Gillispie Gem - March 2024

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A NEWSLETTER FROM GILLISPIE’S LEARNING VILLAGE IN LA JOLLA

THE MAGIC OF MUD

DR MINDY COATES SMITH, DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

Our many rainy days have produced epic opportunities for mud play in the Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom! Remember the joy of creating mud pies, jumping in puddles, and digging for worms? Our EC friends have been experiencing those joys, but it’s so much more than just fun. Messy, muddy play offers enormous benefits to young children in their growth and development.

Mud is one of nature’s simplest elements, and its simplicity encourages creative thinking and allows children to play at their developmental level. Teachers have made sure that they can freely create and get messy without fear of making mistakes

I have seen children fully engage with their environment, creating a memorable experience that they will likely draw upon for years Research shows that dirt contains elements that stimulate the immune system and increase levels of serotonin in our brains which not only make us happier but also improve cognitive function

IN THIS ISSUE

SPECIALTY SPOTLIGHT GENERATION AI’S TECHPOWERED LEARNING

p. 3

INNOVATION CORNER

GRADE 6 UNRAVELS MYSTERY USING FORENSICS

p 5

HAPPY HAPPENINGS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AROUND A CAMPFIRE IN JUNIPER

p. 6

ICARE A LEGACY OF KINDNESS

P. 7

OUR COMMUNITY

EC CREATES ART FOR BOOTS & BLING p 8

THEMAGICOFMUD

(cont’d)

Playing with mud allows our EC friends to explore textures, smells, and sounds simultaneously Most children are barefoot, which stimulates thousands of nerve endings in their feet and activates the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, helping them orient their bodies in their space, and develop skills like balance and coordination.

One particular squishy day, the children wanted to build ditches designed for optimal water flow but realized they couldn’t do this on their own. They needed to work together, so they communicated their ideas, listened to each other, and found solutions for the most water and mud-filled waterways possible. Some children preferred to create magnificent mud pies, and others simply dipped their fingers and toes into the fun.

By having this time outdoors and for messy play, children develop an appreciation for nature that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Wishing you many more magical moments of mud play, for both your children and their grownups!

Messy play is the best play.

The magic of mud

GENERATION AI’S TECH-POWERED LEARNING

LISA HASLER WATERS, PHD, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

Our students belong to Generation Alpha – the demographic cohort born into a fully internetconnected world. They are purportedly the most tech-savvy generation and are often referred to as “Generation AI” because artificial intelligence has been part of their world since they were born

We are excited to be part of this extraordinary time with our students, making it a point to be aware of technological advancements and how they may impact a child’s learning journey. We are also careful to integrate our Gillispie Values into our digital literacy curriculum to guide students’ safe and responsible use of these technologies.

Currently, our upper elementary students are podcasting and creating videos as part of their

academic studies. Through interdisciplinary projects, students gain a deeper understanding of poetry, history, and even Shakespeare as they master new technologies. In addition, these projects provide opportunities for students to use their voices in a positive way that honors their authenticity and underscores the value of their uniqueness over technology such as AI Three recent projects exemplify these learning opportunities

Podcasting to Inspire

Grade 4 students have created podcasts that share their passion for poetry and their love of California. Their goal is to convey their deep understanding of these topics and to inspire their listeners. Ms. Cohn’s class created the “Peace of Poetry,” a podcast series where

Working with Ms. Haas

Working on “Golden Poppy Podcast” script

Recording and editing “Peace of Poetry”

GENERATION AI’S TECH-POWERED LEARNING (cont’d)

students discuss famous poets, various genres, and their histories, and then create inspiring poems. In Ms. Haas’ class, students are creating a podcast series called “Golden Poppy Podcast,” which takes their listeners on a journey through California’s history to its present day. In each podcast, students make a unique connection to California’s past with their own present-day lives and motivate their listeners to make connections to the great state of California

Creating Movies with Heart

Students in Grade 5 have embarked on a project to bring poetry to life through video. The goal of this project was to help students value their interpretations of poetry and realize a connection to the power of words. To achieve this, students selected poems that resonated with them and recreated their interpretations as short videos using iMovie, combining images, sound, and narration representative of their unique perspectives. Students will then share their work and provide feedback to their peers,

learning to evaluate critically while showing compassion Through this exercise, they will develop communication skills that support each other's endeavors, allowing them to share their voices authentically.

