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April News – Oak Ridge

March Recap

In March Mr. Chris came in to teach our children about Jazz music and the piano and keyboard.  The children enjoyed the music and dancing around!  They also were able to try the different instruments - what fun!! Every Wed when we didn't have Mr. Chris we have Miss Chris, the Jefferson Township Librarian.  She comes in to read seasonal books to the children.  They love it!

We also celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by baking a "Cat in the Hat" cake and singing "happy birthday" to him.  What a yummy way to celebrate his birthday!  St. Patrick's Day was welcomed by the children preparing Irish Soda bread and then enjoying eating it.  Everyone wore green to celebrate the holiday.  Spring has sprung!  We have been enjoying the new season with a lot of outside play, books and colorings.  Open House at Alpine Montessori was held on Saturday March 24th and was a huge success!  We had a lot of visitors and enjoyed the day.

Thank you to all who participated in the Gertrude Hawk chocolate fundraiser.  Stay tuned for improvements that we will be making to our outside playground space this spring. (see below)

April Events

4/6   Annual Easter Egg Hunt - donations are welcome, sign up sheets are located on all 3 classroom doors.  All children are invited to attend.

4/9 - 4/13  Spring Break Vacation - school will be closed for spring break. Enjoy your vacation.

4/18  Jamming for Juniors

Earth Day - will be celebrated by cleaning the outside environment and planting. 

Summer Camp

Just wanted to pass along some information about the upcoming weekly summer camp.  As you have already seen we have lots of exciting themes for each week of camp.  Along with our Montessori program, we will be incorporating cooking projects, arts and crafts and outdoor activities and games into our summer school day.  In the past I know that the camp has had wading pools for the children. After going to state licensing training recently we learned that small pools are not permitted at schools/camps.  We have come up with other alternatives for the kids outdoor fun this summer.  Some of these will include activities on newly sodded grass, parachutes, tunnels, crazy sprinklers, new large sandbox, new fun water tables and lots of new outdoor toys, bubbles etc.  We are going to incorporate as much water as possible with sprinklers, prism water spray bottles and water tables outside to play with.  Summer camp is going to be LOTS OF FUN for the kids but as important we want to follow state regulations and guidelines!!

Outdoor Playspace Update:

We have some new exciting things planned and that should be installed during the spring.  First off we are installing a very large (30x60) sunshade which will cover the toddler area and a portion of the main playground.  Our playground is full sun all day so this will provide some protection and relief from the sun.  In the toddler area we will also be adding a new climber, slide and toys.  In the main playgound - under the sun shade we will be adding a large (12x12) sandbox with lots of fun digging toys!!  An area outside and abutting up to the existing playground is going to be fenced in and sodded.  This area will be utilized for some activities that would be best on the grass (tunnels, sprinklers, parachutes etc).

In addition to these fun changes for the children we are taking care of some more structural issues.  Some of you may have noticed some activity in the playground this past week.  In addition, there were a few days in which the children didn't go out on the playground.  The reason for this has to do with improvements we're making to the leach field and septic system.  The leach field in in the process of being moved from underneath the back end of the playground area to an area behind the fence.  In addition, all venting tied to the system will be removed from the playground area.  Last week when the leach field was being tested and measured we felt it prudent to keep the children inside.  The work is going to be completed during our week off from school. When the children come back from spring break they should be able to utilize the entire playground.  These changes were necessary to support some of the improvements planned for the playground area.

Summer Camp and Fall Registration:

Registration materials are being sent out for summer camp and the 2012-2013 school year.  Please review the materials and return them as soon as possible to secure your child's place in their classroom.

Reminders:

Please call school or check the web site's home page for any school closings due to inclement weather. We are still collecting beverage tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Don't forget to bring your child's coatbag home over spring break to clean out and replenish with seasonal clothes.  Thank you!

 Happy Birthday!!