preschooler spring 2016

8/15/2019 Preschooler Spring 2016

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spring 201

was in one of the classrooms recently when I overheard the follow-

ng conversaon:“I will never leave NCRC,” one child said.

“Yes you will,“ said their friend, “or you’re going to be too old.”

“No,” said the child. “I won’t have to leave because NCRC will bein my heart.”

t is certainly a beauful senment, but also a telling one. It tells us

hat NCRC isn’t just a preschool, it’s a feeling - a feeling that encom-passes countless memories, friendships, and rsts. While the details

of these memories will inevitably fade and some will disappear com-pletely, the feeling is always there because one thread stands out in

many of the exchanges I overhear in the classrooms – your children

are kind and caring and sensive to the needs of others. Our teachersand sta are commied to helping young children relate to each oth-

er, consider dierent perspecves, understand their own emoons

and those of others, and advocate for themselves, so when your chil-dren leave NCRC, they will connue to be those same kind and caring

children. This is what contributes to NCRC’s rich history and to itsegacy.

The noon of legacy generally implies signicance - someone or a

group of someone’s in the past created something so dynamic, so

meless, and so unique, that eorts were made to carry it on to ben-et future generaons.

When I think of legacies, I think of the movaon behind creanghem and carrying them on. I think of promong a cause and of an

unwavering commitment to work on behalf of that cause. When Ihink of legacies, I think of NCRC.

At NCRC, our cause is based on the vision of our founders, on honor-ng the past, and on dufully adhering to our mission. Our cause is to

earn all we can about each child and their development, and to puthat knowledge into acon, in a way that best supports and nurtureshe growth of each child. NCRC understands the balance between

being smart and kind, high-achieving and compassionate, happy and

successful. It's the foundaon of our existence. But our legacy isn’tonly about our cause – it is also about being part of a larger commu-

nity, a community that shares our goals, and is passionate and curi-ous to keep learning and growing.

NCRC’s lasng legacy carries on through the children, the parents,

and the teachers and sta. As some of you leave us, know that youand your children will stay in our hearts.

And when we are gone, NCRC’s legacy will remain because each of us

has le an indelible mark on the lives of children.

Dr. Valaida Wise, NCRC Head of School

I love Beginnings. I dropped my daughter Sydney o for her rstin the Bunny room this year without so much as a tear (from meleast, she was a dierent story!). I knew the fun and friendships connecons waing for her in that classroom and I was so excitefor her NCRC experience to begin.

My eyes only welled up slightly as a I waved goodbye to my Kindgartner, Jackson, and le him in his big new school. He spent thryears at NCRC and he le condent and prepared for his next steHe was excited to be in that new classroom - it was hard to dwelong on how big he was and how independent he was becoming

Endings are not my forte. About this me three years ago I wassing with tears running down my face while my son sang“Goodbye Bunnies” for the last me at his end of year celebraoeven worse, a year ago I was crying so hard on the last day of hisExplorer year I couldn’t even make it up the steps of the front poto hug and thank the teachers our family love so much. I sll rember looking at Val and mouthing “I just can’t do it” and her sayin“It’s ok, they know how much you appreciate them.” I laugh abo

now. I guess you know there’s something special about a preschwhen the thought of leaving it can make a grown woman cry.

Over the years, I’ve talked to parents about what it is that makeNCRC such a special place in our hearts. It’s no doubt the perfeccombinaon of so many things, one of which has to be the NCRCcommunity – faculty, sta, parents and children and the enthusiand connecon we share.

This year parents planned potlucks, spread mulch on Family WoDay, made playdough and read in the classrooms, hung bats andspiders for Pumpkin Party, served doughnuts and cider at WinteCelebraon, raised their paddles at the Tuion Assistance Aucotook pictures and wrote arcles, coordinated pizza for the PajamPicnic, aended breakfasts and coees, donated baby clothes a

dog toys, and pitched in whenever and however was needed.

As another school year comes to an end, I am grateful to the NCparents and to the NCRC sta and faculty for the me, talent anenergy you give to make this school a place we hold so dear. Thayou so very much for another wonderful year.

Keep a look out for ways to get involved in the Parent Associaonext year and in the meanme I’ll be bracing myself for the last“Goodbye Bunnies” song in June!

Laura Desai, PA President



He who has a why,” Dr. Viktor Frankel once famously ob-

served, “can bear any how.”

As a parent, I nd myself coming back to these words

again and again. So many of the decisions we make for

and with our children – the schools they will aend, the

subjects they will study, even the day-to-day acvies

they will undertake – are driven by the “how.” That is, by

the desire to help them develop the skills they will need

to navigate life’s challenges, to seize its opportunies, to

“succeed.”

