November News
October Recap
10/8: Back to school night - Parents we able to come to school to meet their child's teacher, see their classrooms and learn about a typical school day.
10/9: Picture Day
10/10: Fire Department visit - Millburn Fire Department visited the school to talk to the children about fire safety and also letting them climb on the fire truck. Pictures are posted in our hallway.
10/22: Wightman Farm visit - Our 4 and 5 year olds visited the farm, enjoyed a hay ride, apple cider and pumpkin picking. While back at the school our 2/3s enjoyed picking pumpkins and decorating them.
10/26: Dynamic Fit Kids free demonstration.
Reminders
DROP-OFF TIMES
Early Drop-off is from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (incremental fee applies)
Regular Morning drop-off time is from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
Regular Afternoon drop-off time is from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.
DISMISSAL TIMES
AM children......11:15 AM to 11:30 AM promptly
PM/ALL DAY children.......2:45 PM to 3:00 PM promptly
Afterschool program 3pm-5pm (incremental fee applies)
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL APPLICATIONS/CONFERENCES
Parents who are interested in applying to a private school for their child for September 2013 or have questions regarding public or private school options in the area should contact Sarah Colucci to schedule a conference as early as possible. Please notify Sarah of interview dates and play dates scheduled for your child at prospective schools. All private school recommendations must be submitted to Sarah by Monday, December 17th. All recommendations will be sent out on January.
FLU VACCINATIONS
All school aged children must receive at least one dose of the influenza vaccine between Sept.1 and Dec 31 of each year. Parents must show written proof of immunizations (ex. Copy of shot record).Children who have not received the flu vaccine by Dec. 31 must be excluded from school for the duration of the flu season (through March 31). Once the child receives at least one dose, they may return to school.
November Events
Parent/Teacher Conferences November 8
1/2 day for all (PM students can attend morning session) students (9:00am to 11:30am). There will not be a lunch period. Please contact your teacher or Sarah to schedule a time. If this week does not work due to the lingering impact from Sandy feel free to contact your teacher or Sarah to reschedule.
Diwali Celebration November 13
Parents will be coming to the school to speak to the children about the celebration and tradition.
Montessori School Book Fair November 15,16,17
Books will be delivered 1-3 days prior to the opening of the fair on the 15th, we will have a more definitive date by this Friday. The PTO is in the process of setting up the website for the fair. Online shopping will be available from November 10th to November 30th. A flyer will be sent out soon that includes all necessary information. The school has committed to using all proceeds from the book fair to help fund a playground shade system in the Spring.
Dynamic Fit Kids Program November 19
A new 8 week fitness program will be available to all students on Mondays from 3:00pm to 3:45pm for $160. Please let us know if your child plans to attend so we can complete your registration.
Thanksgiving Holiday November 21-22-23 School Closed
Red Cross Presentation on Germs November 27 (9:45am)
Dance Recital, Monday, December 10
MILLBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY- Information to follow. Only children enrolled in Dance Caravan will perform in the dance recital.
November Curriculum
NOVEMBER DIRECTORS UPDATE
Seasons, holidays and special annual events have provided a framework for learning during the month of November. Many of the following events that will be presented to the children pertain to harvest festivities, family traditions, sharing, thankfulness and togetherness. Key words and events in the newsletter are tools that can be used to spark your child’s memory and trigger conversation about your child’s school day. Again, the accuracy in your child’s information is secondary to the excitement that is instilled within them when something new is presented and enjoyed.
SCIENCE
FOODS OF THE FALL HARVEST
We celebrate the fall season be naming and viewing the plentiful harvest of corn, green beans, corn, squash, nuts, acorns, cranberries, carrots and apples.
NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK (Nov.12-16)
The children will put steel wool in jars, cover it with vinegar and leave it untouched for a week. We will view changes daily. The children will not only see a chemical reaction but see the formation of green blobs (iron acetate) form. They will b excited to tell you the results!
AVIATION HISTORY MONTH
We will discuss the wonders and science of flight. All children will be invited to observe how an object’s shape can effect it’s movement. We will discuss what object can fly and how these items stay up in the air.
