The View from My Desk by John Spero

11/11/2011 | 10/06/2011 | 01/01/2011

December 20, 2011

Brain research has already had a profound impact on early childhood education at CASY. Hydration, exercise, cross lateral movement, music and Spanish all seem to have positive effects on the brain.

The near future promises a much greater understanding of the most complex object. Read More

November 15, 2011

The View From My Desk……………………………………………………....John Spero

This article reminds us of what we often forget when we are overwhelmed by a glorious toy department.

IMAGINATION, NOT PRICE, IS WHAT COUNTS

A cardboard box, a stick and a blanket. These are a few of our favorite things. At least if you are a kid. So say the gurus at the National Toy Hall of Fame, who added the box in 2005 and the stick in 2008. The blanket -- along with Hot Wheels and the dollhouse -- are the 2011 inductees.

Linus would be pleased. But the Peanuts' character is not the only child to have used a blanket for everything from a tablecloth to a superhero's cape. Come to think of it, a blanket also makes a remarkably agile transition from the toddler's game of peek-a-boo to a tent under which books can be read by flashlight after curfew.

Christopher Bensch, vice president of collections at the National Museum of Play, says blankets have been "heating up kids' imaginations" for years.

With a blanket, a child's fantasy sets the agenda -- not a toy manufacturer with an eye to selling those all important accessories. Some name-brand goodies have made the Hall of Fame list, including Barbie, Tinkertoy, Monopoly, Frisbee and Slinky. Toys are judged based on whether they are widely recognized, remain popular for generations and foster learning, creativity or discovery through play. No book is in this hall of fame, which is a rotten shame.

Blankets won't be included in many letters to Santa. And no Santa worth his sleigh would expect squeals of delight when junior tears off the colored paper and finds ... a nice stick from the backyard.

But as parents cruise the toy stores in weeks to come, it is worth remembering that sometimes the simple things do the most to spark spontaneous play. You can spend a ton of money on that electronic gizmo only to find out your 4-year-old prefers to huddle under his blanket and play with the box the robot came in.

If that happens, at least you know these mundane things are bona fide members of the Toy Hall of Fame.

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October 6, 2011

A View from my Desk………………………………………………………………………..John Spero

The Welcome Back Picnic was a great success. This year we were assisted by a Girl Scout troop who are all CASY alumni. Ms. Suzie and Ms. Crystal taught some fun dances and there was a surprise visit by “Elvis” Spero. A video of the event is on our Facebook page at CASY School.

Spanish classes are learning their colors, numbers, greetings and vocabulary through music and rhythmic chants. The children are showing lots of enthusiasm and are picking up the phrases and vocabulary quickly. Teachers are reviewing it in the classroom as well.

Energy Audit. We are already quite green. Currently we are tightening ductwork and replacing light fixtures. We have already installed fully programmable thermostats.

Cooler temperatures means:

Fun outdoor sings with the Spero’s (we have already done two this year).
Outdoor play for recess and after lunch bunch. Please apply sunscreen before school every day.

Thanksgiving Food Drive – We are looking for a parent to coordinate this valuable project. Please call John or Diane.

TV Donation – We do not use TVs often at school. The one we currently have is heavy and difficult to move. If you have a flat screen that you no longer use, we would appreciate the donation.

Upcoming Events:

Fire Safety Day with Scottsdale Firefighters on Wednesday, October 12th and Thursday, October 13th.
Halloween Parades on Thursday, October 27th and Monday, October 31st.

Check your classroom’s newsletters for details.

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President Obama’s State of the Union speech brought a spotlight back on education at a time when many of you are busy planning your children’s educational future. When we operated CASY Country Day School, our students’ test scores were consistently the highest in the state. I am confident that our fourth graders could hold their own in math against students from any country in the world. The reasons for their academic success are crystal clear to me:

Good preschool prep (guess where?)
Academically talented students
Supportive families
Great Teachers

Here are a few things to consider when planning your child’s educational future:

1. More is more. Research shows that after six weeks off, students begin losing knowledge. We need at least 200 days of school, 170 as is now planned will be a disaster.
2. Most students will remember only a few teachers who really motivated them to excel and showed them the joy of learning. Seek them out.
3. No curriculum is magic; it is the teacher who presents and explains it, who brings it to life. Great teachers always set the bar high.
4. Learn more. Many parents fail to recognize that learning comes in many forms. It is wonderful that most of our K-Prep (4s) students are reading, but have you ever thought that a four piece puzzle is actually your child’s first geometry problem and that language development and social skills that are developed in a quality preschool environment are valuable tools for everyone and last a lifetime.

With your strong support, your children are likely to be very successful, like thousands of other former CASY students. Hang in there!

John