Vienna Baptist Children's Center

VBCC Spotlight!
Esther Mach, M-F Jaguars TA

Esther is in her fifth year teaching at VBCC. She grew up in China and graduated from college in Germany. Esther met her husband while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force in Germany, and they moved back to the states in 2008.

Ms. Mach always been passionate about early childhood development and education, and has over ten years of experience teaching at various pre-schools and elementary schools. Her daughters attended VBCC, and she has many fond memories of their time in our school. Esther is once again very excited to be a part of our team at VBCC and is looking forward to another great year!

Esther’s favorite ice cream flavor is Chocolate Caramel.

Art is the path to being spiritual -- Piet Mondrian

Piet Mondrian is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He is known for being one of the pioneers of abstract art, reaching a point where his artistic expression was essentially geometric shapes and primary colors. Though exceedingly simple in style, Mondrian’s work not only had massive influence in art like cubism and minimalism, but also elements of popular culture such as design, style, fashion and architecture.

And that’s not all! He was also an avid dancer, enjoying fast-paced, high-energy “boogie woogie” over traditional trots and waltzes – he’d fit right in with this crew!

Our rainforest friends are seen here attending Chapel for the first time this year.

This program takes place in the Vienna Baptist Church Worship Room once a week, and is led by the always genial Pastor Ginny!

The children will learn a variety of Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments, portrayed with felt board animation. During chapel time the children also sing and learn a Bible verse, often using hand motions and ASL in conjunction with spoken word.

Here at VBCC, we stay in-shape…. Get it, “in-SHAPE”? Get it? Ahhhh, you get it.

VBCC Spotlight
Ms. Maria Moreno, M-F Boas TA

This is Ms. Maria’s 17th year (!!!) at VBCC as a teacher’s assistant. She has worked with many different age groups of children (most often within the Treehouse and Rainforest Suites) and this year is the Monday – Friday TA for the Boas. Prior to VBCC Maria worked for Fairfax County Public Schools teaching Spanish, and as a childcare provider for a Sport and Health Club in Tysons Corner.

Raised in Paraguay, Maria graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. She has lived in the Vienna area for the past 31 years with her husband Darren and two children: Sofia, who graduated from UVA, and Edgar, who graduated from Mary Washington University; both work in Washington, DC.

In her spare time Maria enjoys walking her two beagles, playing with her six parakeets, reading, gardening, and painting.

Maria’s favorite ice cream flavor is Vanilla.

(Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh)… great… Now I’m hungry.

Just out here doing work, saving lives, keeping people safe… normal day.

VBCC Spotlight!
Genine Vadala, Treefrogs TA

Ms. Vadala is starting her 23rd year (editors note: INCREDIBLE!!!) as a teacher’s assistant at VBCC. She worked with all age groups and has been consistently working in the Rainforest for the last 17 years. Genine’s three children are themselves VBCC graduates, and many teachers and staff all had the pleasure of their own children being in her classroom.

Ms. Vadala has a son and two daughters, and both girls work as teachers in Fairfax County; she also has a 20 month old grandson. She and her husband are long-time Vienna residents, having lived here for 45 years. He owns and works at a car repair shop in Merrifield. They both speak Italian and have loved traveling to Italy to sightsee and spend time with family. They are also big soccer fans and enjoy watching D.C. United play whenever possible. When she’s not jet-setting or at the pitch, you can find her reading or doing a crossword.

Ms. Vadala’s favorite ice cream flavor is pistachio.

Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces and the magic from the hand
We're makin' weird science, ooh

“I found I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way” - Georgia O’Keefe

Sage words from the Mother of American Modernism, which could be said about our friends at VBCC who are exploring big thoughts and feelings in the first weeks of school

Sweater Weather on a Friday Funday? That’s what’s up!

Closing out our second week of school in smiles.

Some inspired artwork courtesy of Ms. Kayla & Ms. Radhika in the Monkey Class - HANG ‘EM IN THE LOUVRE!

“Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a friend”… week 2 begins, let’s make some friends!

A long weekend ahead, but Open House starts Tuesday and First Day is on Thursday…. WE READY, LET’S GO!

Teddy is welcoming back the staff today, who will be busy getting ready for all our new and returning friends… let the countdown begin!

We are looking forward to our upcoming school year! We are looking for a few more assistant teachers and substitute teachers. Please contact [email protected] for more information on the positions available.

https://www.viennava.gov/residents/concerts-and-events/liberty-amendments-month

Did you know that June is the Town of Vienna's Liberty Amendments Month?

And did you know that on Tuesdays they have a local preschool read to children about the Amendments on the town green?

AAANNNNNDDDDD did you know that VBCC's very own Melissa Jones will be doing the reading on Tuesday the 27th at 10am?

Well she will be! So bring your kids to the Town Green on Tuesday for an educational (but super fun) time learning about the Fourteenth Amendment!

Liberty Amendments Month | Town of Vienna, VA The Town of Vienna initiated Liberty Amendments month in 2021 after Juneteenth was declared a state holiday.  Town Manager Mercury Payton wanted to bring our community together to foster mutual respect and understanding and to celebrate the Constitutional Amendments that give all citizens a say in ...

The end of the school year has come and, with it, a sense of excitement. Excitement to run and jump and play and swim. Excitement for fireworks and watermelon. Excitement for sun and popsicles and sand. Excitement to just… BE KIDS!

