Small Steps Nurturing Center

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Small Steps Students’ Artwork to be Displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Posted: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:35:51 +0000

We are so excited to announce that 29 works of art created by Small Steps’ Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be on exhibit from Saturday, July 3 to Sunday, January 9 at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s Kinder Foundation Gallery Exhibition Teach Me to See. Our students, along with 2^nd Grade students from Presbyterian School, took part in the MFAH Storytime Tours, where they participated in six one-hour guided tours of the museum and then created their own artwork based on what they saw at the museum. The MFAH News Release about this Teach Me to See exhibit states, “for children as young as 4 years old, visiting the art museum supports their social and behavioral development.” This Storytime Tours program fits perfectly with the Small Steps mission to instill and foster the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of its students.

While sitting in front of different works of art, the students were read stories, which allowed them to understand and make sense of what they saw. Not only were the students able to make this connection, but they could also compare this knowledge to what they learned back at school. The Small Steps students were guided by art specialist and Small Steps volunteer Kaeli Holland who helped the students create their artwork back at school by creatively using water-based paints and pre-cut shapes of boats and clouds. Special thanks to Kaeli who helped bring forth each student’s individuality and creativity that will be proudly presented at the museum.

The MFAH News Release also mentions how the program “prepares young students for the future as they grow as thinking individuals and develop into thoughtful students who need to learn the skills of forming their own ideas through experience.” These are incredible moments for our students to grow intellectually and realize the complex power and connection of simply looking and creating.

We cannot wait to have our students’ artwork proudly displayed at the MFAH and we hope you get a chance to make it out to the exhibit in the Caroline Wiess Law Building at 1001 Bissonnet at Main Street from July 3, 2010 to January 9, 2011.

Please join us at an Opening Celebration reception featuring our students’ artwork! Sunday, October 10th @ 2pm in the Kinder Gallery at MFAH.
Small Steps Featured in 002houston Magazine!

Posted: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:12:33 +0000

We are so pleased to announce that 002houston Magazine has recently published an article about Small Steps in its most recent June 2010 issue. 002houston features a different nonprofit around Houston in each issue and for June, we were chosen to represent the magazine’s nonprofit of the month!

The article details the exemplary education that our students are able to receive here at Small Steps. It also discusses the positive impact the Small Steps teachers and staff have on not only the children but the city of Houston, as well.

Furthermore, 002houston describes how crucial the SET for Life social and emotional curriculum has been in the success of the Small Steps program. It also states that our collaborative partners “assure an environment of success and interdisciplinary education,” proving how important our partnerships with various Houston organizations are in our aim to serve these children to the best of our abilities.

We are so happy and honored to be featured and we would like to extend our thanks to Gabriella Nissen, a local photographer and Small Steps volunteer who recommended us to the magazine, and 002houston Magazine for their help in spreading the word about Small Steps. Please check out the article here if you haven’t already, and be sure to pick up a hard copy around town!
Yet Another Great Graduation!

Posted: Fri, 28 May 2010 18:14:28 +0000

Today we had 25 Kindergarteners graduate from Small Steps with the theme of “Oh, The Places You Will Go” by Dr. Seuss, and they are now prepared and on their way to enter 1^st grade! While Small Steps does not continue after Kindergarten, our Program Directors and staff work their hardest to find each individual student the perfect fit in a new school for 1^st grade.

Today’s ceremony was one to remember! Our DePelchin campus graduates performed their Butterfly Dance with brightly colored scarves that truly lit up the stage as the children proudly performed their choreographed dance. During the year, our students are able to explore the movement of their bodies with creative movement teacher Lydia Hance. After much practice and a previous performance at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Museum of Natural Science, the children put on a flawless performance all on their own and in front of a large crowd of proud parents!

The Jensen campus graduates then performed their rendition of the book I’m a Caterpillar by Jean Marzollo. Mr. Mike connected this book to the graduates because the children and caterpillars all grow bigger and go through different stages until they are able to spread their wings and fly like a butterfly! The children are so excited and ready to fly right into 1^st grade and face the challenge and excitement of being at a new school with new people. They know they can do it because Small Steps has prepared them to the fullest for this transition. During the year, our students experience weekly drama classes with Mr. Craig and Mr. Justin of the A.D. Players. In addition, they regularly act out their own stories as part of the Rice Storytelling Project curriculum. All of this prepared them well to act out I’m a Caterpillar.

After watching a great slide show paying tribute to all of our 25 graduates throughout the years, the Kindergarteners received their diplomas and finished off the ceremony with a joint song of “May the Love of God,” a graduation tradition. A big thanks to Impact Church for hosting our ceremony and, of course, to Retta Bravo for putting in so much time and effort to put on a fantastic graduation once again.

