Vancouver Montessori School Newsletter
April 6, 2009
April 10………..……………...Re-commitment Deadline
April 16…6:30-8:00pm…C.H. Parent & Teacher Work Party
April 23………………………..Plant Delivery Day
Welcome!
Rayna, of the Wisteria classroom, and her parents, Randy and Hannah, have welcomed a new family member. Romy Jane was born on March 21, weighing 8lbs, 9ozs. Congratulations!
Lauren, of the Lavender classroom is also a big sister! Congratulations to Lauren and her parents, Peili and Dan on the birth of baby Andrew Chee who was born on March 16. He weighed 7lbs, 8ozs.
The Lavender classroom welcomes a new child, Jack, along with his parents, Kirsten and Shane. Please join us in making them feel at home.
Thank You!
Colby and Caden’s grandma, Suzanne, for the variety of silverware.
Emma and Jacob’s mom, J.J., for the kitchen sponges and towels.
Graham for the seeds for planting.
Belen for the watercolor paper and paint, colored tissue paper, and flour and yeast for baking.
A.J.’s mom, Devon, for taking the time to sew the Sunflower classroom new aprons.
Phoebe’s mom, Allie, for kitchen sponges.
Wish List
Potting soil
Re-commitment for 2009-2010 School Year
To secure your child’s place for the 2009-2010 school year please return the green Registration and Fee Payment Agreement along with the $200.00 (per child) re-commitment fee no later than Friday, April 10, 2009. The re-commitment fee is then applicable to your first tuition payment for the upcoming school year. Your child’s place cannot be guaranteed and the commitment fee is not applicable if not paid by the April 10 deadline. No exceptions will be made.
Plant Delivery
The pre-ordered plants will arrive from New Leaf Greenhouse at 9:00am on Thursday, April 23. Leslie and Joshua welcome any helping hands for unloading the truck, sorting and labeling plants, and picking and checking the orders. Just drop us a note if you are interested in joining in. It is a lot of fun especially if the sun is shining (We can hope)! Plants will be ready for pick up by the 11:45am dismissal time and, due to a lack of storage space, need to be picked up that day.
Volunteers Needed
The library, laundry, and snack volunteer sheets are posted again in the hallway on the main bulletin board. From now until the end of the school year, there are quite a few empty spaces. If you can and would like to volunteer to help with any of these constant needs, please sign up on any of the empty spaces. We appreciate so much all the willing assistance received from families all year long—it is a tremendous help!
Please Join Your Child’s Teacher
Children’s House parents are invited to join their child’s teacher, along with other parents, for a fun evening of preparing, repairing, sewing, painting, cutting and pasting materials used by the children every day. This is a great way to gain some insight into what goes into preparing the environment, ask questions about the materials, and visit with other adults. This work party will be held on Thursday, April 16 between 6:30-8:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
Understanding the Value of Mistakes---By Arlene Schroeder
One day I was watching a child carefully walk across the room carrying the stamp game. She heard a sound, turned to listen and somehow the stamp game slipped out of her hands. She stared at it with amazement and then I heard her say, “How did that happen?” Before she could bend down to pick it up, three friends were there offering to help her pick up all the pieces. She was delighted to have the help and quickly all the pieces were put back and she was on her way to her table to continue gathering the rest of the things she needed.
Mistakes in the classroom offer frequent opportunities for growth. Dr. Montessori writes, “The fact that we all make mistakes stirs a deep feeling of affection in the child’s heart.” It is another way that helps create a bond between one another.
The child who was carrying the stamp game did not intend to drop it. Everyday in the classroom the children make mistakes. It is important to cultivate an atmosphere that is friendly with all our errors. It is then that we can learn from them. If we focus less on the mess that was created and more on helping the child feel acceptance then it will reaffirm her belief in her own capability.
When your child makes a mistake at home remember that children rarely intend to do so. If your child is disappointed with something they did, a compassionate offer to help will build confidence. Children should not be rewarded when they succeed or punished for their mistakes. Your consistent acceptance of their mistakes will help your child to learn from them and strengthen their skills.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Vancouver Montessori School Newsletter
March 16, 2009
March 24……….............…Plant Orders Due
March 27…...Children’s House Closed…....Staff Inservice
March 30-April 3……Children’s House Closed……Spring Break
April 10………..……………Re-commitment Deadline
April 23……………………Plant Delivery Day
Goodbye
To Leiya Ohms of the Wisteria classroom. We wish her and her family all the best in the future.
