Friday, February 3, 2006
Calendar
2/8 Core meeting 5 pm
2/20 President’s Day – School closed, no childcare
2/21-2/24 Winter Break – School closed, childcare by prior registration
FINANCIAL AID & RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS WERE DUE 2/1/06.CRAB FEED The Crab feed was a great success! Thank you to all the families who supported, attended, and helped with this fun event. We should have some fund-raising figures in the next two weeks to share with you.
CALLING FOR DONATIONS – LARGE & SMALLYes, GLM parents, we need your help! GLM families are the greatest resource for donations for our auctions and raffles - from restaurant gift certificates, sporting and cultural event tickets, to weekend cabins and cruises!!
Perhaps you have a great piece of artwork that no longer fits with your decor, or a brand new barbecue you've never used? Do you work in the travel, wine or retail industry? Do you work for a company that might donate a product or service?
Let's make 2006 the best fundraising effort yet! Donor forms are available in the office - you can mail or bring your item to the office, and we'll take it from there.
Questions about donations? Contact Marni Hunter (marnihunter@sbcglobal.net) or Heidi Hudson (hudsonlaw@mac.com). You can also call Marni at 510-339-6082, or Heidi at 510-261-4729.
It may seem like a long way off - but the Wine & Cheese Tasting and Auction is just around the corner. Mark your calendars!
April 22, 2006*
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sequoyah Country Club
*Please note the date changeSOUND OF THE WEEK Each Wednesday your child is encouraged, with your help, to find an object at home (preferably not a toy) that contains with the sound of the week. Put it in a labeled bag to share with your child’s class. The sound for next week is “S”, as in Stone, Stair, and Silver.
CIVILITY AT LAKE PARK CAMPUSVerbal abuse, ignoring posted parking restriction signs, and “parking rage” have escalated in the parking lot between GLM parents and members of the Lake Park Church (our landlords). Parents who continue with these unacceptable behaviors will be required to park on the street. The Church members have complained and are beginning to note car licenses.
For GLM families the asphalt play area will be opened on days the Church has a posted meeting to ensure enough parking. This will unfortunately eliminate the area for play by the children between 2:45 and 3:30 pm.
CLAY STUDIOThank you to Mia’s mom, Andrea, for donating ceramic tools. Now we have a set for the Lake Park area!
Overheard during Clay Studio; “The whole world is Montessori.” (Serina Grinage)
TUFF TUMBLERSNew Tuff Tumbler classes begin on Feb. 1st & 17th. Registration forms are in the classrooms and both offices. Please be reminded that we may not be able put your child in a particular class as scheduling is based on first come-first served, and according to age and skill level. If you turned a check only in to the office you must still complete a registration form. CLASSES FILL UP VERY QUICKLY.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
CLASS NEWSREDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)(Written by the students)
This week the elementary class has been busy wrapping up various projects. The 2nd and 3rd years have been completing their South American country reports as well as working on mammal research. The 4th years have completed their Navajo research. In addition, they have recently finished their vital functions of the bird research, requiring them to name and describe all of the body parts of the bird and complete a report. They are also working on finding the areas of different shapes. The 6th years have been busy working on rocks and minerals and have named and classified over 30 different rocks and minerals. Also, they are finishing their ear work, involving multiple experiments, and classification of all the parts of the ear. They have recently learned how a bill becomes a law and have correctly identified all of California's senators and representatives.
We would like to thank the Fong/Lee family for celebrating Lunar New Year with us and planning the hot pot lunch that we enjoyed on Monday afternoon!
JACARANDADuring these rainy, cold days, the children have no less energy than they do on sunny, warm days, so we set up the indoor environment to give them as many ways to engage their minds and bodies inside as they have to exercise their bodies and minds while on the yard. We present open-ended, non-Montessori work along with the usual works on the shelves that are open all day.
