Our first day was amazing. It was so much better than we ever dreamed possible. We stood at the front door this morning greeting our new families and watching a long line of cars drive down the road to the school. The children arrived smiling with their parents and their laundry baskets and duffle bags full of supplies. We had Big Star Studio on site taking pictures of the children as they headed towards their classrooms and then to record the morning for us. Our first lunch went so smoothly. The menu included chicken and dumplings and falafel. It was wonderful. Chef Nate baked fresh, home made bread for both snacks. The building smelled warm and comfortable and we just felt like we were at home.
The half-day program welcomed a new addition in Miss Kim, as well as several new friends. The children had a wonderful time exploring their new classrooms and moving into their new playground spaces now that it is all theirs. Mr. Sean said that it was a perfect day at the Little School Davis Rd.
We had an absolutely wonderful day!
We hope that you did too.
ENROLLMENT: If you have not yet enrolled your child, but are considering the school, we invite you to come to take a tour of the new school. We still have a few openings left in both programs. We would love the opportunity to share a glimpse of who we are!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Little School, Big Opening
Waterstone campus Sunday, Jan. 3. From left to right, Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens; Grayson Niven, Christa Niven; Talen Niven, Wendy Vavrousek, Alex Vavrousek; Collin Dock, Jennifer Dock; Maddie Vavrousek; Mark Vavrousek, Jennifer Dock; and Bryan Dock. Photo by Vanessa C. Shortley.
The Little School of Hillsborough’s new Waterstone campus held its ribbon-cutting Sunday afternoon. Children, parents, supporters and local officials and businesspeople milled around the school’s new dining room and explored all the nooks and crannies of the school at the Sunday opening.
For owner/operator Christa Niven, it was event well worth waiting for.
“We’re so excited you’re all here,” she said.
Owner/operator Jennifer Dock said she felt as proud as a parent of the new facility.
“This is like showing off your new baby,” she said. “Just wait until you see how beautiful this baby is.”
Eleanor Lee, 3, puts her shoes back on with the help of her father, Michael Lee, after taking a peek inside a classroom Sunday, Jan. 3, at The Little School’s Waterstone campus ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Vanessa C. Shortley.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Little School Waterstone Campus is now OPEN!!!
We had a wonderful time today at our ribbon cutting ceremony. (See pictures below.)Nearly 200 people came to the event this afternoon and it was just incredible to see so many of you exploring the new school. Chef Nate's food was ABSOLUTELY delicious. The school is fresh and clean and waiting patiently for all of our children to arrive tomorrow morning.
***Reminder: If you have not already done so, please read the warning about the parking lot posted yesterday.
KITCHEN UPDATE: The big question of the day was: : "When can parents begin to pick up meals from the Little School kitchen for dinner?" Our goal is begin family meal service on Monday, February 15th but we want to give Nate the time to get settled into his new kitchen before we begin. We realize that those of you who came this afternoon and smelled the wooonnnddddeeeerrrrffffuuuulllll smells coming from the kitchen are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this service. We will do our best to begin as soon as we feel sure that Nate is ready to add another piece. Thanks so much for your patience. In the meantime, know that the kids are eating really well!
ENROLLMENT UPDATE: There are still open spots in a few of the classrooms. Please contact: mary@thelittleschool.net for more information.
PLAYGROUND UPDATE: Our first installation went in today. When you arrive at the school you will find a beautiful playhouse surrounded by a forest of pine trees on our courtyard. We will be adding weekly to the play spaces. Please also look for information about our seminar with Robin Moore.
BLOG UPDATE: We will continue to post an entry per week but will now move the blog into the FOR PARENTS ONLY section of the website as we will begin to talk about the events of the week and the children and classrooms specifically. Please look for the continuation of this conversation there. If you do not yet have the password, please write to: christaniven@thelittleschool.net for more information.
***Reminder: If you have not already done so, please read the warning about the parking lot posted yesterday.
KITCHEN UPDATE: The big question of the day was: : "When can parents begin to pick up meals from the Little School kitchen for dinner?" Our goal is begin family meal service on Monday, February 15th but we want to give Nate the time to get settled into his new kitchen before we begin. We realize that those of you who came this afternoon and smelled the wooonnnddddeeeerrrrffffuuuulllll smells coming from the kitchen are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this service. We will do our best to begin as soon as we feel sure that Nate is ready to add another piece. Thanks so much for your patience. In the meantime, know that the kids are eating really well!
