A Ministry of 
A Note of Welcome from Our Director
Dear Families,
Welcome to the Highland Plaza United Methodist Preschool website. While here you can take a tour of our classrooms and playground, get to know a little bit about our teachers, read about our approach to early childhood education, enjoy our most recent newsletter, or read our Family Handbook.
The past several months have brought many changes to our school, introduced new opportunities, and expanded the possibilities of what we can offer to the children. Now that the merger between Highland Plaza United Methodist Church and Hixson United Methodist Church is complete, we are benefiting from inclusion in the ministries of a much larger congregation. The leadership of Hixson UMC has affirmed and supported our passion for delivering the highest quality early educational experience for your child at every turn.
As this school year begins, we look forward to sharing with you the amazing transformation of the wooded hill behind the playground into a natural playscape. This wonderland of delightful Chattanooga-inspired elements includes The RiverPark (an expanded picnic area with wooden picnic tables complete with umbrellas), Lookout Mountain (a tire climbing wall), two Alpine Slides (embankment slides), The Tennessee River (our own installed creek). The Walnut Street Bridge (a footbridge at the top of the creek), the Nature Center (a chainsaw sculpted tree trunk with native Tennessee animals), the Coolidge Park Fountain (cement animals to climb on), Ruby Falls Cave, and the Carousel (pony tire swings).
The next phase will be the installation of the RiverBend Festival (a small amphitheater) and an accompanying sound garden for music-making. An outdoor atelier (studio space) will develop where the current sand and water area is located. We’ll add a colorful art piece inspired by the Rainbow window at the Creative Discovery Museum. Finally, triangular shade sails will provide a covered area for rainy days and call to mind the roof line of the Aquarium.
Another major change that is currently underway is the renovation of the former sanctuary into a multi-use room. Once completed, this room will function as a gym space for the preschool and a meeting and conference room for the church.
As you can tell, our school, is abuzz with ideas to invite your child’s interest, provoke her wonder, spark his curiosity, and promote learning in a rich environment supported by teachers who, themselves, are still curious and full of wonder. We believe this is the model of early education through which all children have the right to learn. We cherish every opportunity to provide children with enriching and educational experiences every day, honoring their strengths and potential.
We look forward to partnering with you this school year as we provide the best possible preschool experience we can design, with your child foremost in mind. We invite you to join us on the journey as we continue to be Chattanooga’s only Reggio-inspired preschool program!
If you would like to meet us in person, please email me at vicky@highlandplazapreschool.org or call me at 423-877-1544 for more information. You are always welcome to drop by.
Sincerely,
Vicky Flessner
Preschool Director
August 2011
A couple resources to learn more about the schools of Reggio Emilia: Reggio Children and Reggio Alliance. I also have many books and articles that I would be happy to share with you.
"Do nothing without joy.”
Loris Malaguzzi, Founder of the Schools of Reggio Emilia
