Dear Families,

This year’s transition into school has been a record year! The children are already comfortable with the routine, even transitioning outside with jackets! We are so pleased.

Curriculum: We will begin our cooking curriculum with weekly trips to the Farmer’s Market this Friday. A small group of 2-3 children will go each week to pick out items for the following week’s menu. We will tell you when it is your child’s turn to go.

Yoga and Music specials began this week. The children are divided into groups by color (red, green, purple, orange). Half of the children go outside to play and half stay inside for the special class. Then the groups switch.

Materials and Classroom: We need a pair of men’s shoes for our pretend area. Does anyone have a pair in reasonably good condition they could donate?

Many, many thanks for your help in getting the classroom ready. We’d especially like to thank George Kostas for his help putting up shelves and hooks.

Snack & Lunch: Please remember to refer to our SNACK and LUNCH guidelines. If you need another copy of either of these, let us know. This week, wildly popular snack foods have been sunflower seeds!, cucumbers, green beans and cashews.

Rest time: Rest time begins next Wednesday for the long day children. On this day, your child can bring a cozy blanket and a small, soft toy to keep at school for the naptime. It is better to keep your child’s most beloved snuggle items at home, but perhaps bring his or her “second best” ones.

Long Day Curriculum: As we think about moving into a longer day and preparing children for kindergarten, there are certain skills that we would like to focus on. In the context of looking at jobs within the family home, and using materials such as clay, paint, books and manipulatives, the children will strengthen their ability to listen, follow directions, sequence numerically and narratively, and attend to beginning reading and writing activities. We will also create rich, expressive arts experiences, and opportunities to strengthen fine and gross motor skills.

Afterschool Opportunity: Several parents in our community have recommended Jason Shela of the British Soccer Academy in New York. He is offering a free soccer class on our play deck on Wednesday, October 4, from 2:30-3:00. You may then enroll your child for soccer class, which will take place each Wednesday in the fall on our play deck. Attached is a flyer with more details.

Business: If you have not handed in your child’s Health form or Emergency Contact form, please do so. The Department of Health has contacted the school and will make a site visit very soon. We must have all the forms before they come. Also, Capital Fund Loan checks are due Sept. 30.

We are making several efforts to “green” the school. We are using recycled paper products when possible, chemical-free, biodegradable cleaners, and we have ordered biodegradable garbage bags. We will continue to make efforts to lighten the school’s environmental impact.

Professional Development: In October, Caitlin will attend a workshop called “Getting In Sync,” based on the work of Carol Stock Kranowitz, author of The Out-of-Sync Child. Emily and Amy will participate in a year-long series of workshops at Bank Street with a focus on Science. The three of us will lead a workshop at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference in November. Because we will travel to Atlanta for this conference, the school will be closed on Friday, November 10. This will serve as our fall professional development day. Our spring professional development date will be Monday, May 7.

Dates: Attached is an updated calendar. Please note the additions of Nov. 10 and May 7. Upcoming dates:

September 27: First 2:30 dismissal.

September 30: Capital Fund Loan due.

October 2: School closed for Yom Kippur.

October 9: School closed for Columbus Day.

October 12: RSVP for the 10/19 Parent Meeting.

Warmly,

Emily, Amy and Caitlin