Moie's Musings
Thoughts from the Executive Director
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Some of us were born into a home with a loving family and supportive role models. Some of us were born into a home where love was lost and trauma prevailed. Some were moved around from one place to another while others perhaps wished they were somewhere else. We all have a story. Sometimes we forget this. We forget that children all have a story to tell and are learning to shape their own worlds around their own stories. We, as adults, make decisions for children. We care for them, are responsible for them and take on the role of teachers, but sometimes we forget that there is a fine balance between teaching and guiding.
An infant born too early, merely hours old, fights for his life in an incubator. He grows up to become an artist, painting images of the world through eyes that struggled through multiple surgeries, missed school time, and one meaningful friendship.
An eight-year-old who doesn’t understand why he feels like his body doesn’t match what he is on the inside grows up bullied and tormented in school but is introduced to a group of transgender teens in an after school program and finally feels accepted. She grows up to be an actress on Broadway.
A six-year-old girl struggles in school because she can’t sit still, and when she tries to write, her letters get mixed up and don’t make any sense. She feels stupid. Her teachers are really nice but she doesn’t fit in. She is enrolled in an enrichment program where she is introduced to karate, meets like-minded peers, and feels accepted.
At Neck Of the Woods, we start our work with children by listening to their stories. We create a platform for them to share who they are, where they come from and what makes them happy. Verbally and nonverbally, we allow space for children to express their passions, their natural affinities and challenges. We provide opportunities for them to try a variety of different things to see what they may gravitate towards or sometimes we just listen, hold and watch, because that is what is needed. We meet them where they are in their development, acting as guides to help them figure out what they need socially and emotionally. We empower them as they set goals. The goal of the Neck Of the Woods is to continue to create a place for humans to feel heard and seen; a place where growth is a personal journey that should be respected and built on in empowering and enriching ways; a place where experiences, rather than rigid standards, are the true measurement of growth.
The world around children is created by adults, decided by adults and led by adults. Often politics, money, regulations, our own personal experiences, and self-interests get in the way of children who are growing to become the next generation of leaders. Leading well does not mean requiring others to follow. Rather it means honoring the story of another and guiding them, showing them that you have their back along the way.
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Preschool Tumbler Times
Birthday Week
We are checking in by writing our names on our class whiteboard. We are working on our 72-piece Ballerina puzzle. We are setting up shop to make purchases. We are conducting a tasting of blueberries and bananas, and reading Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. We flipped our train table scene, and loaded woodland animals on the plane for a big trip.
We decorated this month's Valentine's calendar with red, pink and purple colors. We created homes for lions with the magnetic tiles, and we had lots of fun using our new baby strollers. Outside, we discussed the upcoming snowstorm and imagined how high 7-10 inches would be, and what our playground would look like with another layer of snow.
We decorated crowns for our birthday party for the letter "B", and chose balloons to decorate our classroom. We began our celebration by reading Little Bear’s Birthday Soup by Else Holmelund, which led to a discussion about our favorite birthday meals. We split into two groups and played musical chairs and did the limbo. We shared a special treat of pretzels, potato chips, popcorn and M&M's.
Many Circle Times have been devoted to counting: counting up to the number 13; using counting gems to practice 1 + 2 equals 3, and adding one more gem for 4. We also noticed that the number 3 is like our letter B with the big, curved lines. We have spent lots of time outdoors enjoying the month's many snowfalls!
NOW Preschool staff include: Preschool Director Suzanne Gardner, Assistant teachers Chris Buckridge, Jazmyn Burk and trainee Cathrin Denis
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Outdoor Education
By Lauren Morris
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February is Black History Month and here at Neck of the Woods we feel it is incredibly important to share this celebration with our students.
We believe it is a just and equitable stance to recognize the societal issues that cause discrimination, and hope that teaching about those issues will grow a kinder, stronger, more connected community and future (NOW handbook).
Each day in February, we set aside time during our snack to celebrate and honor inspirational Africans and African-Americans who have helped shape the course of history.
Our K-6th graders kicked off our first conversation about Black History in America, BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color), racism and anti-racism. They gave their perspectives on what they have witnessed in school, community, Vermont, and the national news. They listened to one another carefully and asked thoughtful questions. After going through a timeline of Black History, many of us were surprised to see the visual representation of how recently certain racially-motivated crimes took place. We observed how racism still occurs today in 2021 and began the conversation of what we can do to be actively anti-racist. We came up with ideas like: educate ourselves and others, learn through reading, confront racism when we see it, and stick up for what is right and just. This can be a hard conversation to have with children, but it is essential to raising socially conscious, empathetic, and anti-racist adults.
Throughout the month we talked about early West African civilizations and contemporary artists like Bob Marley and Alicia Keys.
It is important that the children were leading the dialogue from their perspective and view of the world. They were able to draw from their own experiences of kindness and empathy--even here in rural Vermont where they may not have as much experience with racial diversity as some others--and see the importance of honoring all human beings as they are.
At NOW, we encourage children to know their feelings, and take a moment to hear how others feel and what we each need to be happy, healthy, and whole human beings. In February, this extended beyond our classrooms as we explored the experiences of strangers and historical figures. It is our belief that connecting the personal to the wider world gives children tools for understanding differences and building empathy as adults.
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Infant and Toddler Program Update
By Erica Gongloff
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We have received our permanent license after six months on a provisional license. This is a huge accomplishment, especially given the pandemic, updates to licensing regulations, and the difficulty of bringing our team and the licensing team together amidst day-to-day operations.
Our public water system project is well on its way, and construction is not far behind. Construction will take some time, but will start this spring, and we are optimistic about it proceeding in a timely manner. By the time our water system is fully operational, it will allow us to triple the number of children we can accommodate, and to be fully open for all ages and classrooms.
Our waiting list grows every day, especially as people hear about the good, caring work we do at NOW.
Unfortunately there are still some hitches in the road. First, our license still does not allow us to care for children under the age of three. Second, we have been unable so far to see a potential to start our infant and toddler program at an alternate location, as licensing feels this is not an option for us at this time.
At this point, it feels likely that a start date won’t be until the end of June, unless the water system is completed before then or we are able to come to a new decision with the licensing team.
I know this is frustrating. It is devastating to families in need of child care, particularly with other local options closing. It means less staff here until we can open fully, and it limits our ability to serve families and our community.
We will continue to provide updates as we move through this process. Your voices are truly the ones that matter most but we are unsure how to amplify them at this time. Several of you have reached out to ask how you can support us through this and we want you to know that we are grateful for your support and we hear you.
This is discouraging for all of us and we are working tirelessly to find a solution.
Please reach out to Moie, Catrina, or me with any questions and to continue to share your needs with us. We are as dedicated as ever to providing high-quality care for your children and look forward to opening this program soon.
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NOW Critters!
Meet our Turtle "Phil" and Guinea Pigs "Reese" and "Chocolate"
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Neck Of the Woods | 802-496-6689 | 1673 Main Street Waitsfield, VT 05673 | neckofthewoodsvt.com
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