New School BlogNew School Bloghttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012-05-15T01:58:03ZSquarespaceWe're On The Right Track!http://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/5/14/were-on-the-right-track.htmlTaylor Long2012-05-14T20:18:12Z2012-05-14T20:18:12Z

From Jenny Jones, Preschool Art Teacher

Last week in Preschool Art the children spent the week making tracks! On Monday we drove toy cars dipped in paint on road atlas pages. It was a great opportunity to ask the children open ended questions such as, "Where is your car going? How do you get there? What will you do when you arrive?" Some children went to the beach or to visit grandparents! In the following days we moved to the outdoor classroom to make real bike tracks by riding with paint-covered tires! The path was on a slight incline and after I had given a few children a push, friends jumped in to take turns giving a start-up push and riding the bike! It was a great cooperative activity.

 

For our next activity, we attached sturdy cans to the bottom of our shoes, dipped them in paint, and walked down the paper-covered sidewalk. Balancing on cans is no easy feat! Finally, we pulled and pushed rakes through paint. The children really enjoyed these fun, colorful projects!

It's perfect picnic weather! Preschoolers played teddy bear picnic in the outdoor classroom. The children packed baskets with snacks and paraded them back to the table where they shared food with each other and their teddy bears. We have had a fantastic week in the outdoor classroom!

]]>The Rewarding Ritual of Reading Aloudhttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/5/14/the-rewarding-ritual-of-reading-aloud.htmlKaren Beaton2012-05-14T13:00:00Z2012-05-14T13:00:00Z

From Karen Beaton, Head of Preschool

Parents are the children’s first and most influential teachers. Reading together is one of the earliest shared experiences of parents and children. When you read a story to a child, you are her reading teacher.

Children begin learning to read by being read to. Research shows that early and good readers come from homes where reading is valued and experienced regularly. One of the best things families can do for children’s development and later school success is to read aloud to them. The desire to read starts with the early enjoyment of being held in a lap and cuddled as a story is read.

In addition to the feelings of warmth and security fostered by lap reading, reading aloud to children expands their world and vocabulary. It creates an appreciation of the value of print, promotes knowledge of the mechanics of reading from the top to the bottom of the page and from left to right, and helps create an understanding of a sequence of events.

Setting aside time every day to read to your child says, “I love you and I want to spend special time sharing a story with you.” It further demonstrates your love of books and sets the stage for developing in your child an interest and desire to become a reader. 

Let your child pick a story. Then cuddle up together to enjoy exploring the power and magic of the printed word.

]]>New School Students Honored in Duke Talent Searchhttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/5/14/new-school-students-honored-in-duke-talent-search.htmlTaylor Long2012-05-14T05:00:00Z2012-05-14T05:00:00Z

The Duke Talent Identification Program, run by Duke University, seeks to identify students with exceptional academic abilities. Selected students are invited to take the ACT or SAT college entrance exams in 7th grade.  Those who score well are provided with additional resources and opportunities for accelerated students.

Five of our 7th grade students won State Recognition for their scores on the ACT college entrance exams through the Duke Above-Level Testing Program.

State Recognition

Alise C.

Andrew C.

Connor F.

Jake G.

Miles M.

In addition to recieving State Recognition one student, Connor F., recieved Grand Recognition, the program's highest honor. Connor has been invited to attend a ceremony on the Duke University campus to recieve a medal in honor of his impressive scores on these college entrance tests.

Grand Recognition

Connor F.

To learn more about the Duke Talent Identification Program and the criteria for awards, visit www.tip.duke.edu.

]]>La Fiesta Raises Over $114,000!http://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/5/11/la-fiesta-raises-over-114000.htmlTaylor Long2012-05-11T20:30:00Z2012-05-11T20:30:00Z

This past Saturday, New School families and friends came out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and raised over $114,000 for The New School. More than 330 attendees enjoyed live music, festive food and drinks, and bid on exciting silent and live auction items.

La Fiesta could not have happened without the generosity and support of our sponsors, contributors, families, friends and staff. A Special Thank You to: 

  • Casey Sarkin & Mary Frances Daut - Auction Co-Chairs
  • Wynn Saitta - Class Basket Chair
  • The Class Basket Coordinators
  • Maggie Bell & Catherine Wilson - Decoration Chairs
  • Ron Stinchcomb - Auctioneer
  • Marissa Stevens - KNWA Emcee
  • Jen Sweeney - Voiceover
  • Cliff Hughes - Recycling Coordinator

Andy & Elizabeth Tyer, Anna George, Auction Item Contributors, La Fiesta Planning Committee, and Event Volunteers. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the night!

