From Recipes to Reading: Al Roker Helps Launch the PA's Book Fair

On November 21 and 22, The Parkside School hosted its 2024 Book Fair, kicking off the cherished tradition with a truly special guest: Al Roker. The beloved TV personality, celebrated author, and proud Parkside alumni parent joined us to help launch the event, bringing warmth, humor, and a touch of culinary inspiration to the celebration.

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Anthony Kapp
Celebrating Culture Through Movement

This month, our yoga and dance classes embraced the celebration of diverse cultures, honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, the festival of Diwali, and Halloween. Dance, as a universal language, served as a bridge connecting traditions, fostering understanding, and promoting inclusivity in a joyous way. Through music and movement, children had the opportunity to bring stories and teachings to life, embodying the narratives and movements associated with each celebration.

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DEIB, NewsAnthony Kapp
Building Strong Number Sense

Wednesday evening's parent presentation on Woodin Math, hosted by Leslie Thorne and Audrey Eisenberg, provided an in-depth look at an innovative approach designed to develop strong number sense and numeracy skills in children, particularly those with language-based learning differences or dyscalculia.

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News, AdmissionsAnthony Kapp
Nurturing Creativity and Movement at Parkside

At Parkside, the Arts and Movement department shines with a dynamic, individualized curriculum carefully designed to meet the goals, gifts, and energy of each student. Specialists in art, music, drama, movement, and yoga collaborate to craft programs that not only cater to each child’s unique abilities but also help them grow in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.

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News, AdmissionsAnthony Kapp
The Power of Play

One overlooked and perhaps misunderstood aspect of social work at Parkside concerns the experience of pleasure that derives from our relationships with children. Pleasure stems from feeling attached and connected to another person. There is pleasure in meeting the child’s needs and in watching a child flourish. There is pleasure in truly “seeing” another in a way that deepens connection. By “seeing,” we mean the capacity to reflect on a child’s safety, regulation, and openness to relationships. Children feel “seen” when they know we pay attention to their feelings, try to understand their actions, and promise to support them through thick and thin.

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Anthony Kapp
Project Based Learning

“In our opinion, the price was reasonable for the drinks and cake pop because in New York, it is expensive. Other shops might be a little more expensive because of inflation.” A helpful Yelp review? Possibly! But this Starbucks review is the final stage of a project-based activity led by Speech Therapist Jamie Nussbaum.

Educators of America describe Project-Based Learning (PBL) as “more than just a teaching method. It is a revitalization of education for students so they can develop intellectually and emotionally.”

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Ms. Ellen's October Yoga Journal

It has been a joy to do yoga, move, stretch, and dance with the children as we get back into the swing of things this school year. In Dance, offered once a week, we start class with our routine warm-up, which creates predictability and allows the children to build mastery. We often follow this with what we call “Flavor Walks” (movements across the floor), followed by reviewing and learning new steps to various songs.

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NewsAnthony KappYoga
Building Self-Regulation and Emotional Awareness

Parkside's Occupational Therapists are piloting the Interoception Curriculum, developed by Kelly Mahler, OTR/L, in several classrooms. This framework dives deeper into one of the lesser-known—but very important—senses: interoception. Interoception, or our awareness of our body’s internal state, helps us recognize and interpret sensations such as hunger, thirst, and temperature, as well as the physical responses paired with emotions.

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Anthony Kapp
Summer Yoga Tips!

One of the most challenging moments for children, and therefore their caretakers as well, can be through transitions. Summer, although fun and joyful, with its transitions and changes can be hard for children who crave consistency. It can be highly beneficial to create home rituals and practices including yoga and mindfulness to provide a sense of constancy amidst all the change.

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