From the Desk Of: Tasha Brown, HPS Assistant Director

Why HPS? Simply put, I chose to further my career at The Hill Preschool because its philosophy and values match mine both as an early childhood professional and as a mom. In addition, I love the abundance of community resources that can be integrated into daily learning as a result of the school’s urban location. The quality of the children’s learning experiences are unmatched by other programs. Even though I have now been a part of The Hill Preschool for over five years, I continue to get excited each month observing the curriculum unfold! Where else can a 2-year-old explore a transportation curriculum that includes bike shares, scooters, metro buses, trains, and street cars literally just around the corner? Where else do teachers and young learners have several green spaces, parks, and playgrounds to choose from for daily outdoor exploration?

Now that I have moved into the role of Assistant Director, I have the opportunity to directly support other HPS educators in optimizing learning experiences both inside of the classroom and outdoors in our rich community! When planning, we are always placing the developmental needs of every child as the priority. As we move through the fall season and into winter, we begin to plan for a curriculum that embraces all types of weather. As grownups, we don’t always love the thought of being muddy, wet, or cold, but we incorporate these outdoor weather experiences into our curriculum because we understand the impact of these experiences on a young child’s development.

Imagine being 2, 3, 4, or 5 years old and only staring at the snow falling and not being able to go outside to actually experience it. Now, envision young learners and their teachers actually well-prepared to engage in outdoor play, enjoying all types of weather as it happens, and reaping the physical, cognitive, and social benefits as a result! Instead of restricting outdoor activities, we must prepare - prepare to create an outdoor experience that embraces the weather and is fun enough to be a distraction too! Looking back at my time in the classroom as a teacher, I looked forward to incorporating math, science, social, and literacy skills through: scooping snow into buckets while counting and racing against a timer to fill them, taking turns following one another’s footprints, adding food coloring to it to observe color change, and hypothesizing how long it would take to melt if we brought some back inside! On winter days when it was really cold outside, my class would bundle up and play a game at the park of “run away from the snow monster” or engage in a series of physical challenges like jumping jacks, relay races, and obstacle courses to keep active and warm.

Our outdoor experiences and community excursions don’t stop because it grows colder outside! In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find ways that we support staff in staying warm and active with their classes during the cold weather season and also support staff in reaching their personal health and fitness goals. Please continue to support our efforts here at school by having your own amazing outdoor adventures whenever you get the chance! “When life gives you a rainy day, play in the puddles!”

T.B.

In This Issue

From the desk of Tasha Brown

Healthy Together!

Curriculum Corner with Jill Barefoot

Giving at HPS
Picture Day

“T” Time
Keyonta Silas &
Imani Adams

Reminders

Outside Play any Day!

Healthy together

In order to encourage all staff to stay healthy and active throughout the winter months, HPS is starting a school-wide health challenge based on “My Plate”. The winner at the end of each week will receive a bag full of dinner ingredients for their family from Whole Foods!

Staff is also participating in longer term water and daily steps competitions!

What do you do to help encourage and support balanced health with your friends and family? Ideas are always best when shared!

Picture Day!

HPS is thrilled to have the Picture Day fundraiser back for the 2021-2022 school year! As always, Picture Day serves as a fundraising opportunity that lets you hold on to a moment of your preschooler’s personality and special spark. This year’s pictures were taken the week of October 25th and families will receive an email soon with a link to review and purchase prints and downloads of their child’s images. 50% of profits will be donated the Hill Preschool Annual Fund! Each family will receive at least five images to choose from - and the opportunity to purchase one or all for digital download, prints, or cards!

This year’s photo sessions were a little different — not everyone was sure about the stranger behind the big lens and big mask but all of the children were willing to try to smile for their families!

If you do not receive an email by November 5th, please contact jennyhthiel@gmail.com