The “why” – the sense of purpose that comes from iden-

fying with something larger than one’s self – can unfortu-

nately get lost in these decisions, both large and small. To

some extent, this is intenonal. A sense of purpose, aer

all, is something that each child must discover as part of

his or her personal evoluon. No one, not even their par-

ents, can give it to them.

But what we can do as parents is help them understand,

from the earliest possible age, the imperave of “why.” To

give them the opportunity to experience the value of be-

ing part of teams, communies, instuons, that are big-

ger than the sum of their parts. To give them a reason to

use the skills they are developing, and the drive to im-prove them and acquire more.

That is no mean feat, especially when dealing with pre-

schoolers.

Fortunately, this is the experience that NCRC oers to our

children, and to us (their parents). For NCRC is so much

more than just a preschool. It is an instuon with a rich

history, and an excing future. For 88 years, it has stood

at the forefront of early childhood educaon – welcoming

through its doors a broad cross-secon of our community,

By Robert Davis (Addie, PM Rainbow)

from the children of Presidents-to-be to the masons, sculptors, and

others who built Naonal Cathedral.

As current NCRC families, we are the stewards of

both its legacy and of its future. We’ve beneed

immensely from the hard work done over many

years by those who have come before us, and we

have a duty to connue building on that founda-

on to make NCRC an even beer place for those

families who will follow us.

That is why we come to family work day at the

beginning of each school year.

That is why we give so freely of our me as

parent volunteers.

That is why we give to the Annual Fund and

the Tuion Assistance aucon.

That is why so many connue giving their

me and money to NCRC, even aer their

children have moved on.

Somemes I close my eyes and imagine a

day many years from now when our chil-

dren – whether sll living here or some-

where else across the country or around

the globe – are back in Cleveland Park.

Without thinking, they nd themselves

driving up Newark Street, making the

turn onto Highland Place, and rounding

the curve unl that big front porch

comes into view. Suddenly they hear the

laughter, see the smiling faces, and feel the energy,

the enthusiasm, and the love that is literally owing down that hill.

And even if they never knew it before, at that moment they will know

why, too

ART IS

CREATIVITY

IN ACTION



y Olivia Risoleo, NCRC ‘04

For as long as I can remember, NCRC was an important part of my life. My family moved

here from New York City when I was just two months old, and NCRC became my very rst

community – rst it was vising my sister in the Sunshine class, then my brother in the Bee-hive class. My mom tells me that I would walk in the doors of NCRC and head straight into

“Miss Piggy’s” oce when my mom served on NCRC’s Board, “aending” meengs as

though they were my own. Every teacher, every parent, every sta member made me feel

like I was an important part of NCRC long before I was able to become a Sunshiner my-

self. When that day nally came, I remember being so excited because it was nally my turn

to have my own spot in this happy, special place! Even though it was so long ago, I sll re-

member how wonderful, fun and caring my teachers were and how special they all made

me feel.

And this is precisely what I think makes

NCRC so special. Everyone feels welcome

and part of the community the minute they

walk through the doors, whether they are

new to the community or are returning to

visit aer many years. Although the stu-

dents and teachers may change from year

to year, it somehow always feels like com-

ing home.

This is just one of the many reasons I ap-

plied to work at NCRC as a summer camp

counselor.

I want to be part of the sta andfaculty that help students and parents feel

as welcome and as special as I felt when I

was at NCRC. As I return for my third sum-

mer as a counselor, I am excited again to

work with the children and their parents,

and I hope I can be a small part of the rea-

son why they may someday look back on

their me at NCRC and have that over-

whelming desire to always be part of the

NCRC family

This year’s Tuion Assistance

Aucon demonstrated what

NCRC is made of – a caring,

joyful, generous community.

Together, we raised $169,000

for the Tuion Assistance Fund

exceeding our goal and raising

a record amount in Raise Your

Paddle To Fund-A-Scholar!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to the Aucon

co-chairs, parents, grandpar-

ents, parents of alumni, faculty

and sta, and Trustees for

believing in NCRC’s mission.

Your compassion and

thoughulness is laying the

foundaon for roots to grow.



A quick guide of activities to enjoy with your children this

summer to strengthen gross motor skills and speech and

language skills—all approved and recommended by

Ms. Marian and Ms. Becky.

1Plant both hands and both feet on the

ground, and take a bear walk around the

yard for a fun dose of gross motor play

2Draw on your

child’s cheek

with ice. Can he

or she guess

what you drew?