To view the 2010 Small Steps Graduation photo gallery click here.
Small Steps Earns 4-star Rating from Charity Navigator for Sixth Consecutive Year

Posted: Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:54:00 +0000

Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluator in the US, has again awarded Small Steps 4-stars for sound fiscal management. This is Charity Navigator’s highest rating, and is the sixth consecutive year that Small Steps has received this rating. Only 3% of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least six consecutive 4-star ratings. Charity Navigator says that this indicates “that Small Steps consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America.”

Small Steps is committed to good stewardship of donated funds, and we are pleased to have our responsible practices recognized by such a highly regarded outside evaluator. Individuals interested in more information regarding Small Steps financial results may find historic financial statements as well as a copy of our Donor Privacy Policy and Bill of Rights on the Small Steps website .
Week of Prayer for Children

Posted: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:40:54 +0000

Please join us in A Week of Prayer for Children (August 16-23), a time to intercede for Houston’s at-risk children. We are joining many congregations and ministries in this effort: Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Grace Community Church, Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church, Houston Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Houston Prays, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Mission Houston, St Luke’s United Methodist Church, and Union Baptist Association. We believe that united intercessory prayer can make a great impact in the lives of these children.

The prayer guide, which can be downloaded here, focuses on seven systemic issues that children in Houston face. This is an ideal opportunity for everyone who has a passion for the health of children, a heart for God, and a few moments a day for one week to lift children in prayer as the new school year begins.

Introduction to Week of Prayer for Children (from the Prayer Guide):

How does God see the children of our city? We have several clues from the life and ministry of Jesus.

When His disciples sought to push them aside, Jesus declared, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16. He taught us that, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me,” Mark 9:37. A short time later, “He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them,” Mark 10:16.

When asked who was the greatest in the Kingdom of God, “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven,’”Matthew 18:2-4.

Jesus went on to warn us, “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea,” Matthew 18:6.

Jesus was serious about children. Towards the end of His earthly ministry He declared, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise,” Matthew 21:16.

In the last verse of the Hebrew Scriptures we read these words, “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse,” Malachi 4:6.

This prayer guide is designed to help us align our hearts with God’s heart as we turn our attention to the plight of the children in our city, and it is designed to help us pray in unity. Use the prayer guide in your prayer closet, during the prayer at meal times, in your small group, or in the prayer ministries of your congregation.

It is our hope to raise up an army of praying people seeking God’s heart for the children of our city.

Download your copy of the prayer guide here.
Small Steps’ Back to School Wish List

Posted: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:34:11 +0000

Greetings from Small Steps! As summer winds down, we are planning to outfit our classrooms with supplies for the fall. If you would like to be part of helping to equip the Small Steps classrooms, please let us know by calling (713)236-0330 or emailing Kathie Hartzog before the week of August 17. This will allow time for ordering those supplies that are still needed.

The items on our Back To School Wish List provide necessary supplies and free up funds to meet other classroom needs. Thank you for considering Small Steps in this special way!

Back to School Wish List:
White glue
Glue sticks
Sharpies
Chubby crayons
Contact paper
Regular paper clips
Manilla file folders (letter)
Clear packing tape
Dry erase markers
Clipboards
Invisible tape
Copy paper (81/2 X 11)
Adult scissors
Different size envelopes
Batteries (AA and D)
Disposable gloves
Laminating pouches (heat)
Diapers
Bandaids
Wipes
Play Matters

Posted: Tue, 05 May 2009 02:44:23 +0000
Over the last two months, we have had expert educators comment to us on “unusual” items they observed in the Small Steps classrooms. First, there were the large construction blocks in our Pre-K / K classrooms. Second was the use of shaving cream in our two-year old/three-year old classrooms. We knew that the ascendance of copied drill sheets meant some things had to be replaced. But blocks in Pre-K / K classrooms? Peggy Orenstein, in a 5/3/09 New York Times Magazine article, points out the tragedy of this increasing rarity of play in preschool.

Small Steps Nurturing Center is committed to child-initiated play. Our commitment stands on a solid foundation of research. Ms. Orenstein’s article references a significant recent work from the Alliance for Childhood: Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need to Play in School. This work, by Edward Miller and Joan Almon, outlines our current troubles, how we got here, and prescribes solutions to extract ourselves from this mess. We encourage all who care about young children to take a look at this work.

