Spruce Street is often described as a special place by the people who know it best, and I frequently find myself reflecting on the nature of this “specialness.” While there are many factors that make it so, committed, involved families, talented, skillful teachers, dedicated administrators

and a strong sense of purpose and commitment to community, “excursions,” or outings with two teachers and a few children after school, are unique to Spruce. Organized by families for our annual auction, excursions provide one-of-a-kind experiences to the children lucky enough to participate. And at Spruce, we ensure that any family who would like to participate has the chance to do so!

Over the years, we have paired trips on the Swan Boats with treasure hunts, eye patches and pirate hats, or with painting on canvases with trips to Mr. Frosty. And the Duck Boats are always so fun, providing a rare chance for a three year old to guide a World War II amphibious vessel through the treacherous waters of the Charles River.

We have been lucky enough to make our own pizzas at Lincoln Tavern, and we have hosted a tea party complete with crowns and elegant attire here at Spruce! And how can we forget the dinner dates for four lucky children and two happy teachers at the Paramount? How uniquely special, to go out to dinner like a grown-up with your favorite teachers.

Sports themed excursions are always a huge hit. We have visited the Bruins bench and received a tour of the Garden, we have been in the Red Sox dugout and had a tour of Fenway. And boy, do Spruce Street students love to bowl!

This year eight children had the chance to tour a firehouse, climb on a firetruck and have pizza with the firefighters, one of whom is the brother of a Spruce teacher! And of course there’s the traditional Llamas in Pajamas party, where twelve students join Leslie and me for a special pajama party at school in the

evening, complete with a movie, a treasure hunt, and a dance party with glow sticks.

All of these excursions highlight the generosity of the Spruce community: the teachers, who donate their time, and the families who get together to make them happen. They are a testament to our small, and yes, special school, where fun and friendships matter, and where community is paramount!

Spruce Street Nursery School Newsletter

Oh the Places We Go!

Spring/Summer 2014Volume 24

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose!” - Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go

The Turning of the PageHave you ever been so absorbed in a book

that you actually miss it when it ends? You rush to the finish, relishing every nuance and plot twist until the conclusion, and then, quite abruptly, it’s over. Though a new, enticing book awaits you on your bedside table, your thoughts return repeatedly to the story you left behind.

Each school year at Spruce is like that book. There is a dazzling cast of characters that we become immersed in, and a myriad of plot details that make each day exciting. We rush to the conclusion in a flurry of excursions, tulle, birthday celebrations, and culminating projects, and then, quite abruptly, it’s over.

Change is hard. It’s hard on the children, and on all of us. We’ve gotten used to this story; it has a predictable rhythm and a familiar feel, and who knows if the next chapter will be as compelling? But change is also vital; there is no growth without change, and what is more central to pre-school than growth?

So though I will miss this year’s story, next year’s is waiting to be told. Though my heart will be so heavy as so many friends fly away, it’s time once again to turn the page, and celebrate new beginnings. And the funny thing is, the next chapter is always as engrossing as the last. New characters and plot twists fill our hearts and minds, and the days become full and exciting. The simple lyric is true; at Spruce we make new friends but keep the old, and each person who walks through these doors plays a role. Thank you for being part of the story!

Yours truly,

Heard on Spruce Street One of the highlights of the Oak year is the

study of art and artists each Spring. From Georgia O’Keefe to Keith Harring, the Oaks have been inspired by the masters as they create their own subway art, watercolors, and pointellism projects, to name just a few. At Spruce, donning a pair of swim goggles to paint upside down (and underneath the table) is just an everyday kind of a thing!

In this issue, we turned to the Oaks and asked them, “what artist would you invite to lunch and what would you eat together?” This is what they had to say . . .

O Kearney: “Cindy Sherman for pasta with cheese and butter.”

O Liam: “Peanut butter and jelly sand-wiches with Cindy Sherman.”

O Luca: “Rene Magritte for dinosaur chicken nuggets.”

O Darian: “I would invite Claude Monet for cheese pizza.”

O Will: “Andy Warhol and he would eat steak.”

O Bea: “Andy Warhol for New York City bagles (he is from NYC).”

O Lucas: “I would serve Cindy Sherman homemade pizza.”

O Ian: “Claude Monet for hot dogs.”

