“Never Too Young to Tailgate”

Go Blue! Go Green! Preschool and Kindergarten Students at Daycroft Montessori School Enjoy Picnic and Play Before Big Game

daycroft students tailgating before the big game

Chakor Sankaran Rajendra, a kindergarten student at Daycroft, gets a washable “Go Blue” tattoo from Daycroft preschool teacher Arthi Krishnamoorthy

Daycroft kindergarten student Danielle HarrisAnn Arbor, MI (October 11, 2010) – They are at least 12 grades away from sweating out their SATs, moving into cramped dorm rooms, and hurrying between classes across leafy campuses.

Yet the preschool and kindergarten students at Daycroft Montessori School’s Preprimary Campus on Oakbrook Drive have already participated in at least one college-age custom.

Daycroft preschool student Ariana AlexanderThis past Friday, October 8 – the day before the hotly anticipated gridiron match-up of the University of Michigan’s Wolverines and Michigan State University’s Spartans – Daycroft’s youngest charges enjoyed a “tailgate”-style picnic lunch outdoors on the school’s grounds.

A couple of dozen Daycroft parents and staff members – who were mostly, like the students themselves, dressed in their preferred team’s colors – joined in on the fun. No matter who people were rooting for, the overall spirit was infectious.

The picnic took place under a clear-blue sky, in summer-like warmth, with the autumn air practically free of humidity. The students feasted on pizza, chips and salsa, fruit and veggies, and dessert – all served in traditional tailgate style.

Daycroft parent Vijay Sankaran and preschool intern and parent Hannah Cousino

Daycroft parent Vijay Sankaran and preschool intern and parent Hannah Cousino

Daycroft kindergarten student Ted StanleyAfter lunch, the children let their college football fever hang out. This being Ann Arbor, Wolverine fans clearly outnumbered Spartan boosters. But with so much fun to be had, who really cared how the big game ultimately turned out? (For the record: MSU 34, U-M 17. “Those Spartans play good ball,” as the MSU fight song makes clear.)

Many children chose to explore their inner Denard Robinson or Kirk Cousins by tossing, kicking, and running around with kid-size footballs. Others made necklaces of maize and blue or green and white beads, created colorful pennants, and had washable “Go Blue” or “Go Green” tattoos applied to their arms.

From left, Daycroft preschool students Oliver Beekman, Rutendo Ruwende, Shamiso Ruwende, and Keshav Krishna

From left, Daycroft preschool students Oliver Beekman, Rutendo Ruwende, Shamiso Ruwende, and Keshav Krishna

Did Daycroft’s tailgate picnic score a touchdown? Will it become a new school tradition?

Let Michele Buchanan, Daycroft’s associate head of school for the Preprimary Campus, act as referee. “I’d rule it a distinct possibility,” she said. “Judging by the enthusiasm on display here today, it appears you’re never too young to tailgate.”

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft preschool teacher Arthi Krishnamoorthy applies a washable “Go Green” tattoo for preschool student Harold CrownerDaycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive teaching methods. Daycroft thus accomplishes its educational mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their full potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County's leading independent schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft kindergarten student Sophie Liu Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS; www.nais.org) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft's administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-3335.

Media Contact:
Chris Kochmanski
DesignHub, Inc.
(734) 944-8705
chris@design-hub.com

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