Good day, Friends.
It’s Monday, October 5, 2009,
and it’s gorgeous out! Just took a
moment, closed my eyes, faced the sun and soaked it all in. Renewed, I move forward. It’s going to be another busy week.
Tonight’s the East Wing’s Back to School Night from 6:30
to 8:45. It’s always a fun gathering that, hopefully, answers some
questions parents have in regards to activities in which the teachers and
children are engaging throughout the day and how we are “getting the children
ready for kindergarten”. I do hope
you read the article that was posted on the blog about the importance of play,
and especially imaginary play, in the development of self-regulation and
impulse control. It speaks so well
to explaining the importance of social interactions in regards to learning and
understanding our place in the world.
This is all important for the West Wing parents to hear, as well. On Tuesday, October 13th, you’ll have your turn. Same time.
Dress for fun.
You’ll find information about “Individual Photos Days” scheduled for October 14th and 15th here at NSW in your child’s file box. Duane Smith has been taking photos for
us since 1988 having first met when his wife, Michelle, worked as a teacher
here. Duane will be at the school
in the morning and the afternoon taking pictures of the children (casually
posed in the outdoor play spaces) and if you so choose, you can purchase a CD
of three different poses from him for you to keep. This is not a fundraiser, just an opportunity for you. The disc will be here in time for you
to use for holiday cards. Just
fill out the form and return it to the envelope on the office door. No pressure. If you are unable to be here during those two days, you can
connect with Duane directly and we will schedule makeup days. He will also be
here to take Family Photos on Saturday, November 7th. A
list will be posted with times slots for you to sign but more information about
that will come closer to the time.
Thanks for your patience as we try to understand the
children’s food allergies while keeping them safe. The big foods to remember for the Community Snack are no shell fish, treenuts (walnuts,
almonds, cashews, pistachios. . . ) and peanuts. Just think NO NUTS and NO NUT BUTTERS. Also, fatally harmful are seeds, especially
sesame seeds. The parents of all three of these children are in
agreement that children can have these items in their own personal
lunches. The teachers will have to
be diligent in watching where children sit and washing down the surfaces. But please, when bringing Community
Snack, be sure to read the labels of boxes of crackers and such. So many things have these above listed
items in the ingredients. We are
working on composing a list of all the acceptable (and yummy) foods for your
quick reference. In the meantime,
thank you!
As some of you know, I teach the Reggio class at SMC (with Ellen Khokha from The Growing Place) and this
Wednesday (the 7th) we are having a field trip here at NSW. The students will be arriving around
5:30 so if you see some strange faces, smile. We talk a lot about parent involvement in the class and we
want to show a bright face! I brag
about you all the time!! Our focus
will be The Environment as the Third Teacher and Documentation. With that, I feel I’m falling short
still not having completed the hallway and library area. Anyone want to help me? It
involves gathering photos and helping to hang them up.
On Thursday, we’ll be having our first Parent Tour for the school year. You remember those?!
Around 20 people or so will start gathering around 9:30 in the back
patio, tour around 10:00/10:15, and then return to the back patio for Q and A
until around 11:00. I am always
grateful that the teachers and children make time for this to happen. Giving up work space is hard but I
think it’s so important to have prospective parents see the place “in
action”. And it’s all good
stuff!!!
This Friday and Saturday, Kris and I will be attending the Training
the Early Childhood Trainer Conference at
the Westin Bonaventure Hotel downtown.
It’ll be two days of being filled up with information and networking
with lots of great people and we’re looking forward to sharing it
together. We’ll let you know how
that all goes but note that we will both be out of the office on Friday. Messages will be picked up by the
teachers and I’ll have my cell phone close by.
This Friday night is Martinis with Roleen at the Naftalin’s house. 7:30 marks the time to begin gathering. Signs ups are on the hallway door. This is the second time Isabelle’s
parents have hosted this event which has us all sharing stories, voicing
parental concerns, and asking questions all while coming together with common
interests. . . our kids. Looking
forward to it.
Thanks to all of you who came to the Fundraising Committee
meeting last Thursday evening.
And, thanks, Caroline, for being such a gracious host. There were so many of us!! Amazing energy with great ideas. How lucky the children are! We’ll keep you all posted as to all
that’s coming.
So “It’s Monday” and there it is. Enjoy your week.
Roleen