Preschooler Spring 2015

8/19/2019 Preschooler Spring 2015

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T he P r e s c h o o l e

Spring 2015

By Frannie Hochberg-Giuffrida Chair, Board o

As I put away my daughter’s winter clothes, I elt sad, nostalgic. I up my daughter’s avorite sweater—it is orange with a bright pink embroidered on the chest—and I realized that it will not t her nexwinter. I won’t see her wear it again, but I will remember her brightamidst winter’s bleak hues. I tried to cheer mysel . It’s good that thsweater will no longer t. With each day, each season, my daughtergrows and changes. Tis is the way it is supposed to be.

Like children, institutions grow and change. We should not becometoo com ortable in our routines and our habits, and should re-examthem to make sure that they still t and respond to our needs. Tisyear, it has been a privilege to work with Dr. Wise as she joined NCled the school with strength and wisdom, and reimagined the role oHead o School to best t the school’s and community’s needs. Dr. examined NCRC. She looked critically at what we do and how we She conrmed that NCRC remains relevant, that our practices t oumission, and that we are doing what we say we do. We are becominthe model preschool we aspire to be.

In the coming year, under the direction o incoming Board ChairSloane Menkes, the Board will begin a similar effort. NCRC is in tnal year o the Leading the Way Strategic Plan. Many o its goalbeen realized; others have not. In June, the Board will begin a stratrealignment process. Te Board will re-examine the plan and NCRCcurrent goals to determine i they still t. With input rom the comnity—present and past parents, aculty, neighbors, and other stakehers—the Board will evaluate where NCRC stands and in light o thinput establish NCRC’s strategic priorities or the coming years. T

will be an exciting process and the Board welcomes your thoughts.In the summer, my term as Chair o the Board will end. Although Ino longer occupy an official role at the school, like many o you ware moving on, I will remain engaged in the alumni community. NChas been an amazing resource or my amily and we have cherishetime here. I will remember these years with ondness and gratitude

Several long-time aculty members, iffany Williams, Maryann MGowan, Shona D’Cruz, Katie Rothwell, and Barbara McCoy share bittersweet eelings about moving on rom NCRC. Teir contributito NCRC have been pro ound and the Board and community greatappreciate their commitment to the school and the talents and joy ththey have shared with our amilies. Please join me in wishing themevery success and happiness in their next endeavors. I hope that thememories o NCRC are as joy ul and bright as are ours o them.

Growing, changing and saying go

Life lessons fromthe magicalhouse on the hill Dr. Valaida L. Wise, Head of School

In just a ew short weeks I will have nished my rst year at NCRC.Like a preschooler who has been called in rom recess on a lovelyspring day, I marvel at how quickly this good time has passed!

I consider mysel a li elong learner, so I was excited to embrace thenew experience as head o school at NCRC. I knew that I would learnsome new things about the nature o children, and undoubtedly aboutmysel , but I had no idea that what I would learn would change me insome undamental ways. Several months ago I wrote an article aboutthe things we could learn rom our youngest students – the Bunnies.Well, I’d like to revisit that thought because I’ve learned a ew valuableli e lessons in my rst year as the head o NCRC and I’d like to sharethem with you.

Lesson #1: Kindness is key (but when all else fails, try pizza)ake last summer, or instance, as I eagerly awaited the start o NCRC’s

summer camp programs, I looked out a window and saw the city truckarrive. And then I watched in near horror as city workers parked thetruck right in ront o NCRC. And then they started digging up theroad right in ront o the school. “REALLY?” I thought. “You needto do this here, now?” Tey had a job to do and we had carpool. Teyhad a timetable and we had carpool. Tis kind o situation warrantswhat my mother called a “southern remedy.” By that she meant ex-treme kindness and gentility. Afer some stiff negotiations it was timeto bring in the “equalizer”—pizzas or the workers. Ten, and onlythen, did we have a mutually benecial arrangement. Carpool con-tinued, water pipes were installed, the summer camp, as always, wentspectacularly well.

Lesson #2: Te early arriver secures the best parking space

Getting to work early not only means getting a good start on the myr-iad tasks involved in overseeing NCRC. More importantly, it meansgetting a good parking space. Te 43 aculty and staff members and Itake NCRC’s limited parking and neighborhood agreement into seri-ous consideration when contemplating our workday. It’s not uncom-mon to have someone jump up in the middle o a meeting and yell,“I’ve got to move my car.” Being able to time when a parking space willbecome available is an art orm but knowing where the best spaces arerequires skill. It’s a challenge. It’s a actor. It’s a part o li e at NCRC.