Podcasting to Illuminate

Our sixth-grade students will be performing one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, The Tempest. To help our community understand the depth and nuances of this play, the students are producing a podcast series that will educate audience members young and not as young. After immersing themselves in a deep study of the play and Shakespearean theater, they brainstormed concepts they believed would be most important to share with their audience Now, they are creating contemporary scripts to capture the attention of various audiences This challenge has allowed them to reflect on the power of effective communication. We eagerly anticipate the release of their podcast series.

Grade 6 creating scripts for their podcast

Grade 5 students bringing poetry to life through video

GRADE 6 UNRAVELS MYSTERY USING FORENSICS

CHIP EDWARDS, SCIENCE-DESIGN TEACHER

Our sixth graders recently embarked on a captivating journey into the world of forensics through a simulated crime scene investigation Their mission? To solve a mysterious gold heist that took place aboard a train.

As the investigation unfolded, students worked with several different types of forensic evidence, including fingerprints, documents, and soil samples. They analyzed each other’s, as well as our fictitious suspects’ fingerprints, learning to identify general and sub-types of fingerprint categories and unique identifiers like "islands," "type lines," and "deltas."

The intrigue continued as they dissected documents, scrutinizing both handwriting and paper composition Students learned to match multiple samples of each other’s scripts before moving on to those provided by our suspects They examined the paper samples with microscopes and under UV light, finally completing the document analysis by determining each paper sample’s density.

The investigation didn’t stop there Students then sifted through soil samples, using multiple screens of varying mesh sizes The sifting yielded samples of small, medium, and large particles They compared the ratios between particles found at the crime scene and those retrieved from the suspects' shoes and car tires. Soil analysis continued with students venturing into the realm of "wet chemistry." They mixed small soil samples with water, testing pH levels. They learned to look for a fizzing reaction when drops of hydrochloric acid were added to the soil samples, a telltale sign of various compounds that could help link a suspect to the scene of the theft.

Forensics is a fascinating field that provides students with a high-interest framework within which to practice basic science mindsets, such as safety, careful observation, and accurate recordkeeping, as well as to learn specific skills like using digital scales, triple beam balances, and microscopes. Presented within the immersive narrative of the gold heist, it ignited our students’ curiosity and fully engaged them in learning.

Determining paper composition

Analyzing soil samples

Examining handwriting

LEARNING AROUND A CAMPFIRE IN JUNIPER

KAIT BOISNARD AND ABBI LEIB, EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS, JUNIPER

The Roher family's spring cleaning led to the generous donation of a tent and camping set, sparking the idea of setting up a campsite in Juniper!

The tent was placed on the center rug, along with various props such as logs, plants, a lantern, and a cooler, creating an immersive camping experience. Under the loft, the class arranged a fire pit with logs, fire, and rocks, complete with a coffee maker and pots for cooking. To add authenticity to the setting, the children collaboratively decorated the loft with a giant tree, painting large sheets of paper in different shades of green and cutting out the leaves.

What began as a spring cleaning donation became a source of endless learning opportunities for our friends, creating valuable connections between school and real life

Drawing from their camping adventures, the children eagerly shared stories, practicing their expressive and receptive language skills. Friends

in Juniper also became camp rangers and campgoers Together, they established rules for the camping area, such as limiting tent occupancy and organizing waitlists, promoting cooperative play and responsibility. Many knew the importance of making reservations for camping spots, prompting them to create sign-up sheets and independently practice writing and numeracy skills.

