Christ Church School: Blog Posts

CCS is Expanding!

Betsy Delaney

Thank you for another wonderful year of working with your children. I am excited to share that we have just celebrated our 7th year of educating children at Christ Church School.

When I look back over the past 7 years, I think of how blessed we've been as a school. The commitment of our families, our teachers, and our affiliation with Christ Church of the Ascension has helped us grow and become the wonderful school we call CCS. It is because of the love, loyalty, and desire to keep their children at Christ Church School expressed to me by parents that we are now embarking on a new venture--an expansion to include First through Fourth Grade. We will be growing a grade each year with First Grade beginning in 2010-2011.

This growth means positive change for our campus. Beginning in the Fall we will have advanced curriculum, a computer lab, new programs to promote early literacy and a new artist-in-residence Fine Arts Program. As always, we will continue to keep our class sizes small and our teacher: student ratios low.

I can't help but be humbled by the blessings and the new work God has put before us. I hope that you will share the good news of our expansion with your friends and family in the community and encourage them to consider CCS for their children's educational needs. I'd also like to extend a personal invitation to those interested to call me at the school office for a tour and/or an introduction to our new First Grade teacher, Mrs. Lynne Shearer.

I hope this summer break will be a time of renewal for you and your families. I will look forward to seeing you all in the Fall.

Betsy Delaney

'Tis the Season

Betsy Delaney

Surrounded by daily reminders of the approaching Christmas season, it is easy to get caught up in the exciting, yet stressful, chaos of gift giving, Santa Claus and family reunions. It is easy for us to forget that this is to be a time of peace and joy. What all of us don't need is more things to put on our "To Do" List but try to focus some time and attention to activities that bring your family together for a few minutes of peace and love during the bustle of the weeks ahead, moments in which we can remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Since your calendar is often full, it is a challenge for your child to patiently wait for Christmas to come. Sesame Street has published a book on this subject entitled, "I Can't Wait." Make a special calendar with your young child thinking of something nice they can do or help with each day. As each task is completed, have your child add a sticker to their calendar. We are all preparing for a very special day and this visual reminder can help your child see the calendar progress toward December 25th.

Gift giving can always be stressful. Often children are overwhelmed by too many gifts, things which may break quickly or were purchased only because a child saw it on TV and had to have it. And many parents feel the need to overextend on their budget during this time of the year. This year, look for gifts that will keep on giving. Why not buy some gently-used clothes at a thrift store for your child to use as dress-up clothes? A pair of Dad's old shoes and a toy cell phone makes every boy look just like his Dad on his way to work. Use your imagination and put together a box of craft materials including crayons, markers, stickers, maybe even some glitter glue. Now you are all set to make a Valentine's Day card for Grandma. When my girls were little, they loved to play "school." No surprise since their mother was a teacher. I gave them a set of old books, some paper, a small American flag and some red pens. From that day forward all of our stuffed animals had to sit quietly in a row and listen to the "teacher."

If you have moments of utter chaos in your home (and there are many moments like this prior to Christmas) take time out to do something special with your child. Try one of these ideas each day to help you make it through the last hectic days leading up to Christmas with a little peace and joy:

Play Christmas music and dance around.
Read a favorite Christmas book together.
Make an ornament for your tree.
Clean out your closet (more room for new toys) and bring gently-used items to school to share with the Sudanese children.
Visit a mall with great decorations for "window shopping."
Invite neighbors over for hot chocolate and show off your tree.
Take an evening walk or drive and look at the lights.
Put food out for the birds.
Make Christmas cookies and share them with a neighbor.
Make a Christmas card for a special friend.
Watch a Christmas DVD.
Make reindeer food (oatmeal with glitter) to sprinkle on your lawn on Christmas Eve.
Read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20.
Make a birthday cake for the birth of the baby Jesus.
Have a very Merry Christmas!

What is "Developmentally Appropriate Practice"?

Betsy Delaney

You probably have noticed that our classrooms have a lot of noisy bustle. Children are moving, talking, playing, and exploring. Research and experience tell us that to be effective with young children, teaching practices need to be “developmentally appropriate.” What this means is simply that educators need to think first about what young children are like and then create an environment and experiences that are in tune with children’s characteristics.

