WEEKDAYS Chrysalis Forest School
Micro-School
Seattle, WA, 98133
Chrysalis Forest School provides a healthy balance of guided activities and opportunities for self-motivated exploration. We are an year round outdoor school where students grow with the seasons. We promote self-sufficiency, compassion, self-awareness and responsibility through our investigative and play-based curriculum model.
Program Details
Type of Program
Micro-School
Preferred Ages
3 year olds – undefined
Neighborhood
Boeing Creek Park
Location Type
Outdoors
Program Description
CHRYSALIS FOREST SCHOOL Welcome to Chrysalis Forest School! We are a small (6 students per teacher) nature-based school serving preschool-lower elementary students.
**TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: ** In many ways, the Natural World is the best teacher of all. Environmental education provides unlimited opportunities for hands-on experiences that engage all the senses and appeal to different types of learners. By visualizing the connections between abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem, students are able to begin grasping the concept of interconnectivity and making personal connections. At Chrysalis Forest School, we believe that each student must choose their own unique path when it comes to education and it is the teacher’s job to guide them along their journey. Our education philosophy is rooted in Montessori principles, environmental education and experiential learning. We aim to cultivate intellectual creativity through authentic learning, adaptable curriculum, prompting students to find personal relevance within the curriculum, and by creating a safe and nurturing learning environment.
PRICING & ENROLLMENT Our fall program will roughly follow the Seattle Public Schools' calendar. We will begin 9-7-2021 and conclude our semester on 12-17-2021. Winter term begins 1-4-2022. We will break for all federal holidays. We are open rain, snow, or sunshine and will only cancel for extreme weather and smoke. To enroll your child or children in Chrysalis Forest School please reach out to us via email or phone to schedule in-depth conversation about our program and your family's needs. If we are a good fit for each other, you will be able to enroll your student(s) online for our fall program. We bill for the whole month.
PER WEEK (M-F) We require a $100 non-refundable deposit to hold your child’s space in the program. The week before your child’s first day you will be billed the remainder of tuition for that mnth and tuition will be billed monthly thereafter until your child is no longer enrolled. Half-day Program (9:00-12:00 or 12:30-3:30): $265/week Full-day Program (9:00-3:30): $500/week
**COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: ** According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outdoor settings are by far safer than indoor classrooms. Our Staff has completed an extensive COVID-19 safety training program for childcare providers through the University of Washington. We are in compliance with all of the current Washington and CDC protocols for childcare providers. We frequently utilize our portable hand washing station and hand sanitizer, we sanitize all materials after each use, and ask students to wear masks when in close proximity of each other. We are staying up to date on all suggested precautions and welcome parents' and guardians' input on how to keep our community healthy.
Activities
Plant Identification and Traditional Uses
Aquatic Dip Netting
Tracking
Simple Machines in the Forest
STEAM Activities (an interdisciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)
Storytelling and Writing
Music
Group Projects
Sample Schedule
9:00am – 9:30amDrop-off and Exploration Stations
9:30am – 10:00amMorning Circle
10:00am – 10:30amSnack and story
10:30am – 11:00amExploration stations
10:00am – 11:30amAdventure Hike and Group Work
11:30am – 12:00pmLunch
12:00pm – 12:30pmHalf-day Pickup and Free Play
12:30pm – 1:00pmSTEAM Activity or Craft
1:00pm – 2:30pmExploration Stations and Games
2:30pm – 3:00pmClosing Circle and Free Play
3:00pm – 3:30pmPickup and Free Play
Taught by Nicolette Riggins
Background Check Confirmed
Though born and raised in Kansas, I spent several years working as a park ranger for multiple National Parks across the country including Rocky Mountain (CO), Denali (AK), Shenandoah (VA), Saguaro (AZ), Big Cypress (FL), and Glen Canyon (UT and AZ). I have also worked as a wildland firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, dogsled guide and kennels manager, nanny, outdoor preschool teacher, Montessori teacher and costumed balloon delivery girl...among other things.
Through my adventures, I found my true calling in outdoor education. In my personal and professional experiences, I have found that extended exposure to the natural world allows students to create and develop emotional and intellectual connections. Extended exposure is therapeutic. Physically separating students from the distractions of their daily lives allows space for external and internal exploration.
I received my B.A. in Environmental Studies from Lawrence University and I have over seven years experience teaching in outdoor classrooms and have researched, developed, and implemented preschool and elementary curriculum that meets state and national education standards. My most recent curriculum projects have been for the University of Washington. I am committed to my ongoing education and professional growth and regularly participate in education, healthcare provider, positive discipline and social justice and equity training sessions and workshops.
I spend most of my time outdoors either hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, farming, digging, swimming, playing, reading, sleeping, listening, watching, eating, or reflecting. My other hobbies include, sewing, crafts, reading, and writing.
My previous work experiences have enhanced my natural state of being a calm, easygoing person who is quick to act when necessary. I truly love working with children because I have so much fun watching them grow and learn. My passion for education stems from the fact that enriching the lives of young people also enriches my own by altering my perspective on everyday things I otherwise take for granted.
Favorite Children's Book: "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak (so many layers!)
Relevant Certifications
EMT-Basic
Wilderness EMT
Cost & Availability
Full Day$1,500 per month
Part Time$1,060 per month
Hours
Monday9:00am – 3:30pm
Tuesday9:00am – 3:30pm
Wednesday9:00am – 3:30pm
Thursday9:00am – 3:30pm
Friday9:00am – 3:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
Serena B
Nicolette is wonderful! She is cheerful, adventurous, organized and above all patient with all the small meltdowns younger children are prone to have. We feel incredibly lucky to have found her!
Program Location Details
Boeing Creek Park is one of the Seattle Area's hidden gems! It is a quiet park located next door to Shoreline Community College that includes creeks, wetlands, open fields, and a shady old growth forest. What an amazing classroom!