Listed below are the five parts of the Alliance for Childhood’s call to action, and the Small Steps position on each:
1. We call for early education that emphasizes experiential, hands-on activities, open-ended creative play, and caring human relationships. Small Steps has designed its program to emphasize each of these practices, and aspires to consistently practice them.
2. We call for a reversal of the pushing down of the curriculum that has transformed kindergarten into de facto first grade. No reversal necessary at Small Steps. We agree with the Alliance for Childhood’s view of what is age appropriate.
3. We call for research on the causes of increased levels of anger, misbehavior, and school expulsion among young children. Clear boundaries, an understanding of feelings and how to discuss them, respect for the individual, and allowing students to engage in creative play using the most important voice of all – their own - goes miles towards addressing the root causes of anger in children.
4. We call for additional research that examines the long-term impact of different preschool and kindergarten practices on children from diverse backgrounds. Our experience working exclusively with children in poverty shows that in addition to accomplishing all that it is known to accomplish in “standard” settings, child-initiated play has one additional invaluable impact: it gives a voice to the voiceless.
5. We call for teacher education that emphasizes the full development of the child including the importance of play, nurtures children’s innate love of learning, and supports teachers’ own capacities for creativity, autonomy, and integrity. You cannot value your students without valuing their most important contact each day – their teachers. Investment in teacher education translates directly into an investment in children’s futures.
Small Steps’ Pennies for Peace Project in the News! Local TV Station Covered Story

Posted: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:15:20 +0000

On Thursday, April 9, one of Small Steps Nurturing Center’s Kindergarten classes delivered a wagon full of pennies to Amegy Bank. The grand total was a wonderful $377.50 - which means that the students of Small Steps collected almost 38,000 pennies for children in Afghanistan through the Pennies for Peace program! (Please view our March 5 blog post for the story of how our students decided to become involved with Pennies for Peace.) The purchasing power of a penny means so much to someone in Central Asia: as the book Listen to the Wind explained it, a penny can purchase a pencil and a dollar can fund a child’s education for a month. The children truly grabbed hold of the concept and on Thursday, one of these Kindergarten students, Cristina, told her teacher, “I feel really great about collecting the pennies for Afghanistan. And I feel really happy so I can help with the schools and the school supplies for the children of Afghanistan.”

FOX News featured the Small Steps’ penny delivery story! The video is available to view here:

Denise Wilborn, Small Steps’ Kindergarten teacher whose students collected the pennies, asked the class for what reason they were collecting pennies and bringing them to a bank. They all chimed in together, ”We are philanthropists!”

Denise also summed up the several-month-long project well: “This is a wonderful experience for the children. Through their effort, energy, and excitement they encouraged other Small Steps students and families to share, serving others in need. Listen to the Wind closes with these words: ‘We are the children of Korphe. Can you hear our voices?‘ The Small Steps students heard and responded. They are making a difference!”

To view more photos from Small Steps’ Pennies for Peace project, please visit our photo album. Additionally, an article on Small Steps’ Pennies for Peace project can be found in our Spring 2009 Newsletter.

Thank you to our students, families, and to the rest of our Small Steps community for supporting Small Steps’ Pennies for Peace project!
Correction: Upcoming Parent Training Event – Sunday, April 19

Posted: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:29:40 +0000

Correction: The date of the parent training event is Sunday, April 19. It was incorrectly stated as Sunday, April 26 in a previous blog post.

Attention Small Steps Parents! Please join us for an upcoming event:

“How to Help Your Child Succeed in Public School”
A Small Steps Parent Training Event
When: Sunday, April 19, 1:30-3:00 (English); 3:30-5:00 (Spanish)
Where: At Small Steps’ Jensen campus

Members of the St. John’s Presbyterian Church Special Education Advocacy Ministry and a professional educational consultant will offer suggestions and answer questions about navigating the public school system, including special education services.
New Special Education Advocacy Ministry Launched

Posted: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:56:03 +0000

Led by St. John’s Presbyterian Church members, a new ministry has been formed to serve Small Steps families who have special education needs.

The special education process can be complicated and confusing. Being partnered with an advocate to assist, equip and support a family through the process can dramatically increase a child’s chances of receiving the educational services he or she needs once they leave Small Steps.

Mark Your Calendars!
“An Introduction to Special Education Advocacy” will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 am-11:30 am at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 5020 West Bellfort, Houston, TX (713-723-6262).

A repeat of the Introduction will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 10:00 am-11:30 am, also at St. John’s Presbyterian Church.

For more information about becoming a volunteer advocate or about other opportunities to help in this new ministry, contact Suzette Harrel by phone at 713-501-4703 or via e-mail.
Upcoming Justice for Children Dinners – April 19, April 26, & May 3

Posted: Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:25:51 +0000
Please join us for an upcoming series of discussions!

Justice for Children Dinners
At St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Sundays April 19, April 26 & May 3, 5:30-7:30 pm

What: A series of discussions with prominent child advocates in the areas of education, health care, child welfare, and juvenile justice.
When: Sundays, April 19, April 26, and May 3, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Where: St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 5020 West Bellfort, Houston.
Who: Any one interested in the state of Houston’s children and in ways to serve the most vulnerable among us. Come join us!
More: We’ll continue the conversation over a light supper following the presentations.