Thank You!
To Anton Check, Rex Hawkins, Randy Arends, Gary Jackson, and Joshua Jessup for braving the wind and rain on Saturday to load up and haul away lots of wood, cement and yard debris. The back area looks 100% better!
Re-commitment for 2009-2010 School Year
To secure your child’s place for the 2009-2010 school year please return the green Registration and Fee Payment Agreement along with the $200.00 (per child) re-commitment fee no later than Friday, April 10, 2009. The re-commitment fee is then applicable to your first tuition payment for the u pcoming school year. Your child’s place cannot be guaranteed and the commitment fee is not applicable if not paid by the April 10 deadline. No exceptions will be made.
Plants, Flowers, Herbs!
While it is hard to imagine spring is just around the corner (especially with snow falling recently), it is. The daffodils and crocus are already blooming. Don’t miss out on our wonderful plant sale. More order forms are available in the office to pass on to friends, family and neighbors. These plants are sturdy and vibrant. The herbs and vegetables are organically grown and nothing is better than fresh-from-the-vine garden vegetables! The deadline for turning orders in with payment is Tuesday, March 24. The webs ite at http://www.newleafgreenhouse.com/ has lots of pictures and updated plant descriptions to take a look at.
Wish List
Kitchen sponges
Bath towels (used ones for clean up purposes)
Metal forks and spoons (used ones are fine)
Crayons and washable markers for after-care
Dangerous Plastics
At a recent workshop that Kendra and Leslie attended, the risks associated with certain toxic plastics and plastic toys were discussed. Baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings and flexible plastic toys are often made with phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) and Bisphenol-A (BPA). These two toxins are of particular concern because, as research increasingly shows, they mimic hormones and disrupt normal growth and development. Young children are at greater risk than adults due to a more sensitive immune system, organs that are still developing, and simply more going into their mouths.
Therefore, when shopping, look for items labeled “BPA free” or for plastics with recycling codes #1, #2, or #5. Do not buy and/or throw away any with the codes #3 (PVC), #6 (Polystyrene), or #7 (other-usually polycarbonate). For the full article and more resource information, see Leslie or Kendra for a copy. Go to http://www.thegreenguide.com/ for everyday living information and product alternatives.
The Three Hour Work Period
In the Children’s House environment, the opportunity to work does not carry the same significance as what most of the adult world is familiar with. “Going to work” or “doing yard/housework” often means what HAS to be done for practical or financial reasons; not what one WANTS to do, or even enjoys. This is not the case with the 3 to 6 year-old child.
Dr. Montessori believed that it was only through purposeful work that a child would return to their natural state of tranquility, and that “A child’s desire to work represents a vital instinct, since s/he cannot organize his/her personality without working,” (The Secret of Childhood, p186). The 3 to 6 year-old is in the process of doing their unconscious work of sel f-construction; and considering physiological and psychological development are directly related to physical movement, this is why a child’s first exposure to work in the classroom environment is through Practical Life exercises.
The three hour morning work period is vital to providing the children with the liberty to move toward normalization and functional independence. A substantial breakfast in the morning, punctuality at arrival time and a comfortable goodbye to parents all help facilitate a smooth transition to their busy day at work.
Each child moves forward at their own pace, regardless of age or experience, and it is one of the arts of the trained Montessori guide to know when to present new lessons. Through careful observations during the morning three hour work cycle, the teach er also watches for evidence of challenging independent work choices and social graces used with peers and adults. Independence with self-care, stamina and repetition with one’s own work, the conscious learning that appears after the loss of the child’s inner guide, and emotional readiness for elevated expectations are also considered. It is these specific signs of self-construction that the teacher looks for when offering individual invitations to children to join the extended day classroom environment.
