Affinity Groups

Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey about affinity groups at Plymouth. Based on the responses we formed one group - Families of Color/Multiracial Families - who are meeting several times this spring. We know they had a wonderful first meeting and will be meeting again next month.

Gala Art Nights

The Plymouth Spring Gala will take place this year on May 2nd and the Gala Committee is already planning for this celebratory event.

Spend a night out helping create Gala decor.

Art Around Plymouth 

From our Art Specialist Kara: 

Across our Plymouth classrooms, the children are busy exploring, experimenting, and creating. Through hands-on, process-driven learning, they are discovering new ideas and ways to express themselves. Our classrooms and hallways are filled with their creativity, highlighting the joy of making and learning together.         

 

As you step into our building, you are greeted by vibrant ink and chalk pastel explorations created by the Willow Room children. This project reinforced the foundational concept of printmaking, which is creating multiples, whether through marks or images. Each child used a piece of cardboard to print and repeat bold, black ink marks on their paper, experimenting with both intentional and spontaneous mark-making. Once the ink dried, the children layered in color with chalk pastels to bring their compositions to life.  

 

      The Cranberry Room children explored another exciting form of printmaking—collagraphy! This technique involved creating prints from textured collages. After selecting and arranging various recycled textured shapes to compose their collages, the children used a brayer to carefully roll ink over their designs. The moment of revealing a print is always magical and it was a joy to watch each child light up as their shapes and textures transformed into inked impressions!  

We recently used more of these repurposed cardboard shapes to decorate nests for the bird study that is underway in the Cranberry classroom! The nests will be decorating their classroom tree very soon! 

The Little Green Room children have been studying the process of recycling and repurposing. Our exploration began with sculpting creations using cardboard tubes from the Materials Center and designing wearable art from repurposed Plymouth ID badges. The children recently toured the Materials Center, gaining firsthand experience about how to sort donations and learning how materials enter our school through generous family contributions.  

We took our investigation a step further this week, asking - what if we made our own paper?  

Our journey into papermaking has just begun! We started with a collaborative, hands-on experience: tearing recycled paper into pieces, laying the foundation for our next steps. In the coming weeks, we will continue with paper making and think about the many ways we can give new life to old materials!   

 

The Purple Room children have been engaging in an expanded exploration of dirt! Did you know that clay is a very special kind of dirt? Our journey began with pinch pots, one of the oldest forms of pottery making.  Each child rolled, pushed and pinched their clay to create a pot and experienced how their hands could be used as excellent clay shaping tools! The pinch pots were painted shades of purple this week. 

As our exploration continued, we introduced the technique of slip and scoring—an essential practice in ceramics for joining pieces of clay. Collaborating as a community, the children rolled coils, scored surfaces and used slip as a binding agent to construct a large vessel. Now, as the clay dries in the Purple Room, the children are observing its slow transformation, noticing how time continues to change their creation as the water evaporates from the clay. 

 

The Big Green Room has begun to explore the variety of sea life that inhabits the East River. We looked at the artwork of author and illustrator Leo Lionni, focusing on the beautiful illustrations he created for Swimmy. The children have been captivated by the story of Swimmy, a brave little fish who inspires his friends to be courageous and appreciate the wonders of the sea.

 We observed that Lionni used a variety of techniques to bring his story to life, which inspired our own multi-step artistic process. The children began by applying a watercolor wash to create an underwater world, sprinkling it with salt and dabbing plastic wrap to add texture and depth. Next, they used a mono-printing technique to create rocks and coral for the seabed. Finally, they collaged their printed rocks onto their backgrounds and added printed fish to complete their ocean scenes.  

 

 The Blue Room children have been nurturing their classroom babies, sparking discussions about what infants need to feel safe and content. Inspired by these conversations, we decided to create mobiles for their cribs! 

 We explored the work of Alexander Calder, the artist who transformed sculpture with his kinetic mobiles. His bold colors, geometric shapes and playful sense of movement inspired our own. Together we created mini mobiles, experimenting with balance and color. These are now outside the Blue Room, dancing in the air, bringing movement and joy to our hallways. 

  The accompanying collages and prints on display were also inspired by Calder’s enthusiasm for primary colors and shapes.  

 

 The Red Room children have been tenderly caring for their teddy bears, thoughtfully creating cozy beds in their classroom. As they tucked their bears in, they realized something was missing—a blanket! This realization led us to explore quilt making, drawing inspiration from the extraordinary women of the Gee’s Bend quilting collective in Alabama. 

We studied the vibrant, improvisational patterns of these masterful quilters who have long repurposed materials to create one-of-a-kind textiles. The Purple Room children embraced this spirit and carefully designed their own quilts for their beloved bears using felt and fabric scraps that have been donated to our Materials Center.  

 

There is always so much more to share, as inspiration and conversations are ever-growing and evolving in our collaborative spaces. Wishing you all the best as we continue to explore, grow and learn together!  

