Young children ages 2 to 5 can explore the MCDS campus and meet teachers at three upcoming Little Hawks sessions, with the next event on Feb. 28.
Little Hawks brings prospective families to campus on Saturday mornings for hands-on activities hosted by Pre-K, kindergarten and specialist teachers. The program, now in its fourth year, helps young children get comfortable with the school environment before applying.
“Little Hawks is a great way for us to meet new families in a very fun and casual setting,” Pre-K teacher Kim Rhodes said, who will co-host the Feb. 28 session with Pre-K teacher Sammy Grill. Their activity, called COLORS, begins at 10 a.m.
Two more sessions follow: Sensory Play with kindergarten teacher Erin Drewes on April 25 and Go Fly a Kite with lower school science teacher Shelley Petzold on May 9. All sessions start at 10 a.m.
Teachers choose their own activities, often themed to the season. In December, kindergarten teacher Maheen Ott led a winter craft where kids made melted snowmen. In November, lower school art teacher Anne Gustafson read a book and did collages with the kids. After each activity, children get 30 minutes of free play in the Pre-K classroom.
Admissions family liaison Kallie Opel, in her first year leading Little Hawks, said she thinks kids will especially enjoy Drewes’s sensory play activity.
“The purpose is to allow families the opportunity to meet our wonderful staff and see our beautiful campus, and also make connections with other young families in the community,” Opel said.
Many families discover MCDS before their children are old enough for Pre-K, so Little Hawks eases them into the program. Sometimes enrolled students in kindergarten or first grade join their younger siblings for the activities.
Early childhood head Megan Thornburgh started Little Hawks four years ago.
“I started Little Hawks as a way to showcase the early childhood program to potential new families,” Thornburgh said. “It also offered a great, free, educational experience for MCDS community members and others looking for an engaging, fun activity on their weekend.”