March 16, 2009
March 24……….............…Plant Orders Due
March 27…...Children’s House Closed…....Staff Inservice
March 30-April 3……Children’s House Closed……Spring Break
April 10………..……………Re-commitment Deadline
April 23……………………Plant Delivery Day
Goodbye
To Leiya Ohms of the Wisteria classroom. We wish her and her family all the best in the future.
Thank You!
To Anton Check, Rex Hawkins, Randy Arends, Gary Jackson, and Joshua Jessup for braving the wind and rain on Saturday to load up and haul away lots of wood, cement and yard debris. The back area looks 100% better!
Re-commitment for 2009-2010 School Year
To secure your child’s place for the 2009-2010 school year please return the green Registration and Fee Payment Agreement along with the $200.00 (per child) re-commitment fee no later than Friday, April 10, 2009. The re-commitment fee is then applicable to your first tuition payment for the u pcoming school year. Your child’s place cannot be guaranteed and the commitment fee is not applicable if not paid by the April 10 deadline. No exceptions will be made.
Plants, Flowers, Herbs!
While it is hard to imagine spring is just around the corner (especially with snow falling recently), it is. The daffodils and crocus are already blooming. Don’t miss out on our wonderful plant sale. More order forms are available in the office to pass on to friends, family and neighbors. These plants are sturdy and vibrant. The herbs and vegetables are organically grown and nothing is better than fresh-from-the-vine garden vegetables! The deadline for turning orders in with payment is Tuesday, March 24. The webs ite at http://www.newleafgreenhouse.com/ has lots of pictures and updated plant descriptions to take a look at.
Wish List
Kitchen sponges
Bath towels (used ones for clean up purposes)
Metal forks and spoons (used ones are fine)
Crayons and washable markers for after-care
Dangerous Plastics
At a recent workshop that Kendra and Leslie attended, the risks associated with certain toxic plastics and plastic toys were discussed. Baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings and flexible plastic toys are often made with phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) and Bisphenol-A (BPA). These two toxins are of particular concern because, as research increasingly shows, they mimic hormones and disrupt normal growth and development. Young children are at greater risk than adults due to a more sensitive immune system, organs that are still developing, and simply more going into their mouths.
Therefore, when shopping, look for items labeled “BPA free” or for plastics with recycling codes #1, #2, or #5. Do not buy and/or throw away any with the codes #3 (PVC), #6 (Polystyrene), or #7 (other-usually polycarbonate). For the full article and more resource information, see Leslie or Kendra for a copy. Go to http://www.thegreenguide.com/ for everyday living information and product alternatives.
The Three Hour Work Period
In the Children’s House environment, the opportunity to work does not carry the same significance as what most of the adult world is familiar with. “Going to work” or “doing yard/housework” often means what HAS to be done for practical or financial reasons; not what one WANTS to do, or even enjoys. This is not the case with the 3 to 6 year-old child.
Dr. Montessori believed that it was only through purposeful work that a child would return to their natural state of tranquility, and that “A child’s desire to work represents a vital instinct, since s/he cannot organize his/her personality without working,” (The Secret of Childhood, p186). The 3 to 6 year-old is in the process of doing their unconscious work of sel f-construction; and considering physiological and psychological development are directly related to physical movement, this is why a child’s first exposure to work in the classroom environment is through Practical Life exercises.
The three hour morning work period is vital to providing the children with the liberty to move toward normalization and functional independence. A substantial breakfast in the morning, punctuality at arrival time and a comfortable goodbye to parents all help facilitate a smooth transition to their busy day at work.
Each child moves forward at their own pace, regardless of age or experience, and it is one of the arts of the trained Montessori guide to know when to present new lessons. Through careful observations during the morning three hour work cycle, the teach er also watches for evidence of challenging independent work choices and social graces used with peers and adults. Independence with self-care, stamina and repetition with one’s own work, the conscious learning that appears after the loss of the child’s inner guide, and emotional readiness for elevated expectations are also considered. It is these specific signs of self-construction that the teacher looks for when offering individual invitations to children to join the extended day classroom environment.