Sit on the

ground and fac

each other, hol

hands & sway

forward and

back to strengt

en the core. Ad

a ball!

4Mindfulness me.

Lie down and

watch your belly

rise and fall as you

breathe.

5

3

Roll up and down a hill or

across the oor in a hot dog

roll to work on movementexploraon.

6Blow bubbles high an

low—pop them on

your toe!

7

9

Kiss a slice of lemon.

How does it taste? Is

it really sour? A taste

test is a great way to

build vocabulary with

adjecves.

8

Play catch with

both hands to

work both sides

Place puzzle pieces on a shelf. Grab a small step ladder and

have your child climb up and down the ladder to get a new

puzzle piece. Both ladders and puzzles strengthen special

awareness.

10Make a delicious shake

together and sip it through

a straw. This allows chil-

dren to pracce controlling

their tongue, jaw muscles

and lips.



11Blow a whistle without

bing your teeth down

on it. The ability to blow

is essenal to sound pro-

ducon.

Allow them to stack food or

groceries on the counter. This

works balance and hand/eye

coordinaon.

13

Put pennies in a

piggy bank to

strengthen your

ngers by using a

pinching moon.

Gardening

together is a

great way to

build chil-

dren’s senses.

12

14

15Use a kickboard

in the swim-

ming pool to

work those leg

muscles and

kick!

Go around and around your lips

with your tongue to inuence

this muscle and the develop-

ment of speaking abilies.

16

Work on your

balance by stack-

ing books on

your head and

walking around.

Can you add

more than one?

1917Alternate between scking

out your tongue and mak-

ing a silly face.

18

Do a shoebox hike by

placing boxes in a path

and walking in and out

of them

Lace a

rope

along the

ground

and walk

on it for

balance

and coor-

dinaon.

20

In a small community likeours, everyone adds to themany reasons NCRC isgreat because every fami-ly, every child and everyteacher makes a dierence- so does every gi to theAnnual Fund.

We are so grateful to thosewho made NCRC their philan-thropic priority this year,allowing us to connue to sup-port the joy, kindness, andintenon of our school.Together, we completed the2016 academic year in a

record way—with 95% ParentParcipaon.

As we enter the nalmonth of the 2015-20Annual Fund campaignlet’s end with anotherrecord – 100% Parent

cipaon. We’re counon everyone. We’recounng on you.

THANK YOU!



Cathy and I have grown up at NCRC. When I arrived a nearly 20 years ago, Cathy was a classroom teacher. Shegraciously welcomed me with her warm smile and exuberant aura. Her never-ending love of children remains tthis day. Cathy always recognizes and celebrates even the smallest of accomplishments, comments and joys ofevery child. Her enthusiasm has always been infecous for me.

Collaborang with Cathy has been one of the greatest gis. Together we have forged many trails from supporthe physical development of our students through the motor and the Engine Run programs to presenng at bolocal and naonal conferences to organizing community outreach and all-school events.

Even aer 20 years there remains so much mutual respect, honesty and joy. I can always, always count on Cathbe there to support me in the many happy mes, as well as challenges mes One can only surmise that with sa great colleague Cathy and I have developed a long-lasng friendship, one that will connue to grow as she leNCRC for another great life adventure.

Cathy Parker is an amazing educator and the best ithe eld. She taught me everything by watching heCathy, you are young at heart, innovave, funny, cing, compassionate, and really get the children.

A tribute to Cathy Parker

Cathy became my “soul sister” the moment we methad so much in common in terms of our stage of lifeshared passions, family values, and career goals. Moimportantly, we were perfectly aligned in our view ochildren. Watching her in the Motor Room or on EarDay was an absolute treat. She marveled at the childas she watched them and facilitated their work and She had unending love and respect for each and eve

one of them and was forever learning from them sping of them with great hope and promise.

Cathy created and built a program at NCRC that wascrucial to its mission. Her music and movement pro-gram, her Brain Gym training, and her experienced,

judgmental observaons made her invaluable to NCpurpose and process. She was an enduring model toteachers, both new and veteran. Her wiy sense ofhumor and her shining smile were contagious.

She leaves an indelible mark on the school and the lof the thousands of children she taught. What a gi young children she is and will connue to be! To knoCathy Parker is to love and appreciate the powerful

legacy she leaves behind. Liz Barclay, Head of School 2008-

Marian Brice, NCRC Faculty

Sheela Woo, NCRC Faculty

Cathy, you have been such a great mentor and friend over this past year! It has beenamazing working and learning from you each and everyday. I will miss your granola bars,geng toppled by motor equipment, and laughing with you! You bring such an amazingight to the Motor Program and give the kids such a fun and rewarding experience every

me. Motor will not be the same without you there everyday, but I am so thankful to bemoving forward with such an wonderful and well thought-out program. Your dedicaonto the school is uncanny and you should be very proud of all of your service to NCRC, itsstudents, family, and faculty. Love you Ms. Cathy! And THANK YOU!

