Making Messages for the New Children

A Tradition at St. John's

Each September, the St. John's community welcomes a new cohort of children and their families to our school. In the spring prior, the new families are welcomed at the New Parent Reception (NPR), which includes a time of getting to know one another and a materials experience. At tonight's NPR, families will work with clay to make gifts for the children to use in the Outdoor Classroom's mud kitchen. The families will also receive a collection of welcome messages that the current children have made for them. In the Brown Room, we've been working diligently on these messages. 

Folding Paper and Making Messages

On the first day, the children worked with friends from the Tucker Room and made messages from folded paper. One technique that they learned was how to fold paper accordion-style, which was described by Bailee's sister CC as "like making steps." Siblings, Win and Maxon had a chance to work together during the shared experience. It provided an opportunity for Ramsey to work with his older sister Nora as well.
Nora: I can help you Ramsey. Do you want to accordion fold or roll? 
Ramsey: Accordion.  I made a monster.
As the children worked on their paper messages, they talked about welcoming the new children and what they knew about them:
​We’re making new messages for new Brown Room friends. -Mimi
 I know Christopher. He’s my neighbor. -Ford

Creating Plaster Collage Messages

After a day of paper messages,  the children had an opportunity to work with a material that they have really enjoyed this year: Plaster! First they had to don their dust masks and mix the plaster and then they were presented with a variety of tiny materials to create tiny plaster collage messages. 

---

Mimi made an observation, "It’s like milky.  Do we have to mix it? "
Seon looked at the plaster dust on her hands: "Because my hands is white, because this is all white."
Charlton touched some plaster that was drying and commented on its warmth observed, "It's like a grey desert." 

Fay carefully placed delicate silver circle on the surface of the plaster.

Fay observered the three small circles as they sat on the surface of the plaster and contemplated what to place next.

Little sparkles. I found a heart. I found another heart. -Seon

A plaster message made by Mimi.

Catching Up With Mystery Readers in the Brown Room 

For our last two mystery readers, we were thrilled to have Ford's Grammy and Grandpa and Ragnar's sister Dagny and mom Gillian visit the Brown Room. 

Portfolio Conferences Start Next Week!

If you haven't had a chance to sign up for a portfolio conference with your child, please take a moment to view the sign-up genius  for available slots. Thank you!