Sundance News
COME DANCE WITH US AS WE WALK ON SUNSHINE!
"Thanksgiving is a day to just drop everything and really think about being grateful for how fortunate we are. We gather with our family and friends to give thanks and express our gratitude for everything we have."
Welcome to the Sundance School VLOG series. We have created a series of vlogs to be posted each Thursday so that our viewers will have a window into WHY a Sundance School education is so unique and so very special. Let's take a look!
The annual celebration of Q and U is always 'quite' a special occasion!
Last week, our Primary School students gathered together to celebrate the eternal friendship of Q and U! Both letters promised to stick together like glue and make words like quail, quack, quiet, and quit!
Articles About Sundance
Sundance is an independent, non- sectarian day school for children ages 2 through 5th grade. The school is a rare gem of academic excellence AND whole child-centered learning. The faculty’s experience, longevity, and steadfast commitment to the mission are integral components of the ‘Sundance Experience’.
“The mission of Sundance has always been to ignite within the hearts and minds of their students a passion to make the world a better place while inspiring them to become successful and life-long leaners,”
The Sundance School is celebrating 40 years of helping children shine!
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Continuing their study of color-coded handbells, the Sun Room students played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" all together as a class. Then, they were able to write and play their very own music! They drew their color notes on music staff paper, and then each Sun Room composer played an original work. What a lovely concert!
On February 19th, Sundance School's third and fourth graders attended the Planetarium at the Raritan Valley Community College. The day began with a fun scavenger hunt! Students searched for the answers to questions about the sun, moon, planets and space exploration. Students also had the opportunity to travel through time and space exploring the solar system through two planetarium shows - The Magic Tree House Space Mission & Earth, Moon, and Sun. They loved watching these shows and learned so much! The shows were followed by interactive lessons and a question-and-answer session where students were free to ask any questions that they had. It was an amazing and adventurous trip!
Sundance Celebrates Black History Month!
As part of our Black History Month study, the Upper School learned about Katherine Johnson, the famous NASA mathematician whose math calculations were crucial for the first U.S. crewed space flights. Our Upper School students were so inspired that they started writing math equations all over the board just like Katherine! Our friends in the Kindergarten and First grade attended a presentation lead by two Sundance parents that focused on the many inventions African Americans have created throughout history! Some of the inventors included Sarah Boone; who invented the ironing board, James West; who invented the Electret microphone, and Garrett Morgan; the inventor of the stoplight!
The third and fourth graders were challenged to use recycled materials to design and build a large-scale marble run big enough for a 3" ball. They used the Engineering Design Process to plan, create and collaborate. Every time it didn't work, the students didn't give up. They analyzed, redesigned and tried again. Their fourth iteration WORKED!
Our Sun Room students learned that there is nothing better than snuggling up to read a good book! The 'sleepover' included their favorite stuffed animal, hot chocolate, and they read "Ira Sleeps Over" by Bernard Waber
"Thanksgiving is a day to just drop everything and really think about being grateful for how fortunate we are. We gather with our family and friends to give thanks and express our gratitude for everything we have."
Andrew McCabe - Grade 3
Today the Sundance community gathered to prepare Thanksgiving food baskets (complete with all the trimmings) for 12 local families in need. We are sending our heartfelt wishes to our Sundance family near and far, present and past for a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday March 30th 9:30-1:00
at 10:30 a visit from renowned author and storyteller Judi Schleppenback and Sundance's beloved Art teacher & illustrator Cynthia McManigal reading and providing a craft for their book Zappity Zip, Just That Quick!
Signed copies of books will be available for purchase $20.
For more information please contact us at sundance@thesundanceschool.com
The Performing Arts program at Sundance School has long been popular with its students, so in 2007, Sundance added a musical theatre summer stock, too.
“The Showtime Experience at Sundance really has been, for many, life-changing and enhancing,” says Artistic Director Joann Merrigan. “It’s one of the things that sets Sundance apart as a school and makes it unique. The thought was, “Hey, let’s continue doing shows in the summer, because our kids love showtime so much.” And then our graduates can come back home to Sundance every summer because we stop at fifth grade.”
Sundance Theater Camp has three two-week sessions open to ages 5-14. A core group of campers typically takes part in all three sessions, which Merrigan sees as a testament to the camp’s quality.
Staff includes certified teachers, guest artists and camp graduates now working as professional actors. Campers are led through morning lessons in three disciplines: dance, acting and voice.
