Winter/Spring 2022
Commitment. Kindness. Community.
From the desk of Tasha Brown, HPS Assistant Director
On January 30, 2022, my birthday, I woke up homeless and with only a few pieces of clothing items I had worn the previous day when the fire happened. Anyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely LOVE celebrating birthdays! Each year, I look forward to partaking in new adventures and celebrating in unique ways. Well, I guess this year, I really got my wish. Needless to say, this will undeniably be a birthday I will never forget. My whole world was seemingly shattered by the tragedy of being displaced from my home in the blink of an eye, something I would never wish on anyone. I say seemingly because I must be grateful that everyone made it out alive, but the bare thought of losing everything it took me years to get in the first place was just unbelievably painful. The thought of no longer having a tangible past such as a simple lock of hair from my childrens' first haircut or old college photographs will be forever painful. It is a trauma I now must push through daily (luckily for me I work in an environment conducive to that as being silly and joyous is the expectation) .
Picture being away from your kids as you left them with a sitter (my adult son) and receiving a frantic phone call from your youngest child who is so shaken up, can barely speak to let you know what's happening. Then, picture darting off to join your kids thinking the entire time, "it must just be a small kitchen fire and the kids are just scared." and then BAM! The entire street leading up to your home is completely blocked off by emergency vehicles and you have to run for what seems like several miles. You finally reach your kids and they are barefoot, cold, hysterical and your house is covered in flames. You and your family of 9 just stand there helplessly while watching everything you own and love burn from what started out as a small grease fire and spread rapidly. If you have ever been in really deep water, unsure of what’s beneath…well, it felt something like that. That night, in the dark, surrounded by smoke and sirens, we all felt so lost. There were so many additional challenging layers to my family's circumstances that I literally did not know where to begin. Where and how do you find affordable shelter for a family of 9 without any preparations or prior notice. Many were not aware that I was supporting my son and his family of 4 in addition to my family of 5. I cried endlessly that night because I knew this meant I could no longer hold my commitment to my son and his family in getting them on their feet. On top of that, I had no idea where we were going.
That is where the HPS community came to the rescue! I truly came to realize the compassionate and close-knit community I have been a part of for the past several years! Sure, I have always felt a sense of community and appreciation amongst our families and staff, but the magnitude/depth of love and support that was shown during my family's time of need from both current and alum families, and staff alike, has 100% made a difference in our ability to be resilient and be there for our children emotionally. I have been awestruck at the outpouring of love and support from all of you!
I was reading an article on mental health recently when I came across this statement: “The word community is, without question, central to human experience." As I reflected on the role the HPS community has played during my tragic experience, I instantly thought to myself, this is so true. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. There are so many positive aspects to being part of a group or community. From the feeling of being a part of something greater than ourselves to providing unique opportunities for people to learn from each other, give support and encouragement. The feeling that people within the community matter to one another with a shared vision that their needs will be met through commitment and togetherness are an invaluable part of joining forces with one another. Because of this, I am forever indebted to my membership in the HPS community!
Our road to recovery has been quite a process, but I would like to report that things are better. My son, his partner and my granddaughters have successfully moved into their own apartment while my husband and I have been serial house shopping to find the next place to call home. Our kids continue to adjust from the repercussions of not having their own rooms or electronics, those things that define so much of life in your preteen and teenage years, but through continued optimism and encouragement have been able to push through for the most part.
From the bottom of our hearts, we THANK YOU, HPS Community!
T.B.
In This Issue
From the desk of Tasha Brown, HPS Assistant Director
Curriculum Corner with Jill Barefoot
Community Connection
“T” Time
Brenda Cowles &
Tyler Butler
Reminders
Love Treat Showcase!
Click and follow HPS on Instagram! Find us @thehillpreschool for adventures, updates, and information!
Thank You!
The Love Treat Cookie Kit fundraiser added $1025 to the HPS Annual Fund! We hope you loved them as much as we did and thank you for your support! HPS teachers shared their cookie art for the community photos section this month!
As always, you can make a tax deductible donation online anytime!
Curriculum Corner
Jill Barefoot, Grasshopper Purple Lead Teacher & School-wide Curriculum Coordinator
What Makes HPS Special
I think there is something very special about HPS. I noticed it when I came in for my interview almost seven years ago. There were a litany of things that led to me joining the HPS family but it has been something a bit more that has kept me here.
Initially, I was most excited about the location being in the vicinity of the National Mall, museums and Botanic Gardens. As an educator I knew that being able to have real world experiences, meet experts and explore outside a classroom, would support invaluable learning for my students and that high-quality field trip experiences would lead to increased interest in and a deeper understanding of subject matter.
