6401 Freedom Blvd.
Aptos, CA
(831) 662 - 8458

Blossoms: A newsletter for the family and friends of Rose Blossom Nursery School

October 2004

Dear Parents,

The Teddy Bear Picnic is over, and the children are very excited about the change of season, and mostly, Halloween. The Teddy Bear Picnic turned out to be a great success, even with moving the show indoors at the last moment, due to a light drizzle of rain. The children marched in to the church sanctuary with their stuffed bears, and other stuffed animal friends, gave them a place of honor on stage, and seemed proud to be able to perform for you, our audience. It was lots of fun, and the food was yummy, too. Thank you all for helping to make the Teddy Bear Picnic such a great success!

The children are settling in to new friendships, and the school routine and schedule. Please feel free to ask questions, or come and spend some time during the school day, to find out more about what your child is doing at Rose Blossom School. Welcome to Autumn!

Sharon and Mary

Happy Birthday!

Lauren H. 10/10/01

We celebrate the children's birthdays at school with a "walk around the sun" for the number of years of the birthday, and we sing happy birthday. We also help the birthday boy or girl make a birthday crown, which he or she can wear all day, and especially for our ceremonial ritual.

If the family wants to bring a treat in to contribute to the school celebration, we ask that it not add too much sugar to their diet. We have noticed some creative ideas, like sliced fruit, mini quick bread muffins, and even party favors, like small bubble bottles.

Hallowen Store

Last year, Rose Blossom School jumped in on the Halloween fun with a fund raiser, letting the children purchase some very neat Halloween toys and supplies, like Jack-O-Lantern bags, Halloween character toys, and Lite necklaces. We have enough items left to have another “Halloween Store,” which will be set up during the month of October. Please purchase items at pick up time. Happy Hallooooween!

Monthly Themes

Autumn, Apples, Leaves, Halloween

We are still completing activities from September, putting birthdays up on the Birthday Tree Bulletin Board, writing names and birthdays, naming colors, writing addresses and phone numbers. These “I Am Special” booklets will go home when they are completed, and Sharon is working on sending home a photograph of each child, as well. The self portraits the children made look fabulous on the walls, as do their creative art work. We are running out of wall space!

Art projects include painting leaves fall colors, painting butterflies, and Halloween craft ideas such as witches, ghosts, black cats, jack-o-lanterns, etc. We will carve out pumpkins, and, hopefully, get enough small pumpkins for the children to each paint one, as well. I’d like to show the children some fall harvest foods, such as sunflowers gone to seed, corn that is not yet shucked, apples, squash. A good stash of leaves that have turned color might be a good ideas, too…

We are enjoying singing songs for this fall season, and look forward to the Halloween Party. See you there!

October Events

Dental visit

On Tuesday, October 5th, Marissa visited Rose Blossom School from a local dental office, to demonstrate to the children how to brush and floss their teeth. She used the children as teeth, by putting two-tone tee shirts on them (white for teeth, red for gums), and then took a huge blown up toothbrush to brush them. Top, front, back. Then, she used rope to floss! The children rewarded Marissa with their attention, politeness, and a rendition of the song, “Brush Your Teeth” by Raffi. Marissa was pleased, and so were we!

Field Trip

The field trip on Sunday, October 10th, was exciting and fun! Those of us who could make it to Welcome Back Monarchs Day at Natural Bridges State Park heard live music and could get their faces painted, make craft flowers and caterpillars, and look for monarch butterflies. The beach, and the tidepools were also an attraction, and it was fun to find each other there, amongst the crowd. We even had a sunny, warm day!

Cooking Class

Last month, Patty made gingerbread cookie dough with the children, on Friday, and then provided them with cookies she had already baked, for them to decorate and eat. Then, the following Tuesday, we did it again! This month, on Friday, October 15th, and Tuesday, October 19th, we will once again have cooking class. Maybe this time, we’ll make applesauce, or pumpkin bread, or….

Celebrate the Fall (Autumn) Season with Juliet

Juliet Goldstein, of Greenwood Arts, comes to Rose Blossom School each season to celebrate with the children. This is a forty minute music, movement, and discussion session, in which Juliet brings her own special touch and appreciation of the seasons, to share with the children. Celebrating Autumn will take place on Wednesday, October 13th, and Thursday, October 14th, from 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM. Cost is $5.00 per child. See sign up sheet. Halloween Party

Rose Blossom School will have a Halloween Party on Friday, October 29th.

ALL Rose Blossom students and their families and friends are invited, even if they do not usually attend on Friday. This is a costume party, complete with a show, pot-luck, games, and activities. Party will take place in the church sanctuary, 9:00 AM – 10: 30 AM. See you there!

Coming up in November

Family Night

Parents are invited to attend a one hour gathering to discuss the topic of Nutrition. There will be a sign up sheet for those who are interested in this topic, and a place to submit your questions about nutrition. It would also be helpful to know if providing childcare for that hour, probably between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, would be helpful. What other topics would you like to cover at these bi-monthly gatherings? What evening would be best?

Tumbling Tutor Appreciation Day

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Friday, November 19. Barry Brooks (Mr. Strawberry) is showing his appreciation for Rose Blossom School by having a party for us! All Rose Blossom students are invited, even those who are not currently enrolled in his Tumbling Tutor class, and those who are not usually at school on Friday afternoon. Come one, come all! Pizza, juice, and games. Thank you, Mr. Strawberry!

Kudos…

To all of the parents for participating in Rose Blossom School! The teachers and students are loving the attention and activities, and help with cleaning and maintenance of the school. Dance, cooking, science activities, help with art activities and games, reading to and playing with the children, are some of the wonderful ways that parents are participating this year.