Children ages 2-6 learn best through direct interactive experiences. They learn extraordinary amounts through play and exploration. The younger children are, the greater the need to place emphasis on items that are relevant and interesting to them at the moment, not in the context of some future learning. A developmentally appropriate program involves active learning. It takes advantage of a child’s natural desire to move and touch. Young children love to manipulate items and explore new ideas. They enjoy the opportunity to see how things work and to test their own theories.

We have organized our classroom environments to promote active learning, and we do lots of things to encourage children to think and talk about their discoveries and creations. We thank you for sharing your precious children with us, and we welcome you to a community that will take advantage of your child’s natural motivations, abilities and interests to promote active learning that is developmentally appropriate.

Class Size: Does it make a Difference?

Betsy Delaney

As reported by school administrators and the media, economic conditions and budget cuts for 2009-2010 will lead to larger class sizes in many public schools. Many Arizona Kindergarten teachers are facing a class size of between 28 and 36 students. This development leads to cost savings as larger classes mean fewer teacher salaries, reduced material costs, diminished building maintenance costs, etc. The latest numbers, as published by the Goldwater Institute, show the per-pupil funding in Arizona is more than $9,500 per year. However Project Star, a five year study conducted by Tennessee State University, found that for grades K-3 students in smaller classes had statistically significant advantages over students in regular classes. The research showed that small classes promote higher test scores.

As the surge in class size continues, many parents feel the education system is failing their children. One of the most commonly named culprits in the decline of the American education system is class size. Too many students for too few teachers, it is claimed, creates an environment that can better be called “day-care” than education. It seems logical that smaller class sizes would allow for greater individual attention by the teacher. Smaller classes lead to deeper, more meaningful learning experiences and higher student achievement.

What do the experts say? The US Department of Education strongly advocates small class size. “A growing body of research demonstrates that students attending small classes in the early grades make more rapid educational progress than students in larger classes, and that these achievement gains persist well after students move on to larger classes in later grades.” Statements from the National Education Association echo this position. “Teachers with small classes spend more time and energy helping each child find success. Smaller classes enhance safety, discipline, and order in the classroom.”

The Star Project revealed that the positive effect from small classes in K-3 remained significant two full years after students returned to regular-size classes.

Christ Church School offers a strong alternative. Our low student-teacher ratios help to create a community in each classroom that nurtures individual students while helping them to succeed and develop a strong sense of self. It is our goal to help each child grow and develop in a small caring environment where the emphasis is on both social and academic learning. Class size does make a difference and Christ Church School is committed to low student-teacher ratios that assist in providing a positive and meaningful educational experience for our students.

The Importance of Family Rituals

Betsy Delaney

Who sent the first valentine card? One story dates back to 270 A.D. with the legend of a young Roman priest, named Valentine, who was condemned to death for defying the laws of the Emperor Claudius and performing Christian marriage ceremonies. While in prison, Valentine would send special letters to his love signed, “From your Valentine.”

Although the true story behind the sharing of valentine cards remains a mystery, it is no secret how children all over the world enjoy the ritual of sharing special cards with their friends on February 14^th.

Whether exchanging valentine cards, always having a cake on your birthday or even having the same ritual each night at bedtime, family rituals can enhance a preschooler’s identify, provide consistency and connect generations in an enduring bond. According to Dr. Martin Cohen, director of the Marital and Family Therapy Clinic at New York Medical Center, “Children find a certain security and solace in something that gives a sense of belonging and comfort. Kids find rituals fascinating--artistically, spiritually and emotionally.”

Rituals and traditions give birth to our family histories. As parents, we are role models. Our children imitate our actions, beliefs and thoughts. When we recall happy times with our families or re-create an experience we shared with our parents, it teaches our children to appreciate life’s simple times and look for those special moments in their own lives. Repetition is an important way of learning for young children. Rituals re-create an action or message in the mind of your child over and over again. Children love repetition; it creates a sense of security in their lives. To feel secure, a child needs to feel that his or her world is predictable. Rituals help our children feel safe, giving them a greater sense of self-confidence.

