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

November and December 2005

Dear Parents,

Rose Blossom School’s Halloween Party was so much fun! The costumes were fabulous, the food scrumptious, and the games fun. The children sang songs for everyone to enjoy, and we have some wonderful photos to show. If you haven’t seen any photos, there is a photo book on the sign-in counter for you to peruse and enjoy. Thank you so much for a memorable party. It was definitely a group effort, with you, the parents, bringing food, being audience for the show, outfitting the children in costumes, cleaning up, all of it!

The Halloween party seemed to help the children understand that they are a group, and that they can accomplish quite a bit as a group. When we returned to school in November, there was a feeling of friendship and cooperation that we have been enjoying ever since. The children are familiar with the routines and schedule of school, and they are moving forward into all areas of learning and growing. Phonics, numbers, writing, art, creativity, singing, playing, you name it, they are enthusiastic and making choices all throughout the day.

Along with this comes a relaxing of behavior, and we, the teachers, also see the children pushing limits with us, at times, and also with each other. This provides us with wonderful opportunities to lovingly set limits, and for the children to stick up for themselves!

Thanksgiving is an opportunity for the children to think about what they are thankful for. And the holiday season in December helps them to learn to give, as well as receive. In December we will host an MDA Hopathon to raise money for children with Muscular Dystrophy. We are also discussing how they, as children, can give gifts during this holiday season. Watch out for hugs, kisses, pictures, smiles…some of the children are talking about giving away toys that they no longer play with. You may be able to help them find a way to give these toys to those who can use them.

We will be talking about how people celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwaanza. If there are any other holidays or ways that you celebrate at this time of the year, please let us know, so that we can incorporate your holiday ways of celebrating. Thank you for all of your help as we celebrate the holidays, and our time together.

—Sharon Rose, Director

Juliet's Fall Celebration:

was a huge success. We will invite Juliet back to celebrate winter with us, in January. Look for the sign-up sheet!

We Welcome To Rose Blossom School

Cassie and Nikki Duca Lechler and their parents, Bill and Patti. [Please add Cassie and Nikki to your Rose Blossom phone list. Their home phone is 831-662-0562; address is 3805 Fern Flat Road, Aptos, CA 95003.]

Playground Equipment

Rose Blossom School has been raising money to add a new piece of equipment to the playground. Our spring student art sale brought us $125, and the wonderful experience of enjoying the children’s art. This fall, an anonymous donation was made [by one of the parents] for an additional $125, bringing us to $250! Then, Sarah Babcock and Kelly Mennie worked together on a Mary Kay fundraiser, and were able to add $56.25, bringing us to a grand total of $306.25. We were very close to the amount needed to purchase the toddler sized monkey bars that I had selected. But when I inquired as to the current availability, I was told that the company that made that particular piece of equipment had just gone out of business! Going online to look for alternatives, I have found two pieces of equipment that might work in the yard. One is a horizontal bar offered by www.gametime.com for $920; it looks safe for toddlers and would be a wonderful addition to the yard. The other is a Junior Dome offered by www.outdoorfunstore.com for $433. It is low to the ground, and is a type of climbing structure. I will leave the pictures and information about these two playground structures near the sign-in book for you to see. I am looking at the possibility of a spring fundraiser, so we can add one of these pieces to the playground. Thank you all for your participation in these school events and goals!

Tumbling Tutor

Tumbling Tutor meets on Mondays and Thursdays through December, and will resume when we return on January 9, 2006.

Lost and Found

Lost & Found is in the bottom drawer if the dresser in the bathroom. Also, please check outside cubbies and hooks at the end of the day for the children’s toys and jackets. Thank you!

New Yoga Class!

Look for the new yoga class, starting on January 16^th. Sharon will be teaching this new class, with a yoga teacher assistant, on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-1:30 p.m. The class has an initial cost of $10 for the yoga mat, and a fee of $5.00 per class after that. Sign-up sheet will be available in January. Classes will take place in the UUF sanctuary.

Happy Birthday!

November:

Hayden Mennie 11/19/00

December:

Chris Stanton 12/03/00

Alexa Riedel 12/09/00

Rowan Field 12/11/00

Addison Dove 12/20/00

At Rose Blossom School we celebrate the children's birthdays 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 special crown, which he/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. Some ideas are sliced fruit, mini quick bread muffins, and even party favors, like small bubble bottles. Thank you!

Monthly Themes

November and December Themes: Numbers, Nutrition, Thanksgiving, Holidays

Our November themes overlap beautifully, with food fitting in with Thanksgiving celebrations, and we can certainly count pumpkins and turkeys galore! These themes easily continue into December, as we incorporate counting their hops for the Hopathon, writing numbers on tree decorations, and learning about holiday foods.

There will be a holiday performance in December. All families and friends are invited. See calendar for dates and times. Happy Holidays!

Cooking

Is scheduled monthly, the third or fourth week of each month, on Wednesday and Thursday. Yum!

Rose Blossom School Calendar: November and December 2005

Previous Newsletters

• November and December 2005
• September and October 2005
• May and June 2005
• March and April 2005
• January and February 2005
• December 2004
• November 2004
• October 2004
• September 2004
• July and August 2004
• June 2004
• May 2004
• April 2004
• March 2004
• April 2004
• March 2004