Considering all that the child is developing during this vital morning work cycle, it is imperative that they arrive to school on time. When a child habitually arrives late to school (particularly after 9:00am) they not only miss out on a relaxed morning greeting from their teacher, assistant and peers; they miss out on the time to actually work as discussed above. A child who arrives at 10:00am only gets one hour a nd fifteen minutes to participate in the three hour work cycle. Late arrivals not only affect the arriving child, but the entire group, as working children are distracted from their activities to attend to their friend now coming into the classroom. Please carefully consider your own child’s morning (perhaps even the evening before) routine, looking for ways to ensure a consistently timely arrival to school.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Important Dates
Some important upcoming dates on our calendar to remember are:
March 8--Daylight Saving Time begins
March 9--Spring conferences begin for Chilldren's House classrooms
March 24--Plant orders are due
March 27--Children's House classrooms are closed for staff inservice/conferences. The Honeysuckle Toddler Community is OPEN.
March 30-April 3--Spring Break--Children's House classrooms are closed. The Honeysuckle Toddler Community is OPEN.
March 8--Daylight Saving Time begins
March 9--Spring conferences begin for Chilldren's House classrooms
March 24--Plant orders are due
March 27--Children's House classrooms are closed for staff inservice/conferences. The Honeysuckle Toddler Community is OPEN.
March 30-April 3--Spring Break--Children's House classrooms are closed. The Honeysuckle Toddler Community is OPEN.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Peanut Butter Recall
Vancouver Montessori School received this letter today regarding the Peanut Butter Recall. This letter is from Metzger Fundraising. Metzger Fundraising supplies our Butter Braid, Pastry Puffin and Cookie Dough fundraiser in the fall. This recall would mainly affect families that had children enrolled during the 2007/2008 school year as we did not sell Cookie Dough during our Fall 2008 fundraiser.
January 29, 2009
Re: Expanded Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Recall
Dear Sir or Madam:
Due to the expanded national recall of peanut butter manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America, Country Maid Inc, makers of Classic Breaks Cookie Dough, is issuing an expanded voluntary recall of its 2-pound packages of Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. The peanut butter used to make the cookie dough was supplied by Peanut Corporation of America and may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
The recalled Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough was distributed in the following states through fundraising groups: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Distribution to fundraising dealers occurred August 20, 2007 through January 9, 2009.
The product comes in a 2 pound rectangular-shaped package with a white wrapper. Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough products with the following lot numbers marked on the side are included in the recall: 22507, 24007, 24707, 29707, 31007, 36207, 03008, 03908, 04608, 06708, 11308, 11408, 21908, 26208, 26308, 29808, 33808, and 36508.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the cookie dough. No other Country Maid or Classic Breaks products are included in the recall.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should either destroy the product or contact Country Maid for a refund at 1-888-460-6904. Details can also be found at www.classic-breaks.com.
Please send this letter to those who have participated in your fundraiser and advise them to contact Country Maid at 1-888-460-6904 with any questions. They may also visit the Classic Breaks website at www.classic-breaks.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding in our efforts to keep our customers safe.
Sincerely,
Metzger Fundraising, LLC
January 29, 2009
Re: Expanded Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Recall
Dear Sir or Madam:
Due to the expanded national recall of peanut butter manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America, Country Maid Inc, makers of Classic Breaks Cookie Dough, is issuing an expanded voluntary recall of its 2-pound packages of Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. The peanut butter used to make the cookie dough was supplied by Peanut Corporation of America and may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
The recalled Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough was distributed in the following states through fundraising groups: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Distribution to fundraising dealers occurred August 20, 2007 through January 9, 2009.
The product comes in a 2 pound rectangular-shaped package with a white wrapper. Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough products with the following lot numbers marked on the side are included in the recall: 22507, 24007, 24707, 29707, 31007, 36207, 03008, 03908, 04608, 06708, 11308, 11408, 21908, 26208, 26308, 29808, 33808, and 36508.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the cookie dough. No other Country Maid or Classic Breaks products are included in the recall.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should either destroy the product or contact Country Maid for a refund at 1-888-460-6904. Details can also be found at www.classic-breaks.com.
Please send this letter to those who have participated in your fundraiser and advise them to contact Country Maid at 1-888-460-6904 with any questions. They may also visit the Classic Breaks website at www.classic-breaks.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding in our efforts to keep our customers safe.
Sincerely,
Metzger Fundraising, LLC
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