Karin Steinmann, NCRC Faculty

I have known and worked with Cathy for 18+ yearshave never met anyone who has so much fun doinwhat they do. She has boundless energy, an amazi

sense of humor, a gi for teaching, an abundance olove for children, and not to menon, she never ag

Cathy welcomed me to NCRC with open arms. Themoment you meet her, you know you have a friendlife. She and I were original members of “NCRC’sCathy/Katherine/Kae/Katy/Kate club”, a very popname among NCRC employees. We shared many lichanging events together as well. Cathy and her huband celebrated with me at my wedding, her excitment and love was beyond measure when I becamMommy, and at that same me, one of Cathy’s greest journeys began, as a grandmother.

I consider Cathy a close friend and blessed to ha

her in my life. She is one of the most loving, posseless people I know. We will miss her at NCRC

but her love for teaching, exercising and days llwith laughter will never be forgoen.

For more than 28 years, Cathy

Parker has been a xture at

NCRC. She began her tenure

as a gied preschool teacher

and was the architect of the

school’s unique movementprogram. She was so inuen-

al in the development of the

program that it has come to

be called the Cathy Parker

Method (CPM). We have all

beneted from her experse,

love of children and joy.

The NCRC community will

certainly miss Cathy. We are

grateful that she has touched

our lives in so many meaning-

ful ways. I know you join me in

wishing her the very best.

most 20 years ago, when I rst became Head of NCRC, Cathy Parker told me she mightesign soon because she thought she was geng too old to do the job. Notwithstandinger feelings about this, I soon found out that she had more energy, stamina, physical exi-lity, and youthful spirit than anyone else at NCRC, including the children. What a joy toatch her working with a group of children! Whenever I was having a dicult day, Iould nd ve minutes to sneak over to the Playhouse and watch Cathy. You know therill – obstacle courses winding everywhere, parts of which were hanging from the ceiling,ughing children pulling each other around the room in boxes, all rolled up together in aat, enjoying every minute. She worked motor magic. I was grateful to her every day forhat I knew the children and families were learning from her. She was the rst person toach me “belly breathing,” which I used many mes a day during my years at NCRC. It’s

ard to imagine NCRC without Cathy. I’m glad she held out this long, I love her, and I wish

er every good thing on her next chapter.

Susan Piggo, Head of School 1998-2008

Katherine Vazquez, NCRC Fac

Val Wise, Head of School

ou have been a supporveiend, incredible inspiraon,nd role model for me for thest 19 years. Your kind soul,

reave ideas and wiy sensef humor have lit my days atCRC. Thank you for alwayseing gentle, happy, caring ,enerous and sweet. You madeotor class special for kids and

eachers! The memories will

e a source of wisdom and joyhat I will always treasure! Gra-as Cathy!! Enjoy your newart! You rock! ndrea Huerta, NCRC Faculty



As I sit and type and ponder where three years

have gone and how my Explorer will be movingon from NCRC next year and entering kindergar-

ten, I feel profoundly grateful for the NCRC expe-

rience. There is so much I am grateful for, but in

parcular, I am grateful to NCRC for nurturing

the art of being.

There seems to be a lot of wring out there

about the dierence between doing and being.

To be sure, both have a place. Doing tends to be

described by words and phrases such as accom-

plishing, reacng, behavior-driven, driven by

success, answering. Being, on the other hand,tends to be described by words and phrases like

self -aware, insighul, value-driven, not afraid to

fail, quesoning.

This is Washington. We have the doing thing

down cold. In fact, it’s dicult to remember

occasions when I have met someone new and

they did not ask what I do. Don’t get me wrong.

Doing is important. I actually love living in a town

where people are so commied to what they do

and work hard to nd answers to tough ques-

ons. There is support and guidance all around

when it comes to doing.

So where to look when in need of inspiraon on

being? Yep. This is an easy one. Our children.