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By David Simon (Chase, AM Rainbow)Introducing the Dad’s Association!


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N C R C t h r o u g h t h e s e a s

o n s

Fify two months have passed since my wi e and I took on the roles o parent. So ar, weclaim success with the endeavor. Not because we eel that we have done everything rightbut because we know our children are happy, secure, curious, and only mildly mischievouAs a amily with both parents working outside o the home, and with most o our relativand close riends residing in exas, we have been lucky to build a village o wonder ul p

ple, here in DC, to support our efforts to raise well-rounded, caring, unny and intelligentindividuals. NCRC has played a major role in the success o our village. I’m sure most,

not all, who read this share that sentiment.Last week, our eldest, Harper, asked me or the rst time, i she could pump the gas whenstopped to ll the tank be ore heading to the grocery store. Tis question rom my 4 year sparked a number o thoughts about gender roles in our society and how they are adoptedby groups and by individuals. Tere I was, the “man o the house”, heading to the grocerystore as I normally do (my wi e is not a an o grocery shopping) and my daughter asks can pump gas. I am sure this scenario would jolt the sensibilities o many o my older

riends and southern contemporaries. O course, I allowed her to pump the gas afer a qututorial and we proceeded to our local Whole Foods to buy groceries or the week. It wasnot until I posted a picture, on Facebook, o my little lady pumping gas, and subsequentlyreading a ew o the comments that made me realize the gender roles that different peoplsubscribe to and how those assigned roles can alter the trajectory o your child’s li e.

Tere is a lot o research that suggests that gender role determination begins as early as preschool. Factors such as socioeconomic status,race, sexual orientation and amily makeup contribute how and why certain gender roles are adopted. We live in a society (at least oursinside the beltway) where policies and legislation about eliminating income inequality between men and women receive a lot o atten-tion. Depending on the election outcome in 2016, we could have the rst emale president o the United States – not a small matter inbreaking some gender stereotypes once and or all.

Tis act, and others o course, brings me pause when I nd mysel making decisions based on gender. As parents that are conscious othe role o gender in how we raise our children, we are learning that we should buy both, the Easy Bake Oven and the toy ool Box wiHard Hat or our boys and our girls. Afer all, who are we to determine who the next che and restaurateur, or petroleum engineer willbe?

Easybake ovens, hardhats and gender roles By Aaron Stallworth (Harper, AM S


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Afer a whirlwind, exhausting, three-day trip toDisney World last year, I started worrying aboutsabella’s ervent obsession with Disney Princesses. As mother o three older boys, having a daughter has

been a whole new adventure. Despite similar upbring-ngs, Isabella has gravitated to everything pink, rillynd eminine since she could begin making choices.

sabella has come to school many times clothed in aprincess dress and on many weekends she never takesoff Aurora, Rapunzel, Belle or Sophia. She loves prin-ess “action gures” and much to my dismay, adores

Barbies o all types especially naked Barbies. EnterDisney World. Te sensory overload is almost toomuch to bear or an adult much less an almost 4-yearold. Afer every ride, you are plopped right in the middle o a retail store burgeoning withDisney paraphernalia as ar as the eye can see. We’d leave the ride/store kicking and screaming,begging or another toy and afer another improbably long wait in line we do it all again, andYes, we had Fast Passes! (A must or any Disney adventure...).

Don’t get me wrong, Disney is a lot o un and I enjoyed seeing her delight at every turn but

upon departure, I was exhausted and exasperated wondering i I was doing something wrongueling her princess obsession. Shouldn’t she have stronger emale role models, not just thoseoncerned with hair and clothes and when the next prince is coming around the corner to save

her? And then afer a ew months and the ability to look back on the trip with ondness, I be-gan thinking that this is such a eeting time in her li e. Wouldn’t we all be a little better off i weould hold on to our imagination or just a little longer and take ourselves a little less seriously?

Tere is plenty o research about how gender rules and norms shape your uture and what par-nts can do to help oster a positive sel -image (see Aaron Stallworth’s piece on page 4).

With cartoons o every type available on any device 24 hours a day, the experts at common-ensemedia.org have great lists, tips and descriptions to help us navigate the many potentialole models or the preschool age group and some top summertime options to keep our little

ones occupied when in the car or relaxing at home. Grab some popcorn (or kale chips) and

mbrace the boundless creativity NCRC is instilling in our young ones. Enjoy this very specialnd short time in our children’s lives while they still want to snuggle on ours laps and watch agood show or movie. (And i you are otherwise occupied, no guilt – you can have the con-dence they are watching or playing something meaning ul or just plain having un).

