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

January and February 2005

Dear Parents,

Welcome to 2005! It was such a joy to return to school in January and see how happy the children were to be back. There was so much cooperation and appreciation, it was easy to see that the children are feeling like a group now, that they are enjoying the familiarity of the routine, and one another. I was glad to see everyone again, too, and Mary said that she missed everyone, and couldn’t wait to come back to school! I guess that’s what two weeks of rain can do to us!

Thank you to those parents who wrote letters of reference for me in January. I hold those letters dear to my heart, and whether or not the mentor program comes to Rose Blossom, the letters are of great value to me. I welcome more letters, as comments about your child’s experience at Rose Blossom, and my teaching style, are wonderful testimonials.

Sometimes I send “homework” with the children, so that they can complete a booklet that did not get done at school. Is it true that they enjoy homework? That’s what I’m told. At any rate, the homework can be brought back to me when it is done, and I will mark it complete, and give it a sticker! Good Job!

I will be sending home a student progress sheet for the phonics program in February. If you want to meet with me about other aspects of your child’s progress at Rose Blossom School, or would like to know more about how we present phonics and other games to the children, just let me know.

—Sharon Rose, Director

Notes to Parents:

There is information that may be of interest to parents in the two big binders near the photo printer. Feel free to read and make copies to take home.

Also, photographs from the two digital cameras can be printed out in 4x6 at school, or I can save them on a CD for larger printing.

I am still offering to teach and practice Heart Language, or Nonviolent Communication, if there is a good day and time for you. This is communication practice that we can apply to whatever situations are giving you a hard time. Let me know!

Good Idea: We are thinking of scheduling a Maintenance Day on a Saturday to prepare the garden for spring planting, and do spring cleaning indoors, too. Those parents who are looking for ways to put in the four hour a month participation may be interested. Kristi Jud is coordinating this effort. Talk with Kristi or Sharon if interested. Thanks!

Happy Birthday!

January:

Hanna Y — 01/16/00

Anabel W — 01/17/02

Callum F — 01/18/01

February:

Madison and Isabella S — 02/10/00

Gabrielle T — 02/11/01

Sean W — 02/25/01

Matthew R — 02/27/01

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.

Are we ready to start up the bi-monthly parent meetings and field trips again?

Monthly Themes

January: Winter, Calendar/Seasons, Dinosaurs

We have been talking about the seasons, especially Winter, the twelve months of the year, and the seven days in a week. We are hoping to be able to offer a 2005 Calendar to each student. If you have any extra 2005 calendars at home, and can donate them to the school, that would be great!

In addition to singing about fun things to do in the winter, and pretending to be snowflakes, January is the month that we learn about Dinosaurs. Difficult names do not seem to diminish the children’s enthusiasm for dinosaurs. They are intrigued by the fact that the dinosaurs are extinct, and listen carefully when we explain how it is we know anything about them at all. Big words are now a part of their vocabulary: And, after all, we, too are herbivores and carnivores, so in some ways, we have things in common with dinosaurs. Scary thought. For the January performance, we will sing songs about Winter, Calendar, and Dinosaurs. Our calendar songs are in Spanish and English!

January Performance: Wednesday 1/26, Thursday 1/27, 10:00AM

February: Shapes, Outer Space, Valentine’s Day

In February, we learn about shapes, and what is in outer space. Valentine’s Day comes quickly. At Rose Blossom School, we create a Valentine’s mailbox, where each child has a folder for valentine cards from their friends. We have two weeks to make and fill the folders, before our in-school valentine party on Feb. 14th and 15th. When you bring in valentine cards, look for the mailboxes in cardboard file boxes. Please help your child “mail” the cards. For the party, we will decorate heart-shaped cookies, sing valentine songs, look at the cards, and eat the cookie. Happy Valentine’s Day!

For the February performance, we will sing songs about shapes, outer space, and Valentines day.

February Performance: Wednesday 2/23, Thursday 2/24, 10:00AM

Rose Blossom School Calendar: January and February 2005

What children say:

Anthony and his mother were talking in December, about the time that we were celebrating the Holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas.

Anthony:

My teacher at school is Jewish.

Mom:

Oh, yeah, Sharon?

Anthony:

Yep

Mom:

What about Mary?

Anthony:

Sure…and, she’s jolly.

Previous Newsletters

• December 2004
• November 2004
• October 2004
• September 2004
• July and August 2004
• June 2004
• May 2004
• April 2004
• March 2004
• February 2004
• January 2004