Contra Dance Sunday, Straw

Dear Families,

Thank you for patience, tolerance, and presence on Wednesday. The delayed photo shoot was not an ideal end to a nursery week.

It can be difficult for children to come back on a Monday after a 4 day break (some schools try a Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3 day nursery for this reason, but I've heard from teachers who have switched away from that schedule because it was too hard for some children to get into a rhythm), and I wonder if having the photo delay at the end might make it harder on Monday.

With this in mind, I invite you to come say hello on Sunday at a family contra dance at the Deer Lagoon Grange on Bayview Road. The dance takes place from 3 to 6pm and welcomes dancers of all ages. The caller does an excellent job of bringing in some dances appropriate for very young children; other dances will be for older children and adults. While I will be busy playing fiddle with the Swinging Nettles during the dance, it might be a chance to ease back into the school week. There is no admission fee (we are taking donations to pay for the caller and the hall), so you could feel free to come for 15 to 30 minutes for a dance set or two.

Long before the tears at photo time on Wednesday, many nursery children had a great time moving straw leftover from Michaelmas and Sukkat about. Children were engaged and purposeful and merry as they moved piles of straw from one place to another on the sand field. I was reminded of Louise DeForrest, a teacher of kindergarten teachers; one year with a class of many 6 year olds, she created a year long project of moving rocks from one part of the play yard to another. The children adored the project and rose to it. We try to provide many opportunities for children to help with meaningful work at school; sometimes the surprise work that emerges (such as moving straw or helping to take down tents) can be extremely nourishing for the children.

With warmth and light,

William Geoffrey Dolde