This is an open letter of thanks to the parents and faculty of the Lucy School in Middletown for opening their door to my five year old nephew Max, an evacuee from New Orleans. Max arrived after Hurricane Katrina with six T-shirts, shorts, one pair of jeans, some toys and books, and not much else because his parents evacuated swiftly certain they would be able to return home after the danger passed. When it became evident New Orleans was not going to be habitable, Max's parents asked me to look after him in Maryland until they figured out what to do.

I immediately called the Lucy School to ask if they could take Max in their kindergarten class already weeks underway. There was no hesitation. Lucy School founders Victoria Brown and her husband Chris Zachariadis not only made room for Max, they went out of their way to provide a welcome atmosphere for him on his first day of school. The kindergarten teacher, Ms. Helen, also sent out an email to parents of kindergarten class describing Max's unique situation as an evacuee. The outpouring of generosity and support has been overwhelming. Parents rushed forward with warm clothes, toys, books and school supplies-- items we were scrambling to get because Max's arrival into our lives was so sudden and unexpected.

But best gift of all was seeing Max on his first day of school: Displaced from his city, his home and parents for the first time in his young life, he was laughing and smiling, even walking hand in hand with a new friend. Every day Max brings home from school a proud creation produced with inspiration and hope-- a crayon drawing of a rocket or a book of imaginary animals; a new song or a story about a friend he made that day. Max seems a different boy than when he first arrived and tried to keep a brave face. "At least your city wasn't destroyed by Katrina," he told me solemnly.

If any one is cynical about the values schools are teaching children, they need look no further than the Lucy School. Their philosophy of teaching instills joy and inspiration in the classroom. Walk inside the school and all you hear are happy sounds of children learning something for the sheer wonder and magic of it. And I don't doubt the results are transformative: it helped heal a boy from the chaos and uncertainty wrought by a natural disaster.

Max and his family are among the lucky ones. His home is still standing and next week he returns to New Orleans to reunite with his parents for the first time in almost months. When I asked him what he will miss most about the Lucy School, he replied, "Art, Miss Helen my teacher-- everything."

Thank you, Lucy School, for reaching out to Max and giving him a community while his own repaired itself

Amy S. Farber
Middletown, MD

Our entire family loves the Lucy School! We noticed that our son's level of joy went through the roof when he began attending Lucy School. We are most impressed with how the marvelous teachers weave content seamlessly into a day full of stories, drama, art projects, music, and creative play. The children internalize the information and an amazing level of sophistication without even noticing that they're learning.

William and Teresa Cochran
Frederick, MD

Dear Vickie, Judy, and Eva,

Thank you so much for all of the time, effort, and love you have put into making the Lucy School so wonderful. Tori "loves" school, and comes home each day and sings the songs, retells stories, laughs, and positively beams. The magic chicken and the fairy was a favorite. She spent this morning drawing shapes, and is really soaking everything in like a sponge.

Chris and Matt Islieb
Myersville, MD

Sofia has grown so much socially since attending the Lucy school. She has gained confidence in expressing herself in many different ways, she "draws" stories, makes up songs, and stretches her imagination around many concepts making them tangible. She has great pre-reading skills, identifying common words as well as a very developed vocabulary. Sofia has also become very aware of nature and spots all sorts of insects in our city neighborhood. She is becoming aware of the connection between our world and the natural world and has developed a sense of stewardship of the planet.

The Lucy School is a second home to her, I could see that at the open house where she was so proud to show all of her friends, "her school". We have noticed a dramatic decline in her asking to watch television. And for this I am so grateful. We never argue about it because it is just not asked for much anymore. We spend our time creating dramas around the house.

We are so happy that Sofia will be able to attend the Lucy School for another year and only wish that the elementary public schools would adopt the concepts of Reggio Emilio.

Andrea and Tom McCluskey
Frederick, MD

We are absolutely thrilled with the Lucy School. The beautiful country setting, amazing restored barn and the nature & arts based curriculum have provided the perfect learning environment for our daughter, Chloe.

Aimee & Noel Miller
Middletown, MD