Children’s House 2
November 2008 Newsletter

I hope you all enjoyed Fall Break as much as our family did!  That extra time together was a real gift. As we begin the holiday season, we start to turn our thoughts to all things cherished in our lives. We will be taking time each week to discuss with the children what it means to be thankful and which things they are most thankful for. If we take the time to ask them, they just might surprise us (they usually do!)    - Kelly

Please Help Us

*By making sure that your child’s extra change of clothes (which should be in their backpack each day) is seasonally appropriate. Also, make sure that they have a warm coat, hat, and gloves each day, because we will continue to go outside, even when the weather is in the 40’s.

• *By teaching your child to bring their folder into class themselves each week. Just keep it nearby and hand it to them to bring in as they climb out at school.
  
• By helping them dress in manageable clothes. As they grow toward independence, help them by avoiding belts, straps, or snaps they cannot do themselves or items that are too small.
  
• By helping your child to practice zipping, buttoning, and snapping in their free time at home.
  
• By donating any extra hats or gloves for those who forget theirs.
  
• By not sending any colored drinks or foods as they can stain the carpets if spilled.
  
• By not allowing the children to dip into their Halloween candy before school (or sending it in their lunches, pockets, or backpacks). It is so hard for them to be the best they can be with the sugar in their systems and we want them to feel successful and in control of themselves.

Thanks for your assistance!

Dates to Remember

• Monday, November 3rd – Tuition Due
• Friday, November 7th – Photo Retake Day
• Wednesday, November 19 - Health and Wellness Talk by Anne Marie Frasz for PARENTS ONLY. Call the office to RSVP @ 867-0158
• November 19-21, 24, 25 - Scholastic Book Fair to benefit our LIBRARY!!  Please stop by for all your Christmas and holiday gifts
• Tuesday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Feast: 10:00 am
• Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28 - NO SCHOOL—Thanksgiving Break
• Wednesday, December 3 - Montessori Kindergarten and 1st Grade evening for PARENTS ONLY: 6:30-7:30 pm

Helping Others
Our school is committed to involving our students and their families in service to others less fortunate.  Here are a variety of projects we have on-going this school year. Although they are listed by classroom, please feel free to contribute to any and all that speak to you personally.  Thank you in advance for your generous support to these wonderful causes.

Toddler class:  Collecting soap for the Amanda Strong Foundation (Today- December 8th)

Children’s House 1:  Collecting food for the Amanda Strong Foundation     (Today-December 8th)  **This is an ALL SCHOOL drive**

Children’s House 2:   Mrs. Bowe and Mrs. Franzen would like to thank all the parents and students who participated in the Hamilton County Coats for Kids program this year—all of our new and gently-used donations will be passed out to kids in our community on Saturday, November 1st.

Children’s House 3:  Collecting school supplies to support the Chobots’ mission trip to Mexico (Starting Winter/Spring 2009)

Elementary 1:  Collecting toys for the RTV6 Toy Drive (Today-December 15th)  **This is an ALL SCHOOL drive**

Elementary 2:  Collecting new, “Hip” clothing for the homeless teenagers at the Outreach Program (Today-December 1st)

Getting to Know the Teachers: 

Leslie Franzen

Hello, my name is Leslie Franzen. I have been married for 37 years to my wonderful friend and husband, Michael. We have 7 children, ages 36-26 and our youngest is 17. We also have 7 grandchildren 14yrs-3yrs. I have taught public, private, and home school for the last 21 years. Three years ago was my first year of Montessori. It embodies everything I have tried to teach my own children and all of my previous students. It is a method I truly believe in, because I have seen it work. In my spare time I enjoy music (both vocal and piano), sewing, and reading.

Birthdays

Noah Spieth turns 5 on November 19th. Happy Birthday Noah!
 

November Curriculum

Thankfulness/Thanksgiving/Native Americans/Pilgrims
Vertebrates/Invertebrates     Parts of a Leaf
Our Bodies
Continent:        South America
Composer:        Brahms
Artist:               O’Keefe

Grace and Courtesy

Each month we will be including themes to help the children learn these necessary social skills. As always we are practicing coughing and sneezing into our sleeves (not our hands) to reduce the spread of germs. We are also discussing fingers that find their ways to places they don’t belong (and what to do after they are removed!)   All children are inherently good-natured and want to please. It takes the caring and consistent adults in their lives to teach the social skills necessary for life!

Thank You!

Once again, we are indebted to the wonderful parents who have contributed snack, helped with arrival and dismissal, listened to readers, and the many who accompanied us on the field trip to the Country Market. Due to the vast number of you who have volunteered your time in the past month, we just have to say, “We are so grateful to you all for sharing your time and effort!” I’d also like to specifically thank Sharmeen Rizvi for organizing our “listeners” and creating a calendar of volunteers for each month. You all help to make the school and the children shine!

Thanksgiving Feast

Keep an eye out for a note about our annual Feast. In it you will find details and each family will be asked to send in one item to share with the class. They should come out the week before Thanksgiving.

Literary Assistance

I just finished reading a fabulous book by Richard Louv called, Last Child in the Woods. It concerns the fact that children are becoming more and more isolated from the natural world and what we, as parents, can do to give them access to and comfort in the nurturing world around them. He includes some distressing statistics, but even more encouraging ideas for change. This is a truly valuable book addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of our children.

Quotation of the Month

“…. he who is served is limited in his independence.”
-Maria Montessori

Montessori is for Life!
Kelly Bowe and Leslie Franzen