Consolidation Plan ~ Please Read

March 17, 2015

Dear Parents,

We would like to confirm with you that we will be moving our classes from 1 Ave B to 62 Ave B this school year.

We are sending along our consolidation plan for your reference with important information we feel will aid in the success of our move together and create a harmonious experience for the children and our community.

We hope that it can be used as guide as our community navigates the transition from 1 ave B to 62 Ave B.

Practical things to know:

·      New Amsterdam School will be closed Thursday, April 2^nd and Friday, April 3^rd.  We are seeking volunteers to help us with the move.   

·      We will send a sign up sheet for times to support the move April 2^nd and April 3^rd through the parent reps.

·      Spring Break will be from Thursday, April 2^nd through Sunday, April 12^th.

·      New Amsterdam School will re-open on Monday, April 13^th. (Please note: this is a change. There will be no professional development day on Monday.)

We are in need of boxes and bags to be delivered to the parent lounge at 1 Ave B throughout the next few weeks. The faculty will pack the non-essentials to our daily work with the children and place the boxes in the parent lounge for delivery. In addition if anyone can carry a box to 62 in the next few weeks, we would appreciate it.

During the week of March 23^rd to March 27^th, we will begin to share stories in our classrooms that represent and prepare the children for the transition.  Our intention is to introduce the change in a gradual manner. We recommend that there is not a lot of talk in the family about the move with the children. If there are questions from the children, responding simply and truthfully can support your child to not grow anxious or nervous about what is coming.  Please let your teacher know of any questions or concerns you have about you child and this change.

If you have questions, please direct them to the coordinators at coordinators@newamsterdamchildhood.org.

 SAVE THE DATE:  We will welcome everyone to “62” at our next community meeting, April 16^th, 6:30pm to 8:30 pm.

With appreciation,

The New Amsterdam Faculty and Administration

First Grade Trip to Green Meadow!

Mr. Jamie and Ms. Kaori spent the day at Green Meadow with the First Grade Class last Thursday. They tapped maple trees, sampled the sap, explored the woods, and got to know the farm animals. They even found some eggs in the barn! They had a wonderful day. Thank you Mr. Jamie! And Thank you Ms. Kaori!!

Spring Fair!! Saturday, May 2nd! Indoor Portion of Fair at 62 Avenue B and Picnic & Activities in the Garden, El Jardin del Paraiso

Save the date for this glorious event featuring a New Amsterdam Faculty Puppet Show; Mother Nature's Magical Garden; Crystal Cave; The Magical Meadow Wool Craft Room; Pocket Fairy; Eurythmy; The New Amsterdam School Spring Market; and Angel's Share (new this year)! We will also have a picnic and activities in our beautiful garden, El Jardin del Paraiso. Stay tuned for info on the time and ticket sales. See you at the Spring Fair!

Parent Lecture: Parenting as a Spiritual Path. Monday, Feb 23rd, 7pm at 62 Avenue B

Parenting as a Spiritual Path  

With Yehuda Tagar

Psychophonetics Institute International

          Monday, Feb 23rd, 7pm
          62 Avenue B

Parenting is without a doubt the most demanding, accountable, consequential and important task in the world. It is also one of the least supported ones. For much simpler and less important professions, people are trained, supervised, and supported. At crucial moments in parenting, we are left alone to our own limited existing devises and resources. No one trains us for parenthood.  Yet internal support, guidance, life energy and inspiration are available in the depth of parenthood if it is taken as a path of spiritual development. Children present the strongest opportunity for parents to grow. 

Still partially in the spiritual world, children can remind us of our source, if we listen. They need us to really See them, Hear them, Know them. That is active empathy.  

If we take up the challenge to develop conscious empathy with our children, we are taking a step in our spiritual development. Children need us to deal with and to contain our emotionality: reactions, projections, frustrations, anxieties, neediness, hurts and losses. If we take this task seriously, we develop self awareness, self-management and self-healing.  Children need us to be truthful. If we take that challenge seriously, we find the courage to see ourselves objectively and honestly, and to change. 

Psychophonetics is a practical application of Rudolf Steiner's Psychosophy. A form of Anthroposophically based soul-phenomenology, personal development, counselling, coaching and  psychotherapy, the psychological application of Rudolf Steiner’s Philosophy of Freedom. It is being taught and practiced in Australia, South Africa, UK, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic. 

This is the first public presentation in New York by Yehuda Tagar, founder of Applied Psychosophy, Psychophonetics and Methodical Empathy, director of Psychophonetics Institute International, British College of Methodical Empathy and Psychosophy Academy of Central Europe. 

Thank You for Coming to Our Saturday Craft Studio! Next Saturday Studio Will Be in March!!!

We hope you and your children had a lovely time at our first Saturday Craft Studio. Thank you for spreading the word, thank you for helping, and thank you for joining us!!

Our next "Crafternoon" will be in mid-March. Stay tuned for the date and the project!!

Free Puppet Show for Children in Our School and in Our Greater Community!

Please join New Amsterdam teachers in welcoming children from our greater community to a puppet show at our school on Sunday, February 22nd

10:30am showing for Children 3 & 4 Years Old

11:30am showing for Children 5 & 6 Years Old

Share the event with friends, family and neighbors! 

Lecture at Brooklyn Waldorf with Nancy Blanning ~ Wednesday, February 25th, 6:30pm

Please join speaker Nancy Blanning at the Brooklyn Waldorf School Wednesday, Feb 25th, 6:30pm

"My Mother-In_Law Insists on Buying My Child a (Fill In the Blank) No Matter What I Say"