April 19th: Introduction & Overview of The State of Houston’s Children
Ten Things Churches Should Know About Children: Dr. Robert Sanborn, President, Children at Risk

April 26th: Panel on Education and Health Care
- Children’s Health Insurance and the Healthy Children Program: Barbara Best, Chairman, Texas Chapter, Children’s Defense Fund
- The Whole and Healthy Child: Michael Aceves-Lewis, Development Director, Mission Houston
- Why Pre-School Matters: Evan Harrel, Executive Director, Small Steps Nurturing Center
- Special Education: Robin Rettie, special education advocate & consultant
May 3rd: Panel on Juvenile Justice and Child Advocacy
- The Cradle to Prison Pipeline: Brandi Brown (and guests), Director, Texas Youth Leadership Program/Freedom Schools, Children’s Defense Fund
- A Prosecutor’s View of the System: Lynne Parsons, Prosecutor, Harris County District Attorney’s office
- A Music Ministry Serving Incarcerated Youth: Bill Ward, Crosswalk Ministries
- Child Advocacy: Claire Sabatier, Recruitment, Training and Retention Manager, Child Advocates, Houston
Further information is available on the St. John’s web site: www.stjohnspresby.org or contact the church office at 713-723-6262.

This information is also available for download here.
Mood Indigo to Appear as Finalists in The Great American Duet Sing-Off

Posted: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:11:41 +0000

Small Steps’ music instructor, Joe Romano, and his singing partner, Susan Elliott, have been selected as one of six duet acts to appear as finalists in The Great American Duet Sing-Off. The sing off will occur on Saturday, April 11^th at the Town Hall in New York City, and will be broadcast live during that evening’s live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion® with Garrison Keillor. A Prairie Home Companion® is broadcast live in Houston on 88.7 KUHF, from 5-7 pm each Saturday and rebroadcast on Sundays from 12 – 2 pm. You can hear Joe and Susan during the shows that begin at 5 pm on Saturday, April 11 and at 12 noon on Sunday, April 12.

Joe and Susan have been playing together as Mood Indigo since 1984 and have won numerous awards, played all over the country and toured extensively through Texas as part of the Texas Commission on the Arts touring artist’s roster. Joe, in his role as music instructor at Small Steps, visits each campus once a week to lead the children in singing. Joe’s relationship with Small Steps students extends back to 2004. More information about Mood Indigo and Joe and Susan is available on their website.

The entire Small Steps family congratulates Joe and Susan on this selection and looks forward to hearing their performance on Saturday, April 11.
Sign Up To Receive Small Steps’ Newsletter!

Posted: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:46:45 +0000

Small Steps is getting ready to send out our latest newsletter, Heart & Sole (to view previous editions, see our Get Connected page). If you don’t already receive this newsletter in your mailbox, we would love to send it to you!

Just e-mail Lydia Jones with your physical mailing address and we’ll get one to you soon. Thanks, and happy reading!
St. John’s School Middle Schoolers Serve and Connect

Posted: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:15:11 +0000

Sixteen St. John’s School seventh graders volunteered and connected with our students from Small Steps’ Jensen location today, Friday, March 13. They gathered here with the goal of planting a spring garden and coming alongside our sixty Small Steps students in order to show them how to plant in the Small Steps Community Garden. However, due to today’s rainy weather, the planting was moved indoors!

This flexible and helpful group of seventh graders instead worked with small groups of Small Steps students indoors to plant seeds in Peat pots. Their enthusiasm and care for the children was so evident as they worked with them to plant! Our Small Steps students had a wonderful experience and we are so grateful to St. John’s School for providing such a fun, educational experience. Thank you to each student for your servant-hearted actions!

Photos of the volunteer group are available in the St. John’s School 7th Grade Day of Service photo album.
Small Steps Goes Texan At BBQ Cook-Off

Posted: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:08:12 +0000

For the ninth year, Cold River Cattle Company has hosted Small Steps at their BBQ Cook Off tent, throwing an all-out Texas style party for our students. On February 27, we went by chartered bus (provided by Carey Transportation) and school van to the rodeo grounds where we were met by gracious hosts Paul and Tammy Brindley and their team of barbecuers, dressed as clowns and cowboys. Inside the Cold River tent, we were presented with straw cowboy hats and entertained with dancing, hoola hooping and a magic show. All of this went before a western style lunch was served and goody bags were distributed. Then it was time to load up a tired group of buckaroos and head back to our “ranch” (Small Steps) in time for rest time. A great big Texas THANK YOU to Dr. and Mrs. Brindley and their entire crew for a Texas size good time!

To view the entire album of photos from the event, please visit our Photo Gallery!