JANUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER

Playground Progress–Upkeep is Everyone’s Business Compiled from Ms. Chapman’s information
New pavers and sod on the playground	The Peabody Playground is still a work in progress, but it’s come a long way. Thanks to a partnership between CHCS (principal, Ms. Jennifer Smith; SWS lead teacher, Ms. Sarah Burke; and SWS teacher, Ms. Louise Chapman) and the Department of Environmental Health, the playground is now a model for low environmental impact development. DEH installed and will maintain three different surfaces—pavers (through which grass will grow), sod, and stones—all used with the hope of allowing water to drain into the ground, rather than create run-off. Work awaiting the approval of funds for completion include replacing the sprinkler system, repairing some of the playground rubber surfacing and the edging around the garden, and more work on the pavers’/grass preparation. There is much we can to do care for our playground, such as: not allowing children to pull out the garden plants; not allowing dogs on the property (at any time of day); and doing whatever possible to discourage or report bulk trash dumped in the school trash area.
Surfaces needing repair

SWS Auction– Wizards’ Box Seats Raffle on NOW!

by Coco Provance

Coco Provance, Essence Newhoff and Olivia Parker, this year's Jazz Gala Auction co-chairs are happy to report that plans for the April 16th big event are steaming along, thanks to great parent volunteers.  In addition to a location (St. Mark's Church on 3rd and A Sts., SE), and catering (thank you, Swints!), we have chosen a band.  Alan Lewine, a neighborhood parent, will be providing the grooves with AfroJazz Xplosion.

We're kicking off the fundraising with an exciting raffle.  Thanks to another generous SWS parent, Emilio Gonzalez (Jade’s dad), we have a prime, lower-level, 12-seat box at the MCI Center for the April 11th, 2005 Wizard/Bucks game. 

We are delighted to raffle off this a fantastic night out–12 spectacular seats in a private corporate box and a free parking pass!  Selling for $15 each, only 200 raffle tickets will be available. A notice went out last week and the tickets are already going fast - so send in your check (payable to SWS) to buy your raffle tickets ASAP.  Each $15 ticket buys one chance and you can buy as many as you wish.

Raffle tickets will also be sold at the Capitol Hill Cluster School Casino Night (February 5) and the SWS Family Potluck (February 23 at Watkins).  The drawing will take place at the SWS Family Potluck on February 23 (need not be present to win).  Contact Coco (546-7449) with any questions. Thanks for all of your help in making our signature fundraiser so special! 

SWS January Parent Meeting Looking at Documentation by Sarah Burke, Lead Teacher One important aspect of the Reggio approach to learning is the documentation. The Reggio schools have developed a form of documentation that is dynamic and provocative. It engages students, teachers and parents in looking at how children are thinking and representing the ideas they are exploring. Documentation can reveal the surprising complexity of children’s thinking while also revealing the relationships between and among children and teachers and between the children and the materials they are using. In preparation for the Documentation Workshop that parents attended on January 12, 2005 the SWS teachers developed some questions to guide the conversation that each of the four groups would have regarding the particular documentation they would be viewing (and parents’ responses): How does this documentation speak to you about children’s thinking and learning? Children’s use of objects—"They see things we just don’t see." The children are learning about science, art, and patterns through their experience with different materials. Children are learning through teamwork and planning. Documentation ties together the student’s use of language, materials and representational drawings. Children feel a sense of ownership in the process. What relationships do you see reflected in the documentation? The children were required to negotiate, listen to each other and respect each other’s ideas. Teacher’s role as facilitator, listener, guide. How is the documentation useful to you in your understanding of children? It provides a glimpse into your child’s ideas and what happens in the class. It is a tool for communicating with parents and record’s the progress of a project over time. What are some of the values that are conveyed through the documentation? Shows a respect for the environment. Shows a sense of pride in the student’s work. Demonstrates a respect for student/student and student/teacher relationships. Demonstrates the value of a project. Show;s the value of being observant. Children are empowered because their opinions and ideas are valued. Thank you to all the staff and parents for their participation at our January meeting!
Artist in Residence Marla McLean and group of parents explore the fabulous leaf project.	Pre K teacher Susan Breipohl discusses the totem pole projects with parents.

