School Spotlight: Porter Square
Right on Mass Ave, our Porter Square school opened in 2009 in the historic Henderson Carriage House Building. This wonderful neighborhood school has a large community room we use for fun group activities such as yoga class and special guest visitors.
Porter Square Director, Paulina Pena has been a part of our team since 2015 where she started as a teacher in our Kendall Square location. In the course of 4 years, she had the opportunity to gain as a teacher the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to become the team leader. In 2021, she began as the director of the Porter Square location. Paulina enjoys spending time with good friends and family, cooking, baking, appreciating nature, and preserving the environment we live in.
On the blog today, we talked to Paulina about what makes Porter Square so special!
“Porter Square School is made special by the essence that each of our teachers, families, and students bring to the school, creating an empathetic, friendly, loving, and family-like community.”
Tell us a little bit about “a day at Pine Village Porter”
A day at Pine Village Porter Square begins with a welcoming hug. Daily activities include a variety of active and quiet individual and group projects. A typical day may consist of any of the following: free play, large and small group stories and activities, open-ended art, dramatic play, sand or water play, blocks, books, games, puzzles, and science exploration, implementing an emergent curriculum. Physical activity is one of our priorities, that’s why twice a day we visit one of the parks surrounding our school.
Children learn to participate as a member of a group during circle time discussions, storytime, and music. They work both alone and in small groups while teachers facilitate children’s interactions with each other and their environment.
What are the kids favorite activities in class?
It is very difficult to say what their favorite activities are because they enjoy everything from what the teachers suggest to free play. But they love to sing, play with blocks, and do sensory activities.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming months at Pine Village?
I look forward to continuing to see happy families and children that enjoy being part of our community. Fostering respect, love, and gratitude for others.
Our summer camp is focused on doing as many outdoor activities as possible. From a picnic lunch or morning snack to enjoying the water sprinkles, relay races, and exploring nature.
