Ashley Read '05, Head of Early Childhood

February 02, 2024

Dear ECC Families,

Through hard-work, grit and determination, “we make progress together.” Did you know that perseverance ranks among the most sought-after 21st-century-skills in the workforce? In the past week, ECC students have dedicated their efforts to making progress even when things get hard. It is common for young children to contemplate quitting when immediate results are not achieved. To help your child persevere, consider these suggestions:

• Encourage goal setting that allows for quick, achievable results

• Focus on your child’s effort rather than the result 

• Directly show them what they achieved by not giving up

• Celebrate big and small successes

• Embrace failure and show them examples of when you fail

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Speaking of making progress, we extend an invitation for you to join us for the February Parent Conferences scheduled for Friday, February 16. These crucial meetings will provide an opportunity for teachers to discuss the progress and growth observed in your child. Topics to be covered include social-emotional skills, cognitive and language development, gross and fine motor skills, and academics. Please ensure that you review your child’s Seesaw account and sign up for a conference time. A reminder: there will be no school on this day. 

Collaboration with “The Big School:” This past week, the Kindergarten students enjoyed a visit from the 6th grade math class. 6th graders spent a few weeks taking part in a Design Thinking Project. 6th grade students spent time empathizing and defining their goal which then led to the ideation of their math project, a prototype and testing their projects with the Kindergarten students. Each student chose a Kindergarten skill that they would like to teach to their partner and created a game where Kinder students could practice that skill. The 6th graders then created their own homemade games that ranged from addition practice, subtraction practice or telling time. Seeing the smiles on the students’ faces was a true gift. They culminated the project with cookies and drinks in the Big Room. We are so grateful that our PS - 12th grade campus puts a priority on connecting all of our students to better our learning and hone our leadership skills. 

ECC 1st Tuesday - “Empower Your Young Explorer (Ages 3-6)”

Join Lauren Carfa, ECC and LS STEAM Instructor, and Michelle Vaughn, Director of Technology and Modern Learning, on Tuesday, February 6 at 8:15 a.m. in the ECC as they facilitate a discussion on ways to help raise tech-savvy kids ages 3-6. Learn about fun apps, safety tips, and healthy screen time habits to help your child navigate the online world with confidence. 

Oratorical Showcase: Calling all student voices! The DEIB Faculty/Staff committee proudly presents the first annual Oratorical Showcase. Express yourself through speech, poem, song, or prose on the themes of community, culture, and celebration. The deadline to apply is today, February 2. Don't miss your chance to take the stage and claim your spotlight! Apply here

Sincerely,

Ashley Read, Oakridge Class of 2005 

Head of Early Childhood