Dear Neighborhood School Families,

Recently, a parent asked what our staff does on TNS half-days.  During these afternoons, we participate in something called descriptive reviews.  Especially now, in this time of high stakes testing, accountability and enforced standardization, we must ensure that education starts and builds from the strengths of children and teachers and values human capacity; descriptive reviews do just that.  The descriptive process begins with immersion – observing a child or space or activity.  It has a focus or focusing question that the presenting teacher or administrator work out thoughtfully ahead of time and that gives the participants a sense of how to listen and respond to the review. The process is always collaborative. It has rules and roles necessary for making the inquiry process democratic and inclusive, and for guaranteeing respect and privacy for the individuals involved.  A review typically takes about two hours.  Descriptive reviews are a powerful way of opening up one’s practice and learning from each other.  We have devoted all of our TNS PD half-days to this work.   

Mark Your Calendars:

• Parent’s of Unique Kids Support Group meets Tuesday morning at drop-off in Room 301. 

• The Wellness Committee will meet on Tuesday at drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• The TNS Book Fair will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 - 10AM & 2 - 4PM and Sunday during the Holiday Fair.  

• SLT meets Thursday at 8 a.m. in Room 301.  See agenda:

1. Reconfiguration of grade bands to Pre-K, K/1, 2/3 and 4/5 (Dyanthe will present the thinking behind reconfiguring from a numbers perspective).

2. Share what has been learned from the Dutch educators visiting our school with parents.

3. Examine the parent responses to the DOE survey.

4. How we as a school can make the middle school process better for families.

• The Advocacy Committee will meet Friday at drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• The Holiday Fair is Sunday, December 10th from 11AM - 5PM.  Please look out for opportunities to volunteer... to set up, work a booth the day of, or clean-up.  This is a wonderful community event for the whole family and friends.  I hope to see you all there.

Thank you to the teachers and families who organized and partook in the TNS Upstander Fest this past Saturday.  I think that all participants found meaning and joy in the day! 

Have a wonderful week,

Dyanthe

Dear Neighborhood School Families,

One of our biggest fundraisers of the year, the Holiday Fair is quickly approaching; it is an event for the whole family (and it makes a great playdate).  There are many ways to participate in this event and support our school.  Please look out for opportunities to volunteer... to set up, work a booth the day of, or clean-up.  I hope you will join the fun and support our many PTA funded projects including our arts programs, camp for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and teaching assistants in our early childhood classrooms, just to name a few!  The Holiday Fair is Sunday, December 10th from 11AM - 5PM.

Mark Your Calendars:

• The Museum of Impact training for volunteers is Monday at 8:35AM in the PTA Room.  

• SING is Wednesday at 8:45AM in the auditorium.  Please also join us for the bake sale in the lobby beforehand (also, this is a call for donated baked goods).

• Friday is a half-day.  Dismissal is at 11:45AM.  

• Friday is the deadline for submitting Middle School Applications to Noemi.  

• The Museum of Impact is Saturday, December 2 from 1 - 4PM.  The Museum of Impact creates immersive experiential voyages into the heart of social movements; Visitors participate with all senses and leave their own mark.  Installations and accompanying art offers a multiplicity of avenues allowing for individual and collective reactions, and help participants adopt concrete ideas for effecting change.  Please join us and bring your friends!

Have a wonderful week,

Dyanthe