“For all the times you gently picked me up when I fell down,
For all the times you tied my shoes and tucked me into bed, or needed something, but put me first instead.
Our 10th annual Wine and Cheese Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Fundraiser was held on Saturday, May 14th. As always, it was accompanied with great people, good food and drinks, raffle, online and silent auction. Since 1975, the Nurtury Preschool has helped create a future for many children and families. We are a very unique small community dedicated to serving working families. Our fundraising proceeds help bring enrichment programs to our school without extra cost to parents, purchase natural outdoor materials to advance the interest and development of the children. We are grateful to all the families, staff members and alumni who came to this event and for all the efforts made to make this another successful event, and our to neighborhood businesses who donated items for our silent and online auction.
Here are a few snippets from our Annual Mother’s Day Breakfast which was held on Friday, May 6th, from 7AM – 10AM, to honor and celebrate the most brilliant treasures of all. We are grateful to our Nurtury Moms who do so much not just for their children and family, but also for our school and for those around them. Happy Mother’s Day!
One of the challenges we face daily is the small outdoor space we have at our school. However, we have managed to find ways to increase gross motor opportunities by focusing our enrichment classes on gross motor activities. Last fall, we did yoga and this spring, we have Soccer Shots. Our children get a lot of outdoor time regardless of the limited space we have. Being outdoors do not only provide opportunities for physical growth, but it also allows the children to interact with other age groups, thus increasing their ability to socialize, participate in group dynamics and create their own games and rules.
Here is an excerpt from the Community Playthings Blog on why outdoor time is very important.
Longer school days, more homework, urbanization, organized sports, and daily access to technology. . . . we all know the statistics: children are spending less time in nature than ever before. Studies confirm that kids now spend up to 90% of their leisure time inside. Sadly, many schools contribute to this trend.
“We don’t place the proper value on time outside, time without intentional goals or structured expectations,” writes Lauren Maples, founder of Bija School in Brooklyn, NY. “This is robbing our kids of joy and challenge—both such meaningful parts of life.”
“Unlike a structured school day, the routine of home life, or sports, there is no telling what one will encounter outside. Whether it is crossing a stream, building a fort, or figuring out how to scale a rock, time in nature helps kids figure stuff out. When kids learn to problem solve in situations that are fun and spontaneous they are able to carry those skills into their schoolwork and daily life.”
Time in nature is not just a luxury; it’s a very important educational platform which every teacher and parent should embrace.
