Ashlawn

A friend of mine has asked for some input on what schools in the area are doing that may be interesting or valuable and that could also be replicated in other places. I figured I'd share something about Ashlawn that I think is special and can be applied elsewhere.

Ashlawn Elementary School is all about being a part of a global community. Their website describes their key elements in the following way:

The Global Citizen Project provides Ashlawn students with opportunities to become individuals capable of succeeding in the world through an understanding of global issues and a commitment to local concerns.

The four key components of the Global Citizen Project:

1. Culture: Develop and foster respect and care for cultures around the world and within our school community.
2. Environment: Develop and foster respect and care for the Earth's ecological systems.
3. Social Justice: Develop and foster respect and care for human and economic development that is equitable and sustainable.
4. Leadership and Culture of Peace: Develop and foster leadership skills to promote democracy, nonviolence, and peace.

These elements manifest themselves in a variety of activities that are highly engaging for the kids, consistent with these core values, and easily replicable. Here are just a few examples:

One way the kids are immersed in culture is through a pen pal program with kids from other countries. The fifth graders take a trip to Costa Rica to visit the children that they've maintained as pen pals over the years.

The school engages in several organic gardening activities throughout the grounds. They have organized the Lawns to Lettuce for Lunch campaign that is being considered in other schools. Each year, kids take home lettuce seeds to spawn the saplings, the lettuce is grown around campus, and we have a huge salad lunch at school and also donate it across the county.

To additionally promote sustainable and healthy development, the school partners with Whole Foods and other organizations to host "Fresh Fruit Fridays." The school also has a permanent volunteer spot at the Arlington Food Assistance Center where the kids pack bags for delivery. Healthy food food drives occur throughout the year as well. We have walk to school days a couple of times each year that culminate in a large outdoor rally.

The school maintains partnerships with several community centers such as senior centers where the kids lead various activities.

If anyone was interested in more details for your school, let me know. So far, we've been really pleased with the impact of these programs on our kids confidence and sense of community.

Mia Birthday Cake

Mia, for your birthday this year you wanted two things: gymnastics and several very interesting "cakes". Your ideas for cakes were taxing my skill limits. At first, you wanted a popsicle cake. I decided to make an attempt. I took a box of popsicles, unwrapped them, and then held them together in a bunch. I wrapped the popsicle part in wax paper and used rubber bands to hold them in place and make the right shape. Then I put them in a tupperware container with the popsicle/wax paper side down. I sprinkled water inside and then put them in the freezer so that they'd freeze together with the extra water I added.

When I took them out, I unwrapped the wax paper from the sides but left it on top. Then I melted a candle bottom and stuck it on the wax paper top. I carried it over to you by the sticks. Your response: "Mom, that's the funniest cake ever!" It really was pretty silly. You blew the candle out and then we pulled off the individual popsicles to eat. It wasn't very pretty and it was a little messy, but it was easy and fun.

You also wanted strawberry cakes, chocolate chip cakes, lollipop cakes, and cakes with cherries on top. Above them all though, you wanted a Hello Kitty cake.

So, we gave that a try. I was really intimidated by this one. The instructions I found for how to make it were detailed and required way more "stuff" than I had imagined. I'm pleased to say that although it was far more labor intensive, especially with all the individual stars to give it texture, it went much more smoothly than I expected. And, unlike the pink cake, we only had to make the one!

I wish I had a picture of Mia and Zoe's faces when they saw the cake. Their excitement and looks of wonder, like we'd done something magical, was the real reward.

Happy birthday Mia!

Clear Communicator

Zoe, you have taken to leaving us notes around the house in English and Spanish. I think it's really fun to find them, and I'm always amazed at how clear they are.

You made this calendar with me at a Home Depot craft day. Others, not-to-be-named, like to change the date and move the blocks from time to time. You left them this note.Now, if only they could read to appreciate your meaning.

Mia - Four Years Old

Mia, wow! What a difference a year makes!

You've made such strides this year. You are a kind, generous person. You will share with others willingly, and often think of others and how they may feel about something.

About a year ago, you began sucking your thumb again after being around a new baby in your class at school. You decided to stop sucking your thumb about a week ago with complete determination. As an example of your kindness and generous nature, when you and I spoke about your desire to stop thumb sucking, and I asked you what would help, you said that having a lollipop to suck on would make a difference. You insisted though that Zoe get one too, because you thought it would be hard for her to watch you get the treats without one herself. You also offered to have Zoe join your birthday celebration and open presents with you so she wouldn't feel left out. It helps that Zoe quite often shares this compassion towards you.

For your birthday celebration at school this year, the teacher read a book about how you joined the universe, and then you held a globe and circled the sun (a candle) 4 times while the class sang a song about it. At the end, we had a snack that we'd brought and then you shared the story of your life through the pictures below. It was so nice to watch how comfortable and excited you were with your class mates.

You're much more comfortable joining a crowd and making friends. Your teacher this year said that you jumped right in to the flow of the class with no problem. She said you were completely at ease and engaged from the get go.

Your memory is as strong as ever. Just the other day you brought up a detail from your birthday party last year. You also show a much greater interest in reading and math. You have been having a lot of fun with science experiments too.