Imaginative play at the campsite also included taking pictures of each other using Polaroid cameras and making "s'mores" they had crafted out of cardboard, fluff, and burlap.

Through these immersive activities, students engaged in thoughtful discussions about environmental conservation and respecting wildlife habitats, enriching their understanding of the world around them

The campsite at Juniper ignited joy, creativity, and invaluable learning experiences.

Taking pictures with the Polaroid

Juniper’s campsite

Happy campers

A LEGACY OF KINDNESS

CINDY CHEN, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT

In the early 1940s La Jolla looked and felt very different. The village was smaller, its streets narrower, its coastline largely undeveloped, and the country was coming out of the Great Depression and entering a war But at the heart of La Jolla stood Gillispie School, then known as Gillispie Welfare Cottage, where the beginnings of a legacy woven with threads of kindness and community began

safe and cared for, and where I felt I could be fully myself and loved for it without fear or judgment,” she shared.

Established in 1933 during the Great Depression by Dr. Samuel Gillispie and Ada Gillispie, Gillispie School began as a thrift shop and cottage. It provided hot meals and child care to struggling families and a nurturing environment where warmth, care, and education were available to the children of La Jolla A recent visit from a Gillispie alum from the 1940s reminded us of our founding values and tells a story of resilience and community

Meet Judith, whose journey came full circle when she visited Gillispie School earlier this month, nearly 80 years after attending in the 1940s. She currently lives on the East Coast with her family of two boys and a grandbaby who is now around the age that she was when she attended Gillispie Judith was one of five boarders assigned by the San Diego County Welfare Department who lived temporarily at Gillispie Welfare Cottage while attending a nearby public school She called the Cottage her home at a young age and shared that after all these years, she still remembers strongly how she found solace here. “It was the first place I felt

As Judith walked familiar paths, her memories came flooding back Her eyes widened as she stepped onto the sports court, amazed at how much the campus had grown Yet, she recognized the same expressions of happiness and joy in the children's faces now as she did then. She recalled visiting the photo shop next door, helping out at the thrift shop, preparing meals for the community, sweeping the porch, and walking up a “mountain of a hill” to get to school every day. She also remembered the impact special visitors had on her and her friends, including government officials, actresses, artists, and musicians, who came to talk with the children at the Cottage Most of all, she remembered the warmth of the people she met at Gillispie and repeatedly shared how her life was forever changed by the kindness she found here.

Judith’s story reminded us of our legacy of kindness and community that began with Ada and Samuel Gillispie. It continues to define our school’s mission, guiding each interaction and shaping every lesson As we move forward with the initiatives outlined in our 2023 Strategic Plan, we will do so with a renewed commitment to nurturing not just the minds, but also the hearts of our students. For Judith, Gillispie will always be more than a school; it will represent the legacy of a community where everyone belonged.

Judith with family

The Cottage started the legacy of Gillispie School.

EC CREATES ART FOR BOOTS & BLING

Willow with their masterpiece, “Everything Grows and Grows”

The Boots & Bling art projects represent collaborative efforts between our early childhood teachers and students, often drawing inspiration from artists, photographs, or the children's interests and studies.

In Willow, students collaborated with Mrs. Abrams and Mrs. Knight to produce a mixedmedia flower garden. They sketched flowers and bugs on various art papers, including watercolor, canvas, and construction paper, and used a range of art mediums, such as acrylic, watercolor, and pastels, to color their creations The children crafted bugs and certain flowers from clay, adding depth and texture to their garden masterpiece.

For Willow's art piece, inspiration came from their winter performance song, "Everything Grows and Grows." This piece represents the continual growth of our Willow students, as they came together to create this vibrant garden, each contributing their unique expression and blossom.

This beautiful piece and many more from EC will be available for bidding at the Boots & Bling fundraiser on Saturday, April 13

Don’t delay purchasing your tickets They are selling fast, and we expect to be sold out!