Happy New Year!
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.
Hope this week finds you remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and the legacy he left, especially in today’s turbulent times and this week’s upcoming events. As we continue to discuss Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, staff continues to find ways to deepen how the materials in our classrooms reflect the diversity of the children. This includes expanding our literature choices that represents people of all races, ethnicities and abilities. Check out a few literature choices:
- Just Us Women by Jeannette Caines
- Everett Anderson’s Goodbye by Lucille Clifton
- Bright Eyes, Brown Skin by Bernette Ford and Cheryl Hudson
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
- Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad? by Sandy Lynne Holman
- Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
- Hair Dance! by Dinah Johnson
- The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Holiday Drive Update
Every year, we hold a holiday drive and receive donations to purchase toys and other items for children. Marilyn Brown donated $3,000 to this year’s drive, and J. McLaughlin retail store sponsored a day for Sewall with part of the proceeds going to the drive. Many amazing volunteers donated their time. This was the first year that a drive was held at the Dahlia site as well. Between our headquarters and Dahlia, a total of 140 children across all locations were impacted. One of the staff, Dr. Liz (Co-VP of Programs), has twin daughters 13 years of age (Maya and Julia) who were so excited about the toy drive that they held one of their own and gathered 50 gifts. It’s wonderful what happens when we work together.
Girl Scout Troop Volunteered to Design, Source, and Build Toddler Playground Sensory Wall for Sewall
In November 2020, the Girl Scouts of Troop 61048 completed their Bronze Award project by designing, sourcing and building a sensory wall in the playground for toddlers.
When the troop decided to undertake the project, they brainstormed areas of interest and eventually agreed to incorporate helping children by making art and using recycled materials. After contacting us, taking a tour, and meeting children and teachers (pre-COVID), they asked about our teaching philosophy, which is play-based and inspired by a Reggio Emilia approach. This approach of child-centered learning with natural materials aligned with the Troop’s goal, and they decided to build a sensory wall. Wall activities include an abacus, a Duplo building wall and scale.
From late summer through November 2020, the troop met (in masks and socially distanced outdoors) to construct the wall at Sewall’s headquarters in Congress Park. They used many materials for the first time, including electric drills, pipe epoxy and tile grout. The toddlers enjoy playing with their new equipment. Thank you Girl Scout Troop 61048, for creating an exciting place of play for the toddlers!
Reggio Emilia Approach
Check out this video below, to learn more about Reggio Emilia approach:
Experiencing the Reggio Emilia Approach® on Vimeo
Over the past school year…
You have helped make a difference in your community! See how your support has impacted the world around:
 Students served: 600 |  Classrooms 25 |  Years serving our community: 76 |
Early Childhood Inclusion:
“Inclusion is in the best interests of all children and is most effective when enacted as early as possible.”
(Henninger, W.R. IV and Gupta, S.S., 2014)
Click the button above or text “Sewall” to 50155 to make a donation.
Supporters of Sewall who reside in Colorado and file Colorado state taxes qualify for a 50{3636cb0a451a12ed88382a3e0ed28b2223ede70e167d2b3efd87582f6f12e3da} state income tax credit in addition to the regular state and federal income tax deductions. All cash gifts qualify for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit (CCCC).