Written by - Marianne Riess If you knew Fred Wierdsma, founder of the Putnam Indian Field School, February 29th took on a special meaning. It was his birthday, and it explained him. Having one birthday every four years kept him young at heart and in attitude throughout his life. Today is the second leap year since he died. We miss the fun he always provided everyone whose life he touched. Happy 88/22 in Heaven. Once There Was A...
The Putnam Indian Field School held its annual Art Expo last weekend. Children and their families were able to visit the school at assigned times in class “pods,” in order to minimize the possibility of spreading germs. Each class had spent weeks exploring a topic of interest, and working on related in-depth projects. Along the way, teachers noted the children’s ideas and guided them through the process, supported and encouraged by the school’s studio art...
The Putnam Indian Field School’s virtual Book Fair this year featured the author and illustrator, Oliver Jeffers. His book What We’ll Build inspired the children to embark on collaborative building projects, using boxes supplied by studio art teacher, Debbie Chodoff. As Debbie said, “What child doesn’t love a box?” Each class was able to choose from a variety of large boxes, and then decided together what they would build. Debbie then provided them with the...
Do you have a budding Broadway star on your hands? Is your child happiest when they are belting out the latest hits on the radio? Have you always wanted to sing but were too nervous to try? Take voice lessons from an accomplished Broadway actress and singer Offering FaceTime and Zoom voice lessons for kids and adults (ages 9 and up) Learn proper vocal technique, acting a song, and improvisation in a creative and nurturing environment ...
Written & Contributed by - Lenore Broach From The UK Photo Credit - Pixabay A Party with Moms article “It’s Summer! Do You Know Where Your Children Are?” discussed how playing outside has evolved, with parents now keen to account for their offspring’s every moment of the day. In our parent’s day, children could be out from dawn until dusk and not be at risk, but that’s not acceptable in the modern world. Similarly, attitudes have changed around the home....
In late October, the Putnam Indian Field announced plans to replace the outworn Smokey’s Bounders play structures with new and challenging designs, made from natural materials. Working with Environment Design, the firm that created the Stamford Museum’s Nature Playground, and inspired by the late Headmaster Fred Wierdsma’s original plan, the school is now happy to say that Phase 1 of the project has been completed. The children are enjoying the new zip line, the log balance...
By Marianne Riess It is no secret that modern children spend a lot more time indoors and on screens than did previous generations. Yet studies continue to show that children need lots of outdoor time to develop in all domains of learning. Children who spend time outdoors not only have better muscle development and coordination, but they are also more curious, more independent and more creative learners. They tend to be more resilient, more willing to...
A nursery school like no other, PIFS offers the perfect summer experience for a young child. All facilities and grounds are specifically designed for 2 – 5 year olds, with classrooms and play yards full of wonderful, age appropriate activities. PIFS staff know how to introduce a young child to the first school experience, and to make a successful transition from home to school. They combine comfort and assurance with interesting and exciting activities that any...
Article By Marianne Riess Photo By Marianne Riess Thanksgiving lunch at Putnam Indian Field School has always been special. Alba and Susanna carried on the tradition started by Nolda Joseph, serving delicious turkey, stuffing and gravy as well as potatoes, acorn squash, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. Yummy desserts, too. Thanks Alba and Susanna for all the hard work and thanks Nolda for the inspiration. A special lunch for a special school. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! www.pifs.net Phone – 203 –...
It’s an annual tradition now. In the middle of October, the trucks roll in delivering the pumpkins and hay bales that transform the Putnam Indian Field School play yard into a wonderful outdoor classroom with so much to learn and do! The hay bales make a wonderful maze for climbing on, running through or jumping off. The children can’t believe their good fortune, or get enough time in the outdoors. The air is crisp and cool,...
Little Friends Child Care & Early Education 25 Valley Drive, Greenwich, CT 06831 Little Friends in Greenwich offers full day care and early education year-round for infants as young as 6 weeks! The popular childcare center also offers year-round full day classes for Toddler/Twos, 3, 4, and 5 year-olds. Little Friends is open Monday - Friday from 6:30 AM until 6:30 PM. They are the perfect choice for working parents. They only close 11 days a year -...
Brought to you by 3 Moms of the Week! Camilla Gazal, Flavia Naslausky of Zaniac and Laurie Stefanowicz of Catamount Wealth Management. 100% of the workshop fees will be donated to Girls with Impact. Register via email - greenwich@zaniaclearning.com ...
Research shows that young moms in their 30s and 40s are most at risk. It is important to educate yourself to prevent and/or survive this awful and very serious disease. Admission is free. Click here to register via email Mom of the Week, Kaile Zagger has joined forces with T.E.A.L. to bring ovarian cancer awareness to Connecticut. The Town of Greenwich will proclaim September Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in honor of Kaile’s mother, Marilyn Trahan Josephs, who succumbed to the disease...
Guest Contributor - Tricia Edgar Have you ever noticed the way a dropped stone makes a fun pattern in a pond or lake? What's the science behind these splashy occurrences? Find out with this watery project! Problem - Does water ripple in different ways depending on the shape of the droppedobject? Materials - Square, rectangular, circular, and triangular pieces of wood Scale Bathtub Camera Towel Notebook Pencil Procedure - Get ready to splash! First, make four different splashing tools out of...
What was originally predicted to be a wet Saturday turned warm and sunny just in time for the Putnam Indian Field School’s 40th Anniversary celebration. Head of School, Susan Donaghy and Former Head Marianne Riess welcomed the over 300 people who showed up to connect with old friends and share memories. Parents and former children (now adults) were there from the first classes in 1978 and on. Past and present teachers were happy to reminisce...