O Kate: “I’d eat vanilla cake with Cindy Sherman.”

Teacher NewsOn May 25, 2014, Maple teacher Kristin

Jones and her husband Ashton welcomed thier first child, Carolina Shaw Jones!The Maple class (and the rest of the Spruce community)

have been counting down the days until baby Jones’ arrival. Congratulations Kristin and Ashton! We are so excited for you!

We are also delighted to share news of an engagement here at Spruce! Mary Lund (Willow teacher) is engaged to marry longtime boyfriend Brian Guillerault. Mary and Brian are planning a summer 2015 wedding at Dunegrass in Maine. Congratulations to Mary and Brian!

Annual Fund 2014We are very excited to report on the

incredible success of the 2013-2014 Annual Fund! Thanks to the generosity of current families, grandparents and friends, we have raised just over $177,000, with 75% of current families and 20% of alumni families participating.

If you have not yet had a chance to give but wish to, there is still time. Gifts received by June 30th will count toward this year’s drive. Please give online at www.sprucestreet.org.

We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for your extraordinary generosity and support!

SAVE THE DATE

Monday, July 7th-Friday, Aug. 15th Spruce Street Summer Program

Monday, September 8th All School Open House

Tuesday, Sept. 9th & Wed., Sept. 10th First Day of School (half day)

Thursday, Sept. 11th First Day of School

Sunday, Sept. 21st All School Potluck

Spruce Street Auction 2014This year’s Richard Scarry themed auction

was a spectacular success thanks to the amazing auciton team of Kristen Alexandrov, Susan Boney, Susan Brown, Makenzie Domb, and our auction fairy godmother, Kate Gilbane. A fantastic committee of Spruce volunteers transformed the Ritz Carlton into our very own “Busytown!”

We are delighted to report that the auction raised a record number for Spruce. The sucess of this event is due to the members of the Spruce community who supported the auction through donations, sponsorship, and spirited bidding. We send a special thank you to Tom Gilbane for graciously serving as auctioneer for the evening - bravo Tom!

Summer at Spruce! Summer camp is filling up quickly and is going to be terrific. While camp is great for Spruce students of all ages, it is a particularly good way for new families to ease into life at Spruce.

This summer, in addition to swim lessons on Mondays and Thursdays, our camp themes will be The Great Ourdoors, featuring a blueberry picking trip to Honeypot Hill and Carnival, with lots of fun messy projects and a thrilling sports field day! Summer is always fun and exciting at Spruce Street - join us!

Maggie Begley writes with news of the 3Cs: Colton ‘09 and Carter ‘07 are at Park Street School and Carter will graduate this year. Next fall he will join Clark ‘05 at BC High. Carter will be in the 7th grade and Clark will be in 9th grade, while Colton finishes 5th and 6th grades at PSS. All three boys are playing spring soccer, Clark is playing on the BC High tennis team, and Carter and Colton are playing baseball. On Mother’s Day, the 3Cs added a 4th C to the bunch, a highly anticipated Brittany named Casey. We are forever grateful for the start the boys had at Spruce and all the great people we know as a result!

Former Spruce teacher Audrey Shea shared some very special news with us. Audrey and

her husband Sterling welcomed baby Pierce Thomas Shea into the world on May 5th. Audrey is currently working at The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City and as a freelance food stylist. She and her

husband live in New York and are enjoying every moment as new parents.

The Martel boys have been busy this year. Oldest brother Sam is graduating from Brookline High School and is headed to California for college next fall. Ben ‘03 is just finishing up his freshman year at Brookline High School. He’s on the freshman baseball team and may play football (yikes!) in the fall. Jack ‘08 is finishing the fourth grade at Lawrence Elementary School in Brookline. He’s been keeping busy with soccer, basketball, hockey, and base-ball this year. The boys still reminisce about Spruce - they have such great memories!

Henry ‘07 and Charlotte ‘09 Goodman are busy wrapping up 6th and 3rd grades at BB&N, and are both off to overnight camp in Maine this summer. Henry’s passion is basketball and he is playing as much as he can this year. He gets to see Danny Burke ‘07 a lot - they have been on the same soccer team together since they were Willows! Charlotte’s calling is singing and she is re-hearsing for her final show of the year. She is in a book club with many old friends from Spruce: Katie Baker ‘09, Catherine Morey ‘08, Ava Lewis ‘09, Annie Winter ‘09, Annabelle Brennan ‘09, and Chandler Gilbane ‘09.

