A Word from Our Director
At the Business Meeting I mentioned how allowing ourselves to be vulnerable makes it possible to get past fear, shame and judgement in order to lead.
I am really enjoying the work of Brené Brown. She is a research scientist, social worker, writer, speaker and mom. She shares her journey in learning to allow herself to be vulnerable in order to gain courage. As teachers we must be able to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to put down our armor and show our true selves to the families we serve.
Enjoy this bit from her TED talk.
Transitioning into a new school year can be a very vulnerable time for the whole family. Expect your child to be exhausted after the first couple of weeks. If your child seems unusually upset or wound up, try spending some special one-on-one time with your child. Please remember tears are the brain’s way of releasing tension and fears. An emotional, crying, or jittery child is asking for a calm, loving, and emotionally present adult.
Throughout the year we will be asking the entire membership to focus on particular aspects of the curriculum. Our ultimate goal, or our key goal, is to concisely communicate the school’s philosophy to each family. Since we are supervising each other’s children and carrying the weight of the school together, it is important that we communicate well and clearly. To make this task manageable, we ask that each member family be as independent as possible in sustaining their membership at LH. This week our goal is to clarify where members can find necessary information.
- A great place to start is this very newsletter. It is published each week and is chock full of useful information. You will find important dates, reminders, and maybe a bit of inspiration.
- Email: announce@laurelhill.org and community@laurelhill.org. If you are not receiving emails, please contact tech@laurelhill.org. Tom will be happy to help you straighten things out.
- Parent Manual and official documents. Check out our website and family section for the Parent Manual, By-laws and other important documents: laurelhill.org.
- If you are having trouble finding an answer to a question, ask a veteran member. Consider other families on your workday, your committee, and the board of directors as associates who are happy to answer questions or to direct you to the right person.
Label, label, label...
Please label anything your child brings to school: lunch boxes, clothes, shoes, water bottles, containers and lids. Remember, items will get lost or damaged in a play based program. Dress for mess and save the good stuff for home.
Forgot to label and now it's missing?
Please check out the "Found Unlabeled Items" shelf in the hallway. It will be cleared at the end of each week.
Magic Moments
There were too many magic moments to count this week. So many big feelings. Brave kids and brave parents. The big kids were little kids just last fall. Now they are ruling the roost with glee. How does this happen so quickly? New little ones are learning their way. Thank you to all the workday parents who cared so deeply for the kids this week. I witnessed so much empathy for the children this week. Thank you for being present.
- Maria Chew, Director
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Committee & Staff Announcements & Notes
Personnel
Welcome everyone to the 2018-19 school year. I’m so excited to see what this year brings. A few pieces of advice to kick the year off:
- If you are feeling nervous about your obligations this year, please reach out early and we can make a plan together.
- If you are having a tough time and need some support, please reach out so I can coordinate some meals, help you with rides, or figure out some play dates.
We are here to support each other! I looked forward to getting to know all of the new families and watching our children grow together.
- Sarah Egdal, Personnel Chair (Danielle/AM; Mark and Isabelle/Alumni)
Scheduling
Parental Leave Volunteers Needed (PM): We are seeking Friday PM volunteers to cover Parental Leave workday shifts. No work hours given, just immense gratitude and appreciation. Please use the AFTERNOON Sign Up Sheet to volunteer.
Thank you greatly to all those who have volunteered or offered to do so. The co-op spirit in this community rocks. And a HUGE shout-out to our new families who signed up for multiple Parental Leave shifts: Marjolaine Decoodt (Max/AM), Kirsten Surber (Holly/PM) and Molly Livingston (Lupine/PM). THANK YOU!
If you have any questions regarding Parental Leave; being a Paid Sub; your Meeting Host duties; or your Meeting and Work Hour Credits (first summary will be sent out next month before September's Business Meeting), please email me at scheduling@laurelhill.org. Thank you!
- Jessica Duque, Scheduling Chair (Olivia/AM)
Parent Ed
Hello families! The Parent Ed Committee is so excited to start the year off! Please note that the Alumni Meeting and Strategizing Meeting have switched dates. Hope to see you at the meetings!
Thursday, August 30, 7:30 PM
The Strategizing and Organizing Your Year at LHNS is back by popular demand! Patty Debenham, parent of an LH alumnus and a current LH child, will be offering tips and strategies for staying organized and "on top of" member obligations at Laurel Hill. Everyone is welcome! This is a particularly great meeting for new families and families who feel like meeting membership obligations was challenging last year. (Although it didn't seem like we had as many families in the latter boat, so GO PATTY!)
Thursday, September 6, 7:30 PM
The Alumni Meeting: Kindergarten Check-in is for LHNS families who have children who have graduated and want to meet and discuss the beginning of the year in elementary school. It is open to anyone who has been to LHNS at any point and currently has a child in elementary school at any grade level.
Tuesday, September 25, 7:30 PM
“Parent from a Place of Connection: Create a Life & Family You Want” will be led by Aki Raymer who presented at the California Co-op Council Convention last March. Simply put? Invaluable. She presents straight forward parenting tools that are in perfect alignment with LHNS philosophy. Whether or not you're able to attend, check out Aki's blog: http://parentingpaths.com/blog/.
- Alyson Gembala, Parent Ed Chair (Theodore/AM)
Fundraising
The Laurel Hill Pancake Breakfast!!