Sleep-away camp Monday through Friday and home with the family on weekends. Transportation included. Boys and Girls, ages 7-15, from NY, NJ and CT June 25 – August 10 Enroll for 2 weeks up to 7 weeks Located on the beautiful, rural 525-acre campus of Blair Academy, in Blairstown, NJ, one hour west of the GWB and 12 miles from the Delaware Water Gap. Campers choose their own activities every day. Athletic activities include swimming, gymnastics, archery, fencing, ultimate Frisbee, skateboarding, golf,...
2018 is Putnam Indian Field School’s 40th year, and to celebrate, the school is throwing a party for former parents and alumni on June 9th, from 4 - 7 PM on the school grounds. It has the potential to be a very big bash with so many parents and their grown up children invited. Refreshments will be provided by the Boxcar Cantina truck serving its New Mexican food and delicious margaritas, and by Aux Delices serving...
It is so important that the first school experience be a happy and positive one, enabling a child to build self-confidence and independence. PIFS knows how to help children transition successfully from home to school. Staffed by caring teachers from the PIFS staff and other area nursery schools, the PIFS Summer Camp features sand and water play, art, imaginative play, music and nature experiences and lots of outdoor time with other young children. The PIFS...
Nolda and Alba have done it again! Each year, on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the school’s chefs plan a wonderful and healthy lunch for the children and teachers that is above and beyond any concept of school food. Each year, the recipes change as new vegetables, different stuffings, and side dishes are tried out. [caption id="attachment_8941" align="aligncenter" width="288"] Chris carves more turkey as the first lunch group enjoys their meal.[/caption] Today’s lunch was no exception, as the...
For two weeks every October, children at PIFS have a glorious outdoor classroom, known as the Pumpkin Patch. The skies are blue, the air is warm enough to not require coats, the leaves are turning bright colors, and their play yard is transformed by the presence of a hay bale maze, hay jumps, a teepee made of cornstalks and over 100 bright orange pumpkins of all sizes. The children love moving the pumpkins all over...
Budding Actor’s Workshop (ages 5-7) Instructor - Tony Republicano Saturdays - 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9 A variety pack of acting tools and techniques for beginners just breaking into ‘the biz’ and experienced students looking to sharpen their skills: improv, scene-study, auditioning, TV and film acting and more! $250 for all eight-weeks Let’s Put On a Show (ages 8-10) Instructor - Shannon-Courtney Denihan Saturdays - 10:00 to 11:30 AM 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2,...
Where does the time go? Many long-time Greenwich residents can remember when their 30 and even 40 year old children started school at PIFS. This September is the school’s 40th year of existence, and there are always new developments. The school gets greener and greener. The gardens planted by the children in the spring are full of many different kinds of tomatoes, cukes, lettuces, peppers, beans, and potatoes, as well as pumpkins and melons. These organically...
When your child enters the middle school years, you enter a new stage of parenting with new challenges. You need to think about social media and how to make sure your children are safe as they become users and consumers of social media platforms. Being concerned about social media and how it is impacting your child makes you a good parent. However, it is hard to know how to teach your child the proper and...
The start of school can be stressful for children, mothers, and fathers. There are concerns about new teachers and new schools. Children worry about challenging academic schedules, and concerns about peer relationships and social pressures. As a parent, there are things you can do to make the transition to school easier for you and your children. -Notice your own anxiety level and manage it. Maintain a positive attitude about summer ending and school starting. Make a...
In addition to a successful practice in Princeton, NJ, Dr. Sharon Press has opened a new office in Westport, CT providing diagnosis and psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults. The services she offers include: Individual Therapy Family therapy for children and adolescents Psychological and educational testing for children, adolescents and adults Consultation with lawyers, regarding children’s needs in the divorcing process and the development of parenting plans for divorcing families Marriage counseling Parents who have worked...
SUMMERSTOCK JUNIOR FOR AGES 6-11 (two, separate, two-week sessions): Session One: July 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31 and August 1, 2, 3, 4, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM with a showcase performance on August 4, 2017 at 3:00 PM Session Two: August 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM with a showcase performance on August 18, 2017 at 3:00 PM Summerstock Junior provides a strong foundation in acting...
Swimming is a life skill, one that is highly valued by parents. Most of them would love to have their children develop into strong swimmers. Good swimming skills not only make a child safer, but will also breed confidence. At the Purchase College Aquatic Program, your children will have fun while developing into little “fish.” This summer the program offers two-week intensive sessions at all skill levels. At Level 1, a child will learn to put...
Written Exclusively for partywithmoms.com by our Guest Contributor, JenB’s Home With childrenswear steadily growing over the course of the last decade, it has finally become ripe for innovation and fresh ideas. Over the past five years, Business of Fashion reported that the industry has grown by over 10%, and the current figures have exceeded predicted market growth. This means that the opportunity—and pressure—for brands to adapt to different demands from parents everywhere is huge, and this is...
CURTAIN CALL'S SUMMERSTOCK CREATIVE THEATRE FOR AGES 11-16 (in cooperation with The City of Stamford) June 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and July 5, 6, 7, 2017 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (No classes July 3 and 4, 2017) Tap into your creative instincts and build confidence, trust and teamwork thru Improvisation while also exploring techniques in classic and contemporary performance thru Shakespeare and Modern Scene Acting! The session culminates in a showcase performance July 7, 2017 at...
Every year, parents and staff are amazed at the art the children of Putnam Indian Field School create for their Art Show. This past weekend was no exception, as the school was transformed into a very colorful art and science museum. The children work very hard on their creations. Some are individual expressions; others are the result of longtime group projects. An example of a long-term project was one Pre K’s “cleaning and security robot.” It...
