Plymouth Cares
At Plymouth we believe in a curriculum that intentionally fosters children’s empathy for others and by extension their world. This curriculum is centered around community service - projects that young children can do to have a direct and positive impact on others.
Each February, Plymouth Church hosts a shelter for ten unhoused men who need a warm place to sleep at night. The shelter guests eat dinner and sleep in Hillis Hall between the hours of 5pm and 7am.
During Family Chapel last week, Plymouth children learned that they can help our shelter guests feel cared for by baking special treats and making cards for them. This month all of the classes will do just that.
Today during our professional development, we continued our work with Lori Riddick. Through our work with Lori we are learning to respond to children’s questions about race and societal inequities in a developmentally appropriate way. These conversations and our community service projects are teaching children to care for others which plants the seeds of empathy that will help them grow into kind and caring adults.
Magic Show
Please join us on Saturday, March 1st for a magic show with Magical Dave. Bring the whole family for pizza in the gym at 11:15 am followed by a magic show at noon in the Plymouth Church Sanctuary.
About Magical Dave:
Voted the Best Kids’ Party Entertainer in New York by New York Magazine!
Dave has been bringing magic to children’s parties and events for over 30 years. He is a full-time NYC teacher with a Master’s in education and he is also a dad. As one of New York’s top children’s entertainers, Dave performs over 200 in-person shows annually.
Dave’s Magic Show has delighted tens of thousands of children and even his 3rd-grade teacher! He has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out Kids and on Channel 11 News.
Upcoming Parent Talks
We had such a great Parent Talk last week with Rachel Hass – the first in her series. We really hope you can join us for the next two talks in this series.
Holding Ourselves and Our Children Through It All: A series of parent talks that will provide insight and strategies around the challenges we face and the joys we embrace as parents and caregivers.
February 28th - Holding Ourselves Through the Parenting Journey While Building Connection with Our Children
April 11th - Holding Space for More Than One: Navigating Sibling Life and Relationship
Rachel Hass has a Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Jewish Studies and Visual Arts from Oberlin College. As a Social Worker, LCSW, and Mental Health Specialist for Bank Street Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice, she facilitates workshops, support groups, and on-site consultation for teachers and staff in public schools, shelters, and childcare programs around the city. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Bank Street Graduate School and is in private practice, working with parents and children. At the core of her practice, Rachel values and honors children's and families' voices, histories, resourcefulness and strengths. She takes deep pride and joy in working with children and families who are navigating challenging moments in their lives, as she honors her role as a partner in development and support for parents and children alike.
Important Dates to Remember
February
14 – Re-enrollment agreements due
17-21 – School Closed for Winter Vacation
28 – Parent Talk with Rachel Hass
March
1 – Magic Show with Magical Dave