LOOK WHO’S HIBERNATING
Hibernating animals: lizards, frogs, toads, snakes insects, bats, squirrels, hamsters. Dormant (deep sleeping animals): chipmunk, raccoon, skunk, bear (may be about during pleasant weather for food).
OUR WORLD/CULTURAL AWARENESS
GEOGRAPHY MONTH
KEY CONCEPTS: identifying/naming the 7 continents, bodies of water (ocean, sea, lake, river, waterfalls), directional positions (north , south , east ,west, ) How to read a simple map, types of maps (relief map, satellite map ,global map, state map).
THE CELEBRATION OF FAMILIES
Families provide love, mutual caring and understanding for children. We will celebrate our children’s families by allowing them to share information about their parents, siblings, grandparents, special relatives, and their favorite family activities and culture. We also discuss the differences/similarities that exist in language, food, clothing and homes of families around the world. These discussions will take place in information -sharing sessions during circle time.
Note: Parents are welcome to share with all the children their own special customs, clothing and food. Please contact a staff member if you are interested.
NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
1. Discovering various tribes, names, and customs
2. Connection and respect for nature; creations and products made from nature
3. Language, homes, clothing, daily routines
4. SQUANTO: Patuxet tribe who helped Pilgrims survive at Plymouth Colony. He showed Pilgrims how to plant corn, hunt and fish.
5. SACAJAWEA: Shoshone tribe; traveled with explorers and was a translator, caretaker and peacemaker; $1 coin.
ART/MUSIC APPRECIATION
ART
Native American Indian Art: uses of clay, wood, leather and stones. Visuals depicting pottery, basketry, carving, jewelry, buffalo hide (calendars and symbols to depict special events) and dolls.
MUSIC
Ludwig Van Beethoven born December 14; pianist/organist by 12 years old, lost hearing in his 20’s but still wrote music, Fifth Symphony (children described if it felt fast/slow, loud/soft and how each piece make them feel.
SPECIAL EVENTS/CELEBRATIONS FOR NOVEMBER
MANNERS/PROPER ETIQUETTE
Key concepts: politeness, how to greet someone, sharing, listening, how to interrupt politely, ”please and thank you”, proper table manners. Children will be shown situation as well as partake in exercises stressing the importance of good manners with their peers and teachers as well as in social situations.
DIWALI
Festival of lights observed by people of India in November. The children will understand the meaning of the different clay lamps, why women wear saris, girls wear bindis on their foreheads and the foods that celebrate this festivity.
THANKSGIVING FEAST/MAYFLOWER RE-ENACTMENT
The children have been learning and preparing props this month for their “First Thanksgiving”. All children will be involved in arts and crafts by making headpieces or clothing. Each group will help prepare foods that were present during the First Thanksgiving (applesauce, pudding, cornbread, mashed potatoes).
On TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20, all children will wear their props to re-enact the Pilgrims long and difficult journey on the Mayflower, their first winter, their encounter with the Native Americans and their first Thanksgiving. We will take many photos of this day for all parents to see!
OTHER CULTURES CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING (Harvest Festivals)
Festivities in Hawaii, Alaska, Africa, Canada, and Pennsylvania Dutch.
Literature link: Let’s Celebrate Thanksgiving by Peter and Connie Roop
Note:
Beginning this month you will see on the website in the coming days classroom specific updates. Under the Teacher Notes section you will soon find information pertaining to our 2s/3s/4s and kindergarten programs.
Capital Project Update
Just a brief note to update you on various operational and physical changes to the school. High speed internet is in all rooms, we've replaced all of our aging computers with new HP all-in-one PCs that will allow students to efficiently work through various computer based and on-line learning tools. With the high speed internet operational Mrs. Stroman is fully utilizing our Smartboard and the children are loving it. We've ordered new furniture (where needed) and flooring for the entire school which we hope to see in the coming weeks. In particular, in Mrs. Morelli's 2s rooms we ordered a toddler diaper changing station and a new crescent shaped table that will allow Mrs. Morelli better interaction with the children. Finally, you should know based upon parent feedback we've decided not to remove any walls and keep the "cozy" feel of the school.
As always if you have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed they can be sent to the following email addresses:
Sarah Colucci - alpinesarah@aol.com
Gary Madia - alpinemillburn@aol.com