What special family rituals does your family enjoy? You can start by making some heart-shaped valentine cards together. Even with our hectic schedules, I encourage you share some special rituals with your children while building happy memories that will last a long time.

Recipe for a Low-Stress Holiday Season

Betsy Delaney

Try this recipe from Parents Anonymous of Arizona to help make your holidays merry and bright.

1 Cup HUMOR

You’re not going to have the perfect holiday - so stop trying and enjoy. When things go wrong—LAUGH!

1 Cup FRUGALITY

Be realistic, stay within your budget.

1 Cup COURAGE

Know when and how to say NO.

2 Cups CREATIVITY

Discover new and inexpensive ways to celebrate the holidays.

½ Cup SIMPLICITY

Keep preparations and activities simple.

1½ cups PATIENCE

Go with the flow, you don’t have to control everything.

½ Cup PLANNING

Plan ahead for needs of children, so they don’t get worn out and irritable.

Dash of SELF-LOVE

Do something just for YOU!

1 tsp. CHILD LIKENESS

Be a kid again! Enjoy your children; have FUN together.

½ CUP RELAXATION

Take time for yourself.

½ Cup LAZINESS

When you’ve had it, put your feet up.

1 Cup GRATITUDE

Be thankful for all you have.

Mix with 3 Cups of JOY and have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!

It Takes A Village . . .

Betsy Delaney

This ancient African proverb made famous by Hillary Clinton, that it takes a village to raise a child, reminds us that no family is an island. Throughout the lives of our children there are people, both young and old, who make a difference for them. It might be their favorite playmate who always greets them with a hug, it might be the caring nanny who is the best surrogate mom for your child or it might be the adoring grandparents who love you and your child no matter what phase you may be going through.

During this time of the year, as Thanksgiving nears, society slows down as we remember our blessings. What are the blessings in your life? In the life of your child?

My teenage daughter, Jessica, baby-sat quite a bit during her high school years. During one holiday season, she received a talking picture frame from a set of twins that she spent many Saturday nights with. She adores that frame and the loving words the twins put on the recorded message—so much so that she took the frame with her to college and many in her dorm have heard and learned about the precious twins whom she refers to as “my girls.” It meant a great deal to her that this family took time to remember her and let her know they appreciated what she had done for their twins.

Take time this month to slow down and count your blessings. Help your child to do the same.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

· Make a card for grandma to let her know how special she is.

· Start a thankfulness tree: every time you think of a blessing, write it on a leaf and add it to the tree.

· Make some yummy cookies for your favorite nanny or babysitter.

· With your child in tow, participate in one of the food drives or frozen turkey collections at your local grocery store.

· Start a new tradition: make two pumpkin pies and take one to a nearby neighbor.

Verna M. Kelly said, “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things but just look what they can do when they stick together.” We are all fragile human beings but who helps us to keep it all together? Who sticks with us so we can navigate through life a little easier? Take some time this month to remember those people. Count your many blessings. You have precious young children in your home who adore you unconditionally: that is truly a blessing for anyone.

What's In Your Lunchbox?

Betsy Delaney

A healthy lunch provides children with energy and nutrients they need to grow and learn and play at school. But many parents are finding that providing a nutritious lunch, which their child will eat, is not always easy.

Have you seen the new television commercial produced by Boar’s Head Meat where moms are staging a protest to “Take Back Lunch?” In these busy times with all the prepared foods to pick from, how can we take back lunch?

First of all, we should assess if the items we provide for our children are indeed healthy. To help you determine if your selections “pass the test,” go to www.parents.com/parents/quiz.jsp?quizId=/templatedata/hk/quiz/data/51.xml and take the healthy lunchbox quiz for parents.

A healthy lunch should include:

Vegetables and Fruits (try baby carrots or zucchini strips served with dip; dried fruits)
Grain Products (for example, make their favorite sandwich using whole grain bread)
Milk and Cheese (try different types of yogurt and cheeses)
Meats and Proteins (try poultry, sunflower seeds or hard-boiled eggs)

The Great Schools Staff at www.greatschools.net offers the following suggestions to help you come up with enticing ideas to pique your child’s interest in eating a healthful lunch.