I love vising the Explorer room and watching

the joy and curiosity with which they operate. It

is infecous. Their insights rival Confucius. Their

values are strong. They are genuinely interested

in one another be-

cause of what makeseach child unique,

not in spite of their

dierences. This was

so clear to me one day when my child was re-

counng the many things he has learned about

his friends this year -- that Friend 1, a girl, “… is

totally awesome at all sports.” That Friend 2, a

boy, “… likes Legos and princesses.” That Friend

3, for whom running can be tricky, “…loves

freeze tag and keeps playing even aer everyone

else gets red.” I was inspired by how these

statements were made so maer-of

-factly and

without judgment. Our children act with joy, and

fear of failure is oen held at bay. I was stunned

the other day when my 5 year old approached

the local junior high kids who were in a heated

soccer match at the park. “Can I play?” he bold-

ly asked. These kids were more than double his

age and size, yet his love for soccer completely

outshined any fear of rejecon (at worst) or

sheer dominaon (at best). They said yes. He

had a blast.

Dr. Wise gave some great, simple advice that hasstuck with me. Encourage your children to ask

quesons. Now, instead of asking, “What did

you do at school today?” we oen ask, “Did you

ask any quesons today?” I’ll be honest here,

there are nights when I can’t help but wish my

children would STOP asking me quesons, but

the truth is, how wonderful and transformave

it is to be In a place where growing and askin

are innitely encouraged.

So again, my profound gratude goes out to

NCRC. Thank you for encouraging my children

to ask quesons. Thank you for sparking end

less conversaon about kindness as well as

about how frogs jump. There will be plenty o

me down the road for doing -- plenty of m

for doing math and doing homework. For now

I am so grateful to watch my children master

the art of being. It is a skill that will truly last

them a lifeme and help them grow into soli

wonderful people who are capable of being

anything they can dream of.

PHOTO HERE FOR THE PIECE

NCRC

IN THE

SPRING

By Lisa Koven Lee (DJ, Explorer and Anya, AM Beehive)



THE PRESCHOOLER TE

Grace Chen, Robert Dav

& Jen Dryer

We welcome all contribuonsuggesons, big or small

Thank you!

2 0 1 6

By Sloane Menkes, NCRC Board Chair

e are wrapping up another wonderful year at NCRC, and our kids and school community have grown together. As a fellow NCRC

parent and Chair of the Board, I am honored to lead your NCRC Board of Trustees (“the Board”) in serving as a governance bodyto strategically support NCRC’s Mission and Vision. Before we break this summer I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with

a quick update on our strategic planning process.

In 2011, the Board created a strategic plan that connues to provide guidance on how to arm our Mission and Value with seven in-tenonal goals and underlying objecves to support our eorts. This year we have been hard at work, carefully considering the strate-gic plan and are pleased to share that we’ve extended the execuon of this document for an addional two years and added some ad-

dional guidance that I’d like to share with you.

This year we've added four dynamic objecves, listed below, from which our NCRC community –parents, teachers and sta, Val, grand-

parents, trustees, parents of alumni, and alumni – can all take inspiraon from and achieve together. In addion, we remain commiedto our strategic plan which will connue making a dierence for our children who are here now and for those who will follow.

NCRC’s exisng goals include Collaboraon and Leadership, Community, Faculty and Sta Development, Diversity, Inclusion, Sustaina-

bility and Fiscal Strength. Addionally, the guidance developed by the board to support the connued implementaon of our strategic

plan includes:

Education Excellence: Become the standard for early childhood educaon

We will work every day to model our early childhood educaon program and shape local and naonal conversaons on thevalue and importance of quality preschool educaon. This may involve documenng and sharing the unique aspects of NCRC

while increasing opportunies for faculty to share this through presentaons, conversaons with policy makers and in collabo

raon with a Research Advisory Commiee.

Program Design: Meet the needs of current and future families

We will ensure our program oerings remain relevant through evaluaon, incorporaon of feedback from the community and

analysis of our physical space to make the most of our beauful school facilies both indoors and out.

Front Porch – Community: Connecon, communicaon and diversity

We will connue to culvate NCRC’s diverse and vibrant community of current and alumni parents, children, and faculty while

connecng within our community, and sharing our NCRC story. We will prepare for our 90th celebraon in 2017 by creang areunion event for our past, present and future families. In addion, we will connue to oer ways to connect and educate o ur

selves with such compelling programs such as our Fathers, Grandfathers and Fatherly Figures breakfasts, and downtownbrown bag events.

Ways and Means: Sustain Long Term nancial strength

We will connue to conduct mul-year strategic budgeng to advance our program, provide faculty and sta development

and to expand revenue generang opportunies . Our focus on the NCRC Fund and growing our endowment also allows us tosustain NCRC well into the future so this wonderful school will be here for our children’s children.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Board Chair and please know my door is always open if you have anyquesons or comments. I can be contacted at [email protected].

Have a wonderful summer!

preschooler spring 2016

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