Children’s House 1
MAY 2010 Newsletter

May is here! This is a very exciting time for teachers. We get to see the children come full circle. Some we have known and loved for three years. Others, we are just beginning to see the growth and potential that lies ahead. We will be sad to lose our Kindergarteners, and we bless them on their next plane of development. We look forward to next group of 5 and 6 year olds to lead the class. We love to see the emotional, social, and physical growth of each child from 3-6. What a blessing! This is truly why we teach!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 2:  Spring Fling at Forest Park, Noblesville 1:30-4:30
May 21: Elementary Graduation 1:30pm, MSW
May 27: Kindergarten Graduation 7pm, MSW
May 28: Last Day of School, Dismissal at 11:30, NO AFTER CARE
May 28:  All welcome to picnic at Cool Creek Park, after school
June 7:  First day of summer school, MSW

*Tuition and After Care balances are due on Thursday, May 27, upon pickup of your child. If you have a question concerning your balance, feel free to contact the school, and we would be happy to send home an itemized list of dues that need to be settled. Inquiries can be made over the phone or e-mailed to montessoriwestfield@gmail.com.

CONFERENCES:
We will be offering conferences the week of May 10-14. Conference times are: Monday-Friday, 7:45, 8:15, & 11am and 12:30pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I will also be available at 1, 1:30, 2, and 2:30pm.
Please note that I am reserving 20 minutes per child with a few minutes of transition time. If you need a special time or a phone conference, please call the office. Sign up sheets will be under the arrival/ dismissal canopy. Please sign up the week of May 3-7.

SNACK:
May 3 – Last name A-E
May 10 – Last name F-I
May 17 – Last name K-M
May 24 – Last name P-W
(Bring 1 item each. Thank you for all your donations!)

BIRTHDAYS:
Emerson Evans turns 6 on May 10th. Tressa Beach turns 6 on May 13th. Matthew Wagoner turns 5 on May 16th. Garrett Mowry turns 6 on May 19th. Dylan Chobot turns 7 on June 6th, Mahlon Ilyas turns 5 on June 7th, Zachary Sullivan turns 4 on June 9th, Tommy Taggart turns 6 on June 10th, Owen Flynn turns 6 on June 21st, Evelyn Stephan turns 6 on June 30th, Leo Hammons turns 6 on July 4th, Roman Annan turns 5 on July 28th, Annika Kintzel turns 6 on July 28th, Lauren Evans turns 5 on August 1st, Mia Bair turns 5 on August 11th, Landen Sucre turns 6 on August 14th, and Parker Knott turns 4 on August 19th.
Happy Birthday everyone!

SPRING FLING
Sunday, May 2nd, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Forest Park in Noblesville. If you plan on attending this year’s Spring Fling, don’t forget to register and turn in your ticket money. Hope to see everyone!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION
Come and congratulate the Kindergarten Graduates of 2010 at this year’s ceremony at 7:00 p.m. on May 27th. Kindergarten parents please watch your child’s backpack for more details coming soon!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL:
Children will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 28th. There will be no aftercare that day, due to the school picnic at 12:30 p.m. at Cool Creek Park. Please pack a lunch, pick up your children promptly, and head for the park! Teachers will arrive shortly.

THANK YOU:
Arrival/Dismissal – Erin Evans, Leah Sullivan, Emily Hammons, Cathy Kintzel, Michael Mihm & Elementary II students
Listening to Readers – Tina Sucre, Beth Beach, Laurie Annan, Leah Sullivan, and Jennifer Mihm.
Library- Beth Taggart & Meghan Flynn
At Home Material Making – Emily Hammons, Laurie Annan & Carolyn Martens
Snack – Kintzel, Knott & Mihm families
Taste of the World- Thank you to all the families that donated a dish and helped serve and tour with your child’s class.
Volunteer coordination- Virginia Rhum & Cathy Kintzel
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, not only this month, but for the entire year! We could not have done it without you!

TEACHER’S NOTES:
I am available for questions throughout the summer via e-mail (montessoriwestfield@gmail.com). Please read to and listen to your children read this summer. Take a hands on approach to learning. Some suggestions are: gardening, walking, hiking, pet care, naming items found in nature, parts of plants or animals, and most of all just spend time outside, away from electronics for the most priceless memories.

Suggested reading for parents, Optimum Nutrition for Your Child’s Mind by Patrick Holford and Deborah Colson. “This evidence- based guide will show you how to choose the right foods (and avoid the wrong ones) to optimize your child’s mental and emotional well-being. Nutritional authorities Patrick Holford and Deborah Colson have worked with hundreds of children - with problems ranging from ADHD and aggression to autism- and have advised schools on using nutrition to improve attention and classroom conduct. Here they use scientific studies to explain the physiological effects certain nutrients have on the way children think and act. They will show you what to feed your child and what supplements to use to:

• Develop concentration and focus
• Enhance memory
• Boost IQ
• Improve mood and behavior
• Strengthen reading and writing

You will learn tips for preparing concentration-sustaining breakfasts, snacks with low glycemic loads, amino acid-rich lunches, and smart-fat dinners- getting your child off to the best start in life physically, mentally, and emotionally.” --Taken from the back cover.

Quote of the month-
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”
~Dr. Maria Montessori

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!
Take it slow, enjoy the little things, and have peace!
Jama Sumski, Sarah Kalen, and Leslie Franzen