ENROLLMENT UPDATE: There are still open spots in a few of the classrooms. Please contact: mary@thelittleschool.net for more information.
PLAYGROUND UPDATE: Our first installation went in today. When you arrive at the school you will find a beautiful playhouse surrounded by a forest of pine trees on our courtyard. We will be adding weekly to the play spaces. Please also look for information about our seminar with Robin Moore.
BLOG UPDATE: We will continue to post an entry per week but will now move the blog into the FOR PARENTS ONLY section of the website as we will begin to talk about the events of the week and the children and classrooms specifically. Please look for the continuation of this conversation there. If you do not yet have the password, please write to: christaniven@thelittleschool.net for more information.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
New Year's Day Update
Waterstone:
We spent today decorating the classrooms and the office, watching mulch make its way to the front door, and reading Nate's fantastic menu for next week. The school is coming closer and closer to completion and we are just bouncing with joy and expectancy.
Davis Road:
We spent last night cleaning and decorating the classrooms at Davis. It is very nearly finished and waiting for all of the half day children to arrive on Monday. Miss Rachel and Mr. Sean have been meeting to plan and decide on schedules. It looks beautiful and we can't wait to see the children explore their new classrooms.
It was a great day at both campuses!
Lots of you are asking about the details for the week. We will post these details in the school hallway at Waterstone and on the chalk board at Davis Road. Here are some of the details that you will need for Monday morning:
Waterstone:
***THE PARKING LOT IS NOT COMPLETELY FINISHED. WE WILL PARK OUR CARS HORIZONTALLY ALONG THE RETAINING WALL AND ASK THAT YOU PARK ALONG THE SCHOOL SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU ARE EXTREMELY DILIGENT ABOUT HOLDING ONTO YOUR CHILDREN WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT UNTIL ALL OF THE FENCING IS IN. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DROP-OFF THE RETAINING WALL ON THE WOODS SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE. THE FENCING CREW WAS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE THE FENCING TODAY BUT THE REMAINDER OF OUR ORDERED FENCING MATERIALS DID NOT COME IN. THE FENCING IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY ON MONDAY AND WE WILL BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WITH THE CHILDREN DURING THE DAY UNTIL IT IS FINISHED. AS THE WEATHER IS FORECASTED TO BE EXTREMELY COLD, WE WILL PLAN ON SPENDING TIME IN THE ART ROOM AND THE GROSS MOTOR ROOM ON MONDAY WHILE THE FENCING IS COMPLETED. REGULAR PLAYGROUNG TIME WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY MORNING.
To Do List for the week of January 4-8, 2010
We have several items on our final punch list. Some of our items will be completed by our staff. Some of the items will be completed by our subcontractors. We will continue to work diligently until we are finished.
Monday, January 4, 2010
1. Fencing will be completed and the gates installed.
2. Parking lot and walkways will be worked on later in the day.
3. Sonitrol will be onsite installing the fob readers and the fobs will be programmed. They should begin to work very soon!
4. Mulch, mulch and MORE MULCH will be spread.
5. There are several windows and doors to be replaced late in the day.
6. We will be working on playground installations.
7. We will continue to hang things in the classrooms.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
1. The phone company will be here installing our phone lines.
2. Fence and gate installation should be complete.
3. Sonitrol will continue to work on our security system. We hope that key fobs work today.
4. Mulch, mulch and MORE MULCH will be spread.
5. We will be working on playground installations.
6. We will continue to hang things in the classrooms.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
1. The phone company should be completing the installation of our phone lines. Our old number, 644-1818 is being imported and should work today.
2. Century Link should be onsite to install the internet connections.
3. Final work on the security system should be completed today.
4. Mulch, mulch and MORE MULCH will be spread.
5. We will be working on playground installations.
SAFETY FIRST:
Will there be strangers moving about the campus unescorted?
NO!
We have been very clear with our construction team that no one may move around the campus unless they are a parent, have a completed a criminal background check on file, or are escorted by Mr. Jim.
Davis:
The school will open with children in the Middler and Preschool classrooms. The Toddler classroom will be temporarily unoccupied as the teachers and Ms. Mary get into the routine of the day in their new space. We will be posting information about Lunch Bunch later on in the week for those of you who are interested.