You like to teasingly call me by the initials M.Y. and daddy D.Y. This evolved from a spelling game that you and Zoe play where you spell a word in a sentence, for example, you'll declare "i need to go to the p.o.t.t.y," spelling out the word potty. You had been spelling out "mommy" and "daddy" and then you and Zoe thought it would be funny to give us nicknames and shorten it to "M.Y." and "D.Y." In addition to spelling, your writing has really improved this year, and you can write your name well. Your art work has evolved, and you enjoy many activities at school.

Outside of school, you are keen on gymnastics, animals, puzzles, books, and playing with your sisters. You love the colors red and pink and anything Hello Kitty. You'd wear this dress all day every day if you could.

Happy 4th birthday Mia!!

We love you.

Mom

Mia Speak

As we slow down to approach the toll booth on the way home, Mia says from the back seat:

"I'm sick of payin'."

Us too.

Sophie - Twenty Two Months

Dear Sophie:

Sheesh are you cute! At twenty two months, you are talking more, moving with greater coordination, and striving for more independence. But my favorite moments are when you hug me around the neck and put your head on my shoulder. Every so often, you'll pucker up and give me a "fish kiss." Delicious.

You want to be out of your crib as soon as you wake up. You want to use the toilet. You want to put your shoes, hat and coat on and leave the house with anyone on their way out.

You are also very friendly. When you see someone that you want to engage, you'll repeatedly call out "hi" and wave (from any distance, at any volume).

These social skills were in full play when we went to Great Wolf Lodge this month. You loved all the water play and the indoor story times and snow fall. Here you are soaking up a story time with dad.

And then basking in the "snow" which was part of the story's ending.

You participate more in classes like music and story time, and are able to sit down and follow instructions. You love books and reading, and this is often a fun activity for you and your sisters.

You also speak more often in two word sentences. Your sisters are constantly teaching you new phrases and songs too. Some will come in really handy I'm sure. For example, they are teaching you to say: "Down Sadie! Down Chevis!" Sadie and Chevis are the names of Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mickey's dogs. In case you see them anytime in the near future, you'll be prepared should they try to jump up on you.

This month has been a real treat. Although you know how to climb out of your crib, and we know that you know how to climb out of your crib, and you know that we know that you know how to climb out of your crib, we've all just agreed that we don't know, and you haven't done it in the past few weeks. Thank you for giving us this ignorant breathing room while we make a plan for your big bed.

You haven't let us forget that you are ready for the toilet though. That's fine. We're ready. You now use the bathroom before and after sleep periods and swimming/bath events. We haven't gotten rid of the diapers yet, but we're moving in that direction.

Happy 22 months Sohpie!

We love you.

Mom

The Most Beautiful

Today, Mia, Zoe and I were out together in a restaurant. We were sitting at a booth next to the entrance. The front door opened and in walks a mom with her young daughter. The little girl was severely incapacitated and in a wheel chair. Zoe and Mia both got up on their knees and started craning their heads around the booth to look more closely. We were maybe 4-6 feet away from the mom and her little girl. Even a whispered "don't stare!" by me would have been audible to the mom.

I was holding my breath. Zoe and Mia both looked so engaged, and I didn't know what they may do or say. My heart was going out to this mom alone with her daughter who needed so much assistance. I was nervous about Zoe and Mia's public reaction.

While dangling almost completely out of the booth in order to have a good view (think monkey hanging from a tree branch), Zoe opened her mouth to speak:

"She has the most beautiful wheelchair."

That type of comment never occurred to me as an option in this scenario. I imagined, at best, some very tough questions, and at worst a starkly honest observation that would make the mother cringe.

And again I realized that I had completely underestimated the power of a child. Such a healing, spontaneous moment. Not a drop of pity or sarcasm or cynicism. So plainly kind and open. I teared up.

Tomorrow I am excited to grant my first wish to a child as a wish granter for the Make A Wish Foundation. A child's bias for optimism in these tough situations make my job a complete joy. I hope that someone is granting the little girl in the restaurant a wish. Maybe Zoe's comment was a token in that direction.

PS: When I took a second look at the wheel chair, I noticed that they'd painted the metal parts pink.

Travel Journal

Zoe, yesterday you received a travel journal in the mail as part of another child's social studies project in school. This is what you wrote as your entry.

The photo is a little hard to read. It says: Hello. My name is Zoe. I am six years old and I live in Arlington Virginia. My favorite colors are pink, orange, red, and purple. My favorite sport is soccer. I go to Ashlawn Elementary school. I have two sisters. I live at Harrison Street. I love my house. Love Zoe.

You added the date, a smiley face and a heart.

I was really impressed with how legible your writing has become, how you organized and added sentences, and how you spelled words.

Zoe chose Great Grandpa Milton as the person she wanted it to go to next. So, it's traveling to him by way of cousin Dee Dee who will help notate something for him.

Great class project!

Zoe - 1st Pair of Lace Up Shoes

Zoe, you've been saying for a few weeks that you're ready to move away from velcro shoes to only lace-up shoes. The timing was right because your sneakers have gotten too small. You were so excited about these, that you insisted on putting them back on after you changed in to your pajamas.

I'm wondering how much longer it's going to take us to get out of the house in the morning...