NEWSLETTER FROM GILLISPIE’S LEARNING VILLAGE IN LA JOLLA
THE BENEFITS OF HEALTHY RISK
DR. MINDY COATES-SMITH, DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD THERON ROYER, COORDINATOR OF EC OUTDOOR LEARNING
We've all been there; that moment your child climbs a little too high, speeds a little too fast, or tries something that makes your heart stop. Instinctively, we want to swoop in and protect them. But what if, in our well-meaning efforts, we're actually doing more harm than good?
As parents and teachers, our protective instincts are strong We want to keep our kids safe from a bump and bruise But here’s the thing, sometimes that bubble-wrap mentality can actually hold them back When we shield kids from even the smallest risks, they can grow up to be more anxious and hesitant to take on challenges.
At Gillispie, we're big believers in the power of 'risky play.' Turns out, those ‘risky’ moments - the thrilling, exciting ones where
IN THIS ISSUE
SPECIALTY SPOTLIGHT BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH LANGUAGE
p. 3
INNOVATION CORNER
EXPLORING ART IN THE AGE OF AI: A SIXTH-GRADE JOURNEY
p 4-5
ICARE RESPECT: A KEY VALUE IN KINDERGARTEN
p 6
STUDENT CORNER FOURTH GRADERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT FEEDING SAN DIEGO!
P. 7
COMMUNITY
CELEBRATING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
p. 8
THE BENEFITS OF HEALTHY RISK (cont’d)
children might get a bump or bruise - are actually crucial for building confidence, resilience, and their ability to solve problems. These experiences foster independence and teach children to trust their judgment. Additionally, risky play encourages collaboration and negotiation, as children learn to take turns, share ideas, and communicate effectively.
Our new trike jump is a perfect example of how we integrate healthy risk taking into play. As children speed toward the jump, they have to decide how fast to go, how to position their bodies, and whether they’re ready for the challenge That split-second moment of decision-making? It’s huge! It’s teaching them to trust their gut, assess risks, and learn from both the successes and, yes, the occasional tumble. But the joy and sense of accomplishment they feel after taking the jump whether successful or not help develop perseverance.
With engaged adults nearby to provide guidance and support, risky play at Gillispie is empowering. It’s about finding that sweet spot where kids can explore their limits and develop the skills they need to navigate life with courage and confidence.
So, the next time you see your child taking a 'risk' on the playground, take a deep breath Maybe, just maybe, they're building the courage and resilience they'll need to soar
Students testing their skills through risky play
BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH LANGUAGE
MS. LEDESMA, SPANISH TEACHER, GRADES 1-6
Consider the impact if every child, from a young age, had the opportunity to experience and learn about the diverse cultures around them Students would see how different perspectives could enrich their lives and develop meaningful connections
Language is deeply intertwined with a culture’s history, traditions, and ways of thinking. By exploring cultures in Spanish class, students gain insights into the values of Spanishspeaking communities, making their language learning experience more immersive and meaningful.
Starting in Grade 1, we embrace the breadth of Spanish-speaking cultures. Students
discover that Spanish is spoken not only in Mexico but in more than 42 countries across three continents America, Europe, and Africa
While these countries share a language, each has its own unique traditions, from food, dance, and music to historical figures, sports, and clothing.
So far this year, students have explored the cultures of Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama. We’re lucky many of our students can share their family experiences with their classes.
While differences exist, students come to understand that we are all interconnected.
Spanish class with Ms Ledesma
EXPLORING ART IN THE AGE OF AI: A SIXTHGRADE JOURNEY
DR LISA WATERS, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL LITERACY TEACHER SUSAN WALTERS, ART TEACHER
It began with a spark of curiosity during a faculty workshop on AI. As Ms. Walters, our Art teacher, listened to the discussion, a question formed in her mind: Why even paint anymore when AI can do it for you? Would her students feel the same way?
Eager to explore this idea further, she met with Dr. Waters, our Director of Technology and Digital Literacy Teacher, to share her thoughts and concerns. This was the perfect opportunity to engage the sixth graders in applying what they have been learning about AI and how it works, while also uncovering how they felt about using AI as a tool for artistic expression.
Ms. Walters and Dr. Waters designed an art unit that taught students how to paint a desert landscape with Saguaro cacti using watercolors, while introducing them to two additional artistic
formats: digital and AI-generated art. The goal was to allow students to experience and compare each method firsthand.
