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

January and February 2006

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year!

The children seem happy to be back at school, playing with friends, and learning about winter and dinosaurs. So exciting!

Both Bill and I were very touched by the outpouring of holiday wishes in December, and the incredible response to the MDA Hopathon. We certainly had our hearts in the right places this holiday season!

Now we are back in the swing of things, and going forward with some projects.

One project is the emergency kits. We have gathered all of the items except for the personal cuddle toy and a family photo. Please see the sample bag for an idea what size items to bring in for your child’s kit. If you have any questions, please ask Sharon or Dana Snyder, who is putting the kits together. We are also moving forward with putting everything in a large rubber can and securing it in the school yard, so it is accessible during emergencies. Thank you for you support in gathering these items. We all feel better having emergency items available, just in case.* Also, keep in mind that if the school premises become inaccessible due to unexpected circumstances, we have made arrangements to go to the Aptos Christian Academy across the street.*

Another project is the new playground equipment, which will be arriving in a few weeks, and we also have a computer again at school, thanks to the Snyder family donation of a Dell computer (ours was simply missing one day – a mystery).

Parent support at Rose Blossom School continues to be amazing. Thank you each for your participation in making pre-school such a wonderful, loving, magical place for the children.

—Sharon Rose, Director

Wish List

If you have any extra 2006 calendars, please bring them in to school. When we have enough for each child we will give them out, so the children can have calendars of their own for the new year. Thank you!

Juliet's Winter Celebration:

is coming up the first week in February. This is a 40 minute session to celebrate the season of winter. Juliet brings in music, books, and other items pertaining to the season, and engages the children in discussion, song, and movement. The class cost $5.00 per session. Look for the sign up sheet!

We Welcome To Rose Blossom School

Sophia Green and parents Barry and Sara. You will all be receiving a new phone list!

Saying Good-Bye

We are saying good-bye to Diego Hammana, whose last day of school was in December, and Alexa Riedel, whose last day will be Feb 3^rd.

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. Another family is now helping with a monthly donation to the playground fund, so the Junior Dome has been ordered!

The new structure is galvanized steel, and will be shipped in a few weeks. Thanks to everyone who made this possible, and to those who will help us put it together! We look forward to enjoying a new climbing structure in the yard.

Tumbling Tutor

Tumbling Tutor continues to meet on Mondays and Thursdays.

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!

Yoga for Young Children

started on Tuesday, Jan. 17^th, and will continue on Tuesday afternoons. This is a 30-40 minute class, for children ages 3-6. Each class is $5.00. The yoga mat, which the children will eventually take home, cost $10.00. Sharon and Connie are the yoga teachers.

Happy Birthday!

January:

Jan 17, 2002 - Anabel

Jan 20^th - Teacher Bill

Jan 25, 2003 – Caleb

Jan 28, 2002 – Alex

February:

Feb 9, 2001 – Isaac

Feb 11, 2001 – Gabrielle

Feb 25. 2001 - Sean

Feb 27, 2001 – Matthew

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

January and February Themes:

We start off the new year by studying the calendar, and are learning the names of the months and days of the week in both English and Spanish? A good question to ask the children is “How many months are there in a year?”or “How many days are there in a week?” January and February are in the winter season, and we are talking, singing., coloring, making art projects, and reading books about hibernation, migration, cold weather, shorter days, playing in the snow, animals in winter, etc.

If that isn’t fun enough, we also study dinosaurs in January. The interest in dinosaurs is over the top, and some of the children seem to be more expert at names and such than the teachers. Learning more of the dinosaurs names, which were carnivores and herbivores, and how we know about them, are hot topics.

In February, we will study shapes and outer space, including the solar system, gravity, orbits, and stars. We also celebrate Valentine’s Day. There will be a Valentine “mailbox” set up, with a folder for each child, so that the children can exchange valentines at school. If you do put names on the valentines, we will have the valentine “mailbox” in alphabetical order, to help you “mail” them in the file folders of each child. We will have a Valentine Party for the children, during their snack time.

January and February songs will be presented at the February performance. All family and friends are invited to attend. See Calendar for days and times.

Cooking

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

The Hop-a-Thon

**The Hop-a-Thon was a whopping success! Due to the huge efforts of the children, to hop for children with Muscular Dystrophy (who can’t hop), and the parents, to gather sponsors for the event, and then collect the donations, we have been able to give the MDA $1,244.04. Wow! Thank you to all who participated in the hopping and giving, during the holiday season.**

New Folders for Papers

* Look for a file folder with your child’s name on it on the wall right inside the door as you come in to school. Important papers will be in it, instead of in your child’s cubby. *

Recycling

Recycle empty ink cartridges and toners and Staples will donate money to Rose Blossom School. There is a drop box near the door. Thanks!

Rose Blossom School Calendar: January and February 2006

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
• February 2004
• January 2004