November 10, 2025
Important Dates…
Tuesday, November 11: Evening appointments for Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12: School CLOSED for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Thursday, November 20: Overfield Family Partnership Meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place.
Wednesday, November 26-Friday, November 28: School CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break. School resumes Monday, December 1st.
Insights from the World of Words and Melodies
A Tribute to Ella Jenkins, “First Lady of Children’s Music” (1924-2024)
“Children, especially young ones, need to get acquainted with the sounds their bodies can make: clapping hands, snapping fingers, beating chest, slapping thighs, tapping knees. Each movement has a different tone, a different sound. With music, that’s what you work with: sounds, tones, and rhythms.” -Ella Jenkins
One year ago on November 9, 2024, at the age of 100 years old, the world mourned the loss of respected singer-songwriter and musician, Ella Jenkins. Affectionately referred to as the “First Lady of Children’s Music,” Ella’s impact on the music offerings to children through the years rightly earned her that unique moniker. In her lifetime, she did more for children’s music than anyone I ever knew. She was known for engaging children using rhythm as a motivator in getting them singing and “rhythmicking,” a term which captured her playful style. Her outreach went far beyond the Chicago neighborhood where she was raised. She incorporated songs from her Spanish-speaking friends, her own African heritage and songs she gathered in Hebrew, Arabic, French, and from her travels in India and Africa. She was a true pioneer in children’s folk music.
Ella Jenkins’s songs have been working their magic at Overfield since its very beginning. Her style is energetic, infectious, and truly suited to young children who are naturally active, who need to move, clap, dance, and feel the music. And, what better way than for children to discover the sounds and rhythms of their own bodies? This is completely aligned with what we know about children and how they are wired. It is not about a singer sitting apart and entertaining an audience from a distance. Rather, it is about creating an interactive relationship that requires everyone to join for it to be enjoyable and meaningful. Ella’s call-and-response songs invite audience participation with a spirit that is impossible to refuse. Her song, “Did You Feed My Cow?” is an Overfield favorite.
In keeping with her genuine respect and regard for children, Ella always entered a dialogue with them, providing a context for the inspiration or history of a song, asking questions and providing valuable information. In many ways, Ella Jenkins has been my mentor, and I have always been inspired by her ease and natural authenticity with children. I think that is why I have always loved her songs and her style. From day one, she has voiced it loud and clear that all children have something to sing about. Ella has shown us time and time again that something remarkable happens when folks, young and old, come together to sing. It is a communal experience that transcends cultures and differences and is deeply rooted in tradition. We meet one another where we are, who we are, and with what we have to offer: our voices for singing and laughing, our hands for clapping, our tongues for clicking, our feet for stomping. Together we create something alive and precious that binds humankind together in ways deeper than we can imagine. This is what Ella Jenkins has brought to our lives and to millions of children. That is why her songs will continue to be sung and appreciated for the next 100 years and more. I know one thing for certain: we, at The Overfield School in Troy, Ohio, will be singing them still!
“You’ll sing a song,
And, I’ll sing a song.
We’ll sing a song together.
You’ll sing a song,
And, I’ll sing a song.
Through warm or wintry weather.”
Carla Briggs – Librarian/Music Lead
Cold Weather Guidelines
The campus at Overfield is rich for play, exploration, and adventure. Children are outside on a daily basis if the temperature is 20 or above. If the temperature is below 20, adjustments will be made for the length of time of outdoor play.
In order to ensure that play is fun and safe for children, we ask that children come suitably dressed for outdoor play with warm outdoor clothing including coats, gloves/mittens, and hats. When there is snow or very cold weather, children should also have snow boots and snow pants. Even if there is not snow on the ground, snow pants and boots help keep children warm and comfortable, and so should still be sent to school. Please label all clothing items!
As we say at Overfield, there is no bad weather, just bad clothing! Thank you for helping us make sure children can enjoy nature in all types of conditions.
Also, with the chances for winter weather becoming more possible as we get deeper into November, we wanted to remind everyone to please use caution when driving on the hill to or from school. This is pre-treated when winter weather is anticipated, and plowed and salted as soon as possible. Even when treated the hill can be slippery, so please be aware and take the proper precautions when driving in snow or ice.
Delays, cancellations and early dismissals will be conveyed via WHIO (Channel 7), social media(Facebook & Instagram), and a One Call Now text/voice message.
In the event of a delay, the modified schedule is as follows:
Overfield will delay for 2 hours if delayed.
Before Care is closed.
Students arrive 2 hours after the original start time of their class.
All classes dismiss at their regular time; After Care is available until 5:30pm, as usual.
MT & ThF Toddler classes will not eat lunch at school.
The initial decision to delay or close will be made no later than 6:30am.
The decision to close school after a delay will be made by 9:00am.
We encourage you to use your own discretion when needed. Your safety is always first priority. Bundle up and stay warm, everyone!
Parent-Teacher Conferences November 11-12, 2025
It is hard to believe, but Parent-Teacher Conferences are fast approaching! Our teachers have already been preparing to meet with you by diligently observing each child, and will be creating photo files that will be used to support discussion with you during your scheduled conference time.
These Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, November 11 and all day Wednesday, November 12.
There will be NO OVERFIELD CLASSES on November 12th as parents meet with teachers. You should have received an electronic link via email, where you can reserve your meeting time with one of your child’s teachers. These sign ups will remain open until November 7th.
This Parent-Teacher Conference is for adults only. It is a time allotted for us to discuss your child’s progress, and since it is not appropriate to discuss a child in his/her presence unless you are talking to that child, please make sure you make other child care arrangements for your child during this meeting. Children may not be unattended in the building during these conferences, as this poses a safety concern.
Each conference will be 30 minutes in length, and it is important we stay on schedule. We will discuss our observations about your child and any questions or thoughts you have for us. If you feel more time is needed, we can immediately schedule another conference for another date.
We are looking forward to meeting with you all, and discussing all of the wonderful children we are fortunate to spend time with at Overfield!
Birthday Trees are On Their Way!
We are thrilled to announce that our first installment of Birthday Trees will be planted this week as part of our “Support a Tree, Adopt a Book” program! You may see the staff from Siebenthaler’s on campus as they work to plant a new gingko tree, three sugar maples, and four white pines in areas around our school.
This program honors your child’s birthday at Overfield by celebrating literature and nature together, recognizing the unique relationship between books and trees. Overfield’s Birthday Book program is a great way to mark your child’s special day by dedicating a book from the Overfield library, which will serve as a lasting reminder of your child’s time at the school. Your donation will go toward a bookplate that will be attached inside the book of your choice, and will contribute to the fund that will be used to purchase trees to be planted on campus each year.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who celebrated their child’s birthday in this way, helping to plant trees that will shade many Overfield children for years and years to come!