The first step involved traditional watercolor painting. Students carefully crafted their desert landscape with Saguaro cacti, experiencing the tactile joy of brushstrokes, color blending, and artistic decision making. Next, they transitioned to digital art, using Adobe Fresco to recreate their original watercolor pieces on a digital canvas. Finally, on the third day, under careful guidance from both teachers, students applied their prompt engineering skills to recreate their watercolor paintings with an AI text-to-image tool.
To ensure students engaged with AI responsibly, the lesson began with a review of our Gillispie Values and Digital Citizenship pledge. This helped set the stage for an ethical
Grade six students in the Art bungalow with Dr Waters and Ms Walters
EXPLORING ART IN THE AGE OF AI (cont’d)
and thoughtful approach to AI usage. Students were encouraged to use their imagination and precision in describing their artwork to the AI tool. Through trial and error, students realized that the more specific and detailed their prompts, the closer the AI-generated images resembled their original paintings.
Once all three versions of their artwork were complete, they compared their pieces and engaged in a guided reflection exercise. They explored how each experience influenced their feelings about creating art, whether AIenhanced or hindered their creativity, and to what extent AI-generated art reflect authenticity.
The results were both fascinating an Overwhelmingly, students expresse painting with watercolors was the m and enjoyable of the three methods. agreed that their original watercolor felt the most authentic and personal Walters's delight, the consensus was hands-on art remains a cherished an irreplaceable experience.
This project deepened students’ und of AI’s capabilities and limitations an reinforced the timeless value of trad artistic expression. As technology ev reassuring to see that the joy of crea
RESPECT: A KEY VALUE IN KINDERGARTEN
MS. LEARD AND MS. YOUNG, KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
Respect is one of Gillsipie’s core values, helping us create a kind and supportive learning environment for all our students. We believe respect is something we learn, model, and build together.
Every day, in our Kindergarten Casita, students discover that their words, actions, and treatment of one another make our classroom a safe and welcoming place. Respect is woven into everything we do from morning meetings and specialty classes to recess and exploration.
One way students practice respect is by understanding the power of words. During a recent morning meeting, we discussed bullying and how kindness and respect can help eliminate unkind behavior. Kindergarteners brainstormed strong but respectful responses, such as saying, “Stop,” or “I don’t like that,” when faced with unkind words.
Active listening is another important way we show respect. Every Monday during Share Time, students take turns speaking about their weekends while their classmates listen
FOURTH GRADERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT FEEDING SAN DIEGO!
MS. HAAS AND MS. HEIZER, GRADE 4 TEACHERS
Fourth graders recently participated in a meaningful field trip to Feeding San Diego, a local organization dedicated to combating food insecurity and providing access to nutritious food for anyone regardless of their circumstances. One of the most interesting aspects of Feeding San Diego's work is its specialization in food rescue.
The fourth graders volunteered for 1.5 hours, making a real impact by sorting, inspecting, and bagging 3,600 pounds of lemons that would normally have been tossed in the landfill. These lemons will be distributed to local schools, community centers, and churches providing fresh produce for 1,800 families!
The field trip to Feeding San Diego was educational and incredibly impactful. Students learned, the value of volunteering and how they can contribute to making a positive difference in the lives of others. They also learned about food insecurity and the importance of reducing food waste.
Service projects teach students the importance of accountability and how their actions can benefit those around them.
We’re so thankful for the many Gillispie families who regularly join our classrooms to share a favorite book, recipe, craft, or tradition
These visits help students develop a deeper appreciation for different backgrounds, customs, and perspectives while fostering respect and curiosity about the world Hands-on activities such as cooking traditional foods, trying family-favorite recipes, or creating cultural crafts make learning interactive and memorable Seeing their families participate also boosts students' confidence and sense of belonging, strengthening the connection between home and school
Let’s continue to celebrate our community. Join us for “Around the World”, April 21-25!
Each morning, our school will gather on the sport court for engaging cultural activities and demonstrations Specialty classrooms will feature family and teacher/staff-led sessions
Consider:
Sharing a favorite family recipe or tradition
Teaching a traditional game, craft, or activity
Presenting a cultural celebration
Reading a meaningful story or song
A few of the experiences the families have already planned for our students include tasting Colombian arepas, playing a German egg-and-spoon race, learning names in Arabic, hearing about a biking journey from Panama City to San Diego, making kites, and more!
Sign up today via your classroom portal at gillispie.org/current-families. Please note that this section of our website is password-protected. Your teacher can provide you with the password. You can choose to lead an experience in class, present at our Morning Meeting (8:20-8:45 a.m.), or assist another presenter. Please see the form on your classroom portal for more information.
Sign-up deadline: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A Gillispie parent shares the joy of music and song with students in Sequoia, March 2025
