Cary School : The Grove School: A seriously fresh new preschool in Cary and Plano!

Inspection Perfection…Well, Almost!

Scott Andersen | March 11, 2010 | Comment

We had our first sanitation inspection today since we’ve opened the doors. You may not know, but these inspections are unannounced. Our inspector came today around 1:00. He visited our kitchen, every classroom and even our outdoor classroom. He checked water temperatures, cleaning practices, safety of chemicals and equipment, and even inspected our composting bin.

He said we did very well and we received the highest rating of SUPERIOR. We almost had a perfect score. The only thing we lost 2 points on was for the spray bottles we use in our restrooms and diapering tables. It turns out that we mixed the bleach at the incorrect concentration. The good news about this is that he let us know of a new product that was approved by the state that does not contain bleach. Many of our parents have expressed concern over the use of bleach. I have recently discovered that I am allergic to bleach, so on a personal level, I am thrilled.

When he left, he said we have a wonderful facility and was very impressed with our school. I was just glad the inspection was over and that we performed well. We will have another one the last half of the year.

Scott, a.k.a. Dr. Andersen, is our Head of School in Cary, NC. He brings 16 years of experience as a teacher and school/district administrator. He has also worked as a photojournalist and software developer.

Keywords: Cary, Dr. Scott Andersen, Grove School

Providing Positive Guidance

Sue Davies | March 11, 2010 | Comment

In my daily interactions with the children in my care I often refer to the class as a “team”. The children respond to this in such a positive way.

We are a little family in our preschool classroom. A community of three, four and five year old boys and girls, learning through socialization how to be a friend, appreciate each other’s differences and similarities and respect the people and the world around us.

A child’s sense of self comes from the support of the adults in his or her life.

As a teacher, I know I play an important role in helping children deal with every day feelings in their world. I know that each child is an individual. I speak to each child with respect and interest, always addressing them by name and asking them to do the same for me. I happily greet each child as they walk into the room each day and follow up with friendly conversation with their parents too. While these gestures come naturally, I know too that I am modeling for the children the basics of socialization and communication each and every day.

I support the children in their efforts to communicate, helping with words and accepting their feelings as they develop the ability to grow and make sense of the world. The use of positive language, so crucial when speaking to children, builds a trusting relationship with each child.

In the preschool classroom, children learn to develop social skills to help them work and play, take the initiative and cooperate with those around them. Sharing, taking turns, respect for others and friendship is modeled by the adults in our school.

There are very simple and direct rules to follow in my preschool classroom…be kind, be safe and be the best friend you can be.

I assist the children in verbalizing their needs in a socially acceptable way. I encourage the children to be kind, caring and show empathy to all and thus find a room full of multi-tasking, problem solving children with a real sense of pride and accomplishment in who they are and what they can do.

For me, it is truly rewarding to see the mastering of skills in each and every child as they blossom and grow into bright and independent thinkers at The Grove School and beyond.

Susan has been married for 27 years to her husband, Barry, and is the mother of three daughters. Caring, teaching and loving them has reinforced her desire to be an educator of young children. She has over 20 years experience working with young children.

Keywords: Cary, early childhood education, Grove School, staff

Our Student-Led Video Tour

Scott Andersen | March 11, 2010 | Comment (1)

Wow! What a fun day! I thoroughly enjoyed working with our two Pre-K students. I think they enjoyed it too. We spend a good portion of the day learning about video production, enunciation and communication. I hope you enjoy it. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, Student led tour, video, video tour

Composting ORT

Scott Andersen | March 8, 2010 | Comment (1)

Here is some video from our students doing a little composting today. We had some build up of ort that we needed to include in the composting bin.

Keywords: Cary, composting, ort, outdoor classroom, The Grove School

A place for Augie

Lisa Wohlschlaeger | February 27, 2010 | Comment (1)

It is great to have friends that aren’t afraid to speak the truth in love! One year ago, my two girlfriends sat me down and surprised me with an “Augie” intervention. As a mother of three, a student in early childhood studies, and an in-home childcare giver, I think I had begun to feel immune to any problems my “sweet little boy,” Augie, might be causing.

One would think that after I found blueberries all over his bedroom carpet and toothpaste in my hairbrush, that I might have been clued in to the fact that he needed an outlet. However it took a couple embarrassing incidents of him “using the potty” in the front yard in front of the neighbors to help me see that maybe he did need some other activities!

The real problem was that I was not willing to trust anyone else in his care. I knew that he was acting out, but wasn’t ready to give him up! That was when my good friends hit me with the hard truth, “Oh, so you’re not staying home for his sake… you’re staying at home for yourself.” Ouch!

Well, much to my sweet satisfaction, the search for a preschool has ended in a commendable school for Augie and an amazing job for me at the Grove School. My fears of Augie being unloved or misunderstood have been laid to rest as I have been witness to great love for him from his teachers and his new “best buddies” at school. In one month, he has learned to write his name, count to twenty without saying “thirteen, fifteen, fifteen,” and he actually participates in art! He rolls around on the eco-turf hills and is constantly hugging on his friends at school.

His little mind is busy all day and he gets quality time outdoors. This has ended our blueberry and toothpaste episodes! We have been so pleased to have the chance to soar with the Grove School. I am pretty sure the neighbors are pleased too!

