Mountain View Parent Nursery School

Welcome Back! Some of our students and teachers returned to the preschool campus this week. It was amazing to be back and see their friends in person. While some of our classes remain virtual, these pictures offer us a glimpse into our future when we'll be able to gather together again. Until then stay safe and keep playing!

We bid farewell to October and hello to November with Fall fun, friends, and our Down By the Bay 5K wrap up. Many thanks to everyone who participated to support our school! Tune in later this week to discover the winners of our 5K costume contest!

Last two days to join the virtual 5K or tot trot run....

We made slime together in our 3/4 and 4/5 year old MVPNS Connect classes this week. Does our slime remind you of anything? "It reminds me of Halloween." "It reminds me of seaweed." "It's "Dinoslime."

A big shout out to all of the parents in our MVPNS Connect program who are so thoughtfully supporting their children's creativity at home this fall. "Our task regarding creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more." -Loris Malaguzzi, "The Hundred Languages of Children"

The students in our 4/5 's MVPNS Connect Classes experienced the story "Mouse Paint" together this week. We did not walk through paint puddles like the mice, but we definitely had fun retelling the story and painting together virtually. So many smiles!

"There are four people and one dog in our family, My hair is in ice cream hair. Dad is putting his arm around [my brother] and Mom is putting her arm around me. I made a heart because we love together." Our teachers believe parents documenting and sharing children's experiences and work from home in our virtual small groups provides a valuable opportunity for children to learn from one another. Our MVPNS Connect program safely brings children together, so they can engage in important conversations and INSPIRE each other.

Enjoy these MVPNS memories of the beginning of school two years ago! Our teachers are getting very excited about our first day of school on Tuesday. We will be learning and playing from our homes, but we can't wait to begin the year together. See you next week!

We are committed to safety, whether that means starting the school year with virtual learning or doing socially-distanced CPR/First Aid/AED certification. Check out these dedicated educators, braving the heat to save rubber mannequins!

One of last year's students just sent us these beautiful, heartfelt paintings. We miss you, too! Thank you for sending the love our way.

MVPNS will be holding classes from a distance when we begin this fall, but teachers and families are still working hard to keep our campus beautiful. And, a special thank you to these hard working MVPNS alumni for all the weeding! We are all looking forward to that joyful day when children are once again digging in our gardens, swinging on our swings and running together through our wide-open play spaces.

Summer webinars from the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC), California Association for Education of Young Children (CaEYC), Fairy Dust Teaching, Pacific Oaks College and others are adding to the toolboxes of these three loved and very experienced early childhood specialists. See you soon virtually or in person at MVPNS!

Many of our MVPNS teachers are attending the Play First Summit virtually this week and listening to perspectives on the importance of play in early childhood education. We are so appreciative of our play-based program and having this opportunity to step back and reflect on what children are really needing right now and when they return to school. We can't wait to get back to school. www.playfirstsummit.com

What do water beads, Washi tape, wheels, weaving, wood, and worms have in common? What a great question to explore with a child! Our Bucket of W's Kit opened the door to activities and adventure. Making connections and building relationships helps children see things through new eyes and develop a deeper understanding of their world. When you stay open to possibilities, there are no limits to learning.

This week we focused on all things red, white, blue, and birthday. The children made some wonderful creations and talked about celebrations. They also made birthday wishes that truly touched our hearts. What they want most of all is for this disease to disappear so they can return to school and play with their friends. (That's our wish too!) And unicorns, they'd also like real unicorns. We wish you all a very wonderful and joyous 4th of July!