Posted by Ella Direnfeld '20
Community Roots School, located at 48 Beekman Street stands a part as the only school among the many restaurants, artist’s studios and galleries, makeup and hair salons, and small businesses in the Arts District on the west side of Saratoga Springs. Kristen and Jenna, the teachers and co-owners share their educational philosophy: “Rather than using traditional classroom methods, we feel it is extremely important to use our community as an active learning tool, to foster these skills. A core part of any preschool curriculum is learning about the community in which we live. We feel there is no better way to achieve this, than by actually getting out there and experiencing it first-hand” (Community Roots 2018).
My project primarily focused on exploring the themes of community, space, and seasonality as they all relate to Community Roots. By using ethnographic research methods like participant observation, interviews, photography and mapping, I gained insight into how Community Roots formed relationships, especially with the Arts District.
Community Roots School plans weekly field trips in Saratoga Springs, including to other businesses in the Arts District, such as the Frittelli and Lockwood Textile Studio, Reform Pilates Studio, and Dehn’s Flowers and Greenhouse. I had the opportunity to attend a field trip to the Textile Studio where the children learned how to make fabric on a loom. The close relationship between Community Roots School and the Textile Studio becomes stronger with each field trip. The textile artists offer a place for the children to see art being made, which connects the teachers and children with artists. Field trips also become opportunities for artistic businesses to open their doors to the community to show and promote their creations.
Community Roots School plans weekly field trips in Saratoga Springs, including to other businesses in the Arts District, such as the Frittelli and Lockwood Textile Studio, Reform Pilates Studio, and Dehn’s Flowers and Greenhouse. I had the opportunity to attend a field trip to the Textile Studio where the children learned how to make fabric on a loom. The close relationship between Community Roots School and the Textile Studio becomes stronger with each field trip. The textile artists offer a place for the children to see art being made, which connects the teachers and children with artists. Field trips also become opportunities for artistic businesses to open their doors to the community to show and promote their creations.
Community Roots School has regular contact with the Barrelhouse located at 68 Beekman Street, three buildings down the block from the school. Every week, Monday through Thursday, the restaurant provides and delivers natural lunches, made from local ingredients. Although the relationship The Barrelhouse and Community Roots started out as a business partnership, the relationship between Jenna, Kristen, and Charlie, the owner of the restaurant, go past strictly business. On the fieldtrip to the Textile Studio, we ran into Charlie who had a big smile on his face when he acknowledged Jenna, Kristen, and the children. The body language, smiles, and friendly hellos further solidified the social relationships along the street. The presence of Community Roots School has added a new dimension to the Arts District as the first and only business on Beekman Street that is centered on children.
Links
Community Roots School, see: http://communityrootschool.com or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/communityrootsschool/
For more information about the Beekman Street Arts District, see: http://saratogaartdistrict.com
Community Roots School, see: http://communityrootschool.com or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/communityrootsschool/
For more information about the Beekman Street Arts District, see: http://saratogaartdistrict.com