Princess Overload

Piecing together the whole picture

Every member o our community isintegral part o NCRC as a whole - are the individual pieces that suppothe bigger picture. And every piece

needed.

Te Annual Fund allows NCRC tocontinue providing the many thingthat make NCRC special to you anyour amily, the things that comple

our school.

Te time is now. I you have not yedonated, it’s not too late! Donations cbe made through the NCRC website

in person in the NCRC office.

Tank you to everyone whosupported the Annual Fund this yeaYou are helped make wonder ul thi

happen.

If you have any questions, please feel free totact the Annual Fund chairs, or raci Grigg

Carolina Herrera in the Advancement Offi

By Kristin Solheim (Isabella, AM Sunshine)


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Thank you to NCRC’s behind the scene’s superstar! A tribute to Maryann McGowan

Maryann McGowan, our trusted and unappable Business Manager, will be retiring at the end o the summer afer almost 30years at NCRC. Maryann’s introduction to NCRC began in the all o 1986 as a temporary employee. She returned six monthlater working in various administrative and classroom support positions. In 1999, Head o School Susan Piggott offered herthe Business Manager position, the responsibilities o which she has always handled with assurance, grace, diplomacy, and asense o humor. Her depth o knowledge and even-handedness has served her – and NCRC – well as she manages the school’

nances and day to day operations. As many people in the community will tell you, when in doubt, the best course o actionis to ask Maryann or she has not only been a dedicated employee through the years, but also a NCRC parent. She has been anintegral part o the teams that set school policies, procedures and plans, as well as serving as an ex-officio member o the Boao rustees Finance Committee. Maryann will be missed every day in both small and large ways. While Maryann decides whanext, she plans to enjoy time with her children and grandchildren and riends. We wish her well!

When I rst came to NCRC in 1998, Maryann had been at the schoolor a long time, so I asked her to help me get my bearings. She knew

absolutely EVERY HING about NCRC - its history, the people whocreated the magic, the playground equipment - when it was installedand when it needed to be replaced, where we kept the bandages, howo properly clean the toys, how to keep cats out o the sandboxes, how

we raised money, how we took care o our money, how to remove

ead paint sa ely, how to prepare healthy snacks, how to run carpoolefficiently, how to help kids get into their next school. You name it andMaryann knew where it was and how to make it work. Regardless ohe act that she didn't have CFO experience, I asked her immediately i

she would consider taking on a much bigger role as the Business Man-ager, and she agreed. From that moment, she became my right hand -we made every big decision together and she was the one I called when

need really good advice.

What I loved the most about Maryann was that she made (and taughtme to make) every decision with the mission in mind. We didn'tdo anything unless it was the best thing or the children. When shecreated the new budget each year, she began with the mission and whatwe needed to do or the kids, and we worked rom there. I was alwaysproud o the act that Maryann's budgets reected the core values ohe school. And we had un. We shared every snow day decision. We

shared a dog. We shared difficult situations (she knows what they are)and ound our way through them, keeping everyone's dignity intact.We even put our own children to work at the school, in a pinch.

Maryann has been the constant through a number o school Heads.t is hard to imagine NCRC without her. Val, you'd better schedule a

number o brain-picking sessions with Maryann be ore she gets away.Maryann McGowan has worked harder over the years than anyone.She leaves an incredible legacy at NCRC. She deserves a break, and Iwish her a abulous retirement.

Susan Piggott, NCRC Head of School 1998-2008

Maryann is one o the people at NCRC that makes me very happy every I am here. I have known her or 26 years and I taught her son Christophwho continues to be a wonder ul young man. He was a very bright and

unny boy who was in my small group during his year as an Explorer.

Maryann has been a true riend or many years and I consider her one othe hardest working individuals I know. She is always up, humorous, andso help ul in every way possible, personally and pro essionally. We havmuch in common, including our age and many li e experiences. Shar-ing our grand-parenting experiences is so un and grati ying. We sharemany Grandma stories and photos. She has three bright and beauti ulgranddaughters who ll her li e with joy, to say nothing o her own threechildren! Family is a huge priority to Maryann. We have shared our losseo amily and riends. It is very com orting to be able to honestly comnicate about such issues. I have total trust in Maryann and I will miss herbeyond what words can express.