“In the afternoon, we combine as a cast and start to build the show together,” Merrigan says. “Our friend and Broadway actor, Callan Bergmann, joins us each session to give master classes and teach the original choreography from whatever show he is in.”
Campers practice, prepare and then perform their show on the final Friday of camp. Families attend and a cast party is held after at the Warrenbrook Pool in Warren.
But the lessons last longer than a pool party.
“We do strongly believe at Sundance that participation in arts-based learning fosters open creativity, enhances oral communication skills, and develops cultural literacy,” Merrigan says. “And we believe that the lessons our students learn on the stage resonate with them long after the final bow.”
This week our vlog's focus is on the importance of our low student/teacher ratio. At Sundance, our low student teacher ratio allows us to personalize each child's educational experience.
It’s a Small World Activities Kickoff!
Following up on a fun and informative production by the Pushcart Players of Ellis Island – Gateway to America and our “It’s a Small World” parade, the Galaxies students continued to expanded their knowledge of the world around them by visiting Ellis Island. By design, the trip enabled students to experience some of what the 12,000,000 individuals who passed through the portal of Ellis Island experienced. Students were required to assume the persona of an immigrant from Hungary, Italy, or Russia and learn their fictitious backgrounds. Embracing their new identities, they experienced arrival to the island by ship, witnessed the awesome sight of the Statue of Liberty in the harbor, and underwent some of the medical and legal processing required to gain entry to the United States. We couldn’t be prouder that our students took their responsibilities seriously, impressed the park personnel, and represented Sundance with the greatest aplomb.
Sundance students enjoyed their first all school assembly today with a captivating performance by The Pushcart Players of Verona, NJ. "ELLIS ISLAND: GATEWAY TO AMERICA" begins at the turn of the 20th century with the arrival of Emma, Rosa, Tony and other hopeful immigrants at Ellis Island. Colorful scenes and musical numbers take these refugees through early experiences in their new homeland and then on a journey through the decades designed to illustrate key events in our nations history." At The Sundance School theme based, arts-integrated teaching and learning are an integral part of every student's experience. This performance was a perfect way to reinforce this year's theme, "It's a Small World" Thank you, Pushcart Players, for demonstrating so beautifully for us year after year the transformative power of theatre as well as the joy performing can bring. BRAVO!!! And see you next year!
“As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen”
Dear Sundance Families,
I hope you and your children are having a fabulous, fun-filled summer. It is truly hard to believe that our 2018 - 2019 Sundance adventure is about to begin! Our Sundance summer camps were super successful thanks to the hard work and creativity of our talented Creative, Fine, and Performing Arts teams! The Sundance Theatre Campers performed three absolutely magical musicals under the direction of Ms. Joann and her team. Ms. Cynthia and Ms. Maureen helped our Fine Arts campers create one masterpiece after another during their amazing 7 week program! Our youngest Creative Arts campers had fun making new friends and learning new things with Ms. Bunny and the Lower School team. It was quite heartwarming to hear all the positive feedback from campers, parents, and alumni. As one alumnus so happily stated after performing in 101 DALMATIANS Kids, “Coming back to Sundance for summer camp is like coming home! Everyone remembers me! The teachers are always so kind, loving, and caring. It’s like a second family.”
We are so very grateful (and almost ready!) for the opportunity to begin another school year with you, welcome another community of young learners, and begin what we know will be another innovative and inspired learning experience for all!
Please save the date: Tuesday, September 4th - Orientation for students Moon Room through Kindergarten. Times per class are as follows:
- Moon Room – 9:00 to 9:50
- Tree Room – 10:00 to 10:50
- Sun Room – 10:30 to 11:20
- Kindergarten – 9:15 to 10:30
Our Sundance Parents Association will be hosting their first social event of the school year on Saturday, September 9th. Please join us with your families for a fun day to kick off the new school year! An invitation with reservation information has been sent via email.
We are eager to embark on our journey with you as we prepare to expand our educational horizons and experience this year’s theme “It’s A Small World”. A world of endless possibilities lies ahead for our students 2 years through 5th grade as we prepare to celebrate the rich similarities and unique differences of our human family. Let the adventures begin!!!
Happy Labor Day from our Sundance Family to yours.
Our pre-k through 5th grade students participated in a compelling and empowering assembly presented by the kidkind foundation. Wear the Cape Shows Kids How They Can Embody Heroic Character and Stand Up Against Bullying. Our captivated crowd of Sundance kids enthusiastically pledged to “Stop! Think!” And ask, “Help or hurt?” The entire audience came away feeling energized and inspired to ‘wear the cape’ and spread the word that it is cool to be kind!