Former Spruce teacher Jessica Neissink Pratt writes: We are excited to announce the

birth of our second daughter, Eleanor Elizabeth (Ellie) on May 14, 2014. Olivia is in love with her new baby sister and loves being mommy’s big helper. We

are adjusting well to life as a family of four and I hope to bring Ellie for a visit to Spruce soon!

Carolyn Morey writes: “We miss Spruce! Charlotte ‘06 is entering seventh grade at Newton Country Day. Catherine ‘08 and Elizabeth ‘13 are at Chestnut Hill school getting ready for 5th grade and kindergarten. We are all well and keeping busy!”

The Shady Hill Beginners enjoyed their first May Day together this year. Pictured left to right: Zander Whitters ‘13, Caroline Killory ‘13, Sadie Lopez ‘13, and Will Thornby ‘13.

Former Spruce teacher Brooke Jordan writes: Hello Spruce Family! I received the best birthday gift ever this year. Our son Jack Jordan was born on May 19th at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to all of the adventures ahead of us with this little guy, and hope to travel to Boston so that he can meet his extended Spruce family.

Anna Mueller ‘10 is finishing up 3rd grade at Meadowbrook, and is so excited for her first summer of sleep away camp at the Pony Farm. Chasey ‘ 12 is also

finishing up his year at Meadowbrook

and is ready for a summer of golf and sports camp both here and in New Orleans. We can’t wait

until August when our extended family will be together for a month of fun in Wyoming.

Former Spruce teacher Kate LeFavre writes: I was married on April 26, 2014 in Boca Grande, Florida. Former Spruce teachers Lisa M a c V a r i s h Pizzi and Sara Becker were b r i d e s m a i d s . The Crowley family (Danny ‘08, Charlie ‘10, and Phoebe ‘12) attended the wedding and Phoebe was the cutest little helper to me. It was definitely the best day of my life. I’m teaching kindergarten at Kingsley and am living in Boston.

Alumni Family Tree

Welcome Spruce Saplings(2013-2014)

Georgia Adare Rosie Mohan 7/10/13

Margaret June Lopez 9/26/13

Gracie Eloise Woods 10/8/13

Penelope (Elle) Laughlin Williams 12/23/13

Riley Patricia Lipscomb 3/15/14

Ella Alina Piers Jamal 4/15/14

Halsey Frances Indelicato 4/21/14

Cutler Tredick McIntire 5/31/14

Send your Alumni updates to admin@sprucestreet.org

FLY AWAY2014

Spruce Street Nursery School 5 Avery Place Boston, MA 02111 617-482-5252

Nate: “I like going to the playground and being a super hero.”

Alix: “I love Lucy.”

Chase: “Playing trucks.”

Jack Z: “Because it’s so fun.”

Field: “I love my journal.”

Luke: “Playing Magnatiles.”

Sophie: “The popcorn song.”

Deven: “Playing with my friend Dillan.”

Gabriel: “Building with Magnatiles.”

Lizzie W: “Because I can color, and run, and draw in my journal.”

Garrett: “Flying superheros.”

Lucy: “I love playing with my friends.”

Jack A: “I will miss Kristin and Eliza and playing outside with my friends - especially Dylan.”

Sarah: “The toys.”

Henry: “Snack and free play.”

Margot: “Playing with my friends.”

Alex: “Finishing the caring chain.”

Hugh: “Getting my trophy.”

Sloane: “Having lunch.”

Mae: “I love all of Spruce Street. It is so fun! I like to play with my friends.”

Mia: “The whole school.”

Pete: “I like doing projects.”

Butterfly Goodbyes 2013-2014Teachers asked departing students what they love most about Spruce Street.

Dylan: “Going outside.”

Lizzie N: “The toys.”

Kearney: “Birthday parties.”

Liam: “When we go outside.”

Luca: “Free play.”

Darian: “Drawing and Mobilos.”

Will: “I like to play Mobilos.”

Bea: “I love that Kate and Nancy are there.”

Lucas: “Play time.”

Ian: “Free play.”

Kate: “Playing with my friends during free play.”

Sam: “Morning meeting.”