I wish her the best and want to know what the uture brings to her and heloved ones. I know they will be a major part o the picture o her choicesand decisions concerning ,"what , where and when". I love Maryann andwant nothing but ulllment and happiness in her next adventures.

Cathy Parker, NCRC Faculty


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It is so hard to put into words what awonder ul colleague and riend Maryannhas been or me the past 10+ years. Inaddition to her thirty years o institutionalknowledge she brings to us her unappableproblem solving skills. She has the abilityto remain calm and ocused until the goalis achieved. Te goals have covered a broadspectrum o accomplishments. Some othe bigger ones include the constructionproject, technology upgrades and manycompliance related issues. She has helpedme grow pro essionally and personally. Ibelieve I am a better person because o hermentoring and riendship over the pastdecade. I will miss her deeply.

Jan Austin, NCRC Faculty

Maryann was loyal to NCRC and always put the school rst. She is unappable, exible, and hard-working. She could shif gears on a dime. Shecould handle preparing or tree removal, leaky toilets, a change in health insurance plans, and network sna us all in the same day.

We ofen spoke at 5:30 in the morning when we were making decisions about weather closings. You could hear her smile and sense her good-na-ture right through the phone line. Maryann's maturity and work ethic made her a natural leader. I learned rom her each and every day.

Her close colleagues knew that she also had a wicked sense o humor. We laughed together many, many times. She was well-read and tuned-in tothe world. She could converse about anything and I enjoyed talk o everything rom being a grandparent, to current politics, to our avorite recipesEvery trip to the third oor to see her each day was both a com ort and a joy. I counted on Maryann or support, encouragement, and thought ulopinion. She handled the school nances with diligence, prudence, and vision. You could trust Maryann with anything.

NCRC will miss her greatly. I sure do, both as a colleague and as a riend! Liz Barclay, NCRC Head of School 2008-2014

So, no more "the phones are down!, the Internet is out! the toilets aren'tushing! well, what about the key obs?!, and 10:30 3rd oor meetings"!

Tank you, Maryann or welcoming me to NCRC with open arms! Yourguidance, support, and consistent mentoring has been amazing, it hasbeen a true pleasure working with you. You will be GREA LY missed!!

Carolyn Dogum, NCRC Faculty

Maryann,

It has been a pleasure working with you or these many years. I have mired your pro essionalism, knowledge and dedication to the schooland children. Tank you or your kind riendship.

Best o luck. Jeff Manchester, NCRC Faculty

I've known Maryann or feen years, gone to France with her with the other NCRC aculty, and spent many a night playing scrabble with her withthe Scrabble Buddies. She is one o the most centered, unappable people I have ever known. She is a "can do" person who meets any challenge heon, calmly, positively, and with a smile. She has a wonder ul mind and can really think through situations. She doesn't overreact or jump to conclu-sions about things or people. It is a great strength o hers. Warm and unselsh, she is caring, empathetic, and thought ul, with not only her riends,but everyone. She gives everyone the "benet o the doubt." I love this about her. I go to Maryann or good advice and problem solving, and I playwith her because she is so humorous and lighthearted. Wise and measured, she is never impatient and never short. Maryann always has time toshare a smile and ask how you are doing. What a genuine lovely person. When I think o Maryann, I smile! Barbara McCoy, NCRC Faculty

Maryann is the silent unsung hero o NCRC. Her dedication over three decades is evident in hNCRC has ourished and grown under her management. She is never ully away rom work. puts in countless more hours be ore and afer work as well as the weekends. Maryann does whatever it takes to get the job done, whether it be by getting grubby by cleaning out a shed, drivingmiles to shred documents as she is a dedicated Planetpal, attending non-stop meetings, workingon the school’s nances, or managing the upkeep o our building and grounds.

Over the years, Maryann has made many tough decisions afer care ully weighing the options ahas always done so with the best o intentions or NCRC. She has a tough job and does it withgrace and dignity.

Maryann and I were the original Earthgirls near 17 years ago. She would personally gather allo NCRC's recycling and drop i off at a recycling center. Over the years, her commitment to thenvironment is ever present as she strives to meet the goals o NCRC’s Sustainability mission.

I am blessed to have Maryann as a riend. What she does or NCRC she also brings to her riships: dedication, commitment, loyalty, kindness and love.

Maryann is one very special individual who will be gravely missed at NCRC. I wish my dearriend all the best in her new adventure.