Both Campuses:
Contact Information for the week of
January 4-8, 2010
Waterstone Campus:
• The temporary telephone number for the Waterstone Campus will be 923-5518.
• The permanent telephone number for the Waterstone Campus will be (919)644-1818.
Davis Road Campus:
• The temporary telephone number for the Davis Road Campus will be (919)644-1818.
• The permanent telephone number for the Davis Road Campus will be (919)644-1919.
We spent today decorating the classrooms and the office, watching mulch make its way to the front door, and reading Nate's fantastic menu for next week. The school is coming closer and closer to completion and we are just bouncing with joy and expectancy.
Davis Road:
We spent last night cleaning and decorating the classrooms at Davis. It is very nearly finished and waiting for all of the half day children to arrive on Monday. Miss Rachel and Mr. Sean have been meeting to plan and decide on schedules. It looks beautiful and we can't wait to see the children explore their new classrooms.
It was a great day at both campuses!
Lots of you are asking about the details for the week. We will post these details in the school hallway at Waterstone and on the chalk board at Davis Road. Here are some of the details that you will need for Monday morning:
Waterstone:
***THE PARKING LOT IS NOT COMPLETELY FINISHED. WE WILL PARK OUR CARS HORIZONTALLY ALONG THE RETAINING WALL AND ASK THAT YOU PARK ALONG THE SCHOOL SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU ARE EXTREMELY DILIGENT ABOUT HOLDING ONTO YOUR CHILDREN WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT UNTIL ALL OF THE FENCING IS IN. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DROP-OFF THE RETAINING WALL ON THE WOODS SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE. THE FENCING CREW WAS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE THE FENCING TODAY BUT THE REMAINDER OF OUR ORDERED FENCING MATERIALS DID NOT COME IN. THE FENCING IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY ON MONDAY AND WE WILL BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WITH THE CHILDREN DURING THE DAY UNTIL IT IS FINISHED. AS THE WEATHER IS FORECASTED TO BE EXTREMELY COLD, WE WILL PLAN ON SPENDING TIME IN THE ART ROOM AND THE GROSS MOTOR ROOM ON MONDAY WHILE THE FENCING IS COMPLETED. REGULAR PLAYGROUNG TIME WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY MORNING.
To Do List for the week of January 4-8, 2010
We have several items on our final punch list. Some of our items will be completed by our staff. Some of the items will be completed by our subcontractors. We will continue to work diligently until we are finished.
Monday, January 4, 2010
1. Fencing will be completed and the gates installed.
2. Parking lot and walkways will be worked on later in the day.
3. Sonitrol will be onsite installing the fob readers and the fobs will be programmed. They should begin to work very soon!
4. Mulch, mulch and MORE MULCH will be spread.
5. There are several windows and doors to be replaced late in the day.
6. We will be working on playground installations.
7. We will continue to hang things in the classrooms.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
1. The phone company will be here installing our phone lines.
2. Fence and gate installation should be complete.
3. Sonitrol will continue to work on our security system. We hope that key fobs work today.
4. Mulch, mulch and MORE MULCH will be spread.
5. We will be working on playground installations.
6. We will continue to hang things in the classrooms.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
1. The phone company should be completing the installation of our phone lines. Our old number, 644-1818 is being imported and should work today.
2. Century Link should be onsite to install the internet connections.
3. Final work on the security system should be completed today.
4. Mulch, mulch and MORE MULCH will be spread.
5. We will be working on playground installations.
SAFETY FIRST:
Will there be strangers moving about the campus unescorted?
NO!
We have been very clear with our construction team that no one may move around the campus unless they are a parent, have a completed a criminal background check on file, or are escorted by Mr. Jim.
Davis:
The school will open with children in the Middler and Preschool classrooms. The Toddler classroom will be temporarily unoccupied as the teachers and Ms. Mary get into the routine of the day in their new space. We will be posting information about Lunch Bunch later on in the week for those of you who are interested.
Both Campuses:
Contact Information for the week of
January 4-8, 2010
Waterstone Campus:
• The temporary telephone number for the Waterstone Campus will be 923-5518.
• The permanent telephone number for the Waterstone Campus will be (919)644-1818.
Davis Road Campus:
• The temporary telephone number for the Davis Road Campus will be (919)644-1818.
• The permanent telephone number for the Davis Road Campus will be (919)644-1919.