 Important Dates to Remember 

 March 

21 - Family Chapel 

24 - 28 School Closed for Spring Vacation 

31 - School Closed for Eid-al-Fitr 

 April 

1 - Classes Resume 

11- Parent Talk with Rachel Hass

15 - School Closed for Parent/Teacher Conferences 

16 - Picture Day 

18 & 21- School Closed for Easter 

22 - School Open – Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences 

 May  

2 - Spring Gala 

Spring is coming! Snowdrops in Beecher Garden

Making Math Fun with Jennifer Woodruff - Wednesday, March 12th from 6:30-7:45 pm

We are partnering with the Parents League for an evening math workshop at Plymouth next Wednesday, March 12th, and hope you will join us.

Plymouth parents should use the code PLYMOUTH25 for free access to the workshop.

https://www.parentsleague.org/event/making-math-fun-for-young-children

Including math experiences and math talk into your child’s everyday life can be fun and can support their academic growth; early math skills are more powerful predictors of later academic achievement. (Duncan et al, 2007).

Just as children’s development in movement follows a (generally) predictable path (crawl, stand, walk, run, jump, skip), children’s growth in math follows a natural developmental path. When caregivers understand these paths, they can make math fun — providing math experiences, math talk, and math games in ways that are attuned to their child’s development. 

During the Making Math Fun workshop, caregivers will learn about developmental paths in a few areas of math (counting, subtilizing, geometry, addition), practice a variety of fun games to bring home to support math development, and learn how to vary the games based on children’s levels. Caregivers will also have a chance to exchange ideas and tips that work for their families in supporting math.

Jennifer Woodruff is a consultant in early childhood education and a former preschool teacher. She co-founded La Escuelita, Manhattan’s first Spanish/ English dual language preschool. Jennifer graduated from Stanford University and holds an M.S. from Bank Street College of Education, and an Ed. D. from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Important Dates to Remember

March

12 – Making Math Fun with Jennifer Woodruff

24 - 28 School Closed for Spring Vacation

31 – School Closed for Eid-al-Fitr

April

1 – Classes Resume

We were so happy to see so many families today at Family Chapel. Thank you to the Purple Room for sharing and teaching us a new song about clay!

Magic Show - Saturday, March 1st

Please join us tomorrow for a magic show with Magical Dave. Bring the whole family for pizza in the gym at 11:15 am followed by a magic show at noon in the Plymouth Church Sanctuary.

 Making Math Fun with Jennifer Woodruff - March 12th 6:30-7:45 pm

We are partnering with the Parents League for an evening math workshop at Plymouth.

Plymouth parents should use the code PLYMOUTH25 for free access to the workshop.

https://www.parentsleague.org/event/making-math-fun-for-young-children

Including math experiences and math talk into your child’s everyday life can be fun and can support their academic growth; early math skills are more powerful predictors of later academic achievement. (Duncan et al, 2007).

Just as children’s development in movement follows a (generally) predictable path (crawl, stand, walk, run, jump, skip), children’s growth in math follows a natural developmental path. When caregivers understand these paths, they can make math fun — providing math experiences, math talk, and math games in ways that are attuned to their child’s development. 

During the Making Math Fun workshop, caregivers will learn about developmental paths in a few areas of math (counting, subtilizing, geometry, addition), practice a variety of fun games to bring home to support math development, and learn how to vary the games based on children’s levels. Caregivers will also have a chance to exchange ideas and tips that work for their families in supporting math.

Jennifer Woodruff is a consultant in early childhood education and a former preschool teacher. She co-founded La Escuelita, Manhattan’s first Spanish/ English dual language preschool. Jennifer graduated from Stanford University and holds an M.S. from Bank Street College of Education, and an Ed. D. from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Important Dates to Remember

March

1 -   Magic Show with Magical Dave

12 - Making Math Fun with Jennifer Woodruff

24 - 28 School Closed for Spring Vacation

31 - School Closed for Eid-al-Fitr

April

1 - Classes Resume

Happy Winter Vacation!

A Plymouth parent shared that MoMA is having a Family Festival during the winter break - from Saturday, February 15th through Wednesday, February 19th.  It is five days of engaging activities that explore creativity and the natural world.

See below for more information.

https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/10272

 Magic Show

Please join us on Saturday, March 1st for a magic show with Magical Dave. Bring the whole family for pizza in the gym at 11:15 am followed by a magic show at noon in the Plymouth Church Sanctuary.

  Upcoming Parent Talk with Rachel Hass - February 28th

 Holding Ourselves Through the Parenting Journey While Building Connection with Our Children

 Entrenched in perfectionist parenting culture and the fast-paced lifestyle of city living can leave little room to nourish and nurture ourselves through the big reactions we may have to our children on a daily basis. This session will provide reflection and acknowledgement of the stress of parenting while providing strategies for a more joyful and fulfilling experience with our little ones. There is a lot of discomfort in parenting, whether we are trying hard to not repeat the challenging patterns of our own caregiving experiences when younger or consciously imbuing our parenting with what we did receive in a culture that has shifted quite drastically. We will explore what it truly means to be a “good enough parent” and to allow and hold the full range of feelings and reactions to parenting.  

