About Us
Each child is like a unique stone that work together to build a cairn; a community
Philosophy
A Cairn is more than a stack of stones. In nature, it can be a marker for a hiker. In astronomy, it points to the setting sun. The act of stacking stones is patient and signifies balance; helping each unique stone in need. Together a stack of stones stands tall as a community.
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At Stacking Stones School we aim to stand tall together as a community that creates balance and growth with patience and kindness. Stacking Stones school provides a safe environment where children can play and learn through an understanding and connection with nature, all the while encouraging the child’s adventurous spirit and imagination. Children are encouraged to embrace their imagination and grow through lessons that closely follow a Pre-K/Kindergarten curriculum, explore their natural environment, and learn valuable social skills in a small group setting.
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Just as every stone is different, our curriculum embraces aspects from various educational philosophies (Montessori, Waldorf, and Emergent) while closely following the requirements for Davis Joint Unified School District TK/Kindergarten program and catering to the interest of the child. Children are offered “jobs” as in a Montessori curriculum and activities are self-directed through hands-on learning and collaborative play. As in a Montessori curriculum, we focus on real life experiences. This is balanced by bits of a Waldorf curriculum that emphasizes the child's imagination and fantasy through art and nature. The aim of Waldorf schooling is to educate the whole child, "head, heart and hands.” Children learn that they play an important part in their community by learning through kindness, peace, and exploration. Finally, an emergent curriculum is reflected in our program when teachers plan daily activities and projects based on the specific group of children they are working with, taking into account their skills, needs, and interests. Together, a blend of these curriculums build a well balanced child, a community, a cairn that is Stacking Stones School.
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Health & Safety
Everyone’s health and safety is our top priority. We emphasize working together as a community and being able to keep each other safe. Much of the school day will be conducted outdoors, weather permitting or inside the school room with windows open. We have a beautiful outdoor space, we want to take this time to use it as much as possible. The fresh air will help ensure we are safe. Teachers will be wearing masks that are fun and colorful and not scary to children. We encourage children to come with masks and use them to the extent of their own comfort level.
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We will be implementing best practices for hygiene. Children will wash their hands upon entering the school, which is part of our normal routine, and throughout the day we will have hand washing moments between activities and indoor/outdoor play. Shoes will be removed at the door, which is also part of our normal routine. Maintain social distancing during drop-off and pick-up with other students and parents.
Only healthy children will be permitted at school. If we have any concerns about a child's health, we will error on the side of caution and send the child home. Please have a plan in place for your child to be picked up quickly in case the need should arise. Children are welcome to return to school with a negative covid-19 test.
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Thank you for your understanding as we navigate through these uncertain times. We are all in this together, and want to stay as safe as possible.