1. Bring your child with you when you go grocery shopping so he can pick out foods he likes to eat. Read labels together so he can see what makes one food better for him than another.

2. Keep a variety of foods on hand so you’re not packing the same lunch every day.

3. Thermoses help to add variety with hot and cold foods such as chili, soups or smoothies. A cold pack can help keep yogurt appetizing - and safe from bacteria.

4. Encourage your child to choose 1 percent or 2 percent milk, even if it is chocolate. Milk is always a better choice than juice because most fruit drinks contain very little actual fruit juice.

5. Vary bread offerings. Include sliced whole wheat bread, raisin bread, pitas, dinner rolls, tortillas or bagels.

6. Provide different shaped pastas. Although macaroni is a perennial favorite, other shapes including snowmen, bunnies and letters are also available. Offer with mild sauces or as a salad with olive oil, cubed meat and Parmesan cheese.

7. It doesn’t have to be a sandwich. Kids love dips. Try hummus or a cream cheese dip and veggies, or bean dip with toasted pita chips or bagel chips.

8. Make a roll-up. Try spreading cream cheese and dates and/or raisins on lavash bread and roll it up. Shredded carrots and cucumbers or additional veggies can also be used instead of raisins.

What if you have done your best and your child still doesn’t eat the healthy lunch you packed? Don’t despair. Dietitians say it’s important to focus on what your child eats throughout an entire day. With your help, CCS provides a healthy snack to each child everyday to help their school morning run smoothly. With the addition of a healthy breakfast and a balanced dinner, your child should receive plenty of nutrients.

Just Playing

Betsy Delaney

This month I wanted to share with you a poem written by Anita Wadley of Edmond, Oklahoma.

When I am building in the blocks, please don't say I'm "just playing."

For you see, I'm learning as I play, about balance and shapes.

Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,

Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint, or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,

Please don't let me hear you say, "He is just playing."

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm expressing myself and being creative.

I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,

Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing."

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice things I find,

Don't pass it off as "just play."

For you see, I learning as I play.

I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some plaything at my school,

Please don't feel this time is wasted in play.

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in businesss someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,

Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "just play."

I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.

I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,

Please don't say I'm "just playing."

For you see, I 'm learing as I play.

I'm learning how my body works.

I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today and I say, "I just played."

Please don't misunderstand me.

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.

I'm preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.

The Five Parenting Mistakes Most Loving Parents Make

Betsy Delaney

All parents want to do the best they can for their children. We take parenting classes, we read books on parenting, siblings, and birth order, and we talk with experienced mothers. Although every parent wants to do what's best for his/her child, new research is showing that what you don't do is just as important, says psychologist James Windell, author of Children Who Say No When You Want Them to Say Yes. Why? "If parents protect or help their kids too much, they can interfere with the progress of important developmental skills," says Windell.

Here are five areas loving parents need to avoid:

1. Answering all your child's questions too quickly.

One of the most important roles parents have is to teach their children about the world. So when your child asks, a parent's impulse will be to simply answer the question. If you're busy or out and about with your kids, you should answer their questions. But if the question is asked at home, give your child some time to try and figure out the answer. This builds a sense of compentency and stimulates intellectual curiosity and creativity.

2. Letting your child give up when he's discouraged.

Quitting before giving something a fair shot keeps children from experiencing the feeling of satisfaction that comes from mastering a difficult situation. This will enable your child to grow into a self-confident adult willing to face challenges. Practice makes perfect so help your child to practice things that are difficult rather than allowing them to say, "I can't or It's too hard."

3. Giving too much praise.

Many parents praise every effort or every piece of work that their child produces. While giving your child compliments will boost self-esteem, giving too much indiscriminate praise can do just the opposite. If you praise everything a child does, they stop believing you and wonder why you feel the need to exaggerate. Instead, comment on something specific that catches your eye, such as the bright colors in a piece of art. This will mean more and be a real ego boost.

4. Being aware of when to step in--and when not to.

Resist the temptation to protect your child from being upset. Life isn't always easy and we don't always get what we want. Children need to know that there are consequences attached to their actions or they'll be less inclined to do the right thing. Learning to wait for a turn or share a toy are lifelong skills every child needs to experience.