  Rachel Hass has a Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Jewish Studies and Visual Arts from Oberlin College. As a Social Worker, LCSW, and Mental Health Specialist for Bank Street Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice, she facilitates workshops, support groups, and on-site consultation for teachers and staff in public schools, shelters, and childcare programs around the city. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Bank Street Graduate School and is in private practice, working with parents and children. At the core of her practice, Rachel values and honors children's and families' voices, histories, resourcefulness and strengths. She takes deep pride and joy in working with children and families who are navigating challenging moments in their lives, as she honors her role as a partner in development and support for parents and children alike.

 Making Math Fun with Jennifer Woodruff - March 12th 6:30-7:45 pm

 We are partnering with the Parents League to host this event. Plymouth parents have free access by using the code PLYMOUTH25 https://www.parentsleague.org/event/making-math-fun-for-young-children

 Including math experiences and math talk into your child’s everyday life can be fun and can support their academic growth; early math skills are more powerful predictors of later academic achievement. (Duncan et al, 2007).

Just as children’s development in movement follows a (generally) predictable path (crawl, stand, walk, run, jump, skip), children’s growth in math follows a natural developmental path. When caregivers understand these paths, they can make math fun — providing math experiences, math talk, and math games in ways that are attuned to their child’s development. 

During the Making Math Fun workshop, caregivers will learn about developmental paths in a few areas of math (counting, subtilizing, geometry, addition), practice a variety of fun games to bring home to support math development, and learn how to vary the games based on children’s levels. Caregivers will also have a chance to exchange ideas and tips that work for their families in supporting math.

Jennifer Woodruff is a consultant in early childhood education and a former preschool teacher. She co-founded La Escuelita, Manhattan’s first Spanish/ English dual language preschool. Jennifer graduated from Stanford University and holds an M.S. from Bank Street College of Education, and an Ed. D. from Teachers College, Columbia University.

 Important Dates to Remember

 February

17-21 – School Closed for Winter Vacation

24 – Classes Resume

28 – Parent Talk with Rachel Hass

 March

1 – Magic Show with Magical Dave

12 – Making Math Fun with Jennifer Woodruff

     

Purple Room: Animals in their burrows

Plymouth Cares

 At Plymouth we believe in a curriculum that intentionally fosters children’s empathy for others and by extension their world. This curriculum is centered around community service - projects that young children can do to have a direct and positive impact on others.

 Each February, Plymouth Church hosts a shelter for ten unhoused men who need a warm place to sleep at night. The shelter guests eat dinner and sleep in Hillis Hall between the hours of 5pm and 7am.

 During Family Chapel last week, Plymouth children learned that they can help our shelter guests feel cared for by baking special treats and making cards for them. This month all of the classes will do just that.

 Today during our professional development, we continued our work with Lori Riddick. Through our work with Lori we are learning to respond to children’s questions about race and societal inequities in a developmentally appropriate way. These conversations and our community service projects are teaching children to care for others which plants the seeds of empathy that will help them grow into kind and caring adults.

 Magic Show

Please join us on Saturday, March 1st for a magic show with Magical Dave. Bring the whole family for pizza in the gym at 11:15 am followed by a magic show at noon in the Plymouth Church Sanctuary.

 About Magical Dave:

Voted the Best Kids’ Party Entertainer in New York by New York Magazine!

 Dave has been bringing magic to children’s parties and events for over 30 years. He is a full-time NYC teacher with a Master’s in education and he is also a dad. As one of New York’s top children’s entertainers, Dave performs over 200 in-person shows annually.

Dave’s Magic Show has delighted tens of thousands of children and even his 3rd-grade teacher! He has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out Kids and on Channel 11 News.

 Upcoming Parent Talks

 We had such a great Parent Talk last week with Rachel Hass – the first in her series. We really hope you can join us for the next two talks in this series.

 Holding Ourselves and Our Children Through It All: A series of parent talks that will provide insight and strategies around the challenges we face and the joys we embrace as parents and caregivers.  

 February 28th - Holding Ourselves Through the Parenting Journey While Building Connection with Our Children

 April 11th - Holding Space for More Than One: Navigating Sibling Life and Relationship

 Rachel Hass has a Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Jewish Studies and Visual Arts from Oberlin College. As a Social Worker, LCSW, and Mental Health Specialist for Bank Street Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice, she facilitates workshops, support groups, and on-site consultation for teachers and staff in public schools, shelters, and childcare programs around the city. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Bank Street Graduate School and is in private practice, working with parents and children. At the core of her practice, Rachel values and honors children's and families' voices, histories, resourcefulness and strengths. She takes deep pride and joy in working with children and families who are navigating challenging moments in their lives, as she honors her role as a partner in development and support for parents and children alike. 

 Important Dates to Remember

 February

14 – Re-enrollment agreements due

17-21 – School Closed for Winter Vacation

28 – Parent Talk with Rachel Hass

 March

1 – Magic Show with Magical Dave