And at the end of the summer, when all that excitement has waned, when all of the games have been played and all the trees have been climbed and all the “HEY MOM WATCH THIS” is done… your teachers will be here. Excited to see you. Excited to impart knowledge and growth and joy and curiosity. Excited to hug and hold and help.

We are excited for you now, and will be excited to be with you again soon. Have a wonderful summer.

“Working at the car wash
Working at the car wash, yeah
Come on and sing it with me, car wash
Sing it with the feeling now, car wash, yeah”

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”

Alexander Calder was an American sculptor from Pennsylvania. He is best known for inventing wire sculptures and "mobiles, a type of kinetic art which relied on careful weighting to achieve balance and suspension in the air." But Sandy, as he was known, also created wonderful, colossal works called "Stabiles", which required movement of the viewer through and around the art.

Our Rainforest friends in these photos worked on creating their own inspired stabiles. Check it out!

Teacher Spotlight!
Reem Halabi, Turtles Class

Ms. Reem is the Lead Teacher of the Turtles class. This is her second-year teaching at VBCC, spending last year in the Alligator class.

Ms. Reem and her husband have been married for nine years and have two beautiful daughters together, Selena (7) and Sofia (3); Sofia is currently a student at VBCC. Born and raised in the US, Ms. Reem moved to Beirut, Lebanon at the age of 16. She and her family returned to Virginia in 2021. When she isn’t educating our Turtle friends, she loves to go snorkeling and whale watching!

Ms. Reem’s favorite ice cream flavor is Lemon Sorbet.

I know we’ve got a bunch of friends who would enjoy this!

Happening now: Head to the Town's Public Works Open House today until 6 p.m. This event is designed for all ages, so bring the kids to Northside Property Yard, 600 Mill St. NE, and get an up-close look at the heavy machinery and vehicles used for things like snow and trash removal. Light refreshments will be served. See you there!

Sometimes friends have difficult days and feel big feelings, and that’s okay! Not every day is great, happiness is not the only emotion.

Luckily, we have teachers here at VBCC like Miss Elizabeth Robinson to listen and guide us through those tough days.

Peter McCory, The One Man Band, out here playing all the hits. You’ve never heard “twinkle twinkle” like this before! www.petermccory.com is available for all kinds of awesome events. The kids give him two thumbs way up!

Teacher Spotlight!
Emma Blevins
Owls & Playground Teacher

Emma Blevins is the playground teacher on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the Owls teacher on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She was born in England and went to University in Bath, where she graduated with a degree in Education; she has taught a variety of grade levels over the years.

Emma and her husband Alex have had the opportunity to live in the United States before. They spent nearly eight years living in St. Louis where she enjoyed a number of volunteer opportunities, including one at the Zoo! Emma, Alex, and their two sons have been living in Virginia since the summer of 2016; her youngest is a VBCC alumnus!

In her spare time she enjoys walking the dog and riding her bike. They are also enjoying traveling in the USA and discovering different parts of the country.

Emma’s favorite ice cream flavor is Salted Caramel.

Dirt, insects and tons of sunshine - these kids are going to be 7’ tall when they leave school today

BIG DAY TODAY! Our rainforest friends will have their Bible Ceremony, representing the close of their time here as students at VBCC. With happiness -and a twinge of sadness - we say, “where ever you go, go with all your heart”… but still come back and visit!

Yes, there are challenges to teaching. Some days your young witches and wizards are acing Herbology and reciting the perfect incantations in Charms... other days a troll gets loose in the dungeon and a basilisk freezes members of the student body.

But the rewards are amazing, and the kids are truly magic. Thank you to all of the teachers who help harness that magic and use it for the greater good. A loving teacher can truly be "Lumos Maxima".

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT!
Kayla Freeman
Monkey Class

Kayla is in her second year at VBCC as the lead teacher in the Monkey class. She developed a love for children and teaching at a young age through babysitting and volunteering in schools. In high school, Kayla took a dual-enrollment course and was able to work hands-on in both preschool and elementary school settings. As of right now, she is finishing up her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education, and will be transferring to George Mason University next year to complete her Bachelor's degree.

Kayla was born in Germany but has grown up in Northern Virginia. Besides being a teacher here at VBCC, she is also a nanny. In her spare time she enjoys painting, camping, knitting, and solving puzzles.

Ms. Kayla’s favorite ice cream flavor is Birthday Cake.

Are you local to Northern Virginia and looking for a fun weekend activity for your preschoolers? Join us on the playground at Vienna Baptist Children's Center on Saturday, May 13 from 11am-1pm as we celebrate the end of the school year! Treats and refreshments, face painting, live music and plenty of playground fun! https://lillyandblair.org/vbcc-celebration

Butterly release today for many of our classrooms!

Michaelangelo described his four years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as torture… but it looks like our Rainforest friends sure had fun learning about it!

BUTTERFLIES! Our caterpillars, after spending a week or so in their chrysalis, have metamorphosed into Butterflies. They leave their chrysalis in a process known as eclosion, and will subsist on a diet of sugar water from fruit until we release them into the wild.

Our little entomologists are studying this process, and can’t wait to see our friends fly off into the world!

Can you dig it?

WE CAN DIG IT!

Can you all dig it?

WE CAN DIG IT!