By now, many of you may have heard about Noni and my exciting new opportunity to visit the early education centers and preschools in Pistoia, Italy next week.  We will be leaving on Friday evening.  The schools in Pistoia share many of the same characteristics and values of the schools in the more popular Reggio Emilia, Italy.  As you know we are a Reggio-inspired school which helps to guide our work with your children, with each other, and with you.

This trip will deepen my and Noni’s understanding of these schools which will serve to strengthen our connection and make direct improvements and enhancements to the experiences of your children at CNS.  This particular study trip is sponsored by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – and the link to our daily itinerary is listed at the end of this post.

This trip is primarily due to the kind generosity of a member of our community – but has since been supported and embraced by many others who have contributed to our air fare expenses.  We are incredibly grateful for that support.

Since the spring of 2005 when Joanne brought the learning and inspiration of these schools to CNS, I have always wished for and hoped for this opportunity.

I plan to be blogging each day from Italy about our experience.  I hope you follow along and ask questions, make comments, and interact with what we believe will be an extraordinary journey of learning.  To learn more about our day to day itinerary, please follow: http://www.carlemuseum.org/Programs_Events/For_Professionals/Innovations_in_Education