“This assembly was wonderful! A truly positive approach to a very serious topic. The time flew by as the talented presenters filled every minute with engaging role plays that really resonated with the kids. The video was totally kid-friendly, yet amazingly powerful! Our students had a clear understanding of the message being conveyed. Our future heroes are now peacefully armed and ready to attack…with kindness!!!” states Barbara Heteji, Sundance School’s Director of Education. “We would like to send a heartfelt Sundance thank you to Leigh Ann Errico, CEO/ founder of Wear the Cape and kidkind foundation and Sundance alumni parent for bringing Wear the Capeto Sundance. Congratulations on making your dream into a reality and thank you for helping to make world a better place – one cape at a time! You are truly an inspiration to all of us.”
The Milky Way/Galaxies were very excited to undertake a new novel study activity in partnership with the Robert Mueller Life School in Panajachel, Guatemala. The class teamed with Ms. Nancy and her students in Guatemala to read and explore the messages of the book entitled The Most Beautiful Place in the World. The book was written by Guatemala resident, Ann Cameron. Ms. Nancy is a former Sundance teacher and the current director of the Life School.
On Tuesday, November 7th, we Skyped with Ms. Nancy’s 3rd, 4th & 5th graders to see and hear the author as she addressed the students. Our students joined in for a Q&A session with Ms. Cameron afterward. This was a wonderful opportunity for our class to delve into the world of writing and gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of the writing process. Our Sundance students also learned about life in Guatemala, Guatemala itself and the Robert Mueller Life School. As an extension activity, we will be arranging pen-pals with the Guatemalan students and we encourage and support ongoing communication throughout the year!
Dear Sundance Families,
Our kids kindness project of Silly Sock Day has brought a monthlong fundraising effort to a close. Back in mid-September when Hurricane Irma swept through and destroyed many homes, schools, and infrastructure, Upper School students discussed the natural disaster. Chloe Holland, a Sundance friend in the Constellations class from Fanwood, planned on raising funds for Hurricane victims with a lemonade stand at her home the following weekend. With guidance from her mother and encouragement from her teacher, Ms. Rendòn, Chloe persuaded her classmates to join in the cause. The children were so enthusiastic and excited to help those in need.
In order to make a meaningful connection for our students, we found a school in an affected area in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Lehigh Elementary School is a title one school, meaning that there is a high percentage of low income families in the district. Lehigh Elementary is a state funded school where lunches are provided free of charge for the students. Lehigh was directly hit by Hurricane Irma. Classrooms and their contents were destroyed. As the school rebuilds itself and its community, the assistant principal has requested that our funds be directed toward replenishing the books that were taken away by the storm. Sundance students will see their fundraising energy and empathy transform into books for Lehigh students.
With combined efforts and events, like lemonade stands, the orange juice sale and Silly Sock Day, we have raised an impressive $1,130. Thank you for your contributions and encouragement! We have partnered with Scholastic books to get the most from our donations. Sundance students from the Moon Room up to the Galaxies recorded their favorite books to compile our order for Lehigh. Books were delivered last week and our students will begin corresponding with the Lehigh students. It is our hope that our students' kindness will create a connection that will maintain throughout this school year.
One small kind idea grew into a movement that will promote and cultivate empathy. Thank you for supporting your children and the children of Lehigh!
Below you will see the video that Lehigh Elementary sent us to thank us for our efforts!
The Sundance School is celebrating 40 years of helping children shine! Located in North Plainfield, Sundance has been providing exceptional pre-school through elementary school education for students from Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains/ Fanwood, Watchung, Warren, Summit, Chatham, Maplewood/ South Orange, Short Hills/ Milburn and North Edison since 1977.
Sundance is an independent, non- sectarian day school for children ages 2 through 5th grade. The school is a rare gem of academic excellence AND whole child-centered learning. The faculty’s experience, longevity, and steadfast commitment to the mission are integral components of the ‘Sundance Experience’. The mission of Sundance has always been to ignite within the hearts and minds of their students a passion to make the world a better place while inspiring them to become successful and life-long learners. The school boasts a student teacher ratio of 7:1, individualized instruction, curricular rigor, and a stimulating arts- integrated experience for EVERY student.
