Monica Ros School

August 29, 2008

As you can see, we had a wonderful first week of school. We decorated our cubbies, drew our self-portraits, explored our classroom and enjoyed meeting new friends. I am looking forward to having your children in the Red Room this year. They are ready and willing to learn. We want to provide them with enriching opportunities that inspire them to create, discover and enjoy their experience at Monica Ros.

Keep in mind, though, that the best schools do more than just teach children academically. We will introduce your child to the alphabet and practice his/her math skills, while doing so we will also touch your child’s heart. Enhancing Self-esteem and building effective relationships are important goals for our program.

We want to work with you this year to make a real difference in your child’s life. We want each child to feel a part of our school family, to make friends and play cooperatively with others. We will help them learn and explore such basic human emotions as happiness, sadness, anger and fear. We will encourage them to respond compassionately to others during difficult moments, treating others with respect and gentleness and to be generous and to offer help when possible.

Our first unit of learning will focus on friendships. Over the next few weeks we will discover the uniqueness and similarities we each hold as members of the class. We will create a book to take home illustrating these qualities. Next week we will be graphing family size (number of people in our homes) and also our favorite color.

To encourage the connection of home and school, we will be compiling our summer scrapbook. Please send in your summer souvenir page, if you haven’t done so already.

Our school address book will be out shortly, in the mean time, student phone numbers are attached. Please feel free to give me a call at anytime. When something occurs to you or concerns you, I would like to know.

Our bikes were opened up this week. We are aware that it can feel overwhelming to a child when a bike zooms by. Please help us as we provide a safe and secure environment for all preschoolers. Monday we will discuss the bike rules and receive a “bike license“ after a lesson on bike safety.

Pick up time at the gate is often hectic and confusing. For safety reasons we ask the children to wait at the rock bench bench until a teacher can take them to their parents waiting on the parking lot side of the gate. This way, we hope to prevent a young student from wandering out the gate behind an unsuspecting parent focused on his or her own child. I appreciate your patience as you wait for me to bring your child to you.

We need to know if your child will be staying for daycare on a regular basis. Please make a note on the sign in sheet or speak to one of us personally. Daycare is available on a drop in basis as well. If you find yourself running late, it is better to call the office so your child may go directly to daycare as opposed to waiting for you at the gate not knowing when you are going to come. We encourage play dates to be arranged in advance to avoid hurting the feelings of other friends. A note from home is always better than a last minute call to the office.

Please remember to send in an extra change of play clothes as our work is OFTEN messy. This is in addition to the change of clothes requested by the office in case of an earthquake/disaster.

I want to thank Ashley_Brown for volunteering to be our room parent. I look forward to parents helping in any way they can. Reading a story to a group of children, spending time with us in the classroom, bringing a favorite recipe and cooking with the class, there is no end to the ways in which you can help make this year more rewarding, not only for your child but for you personally as well. Please sign-up in the classroom.

In class we will honor birthdays. Please send all birthday invitations in the mail if only a few classmates are invited to a party. Little hearts are easily hurt over birthday party exclusions. Each child may bring a simple, nutritious treat to share on his or her special day. Classroom celebrations will be simple, but special. For children born in the summer months, we will celebrate in June. At Monica Ros we try to practice healthy alternatives, with special attention given to food allergies. Here are just a few suggestions: apple slices, grape clusters, orange segments, fruit kabobs, tangerines, raisins, popcorn, vegetable sticks, crackers, cheese, fruit leather, sunflower seeds (shelled), mini bagels and cream cheese, mini muffins…….and your OWN creative ideas!

Our Family Picnic and Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th. Please see the monthly calendar attached for more details about this and other upcoming events. Don’t forget to check out the website!

I care deeply about being a teacher. You and your child are important to me. I feel honored to be a part of your child’s life. I am also aware of the great responsibility I have as a partner with you in teaching and nurturing your child. I am eager to hear of your concerns as well. Let me know what is important to you.

I am excited about the coming year!

Fondly,

Kristy_Laszlo

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at 8:37 am and is in the Red Room (Preschool).