The HPS commitment to experiential learning not only attracted me but remains right up my alley. I still love seeking out experts in a variety of fields, and, over my time at HPS, have received the support to secure a nice network of everything from Paleontologists at the Smithsonian to chefs at the Capitol Hill Club. The more immediate HPS neighborhood is pretty amazing as well. Yes, we have some of the world’s best museums at our fingertips and can see a real Monet or Picasso if we want but the neighborhood small businesses such as Hill’s Kitchen, Labyrinth and &Pizza have brought that small town feel into the big city and became wonderful resources for our children, especially these past two years when we could not go on our big field trips.
The curriculum and the approach to learning is yet another thing that continues to set HPS apart from other schools, in my mind. The philosophy aligns with play-based learning and an emergent curriculum and is centered in school-wide monthly units. The result is a myriad of possible learning paths and autonomy for the teachers to decide which path their children would be interested in the most. One of the deeply rewarding things about being able to grow in my role of Curriculum Coordinator is collaborating with teachers on which learning paths to gather resources for and hearing all the different ways they conceptualized the unit topics.
I recognize that Danielle has worked diligently to grow the school from where it was when I came on board all those years ago. She has made serious investments in our classroom environments and walking through our school now feels so different from many other preschool programs. Classrooms are not full of rainbow colored everything, overstimulating children. Instead, calming tones, natural materials and a uniformed aesthetic allow the centerpiece of each room to be what is most important, the children and their work. There is also an understanding of the environment as the third teacher. Many teachers like myself, have added personal touches and brought in plant and animal life which makes each room unique, welcoming and gives the children the opportunity to help and watch things grow. I love my classroom space! Teachers are encouraged to use the environment in a flexible way so that it changes with the unit topic. Who doesn’t love rearranging a room every now and then?
But that something a bit more that is the primary reason I remain committed to the school, as I mentioned earlier, resides in the investment made in the teachers. Whether through financial investment in us as professionals or investment in us as people - like through our current health and fitness challenges- the care and investment are unmatched.
Nothing drives a teacher more than feeling appreciated and valued- not only by your employer but by the community at large. Having alum families stop and wave in the morning, the gifts, the personalized cards and all those little things hit us big in our hearts and that something more that we get at HPS is priceless. I am proud to be a part of the HPS family for so many reasons and looking towards the future and the addition of our Care and Grow room, Children’s Garden and hopefully the return of some of our past traditions only boosts my love for this school and drive to continue it’s legacy as one of the best preschools in DC!
Community Connections
We are excited to announce the details of our supply drive to benefit our neighbor, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church (CHUMC), in their effort to support unhoused residents of Capitol Hill. Our drive will take place from April 4th through April 8th, each morning from 8 - 9 a.m.
At the request of CHUMC, we will focus on collecting eggs, bottled water, paper coffee cups with lids, and #6-sized paper lunch bags.
Please check your email for a note from the Board with more information!
“T” Time
Getting to know the HPS Teachers at Home
Ms. Brenda Cowles
What is your dream vacation?
My dream vacation is Bora Bora.If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
My power would be to fully restore health.
What song would you sing at karaoke night?
Blackstreet We Gonna Take You Back /Don't Leave MeQuick likes and dislikes:
Likes - Sunflowers, ladybugs, traveling, laughing, and sweet potatoes
Dislikes - Dishonesty, scary movies, exercising, violence, and dry red velvet cake.
Ms. Tyler Butler
What is your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be traveling to Japan! My fiance lived there for quite some time and he’s always telling us stories about the food, atmosphere, and culture. I would love to go there with him and the kids to experience it for myself.What is your favorite “F” word?
Fries! I love fries. It is my happy food, it is a food I could eat all the time, if it wasn’t unhealthy.What is saving your life today?
There are three things that are currently keeping me alive: caffeine, books, and ice cream. I am a mom of two and a dog mom of one planning a wedding, going for my masters, and working a full time job. I am often exhausted(caffeine), emotionally drained(ice cream), and with little to no time to myself (books). With all that being said I am someone who enjoys a challenge, loves learning and all of my young learners. All the things that are draining are all things that are a part of who I am and I wouldn’t change it.Quick likes and dislikes:
Likes - Music, dancing & singing, traveling, passionate poetry, wine & foodDislikes - Fall, sweaters, and chocolate fudge brownie ice cream
— Reminders —
Be sure you’ve signed up for your class Shutterfly -
Get details from your teacher!4-1 2022-2023 Academic Year Contracts, Deposits, and First Month’s Tuition due
4-11 -- 4-15 Spring Break
4-18 HPS Closed for Professional Development
Love treat Showcase
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
