It’s 2024 and in this new calendar year already, our Lower Schoolers are being offered some incredible opportunities on celebrating difference as part of our new Winter Term! This theme was weaved throughout the three days of Lower School Winter Term 2024. Read below to see what students were exposed to during these very special days of school!
Artists First Theme – January 3
On the first day of Winter Term, the Lower School welcomed three visitors from an organization called Artists First: Nami Rutherford (who works at the studio), Rene Zar P’21, ’23, ’26 (volunteers at the studio and is also a parent of current student), and Nathan Witt (guest artist from the studio). Artists First is an inclusive, collaborative, diverse, non-profit studio that includes artists with disabilities, veterans, youth, and elders. It provides participants with a stocked studio. Youth with and without disabilities can join the Integrated Youth Studio night on Thursdays from 3:00-6:00 p.m. The organization helps artists with developmental and physical disabilities obtain their greatest potential and growth through the arts. It also supports people with memory loss.
Before Winter Term, every Lower School student signed their name on a large blank board to turn it into an all-school art piece for learning about Artists First. This was guest Rene’s idea. After everyone signed their name, the piece was taped off in grids and when Artists First came during the assembly, Rene shared how different art tools were modified to help anyone create. “The goal of the assembly was to share that all are welcome and that everyone can be an artist which aligns with the mission of Artists First,” explained Sarah Garner, Lower School Visual Arts Teacher. “After students added to the painting with modified tools in challenging ways (i.e. if you are right-handed, we asked the student to paint with their left hand). It was cool to see how the students added to the art piece as Rene taught the students that everyone can be an artist with the tools that help. After the piece dried, we removed the tape and what the students created is going to be framed as a piece that will live in Beasley.”
Big Papi’s Kids Theme – January 4
On Thursday, January 4, Beasley welcomed Mr. Daniel Harms to Lower School Winter Term, and he spoke at an assembly about his work providing assistance to children around the world, specifically in Tanzania and Rwanda (Africa) and Colombia (South America). Mr. Harms has traveled to Africa numerous times with a partner organization called Humanity for Children, and more recently, he’s launched his own non-profit organization in Colombia called Big Papi’s Kids. His time spent in each of these cultures shares the goal of providing education- and health-based resources assistance to children as well as building global relationships in doing so. “He shared many stories and details about life for children in these cultures, which excited our JK through fourth-grade students and piqued their curiosity,” shared Thomas Buffington, Lower School Librarian and lead planner for Thursday’s Winter Term activities. “He even left behind some cultural artifacts which our students have enjoyed seeing up close in the library this week.” Harms ended his presentation with a reminder to students of the importance of learning from one another across the world, and, in doing so, showing kindness, compassion, and gratitude along the way.
“In connection to the presentation, we designed activities reflecting Maasai culture in Africa and Colombian culture in South America,” explained Mr. Buffington. Students enjoyed creating their own examples of Maasai-themed ‘shields’ using cardboard templates created in collaboration with the Upper School Makerspace. A big thanks to Ms. Amy Scheer, Head of Lower School, and Mr. Brian Purlee, Upper School Theater Technical Director, Maker and Robotics Coordinator, & Science Teacher, for help with this. The Beasley students also enjoyed stories and discussions highlighting the ‘Biblioburro’ story from Colombia, the true story of a mobile library carried on the backs of burros (donkeys) to children in rural areas. “Two Middle School students who I worked with in Robotics, Nya Young ’30 and Peyton Cox ’29, were kind enough to narrate video read-alouds for the children to hear,” Buffington detailed. “It was certainly a lot of planning around many moving pieces for this day to come together. Overall, I believe the activities and presentation ended up being very successful as an opportunity for students to gain a global perspective and practice their own creativity!”
Dogs on Duty Theme – January 5
Lower School students spent the first two days learning about how people can make a difference in the community. On Friday, January 5, the Lower School switched gears a bit to learn how animals can be helpful members of our communities. This lesson came to life with a very special visit from Dogs on Duty, a local organization whose mission is to help Working Dogs get the equipment they need to successfully help in the community.
Before the assembly, Lower Schoolers began by learning about the difference between service and therapy dogs and played a fun dog game. They also read the book Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes. This book is based on a true story and shows how a special dog named Rescue helped Jessica when she lost both of her legs.
Having Dogs on Duty come visit expanded our learning by showing how people and animals can work together to assist those in our community who need help. “We learned that dogs can help in numerous ways,” shares Laura Pupillo, Lower School Science Teacher. “From assisting police officers, farmers, people with physical disabilities, those with emotional needs, and even alerting a handler when they may need to take medicine, service and therapy dogs play a crucial role in communities.” Dogs on Duty was created to help fundraise so more people can have access to these types of dogs when needed. Purchasing and taking care of a working dog can be costly for many people. This organization works to try to close that gap.
“Our students absolutely loved learning all about working dogs in our school assembly and were impressed by how well the dogs listened to their handlers,” Ms. Pupillo describes. After the assembly, each group of students had the opportunity to meet a group of therapy dogs. “Therapy dogs sure love to snuggle and hugging these precious pups was certainly a highlight.” To help give back to this organization and to help the dogs who were hard at work, Beasley students made homemade dog treats and dog ropes to donate back to Dogs on Duty.
Special Olympics – January 5
On Friday afternoon, Miriam Rotskoff, Second Grade Homeroom Teacher, coordinated a partnership between Beasley and the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO). Lower School welcomed visitors from SOMO to conclude Winter Term: Jocelyn Diehl (Regional Program Director) and Lindsey Hawkins (a Special Olympics Missouri athlete). The Special Olympics Missouri provides sports training and athletic competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Jocelyn explained the mission and importance of SOMO. Lindsey did a wonderful job sharing her personal experience as an athlete and how SOMO has helped her achieve her goal of playing and competing in sports. The students learned about the benefits of including people of all abilities in sports and how much we each have to offer. The Beasley students were a wonderful audience and asked Lindsey many questions. They were especially interested in learning about Lindsey’s favorite sports and how many medals she’s won! Lower Schoolers decorated lunch bags for SOMO to use to pack lunches for their athletes.
A Wonderful Lower School Winter Term