Marian Brice, NCRC Faculty

Tere is no part o this institution that Mary-ann has not touched, rom the classroom tothe business office. She has been an integrapart o the school and in so many wayspersonies its spirit. For many o us, she isthe very oundation o NCRC. Maryann c

requently be heard reminding us to be “msion ocused,” reminding us that the missio

o the school is its mighty oak. Well, i themission is the school’s oak, then it wouldhave to be said that Maryann has been itsheartwood. Maryann is the living embodi-ment o NCRC’s mission and as we continuto live it every day, we will think o her.

Dr. Val Wise, NCRC Head of School


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Te Preschooler relies on the ideas, writing and editing talents of the NCRC community. If you are interested in contributing or joining the editorial teamnext year please contact [email protected]

Tank you for a fun two years! Kristin Solheim and Kate Josephs, Preschooler Editors

Nancy Meakem, PA Chair | Kate (Treetop) and Ben (Bunny)

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JO I N T H E P R E SC H O O LE R T E A M !

Life lessons from the magical house on the hillLesson #3: Practice makes perfect (but when in doubt just ask Joan)I’ve always known that I’m a bit directionally challenged; I’m addicted to the GPS on my cellphone as a result. So, I’m not ashamed to admithat in the early days at NCRC I almost resorted to using it to nd my way around our unique building with its hidden stairwells and passag-es. Tere were times when I would set off or the kitchen and nd mysel in the motor room. Tere is a abled secret stairway I still haven’t

ound—you’ll probably need to send out a search and rescue team i I do! Luckily, Joan, our clever NCRC receptionist, is a closet teacher oadults with hidden deciencies.

Lesson #4: Once NCRC always NCRC Everyone seemingly knows someone who knows someone who went to NCRC, maybe it’s the woman I’ve met in the dairy aisle o the su-permarket whose niece graduated rom NCRC, or the 80+-year-old man I met recently who was so proud to tell me that his brother attend-ed—and swore to me that he would nd the picture to prove it. Tey all loved being a part o this magical house on the hill. Tey have ondmemories o their reetop years, or still vacation with amilies they’ve met while their children attended NCRC. People continuously tell mthat NCRC is a great institution. And I’m continuously proud and honored to be considered a part o it.

At the end o the day, the most important lesson I’ve learned and the most power ul by ar is that the capacity to love is innite. I should knobecause I’ve allen in love with all 146 amilies here at NCRC.

Tank you to the NCRC aculty or making my rst year such an incredible experience and thank you to the NCRC amilies or your warmacceptance and support. And, nally, thank you to the children o NCRC— you are my joy and delight and help me remember that the world

is a beauti ul place, indeed.

As the school year draws to a close, I am reminded o the terric experiences our community has shared together and I am heartened by how muchour children have ourished.

When I look at my kids today, it is hard to believe how nervous they were on the rst day o school. Back in August my daughter Kate was excited tsee her riends but anxious and uncom ortable in the dress I made her wear. My son Ben was thrilled to don his big kid backpack but apprehensiveabout changing his routines. I remember seeing Val at the door with big smiles and big hugs or parents and children. Val gave my kids a high ve (a

riendly and adept accommodation that evolved into a proper hand-shake) and welcomed them warmly. Inside, my husband and I were thrilled tosee how quickly our children ell in love with their teachers and riends.

As the year progressed, our kids’ love affair with NCRC continued. In their classrooms and on the playground they explored the poles o the earth,the essential elements o a story and the li e cycle o butteries, all through play. Our kids also learned to be kind, caring and inclusive members oour community. Tey navigated complex social interactions and countless bumps and bruises, all with the support o devoted aculty and staff, andan amazing community.

As parents, we all contributed to the strength o this community. We raked hay on Family Work Day or painted aces or the Pumpkin Party. Webrought in snacks or the Winter Celebration and the Staff Appreciation luncheon or we organized details or the Pajama Picnic. We documentedour year in photos, wrote articles or publication and organized workshops. We collected bottle tops, made play dough and asked our kids to tell usmore about their day.

Some parents spent countless hours organizing our uition Assistance Auction while others raised their paddle to make a contribution in support.Room parents coordinated class events and shared in ormation with amilies all year long. But regardless o how large or small our involvement habeen we have all helped make NCRC a special community.

We are truly grate ul to all Parent Association volunteers, as well as to the NCRC aculty and staff. Your talent, time and energy help to make NCRCthe joy ul, inclusive and supportive environment that we all hold so dear. Please stay tuned or more in ormation on how to get involved with theParent Association next year. And thank you again!

High ves and handshakes!

Preschooler Spring 2015

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