying the glorious weather. This spring the two-year-olds in the Moon Room have been learning about farms, planting herbs, and even helping to tend our gardens here at Ventana.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who are helping to plan our auction on April 29th -- it's going to be quite a night!

Thanks for reading --

Your VePA Executive Team
IN THIS ISSUE

- In the Classroom: Moon Room Farmers

- Chapel Lessons: Cultural and Spiritual Diversity

- Auction Tickets Now on Sale

- Why We Document Learning

- High School Is Coming Back

- Upcoming Events

In the Classroom: 
Moon Room Farmers

The two-year-olds in the Moon Room are fascinated with animals, and recently teachers Elizabeth and Ariandy realized that exploring farms would be a great addition to their investigations. They note:

We've been asking the children to consider the jobs of people on farms, the jobs of animals on farms, and how they help each other. Farms are real life examples of systems involving give and take, and cooperation.

The children have shucked corn, planted herbs, "sheared sheep" using shaving cream on balloons, watched a video about milking cows and then made their own "cow udder" drip paintings, and much more. 

The teachers have noticed more cooperation in the classroom lately too. To encourage it further, "w hen a child asks a question or asks for help, we often suggest they ask a classmate or ask for volunteers. This fosters relationships between the children and allows them to feel knowledgeable and valuable."

For more examples of their work (and crazy adorable photos), check out the Moon Room blog on our Parent Portal.

Chapel Lessons: 
Cultural and Spiritual Diversity

In March we focused on the "deep sensitivity to cultural and spiritual diversity" aspect of our Human-Centered Development value:

We value the evolution of human nature in all its varied aspects. Ventana's community of children, parents, and teachers are considered co-investigators in a life-long process of learning. Both curriculum and pedagogy focus on social-emotional development, age-appropriate and differentiated learning, intrinsic motivation, concentrated reflection and considered thought, and deep sensitivity to cultural and spiritual diversity.

In both preschool and elementary Chapel time we read the book Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora , which highlights how many different cultures say "Hello!" We then invited the children to share the ways they know how to say "hello" and enjoyed the amazing diversity of responses. We posted an invitation in Parish Hall and invited all members of the Ventana community to add to the display. Please take a look at the many languages already shared, and feel free to add your own "Hello" as well!

Auction Tickets Now On Sale

It's time to book passage for our auction on April 29th, when we'll travel  Around the World in 80 Days!

Buy tickets now at  http://ventanaschoolauction.org. 
Early bird pricing is available until April 17th
so don't delay.  You can also sponsor tickets for our wonderful teachers  and staff.

We're looking for sponsorships from local realtors, dentists, banks, or other businesses. If you own a local business or can approach one you frequent about sponsorship, please let use now at auction@ventanaschool.org. We're also looking for more auction items and community parties.

Lastly, many thanks to all the families who have volunteered to help organize the event. This year's auction is much more of a team effort, with many individuals helping out rather than two main organizers handling most of the tasks. We're still looking for a few volunteer roles to be filled, so if you can join us please email us or sign up at http://ventana.ivolunteer.com/2016_springauction. 

Thanks and see you on April 29th!


Parenting Education Articles
Why We Document Our Children's Learning

No doubt you've read some of our classroom blogs, which we highlight each month in Ventana Viewpoints. They're just one example of the regular documentation our teachers provide of our children's work. This kind of documentation is different from what you see in traditional schools, where records of learning are mostly produced at the end of term as part of an overall student assessment.

So why do Reggio teachers document learning so regularly? Brenda Fyfe, a member of the St. Louis-Reggio Collaborative, discusses this topic at length in a Q&A on reggioalliance.org. Blythe believes documentation helps teachers shift toward " thinking about teaching and learning as a process of collaborative inquiry." She also says:

Any time learning is made visible through real examples of children's work or words or actions, there is opportunity to gain  insight into the thinking and potential of children. There is opportunity to offer parents an inside view of the mind of a child, an opportunity to think together with teachers about learning. 

 For more insights, see the full article here.

High School May Get Less Insane Soon

High school is pretty far off for most of our kids, but if you've read about some of the alarming trends in secondary education -- students taking 10 or more AP courses by the time they graduate, as well as pursuing multiple sports, music, clubs, and service projects, all to get into the "right" college -- you'll be relieved to hear that the tide may be turning at last.  

A group of educators from some of the country's elite high schools and colleges recently released a report through the Harvard School of Education recommending changes in the college admissions process. The intense pressures of the admissions process are harmful to adolescents' health, they say, and " have influenced them to be overly self-absorbed." According to this summary:

The report points out that the college application process itself sends the message to young people that their individual success, rather than concern for others and the common good, is paramount. The report calls for specific changes that will improve the emotional and psychological health of adolescents, increase opportunities for a broader range of students, and contribute to shaping a national culture different from the one we now have. 

Colleges who endorse these changes -- which already include Harvard, Yale, and MIT -- will look for students who show genuine interest and ability in a key area, rather those who try to game the system with loads of AP or IB courses and other activities. And helping one's immediate family will count as community service, a boon for lower income applicants who have fewer resources but more responsibilities at home.
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Conversation
April 6
8:45 - 10:00 a.m.
Please join Marcy in the Fireside Room for an informal chat. As is usual, our Coffee and Conversation mornings are drop-in events and parents with infants or toddlers are always welcome.

Elementary Students: MINIMUM DAY
April 7
12:15 p.m.
All students in kindergarten through 5th grades are dismissed at 12:15 today. We hope some of you can join our brown bag lunch just before dismissal -- see below.

First Friday Brown Bag Lunch
April 7
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
As this day is a minimum day for elementary students, we hope some of our elementary families can join our group of preschool "regulars." Convivial conversation over a brought-from-home lunch begins at 11:30 AM in the Parish Hall. Lunch can also be ordered through My Green Lunch. Babies are always welcome! 

Spring Break: NO SCHOOL
April 10 - 14
Enjoy the week off!

Spring Social and Auction: Around the World in 80 Days
April 29
5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Don't miss this fantastic evening! Please see details above, then book passage at  www.ventanaschoolauction.org. Early bird pricing ends April 17th.
Newsletter Submissions
Have something you'd like to submit for our next newsletter? Send your completed content to vepa@ventanaschool.org by the 20th of each month to be included.

Ventana School | Nurturing Minds and Hearts
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