Elementary I
MAY 2010 Newsletter

Dates to Remember:
May 2nd – Spring Fling, Forest Park, Noblesville – 1:30-4:30
May 20th – Field Trip to Traders Point Creamery – 9:30-11:30
May 21st – Elementary graduation – 1:30
May 27th- Kindergarten graduation -7pm, MSW
May 28th – Last day of school, dismissal at 11:30, No after care
School picnic at Cool Creek Park following dismissal
June 7th – First day of summer school
*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.

Field trip to Traders Point Creamery
The elementary 1 class will be visiting Traders Point Creamery on May 20th. We will tour the farm and observe the chickens and dairy cows. The basic needs of these animals and the benefits of organic, pasture-based grazing will be discussed. The children will walk through the milking parlor and watch some of the products being made in the Creamery.
If the weather cooperates, we will eat our lunches at the farm.
Please sign and return the permission slip that will be sent home in your child’s folder.

Looking Back
Thank you to all of the parents who helped prepare food or helped in the classroom the day of “Taste of the World”. We have had several parents come and help with the library this semester. We greatly appreciate your help. Finally, we thank all of you for your help and support with the play. We could not have done it without your help putting together costumes, helping drive children to the dress rehearsal, and getting your children there on the evening of the performance.

Gardening Update
During the past few weeks, the children have begun preparing our raised beds. They have been planting seeds, some in pots to be transplanted later, and some directly in the garden. By mid-summer, we should have a crop of several different vegetables, some herbs and flowers.

End of the year and conferences
It is hard to believe that the year is almost over! The children are very excited at this time of the year with the nice weather and the anticipation of the end of school and the beginning of summer. May is also an exciting time for us as teachers as we observe how much the students have grown socially and academically. If you would like to have a conference to discuss your child’s progress, please sign up for a conference. This time around it is optional; however, if you were not able to make one in the fall, I would strongly encourage you to sign up. A sign-up sheet is in our hallway.

Portfolio Reminder
If your child is a returning 2nd or 3rd year student, and you have not returned their folder yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Congratulations!
We have six students moving on from our class this year. They are Melody Barrows, Jarod Bowser, Alex Chobot, Ethan Henderson, Gracie Smith and Dylan Sumski. They will be recognized during our graduation on May 21st.

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.

Have a great summer!
Mrs. Lohrstorfer
Mr. Wissman
Miss Schrager