Lisa is an early preschool teacher at The Grove School of Cary. She is a mother of 3, had run her own preschool and is currently working on a Master's Degree in Education.

Keywords: Cary, early childhood education, Grove School, parents

Stories, learning, playing and connecting

Scott Andersen | February 27, 2010 | Comment

We have been running weekly story times and play dates for almost a month now. Every Tuesday and Thursday we hold a story time from 10:30 to 11:30. On Wednesdays we hold a play date from 10:00 to 12:00. We love having these times to invite families into our school and to participate in story telling, learning, playing and connecting.

During all of these times, we share books and other literacy based activities. After all, learning to read is paramount! We also include activities that engage students in hands on learning and the exercise of creativity and imagination. Obviously, during our play dates, we PLAY! It is important for children to have play time together. One of our specialties at The Grove School is to create play time that is also instructional. I love it when our teachers craft activities where the children think they are playing, and they are, but also include very specific learning objectives. This is a win-win for all involved. Finally, we love the story times and play dates because they give parents an opportunity to connect one with another while their children are engaged in the activities. One of our goals is to help create and participate in a positive community and providing an opportunities for parents to interact with one another is one of the ways we can do this.

I invite all to participate in these fun times. No need to call in advance. Just show up and have fun!

Keywords: Cary, events, parents, play dates, story times, The Grove School

Cary grand opening: bring the kids!

Scott Andersen | February 19, 2010 | Comment

Our grand opening next Thursday, 2/25 is loaded with fun stuff for your children to do. Here’s what we’ve got planned for them:

10:30 Storytime, Growing with the Trees
11:30 Learn how to make pretzels!
2:30 Storytime with Councilmember Gale Adcock
3-6 More pretzel making, Tumblebus (a gym on wheels!), an animal adaptation demo and free play in the Outdoor Grove

And we’re proud to share this day with these amazing local businesses and organizations who’ll be giving demos and answering your questions:

Pediatrician Dr. Shefali Parmar
Whole Family Chiropractor Dr. Debra Bell
Great Harvest
BA Tumbler’s Tumblebus
Downtown Cary Farmer’s Market
Whole Foods

Come by anytime!

Keywords: BA Tumbler's Tumblebus, Cary, Downtown Cary Farmer's Market, Dr. Debra Bell, Dr. Shefali Parmar, Gale Adcock, grand opening, Great Harvest, Grove School, Whole Foods

Cary grand opening: local elected officials to participate

Scott Andersen | February 17, 2010 | Comment

We’re thrilled to have some of our local representatives join us for next week’s grand opening.

State Representative Nelson Dollar and Councilmember Ervin Portman will help with our 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

And Councilmember Gale Adcock will read a story to the children at 2:30 p.m.

There’s something for everybody at our grand opening. Stories and snacks for the kids, demos and tours for the parents. So bring your family and join in the fun, even it’s just for a few minutes.

For a full schedule of the day’s events, click here.

Keywords: Ervin Portman, Gale Adcock, grand opening, Grove School, Nelson Dollar

Cary grand opening agenda: THUR 2/25

Scott Andersen | February 16, 2010 | Comment

The big day is almost here. Join us on Thursday, February 25, 2010 for The Grove School of Cary’s grand opening. Come anytime you can!

10:00 a.m. Ribbon cutting with State Representative Nelson Dollar and Cary Councilmember Ervin Portman

11:00 a.m. Celebration of opening lead by Ty Durekas, President of The Grove School
Storytelling and teacher lead activity for the children

11:15 a.m. Community partner proclamation

11:30 a.m. School tour lead by Head of School, Dr. Scott Andersen

11:45 a.m. Classroom technology introduction and demo

12:00 p.m. Introduction of our “sister school” in Plano, TX via Skype

12:15 p.m. Lunch buffet catered by Whole Foods

1:00 p.m. School tour – curriculum introductions lead by Education Manager

1:45 p.m. Outdoor Grove tour/ Healthy Planet activity

2:15 p.m. Snack

2:30 p.m. Story time with Cary Councilmember Gale Adcock

2:45 p.m. Classroom technology introduction and demo

3:15 p.m. Community engagement and communication

4:00 p.m. Children’s activities (indoor and outdoor planting), admissions and educational breakout sessions, including:
• Dr. Shefali Parmar, Pediatrician
• Dr. Debra Bell, Whole Family Chiropractor
• Paige Williams, Great Harvest Bread Company, the anatomy of bread making
• Organic gardening
• Jamie Patrick, Explore (Art, Music, Dance)
• Laura Lainhoff, Tumblebus
• Jennifer Gibbs, Cary Farmer’s Market
• Town of Cary, Recycling program
• Classroom technology introduction and demo

5:30 p.m. Meet the teachers – introductions of staff

6:00 p.m. Parent connections – meet and greet for current and prospective parents

6:45 p.m. Closing remarks

Keywords: Cary, grand opening, Grove School

Video: Peek inside a play date

Scott Andersen | February 10, 2010 | Comment

We’re meeting many new families at our weekly play dates. Check out this video to see the fun stuff you can explore with your kids every Wednesday from 10-12 at The Grove School.