Congratulations to Raffle Winner Amy Merryman!

Congratulations to Amy Merryman, winner of our $5,000 raffle! Amy chose to donate her winnings back to The New School! Thank you Amy for your incredible generosity.

]]>La Fiesta Live Auction Previewhttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/4/27/la-fiesta-live-auction-preview.htmlTaylor Long2012-04-27T23:00:00Z2012-04-27T23:00:00ZWho will walk away with this year's custom-built Harley Davidson?

The New School's annual fundraising party, La Fiesta, will be held on Saturday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!). In addition to tons of silent auction items, we're offering some big items for our live auction. Take a sneak peek at some of these hot items that someone will walk away with this year.

Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Harley Davidson Motorcycle custom built by the owner of 529 Midtown.

Complete Digital Orthodontics

Roblee Orthodontics will offer one new patient comprehensive child or adult Orthodontics Therapy utilizing the most advanced digital technology (without messy impressions). Applicable to the highest-quality metal, ceramic or invisalign appliance.

Private Wine Tasting Party

Private use of The Wine Cellar any Sunday or Monday night with Sommelier host including heavy hors d'oeuvres by Hog Haus Brewing Co., custom invitations and fresh floral decor.

Romance Diamond Co. Shopping Extravaganza

Add some glitz to your life! $2,000 toward your private shopping experience.

Razorback Away Game with Private Plane Experience

Travel in style in a private plane for 8 to the Razorbacks vs. Auburn game on October 6th with premier game seating and all transportation to and from the stadium.

Watch Party for You and 30 Guests

Cheer on the Hogs from the Banks Family Farm at a watch party for you and 30 friends. Custom invitations, beverages and Whole Hog Catering included! (Choose between Oct. 6, Nov. 10 or Nov. 17)

A Night at 3 Monkeys

Your child and two friends will enjoy a private party at 3 Monkeys Children's Boutique for a $1,000 shopping spree! They'll also pop balloons filled with surprise discounts to be used on additional items. After shopping, they will model for an official 3 Monkeys ad to be featured in Peekaboo Magazine and on Facebook. Hair stylists from Shag Salon will primp the children for the photos. Party food and drinks will be provided by 3 Monkeys.

]]>Honor Roll: 3rd Quarterhttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/4/11/honor-roll-3rd-quarter.htmlTaylor Long2012-04-11T16:46:24Z2012-04-11T16:46:24ZCongratulations to all our 3rd-7th grade students whose third quarter grades earned them a spot in our honor roll! The following students were honored at an assembly on Friday in The New School Gym.

All A's Honor Roll

Sydney A.
Claire A.
Gabi B.
Blaire B.
Orla B.
Rory B.
Elise B.
Sophia B.
Zain B.
Grant B.
David B.
Sophia B.
Bailey B.
Preston B.
Savannah B.
Alice C.
Kendall C.
Alana C.
Lauren C.
Alise C.
Andrew C.
Celeste D.
Nathan F.
Connor F.
Abby G.
Ian G.
Syraya G.
Marleigh H.
Grace H.
Adam H.
Aidan H.
Patrick H.
Lauren H.
Pooja K.
Chloe K.
Julia K.
Jeremy K.
Hannah K.
Joshua K.
Julia L.
Andrew L.
Emma L.
Olivia M.
Miles M.
Maddie M.
Jack M.
Helen M.
Ashton M.
Katie M.
Bailey N.
Delaney N.
Max O.
Rhett O.
Renee P.
Parker Ann P.
Hartley P.
Robbie P.
Kate P.
Laney R.
Nick R.
Bunny R.
Campbell R.
Kade R.
Mahtaab S.
Ariana S.
Angela S.
Kaushik S.
Cade S.
Freya S.
Spencer S.
Lizzie S.
Logan S.
Aaron T.
Ryan T.
Sean T.
Avery T.
Wyatt V.
Lauren W.
Spencer W.
Cole W.
Melanie W.
Andrew Y.
Hailey Y. 

