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From the Director

September 20, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

First Anniversary of 2017 Playground Dedication

Here is a bit of history on the rich legacy of Shari Robinson, the former director and a teacher at Meridian Hills Co-op to whom we dedicated our Reimagined Playground last September. Shari was a three decades icon in the cooperative movement in Indianapolis. As a young mother of four children, she taught first in the late 60s at Willowcreek Cooperative […]

August 9, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

Some Things Old Are New Again

As we begin our 58thyear of teaching children and parents at MHCNS&K, this recently republished 1993 article in the August 2018 Cooperatively Speaking newsletter for PCPI (Parent Cooperative Preschools International) lists the reasons why I have long maintained a core belief in cooperative preschools. Lest you turn away from the “old” 1993 advice, (ha!), please read on. I know we sometimes miss […]

July 14, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

The Nose of a Camel

There are so many causes that need advocacy these days I often find it overwhelming, so I remind myself that I can do only so much within my immediate world. One of the parts to my world (actually pretty much in my DNA) is my belief in the cooperative philosophy for preschool education. Along with the MHCNS&K membership in the […]

June 23, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

Playful Parenting

Shortcake for dinner? Makes PERFECT sense to me, and in fact it is a fond June memory in our family… dairy, wheat, fruit – several food groups – made a long-ago summer story of deliciousness. I served it the other night after making strawberry jam with wonderful, fresh Indiana berries. Mmmmm. Here is another story about dinner I “made” after […]

May 7, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

Farewell to Another School Year

Dear Parents, A sure sign of spring is when I put out my favorite garden accessory by our front door – a copper pinwheel. I bought it in a melancholy moment the first year of empty-nesting. It reminds me of windy days and kite flying with my two boys as it spins easily at the corner of our house. Call […]

April 4, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

Do You Believe In Magic?

I must…as is evidenced by my current Spring Break enjoyment of reading the Chronicles of Narniaby C.S. Lewis, and also reading A Wrinkle In Timeby Madeleine L’Engle out loud to 8 year old Kai (Reading fantasy books is an escape from current events. Ha.) Well…actually I don’t REALLY believe in magic, but I do REALLY believe that childhood is filled […]

February 20, 2018From the Director by Nicole Sipe

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Write This …

I cannot get the frustration out of my mind after yet another school shooting. Every teacher in America has this in the back of mind. Every. Single. One. Of course children pick up on what adults say and maybe have seen or heard the news, so I am hoping these suggestions will help you as you parent. Sandy Hook was […]

November 5, 2017From the Director Reading by Nicole Sipe

Reading a Good Book Leads to Breaking the Rules

Some months ago, our 7 year old grandson, Kai, told me that the only books in which he was interested were information books. He is a reader, but information books don’t get one caught up in a story with the joy of “not being able to put down a book.” I wanted him to learn about people, emotions, relationships, imagination […]

August 23, 2017From the Director by Nicole Sipe

Our Reimagined Playground

Hi Parents, Welcome to a new school year! I know you have already begun with class playdates and your little ones are eagerly anticipating a new routine. Perhaps you are, as well! The Reimagined Playground is taking shape nicely and being readied for submitting the certification application to become a Nature Explore Classroom. Thank you to Shane Grotjan, James Halleck, Jaime Robles, Jenn and […]

July 13, 2017From the Director by Nicole Sipe

You can’t teach someone to swim when they are drowning

Eric Carle is a long-time favorite author and illustrator for both children and adults. One of my recent reads to my 2 ½ year old grandkids is a well-worn The Grouchy Ladybug. In it two ladybugs meet one early morning on a leaf covered with aphids. The one who arrived first invited the second one to partake, but the Grouchy Ladybug […]

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