Saturday, September 22, 9am-12pm
Mark your calendars! Come join us for a fantastic time at the annual pancake breakfast. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, coffee, and a plethora of other goodies at the school for the all inclusive cost of $10 per adult and $5 per child. Invite family, friends, neighbors, or whoever else you think might enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast. It'll be a great time building community together with an added bonus of raising money for our wonderful school! We'll also be selling some cool LH swag, like that limited edition blue Laurel Hill shirt printed by our friends at Ape Do Good Printing, some cool patches, beanies, and other assorted items. See you there!
Giorgio's Pizza Fundraising Day
Monday, September 24, 11am-9pm
Need some more delicious food after the pancake breakfast? Miss seeing your new Laurel Hill friends? Every other last Monday of the month we're hosting a Giorgio's Pizza fundraiser day. Mention Laurel Hill with any dine in or take out order and Giorgio's will generously donate a portion of the proceeds back to the school. Show up on Monday night and join other LH families for an entertaining dinner out. 151 Clement St, at the corner of Clement and 3rd.
Got a pickup truck?
We need someone with a pickup truck to pick up the 72" griddle, 40 folding chairs, and three folding tables from Action Rentals in SOMA (1530 Folsom St.) on Friday, September 21, at around 4:30-5pm, and bring it to the school. One maintenance hour given for this task.
We also need someone (could be the same person) to drop the equipment back off at Action rentals after aforementioned person is full of pancakes and sausage on Saturday, September 22 in the afternoon. One maintenance hour given for this task.
Please email fundraisingcommunity@laurelhill.org if you can take care of one or both of these tasks. Thank you!
- Jason Kuo, Community Fundraising Chair (Hannah/AM)
Auction
Hello LH community! It feels so good to be back and if this is your first year welcome! My name is Cody Olson (Bubba/PM Pre-K) and my co-chair is Meghan Cordes (Roger/PM) and our committee is excited to be hosting this year’s auction. Everyone mark your calendars right now…seriously…the Auction will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Now I know that seems like a million years away, but it’s one of the biggest events for Laurel Hill and you definitely don't want to miss all the fun, food, and memories to be made. You’ll be hearing more about it in the future but for now just settle back into the rhythm of the school year and getting to know those wonderful little human beings running around.
- Cody Olson (Bubba/PM Pre-K) and Meghan Cordes (Roger/PM), Auction Co-Chairs
Equipment
The Equipment Committee graciously welcomes all your little ones to learn, explore and create memories with all of our well loved toys. Rest assured, we will be right there all year long to ensure another great year with all of our favorite equipment!
- Sabrina Brown, Equipment Chair (Coco/AM Pre-K)
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A Message from Sally, AM Purple Room Pre-K Teacher
An alum parent wrote the following poem in 2012 and gifted it to the Laurel Hill teachers as an end of the year thank you gift. Six years later I still get verklempt when I read it. I think about how vulnerable the parent must have felt leaving her daughter at LH for the first time. I remember how hard she worked to trust that her daughter was emotionally and physically safe when she was in our care. In her prose, she not only captures some of the magic that makes LH a great place for kids, but a great place for grown-ups as well. Enjoy!
My daughter learned.
To play with abandon,
To be herself,
To wait, even though it's hard.
She found her first best friends
And played pretend.
She overdid and overused
and found the right amount for her.
My daughter learned.
That she has the power to make good choices.
That her actions affect others.
That it's ok to be sad.
My daughter learned.
That you can eat that kind of flower.
About earthworms and snails,
And the joy of sprinklers on a warm day.
She found wonder in every little thing.
My daughter learned.
And so did I.
Thank you, Laurel Hill
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Calendar
Parent Ed: Strategizing & Organizing Your Year at LHNS
Thursday, August 30, 7:30pm
Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 4, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Parent Ed: Alumni Meeting: Kindergarten Check-in
Thursday, September 6, 7:30pm
Work Party: Building
Saturday, September 8, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Parent Ed: Philosophy Part I
Tuesday, September 11, 7:30pm
Parent Ed: Philosophy Part I (Makeup Sessions)
Friday, September 14, 9:15am & 1:15pm
Work Party: Yard
Saturday, September 15, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Mandatory Business Meeting
Tuesday, September 18, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Laurel Hill Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, September 22, 9am – 12pm
Giorgio's Pizza Monday
Monday, September 24, 11am – 9pm
Parent Ed: "Parent from a Place of Connection"
Tuesday, September 25, 7:30pm
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Upcoming Meeting Host Schedule
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Meeting Host Duties Checklist
Main Host:
- Contact the whole team to decide who will bring what.
- For Parent Ed Meetings: Contact the Parent Ed Committee Chair (parented@laurehill.org) for the expected attendance.
- Get a key and the sign-in sheet from Molly Boyll the day of the meeting.
- Lock up the school after the meeting and return the key to Molly Boyll the next morning, or drop it in the mail slot.
- The light switch for the hallway lights is inside one of the mailboxes.
- Put the sign-in sheet in the Scheduling Chair’s mailbox (Duque).
All Meeting Hosts:
- Arrive to the meeting with plenty of time to set up the school.
- For Business Meetings: Open/unlock all the rooms and set up the chairs.
- For Parent Ed Meetings: Set up Red Room for the meeting.
- Please use the reusable cups and plates (no disposables) located in the kitchen to the left of the sink. If the dishwasher is clean and full, empty it so it can be filled and run after the meeting, or wash the dishes in the sink.
- After the meeting, help clean up and make sure all the classrooms are ready for the next school day.
Meeting Snack Ideas: crackers, sliced baguettes, fruit, cheese, hummus, guacamole
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