5. Protecting your child when she doesn't need it.

Of course, every parent want to protect their child from real dangers. However, you don't want to discourage our child from learning and growing so allow your child to take risks in a safe environment. Allowing a child to try new skills, even if they don't perform it perfectly the first time, allows them to become more confident in themselves and their abilities.

Will You Be My Friend?

Betsy Delaney

February 14 is Valentine's Day. What do friends mean to a preschooler? Children today are beginning earlier in social situations, and they are spending more time with peers. Recent studies have found that some friendships formed in the early years of childhood are second only to family relationships in importance. From such findings comes a heightened awareness of the social and emotional importance of friendships in the early years.

Enrollment in an early childhood program offers children social experiences that might not be available to them in relationships with adults or siblings. With many friends her own age, a child encounters lots of opportunities to negotiate and compromise. Children are encouraged to express their opinions and ideas, as well as to respect others.

Interacting with peers and feeling their acceptance can have long-term effects on a child's life. Preschoolers develop social competence in three areas: initiating interactions, maintaining ongoing relationships, and solving conflicts with other children.

While some children easily join a group at play, others have difficulty. As adults, we can help young children learn social strategies for entering groups or for talking to other children about what they want by modeling appropriate and effective language that will encourage acceptance rather than rejection by a peer. Saying, "I want to play. I'll be the sister. OK?" works better than, "Hey, let me do that!" Helping your young child to interpret the signals other children send will also help them develop social competency. For example, "When a child smiles at you, she might want to play with you and be your friend."

We need not be too concerned when children frequently change best friends. A friendship may last only for an afternoon of play. Celebrate friendships in all their permutations and combinations. If your child doesn't have a best friend, don't worry. Your child may prefer a small group or large group or even an entire class. However, if your child feels the need for a special friendship at school, he/she may benefit from one-on-one time with one of the other children outside of the early childhood setting. Playing together a few times outside of school often gives two children a level of comfort with each other that carries over to their time at school.

'Tis the Season

Betsy Delaney

Play Christmas music and dance around.
Read a favorite Christmas book together.
Make an ornament for your tree.
Clean out your closet (more room for new toys) and bring gently-used items to school to share with the Sudanese children.
Visit a mall with great decorations for "window shopping."
Invite neighbors over for hot chocolate and show off your tree.
Take an evening walk or drive and look at the lights.
Put food out for the birds.
Make Christmas cookies and share them with a neighbor.
Make a Christmas card for a special friend.
Watch a Christmas DVD.
Make reindeer food (oatmeal with glitter) to sprinkle on your lawn on Christmas Eve.
Read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20.
Make a birthday cake for the birth of the baby Jesus.
Have a very Merry Christmas!

The Power of Play

Betsy Delaney

Have you ever heard someone remark about a preschool program, “All the children do is play”? In good early childhood programs there is a lot of play—and there should be!

Years of research on children’s learning and development document the many benefits of play for children’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical and language development. Children at play are actively involved in creating themes, exploring and establishing environments, solving problems, and developing shared understandings.

Children play in many ways. They play independently, sometimes near each other but with each child engrossed in their own activity. They engage in what is called parallel play, perhaps each using each others’ toys or even talking, but not coordinating their play. They also play cooperatively, organizing roles and scenarios for group play. As they get older, children are capable of more cooperative, coordinated play. All kinds of play are valuable.

As children play with each other, they learn to see another child’s point of view, and they become more empathetic and caring. They come to understand customs and rules in their own culture and to appreciate those of others. They learn to use language in new ways as they describe their play and interact with others. In play, children are active and can develop their muscles and coordination.

As a parent, you can support your child’s play by providing space, opportunities, and materials. Set up areas where your child can play without fear of damaging furniture of injuring themselves. Make sure your child has time to choose and become engaged in their own play activities. And provide your child with simple, interesting materials.

Play is the most important activity in the lives of young children. It is serious business that can pay big dividends for any child.

What is “Developmentally Appropriate Practice?”

Betsy Delaney