The Sundance calendar is theme based. Each year is a different theme- four to be exact; This Land is your Land, The Earth is Good to Me, It’s a Small World, and Everything Under the Sun! Through team teaching and a healthy dose of creativity we weave the theme of the year into every aspect of the curriculum. The culmination of this theme based learning is the students participation in “The Happening.” The Happening is a school wide, interactive, multi-sensory experience that brings the classroom learning to life. “To see the wonder in the eyes of the children as they see, hear, smell, feel and even taste a new world come to life through active use of their imaginations is truly a commitment of time and resources well worth the effort,” states Cynthia McManigal, Fine Arts Program Director.
S.T.E.A.M. education at Sundance expands students’ academic endeavors and bodies of knowledge by assuring the arts and sciences are an integral part of the educational process. The Lower School program offers students daily classes in creative movement, art, gym, and music. Subject/ Field Experts teach classes in Science, Math, Language Arts Readiness and Spanish as well as Violin, Mandarin, Visual Arts, and Dramatic Instruction, when the students advance to our Primary and Upper Schools. After graduation, students transition successfully into the top independent area schools with competitive test scores and achievements. The Sundance Summer Spectacular Camps allow students and alumni to continue their Sundance Experience from June through August.
Proud Sundance Dad, David Greenberg says, “This school has changed my family’s life. My 3 children are so happy going here every day. They come home so happy and can’t wait to share what they’ve learned. The educational philosophy puts children first and teaches them in a fun and interesting way. The teachers are very aware of your child’s learning style and because of the small class sizes, are able to cater to each child. If I could give Sundance a million stars, I would!”
“Sundance is a warm and welcoming place that is filled with love.” says Creative and Performing Director, Joann Merrigan. “To our teachers, staff, students, families, and alumni… Sundance is home”
Please call to arrange a tour, attend a musical theatre production, visit the annual Happening, and experience for yourself the many ways learning comes to life at The Sundance School.
Every independent school has its niche, but ages two to fifth grade is a novel one. But here at the Sundance School, that student cohort means teaching children to become life-long learners, says Director of Communications Joann Merrigan. “The mission of Sundance has always been to ignite within the hearts and minds of their students a passion to make the world a better place while inspiring them to become successful and life-long leaners,” she adds. The path started in 1977, when the school was started to serve students in surrounding towns in Middlesex and Union Counties. The non-sectarian day school now has a Lower, Primary and Upper School, all of which pride themselves on class-size ratios of just 7:1.
The lesson plans value “individualized instruction” and “curricular rigor,” Merrigan says. The school focuses on the STEAM approach to learning, which prizes education in sciences, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. That fosters initiatives like the school’s Performing Arts Program and its Kids Kindness Project. And it encourages courses like Violin, Mandarin and Dramatic Instruction. The tack “expands students’ academic endeavors and bodies of knowledge by assuring the arts and sciences are an integral part of the educational process,” Merrigan says.
The alumni list of top Sundance graduates reads like a who’s who of New Jersey’s top independent schools. And many keep coming back to visit and help out with stage productions, music programs or afterschool and summer programs. “Sundance is a warm and welcoming place, filled with love,” Merrigan says. “To our teachers, staff, students, families, and alumni...it is home.”
The Sundance School is celebrating 40 years of helping children shine! Located in North Plainfield, Sundance has been providing exceptional preschool through elementary education for students from Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains/Fanwood, Watchung, Warren, Summit, Chatham, Maplewood/South Orange, Short Hills/Millburn and North Edison since 1977. Sundance is an independent, non-sectarian day school for children ages 2 through 5th grade. Sundance is a rare gem of academic excellence AND whole child-centered learning. The faculty’s experience, longevity, and steadfast commitment to the mission are integral components of the Sundance Experience. The mission of Sundance has always been to ignite within the hearts and minds of their students a passion to make the world a better place while inspiring them to become successful and lifelong learners. The school boasts a student teacher ratio of 7:1, individualized instruction, curricular rigor, and a stimulating arts-integrated experience for EVERY student. STEAM education at Sundance expands students’ academic endeavors and bodies of knowledge by assuring the arts and sciences are an integral part of the educational process. The Lower School program offers students daily classes in creative movement, art, gym and music. Subject/Field Experts teach classes in Science, Math, Language Arts Readiness and Spanish as well as Violin, Mandarin, Visual Arts and Dramatic Instruction, when the students advance to our Primary and Upper Schools. After graduation, students transition successfully into the top independent area schools with competitive test scores and achievements. The Sundance Summer Spectacular Camps allow students to continue their Sundance Experience from June through August. Please call to arrange a tour, attend a musical theatre production, visit the annual Westward Ho! Happening, and experience for yourself the many imaginative ways learning comes to life for students at The Sundance School.