All A's & B's Honor Roll

Bailey A.
Rhiannon A.
Davis B.
Bella B.
Holden B.
Afton B.
Elissa B.
Evan B.
Sydney B.
Trevor B.
Grace C.
Tobe C.
Kylee C.
Wilkes C.
Zachary C.
Barrett D.
Maya D.
Quinn D.
Kirra D.
Matthew E.
Caleb E.
Ashton F.
Natalie F.
Jake G.
Sasha G.
Chaney G.
Marshall H.
Jacquelyn H.
Carter H.
Jacob H.
Anna Claire J.
Hunter J.
Max J.
Chloe K.
Kadin K.
Owen K.
Ailish L.
Tessa L.
Sydney M.
Nicholas M.
Eliza O.
Macy O.
Cammie P.
Mandy Linn P.
Reid P.
Luke R.
Luke R.
Vivian S.
Hannah S.
Storm S.
Nikolai S.
Sophie S.
Jan S.
Gabrielle T.
Caden T.
Marin T.
Rachel T.
Rebecca T.
Isabelle T.
Elijah V.
Isaiah V.
Cade W.
Leslie W.
Lucy W.
Will W.
Grace W.

]]>Portraits in Preschool Arthttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/4/9/portraits-in-preschool-art.htmlTaylor Long2012-04-09T17:00:00Z2012-04-09T17:00:00Z

From Preschool Art Teacher Jenny Jones

These past few weeks have been fun and busy! We have been studying the self portraits of artist Chuck Close. Our first portrait project was based on Chuck Close's paper pulp portrait. We made paper pulp of many colors and skin tones. Then we studied our faces in the mirror and placed different colors for different parts of our faces. 

The second project was a large self portrait. The children really enjoy looking and studying their faces in the mirror. We used large paper and paint pencils to lay out our facial features. Then we went over them with skin tone paint. The kids were very proud of their work! They managed to capture great detail, such as teeth, eyelashes, even shadows! 
 

 

]]>New on the Website: Staff Profileshttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/4/4/new-on-the-website-staff-profiles.htmlTaylor Long2012-04-04T19:31:14Z2012-04-04T19:31:14Z

Jill Gunderman, Assistant Head of Preschool

Click Here to Meet Jill

This week, we began a new section of our website to house short profiles on some of our staff. We asked all our New School employees to answer a few questions about themselves and why they work at our school. Their answers reflect the individual personalities of our staff while highlighting our shared passion for being a part of The New School. We'll continue to add new profiles to the website each week, so check back often!

Staff Profiles: www.thenewschool.org/profiles

]]>The New School's "One Day on Earth" Video Archived Onlinehttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/3/23/the-new-schools-one-day-on-earth-video-archived-online.htmlTaylor Long2012-03-23T22:22:30Z2012-03-23T22:22:30Z

On November 11th, 11.11.11, across the planet, documentary filmmakers, students, and other inspired citizens recorded the human experience over a 24-hour period and contributed their voice to the second annual global day of media creation called One Day on Earth. Under the leadership of Steve Turner, Director of Technology Advancement, The New School created a video to add to this global digital archive of one day on our planet. The video is now archived on the One Day on Earth Website where visitors can explore all the videos as points on a map of the world.

Click here to watch our video on the interactive archive.

]]>Growing Appreciation for Beauty in the Environmenthttp://www.thenewschool.org/blog/2012/3/20/growing-appreciation-for-beauty-in-the-environment.htmlTaylor Long2012-03-20T22:14:53Z2012-03-20T22:14:53Z

From the Preschool Art Teacher, Jenny Jones

Last September, our preschool students planted viola seeds in miniature greenhouses made from plastic strawberry boxes (thanks Ms. Brenda!). We watched as they grew into tiny seedlings and planted them in our new garden area of the outdoor classroom. In November we planted hyacinth, tulip, and iris bulbs. The violas flourished through this year's warm winter and by February the bulbs were sprouting! First popped up the hyacinth and they smell so good. The children loved watching them poke out of the soil and grow into beautiful flowers. We have worked to keep the garden free of weeds and talked about how important water, soil and sunlight are for the plants so that they can make food.

Over the past weekend our tulips began to unfurl! We got to see the budding blossoms on Friday and what a great surprise it was to see their beautiful pale yellow petals on Monday! Next up will be the irises which have just broken through the surface with their little green leaves. We also added strawberries to our garden and painted observations of the plants before adding them. 

The blooming flowers in our garden create an irresistible playscape for the children. We have enjoyed making sketches and paintings from observation in the garden. It has been such a great learning experience as well as a wonderful opportunity for the children to identify beauty in the environment. Not only do they notice natural beauty, but in this case, they helped create it!

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