Art News Compiled from Mara McLean’s Information Storytelling Bowls Pre-K children learned how to work with the earth … clay! We also discussed how people from all over the world have used similar techniques for making and firing clay bowls. To prepare the children for working with real clay, they first learned how to make a bowl using playdough, which is softer. Making coils, balls, pinching, pulling, and rolling also helped develop confidence and skill. When the real clay arrived, everyone had a great time mastering the "mud." Using a tennis ball inside a stocking, the children had to push the ball into the hole they had first made with their thumbs and index finger. With the ball in the clay, they rolled and rocked until the edges started creeping up over the ball. They were delighted when they removed the ball to find a bowl! Adding Storytelling Elements … Ms. Chapman’s class will focus on family (little people, relatives, pets). Ms. Susan’s class will use story elements from Native American Coyote Tales (snakes, coyotes, animals, etc)
Stained Glass Project Thanks to a grant Marla McLean won and the co-operation of artist Brian Hamilton, the Kindergarten students are embarking on an exploration of the art and the history of stained glass. The project begins with a trip to the National Cathedral for a tour and activities and includes four sessions with Hamilton, a DC stained glass artist. Parents can help in two important ways: Arrange a visit for a the students to visit a temple or church that are walking distance from the Hill in April or May. Point out stained glass while walking, driving, in homes, etc Recently in the art studio, Marla asked students "What do you know about stained glass?" Alex: Stained glass and pictures and paintings tell stories. Harry: You could probably make a story that changes , out of stained glass. Funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Harry and Malik then designed a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired stained glass drawing using oil pastels and pen.	Alex and Khadijah choose Tiffany as an inspiration for their stained glass window drawings.
Self Portrait Masks Figuring out how to make a mold for their clay self portrait masks, the Kindergarteners at SWS start a new winter project The problem solving used to go from two dimensions to three created a challenge for each child. It also created opportunities for problem solving, experimentation, and risk taking. The self portraits made earlier, became the "map" they followed to create clay self portraits, thus transferring the symbol of themselves in a new and challenging material.

Transitioning to 1st or 5th Grade in the Capitol Hill Cluster School

Compiled from CHCS PTA Information

There are two transition times for CHCS students:

• kindergarten students move from the Peabody to the Watkins campus for 1st grade, and
• 4th grade students move from the Watkins to the Stuart Hobson campus for 5th grade.

Here are several opportunities to learn more about these transitions and the campuses:

• Open Houses
  All include presentations & tours at 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
  Feb. 17 — Peabody and Watkins only
  Mar. 16 — Peabody, Watkins, & Stuart Hobson
• 1st Grade Meet & Greet on January 26
  The 1st Grade Meet & Greet has been rescheduled for Wed., Jan. 26, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Omar Saibou and Sarah Gavian (1239 E St., SE).  Meet & Greets are informal opportunities to meet with parents and the 1st grade teaching team at Watkins.  Families with Kindergarten children are encouraged to attend.
• 5th Grade Meet & Greet to be Rescheduled
  The 5th grade Meet & Greet will be rescheduled (it was originally going to be on January 19).
• Classroom Visits
  Cluster parents are encouraged to visit any Cluster classroom and any time, but scheduling a visit can ensure the class won’t be taking a test or on a trip. Contact Ms. Sharia Shanklin or Mr. Brandon Eatman (698-3277, 698-3355, or 698-4700) to make an appointment.
• Buddy Days
  Younger students will have a chance to be paired with other ones (K & Watkins 1st grader / 4th & Start Hobson 5th grader) to check out the school they’ll transition to and experience the classroom routine. Details coming soon.

Out of Boundary? Once in CHCS, Always In CHCS

Current students at any Cluster School campus do not need to reapply for out-of-boundary admission to the next campus.  If you are in boundary for any Cluster School campus, you are in boundary for the entire Cluster School.

Check out www.capitolhillclusterschool.org to see the Cluster School’s new site, and to stay connected to what is happening.