The Jacaranda class has been studying the human body, by which we mean, that in circle we actively discuss and explain the human body in age appropriate terms. "The brain sends messages to other parts of the body..." The children are very interested in exploring this topic and already understand and can explain many concepts.
When the class gathers in circle, and we are working on an activity that everyone enjoys, sometimes the circle comes to an end before everyone who wants to is able to actively participate. The circle must necessarily come to an end when we run out of time. We always tell the kids that they know we will do it again, and we always do.
We are inviting parent volunteers to come into the classroom Friday mornings to help the children with an ongoing baking project. Please see Ms. Leck or email jacarandateacher@grandlakemontessori.com and come ready to work with children who love to measure.
JUNIPERThis time of year, when the rain is falling and temperatures are rising, when noses are running and chests are coughing, it is important that children are prepared for the weather and protected from illness. Dress your children appropriately, encourage them to wash their hands frequently, and make sure they get lots of healthful foods. Also, model for and remind your child the right way to cough and sneeze: into an elbow!
GINKGOThe Ginkgo class would like to thank Glenda Poon, Gabriel's mom, for coming in and doing the Lunar New Year presentation with the children. She brought in money in red envelopes for the children and read a story.
On Thursday we celebrated Adriana Derksen’s 5th birthday. Her dad, Paul, came in and told the story of Adriana's life. We had a special snack, oatmeal cookies, and she gave gifts to the classroom; two books, "Hands Are Not For Hurting" and "Lots of Hearts". The children enjoyed listening to the stories while having their snack.
Sound of the Week: The children brought in lots of "R" sounds: Ring, Rabbit, Ribbon, and Rose, to name a few.
Have a "R"eally great weekend!
LIVE OAKIt was a great and busy week. Monday we celebrated Megan’s fifth birthday and the Lunar New Year. Her parents brought eggrolls and sticky buns as well as good luck bags for all the children. Her father told a wonderful story about growing up in Malaysia and the special time that the New Year was to his family. We all had a great time and thank them very much for sharing.
The explosion of work in our classroom is awesome. Several children are now reading phonetically while other children are beginning to write. We continue to have fun learning about birds and Africa this month. Any related books from home or the library would be helpful. Also I’m looking specifically for a book about the different animals and the different regions of Africa.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.italic.gif
We are reminding children not to interrupt each other when working and keeping our voices quiet while others around us are busy. Every day we will be playing some games to reinforce these courtesies.
MAGNOLIAThe children had many ideas for Sound of the Week, and contributed them during Circle. They included Raisin, Radio, and Robot.
During the cold and flu season we have been talking more about personal hygiene; cover up the cough and sneeze, don’t share the germs, wash hands often, drink lots of water!
The children have been excited to decorate their Valentine boxes for the upcoming holiday. Parents who have not yet had a chance to bring a box in, please do so ASAP.
MULBERRYMs. Aima has been sick part of this week. We hope she feels better and we will see her on Monday.
We had two celebrations this week: Owen Knowlton’s second birthday and Lunar New Year, which we celebrated with the Camellia class.
With all the rain we have spent more time in the classroom, doing various works and projects. We’re sure all the GLM students are looking forward to spring and being outside more!
CAMELLIAHappy Lunar New Year to everyone! As you may have noticed, we have hung many lanterns around the classes because they represent good luck. This is now the Year of The Dog. People born during the Year of The Dog (2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, and 1922) are loyal to their friends, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are gifted with eloquence with persuasiveness. Worshipping a god by contributing lights at a temple offers blessings and protections.
I' m very happy to back home - it was a good trip to China! Finally, my wife is here with me! I want to thank all the staff members and parents who were concerned and expressed their good wishes during this long ordeal.
Now I am back to giving lessons, reading stories, and enjoying the children.
Sound of the Week was "R" and we had Racecar, Rice, Rice Crispy, Raisin, and the color Red. Next week’s sound is "S" as in Sand, Salad, and Soap.
A little reminder again that school starts at 8:45 a.m.