Copy

A Word from Our Director

Community Goal
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. This semester has been a journey for everyone. Some of you have been faced with personal hardship. Others have struggled to grasp our play based philosophy and its impact on the children. We have come through great challenges and have shown amazing compassion. For December we have thought about the larger community with our canned food drive and modeling sharing with those in need, we have thought about supporting children as they struggle with disappointment, and we have taken a moment to honor our own journey by learning to express what we want. This week, let’s sit back and think about this community and the grace it can bring into your life when you are ready to receive it.

Staff Appreciation
Our staff must be tired. We have worked really, really, hard to bring a thoughtful and connected curriculum to parents and children. Your family is in our heart and minds every day. From the moment we arrive at work to the time we go home, we are thoroughly on stage and in demand. The expectations are high. The children expect a lot, so do the parents and board members. Most of all we expect a lot from ourselves. We wouldn’t want it any other way. But at this time of year, after a busy autumn, we are tired. 

This past Friday we had a moment to stop and laugh and enjoy each other’s company at our Staff Winter Party. What an amazing group of people. We spend so many hours together each week, but rarely get to stop and really see each other.

Friday was a long wet day, with bad air, rain and lots of big feelings. By the time we left for dinner I’m sure more than a few of us wanted to head straight home to bed! As we gathered at the home of our amazing hostess (Molly!) we warmed up and relaxed. Suddenly the food arrived, delivered by our President Anna and her two lovely daughters. Tess and May lifted our our spirits to the sky. This staff loves children so much and having these two sweeties join our party for a few minutes warmed us all up. We had an amazing meal (Thank you Keeva!) and stayed late sharing stories, laughing and playing.

Thank you Molly, Eman, Collette, Marissa, Sunnylyn, Anne, Justin, Sally, Sabrina, Ann P. and Nuria for showing up and bringing your joy. You are an amazing crew.


Parent Led Activities!
We will be having Parent Led Activities again this year!!!! The first week of activities will start Monday, January 17th.

What is it: Laurel Hill has had a long standing tradition of parent participation in the classroom. Over the years, parents have shared their interests with the children by doing an activity on their workday. Some examples are cooking projects, clay sculpting, hair salon and woodworking. Thanks to Marcia Kuo, (Hannah, AM, Owen and Mia, Alumni ) who worked so hard organizing and consolidating activities from the past, we have a great binder filled with fun ideas!!

Here's how it works: During the first week of your workday card rotation, together, you and the teacher will be talking about an activity you will lead. Based on your observations and the interests of both you and the children, you will be facilitating that activity the second week of your rotation.This is an exciting chance to be more involved with the children. It's quite possible you might be leaving your comfort zone. We understand. Taking a risk and trying an activity may seem daunting at first but it can also be a rewarding and satisfying experience. In the past, members have enjoyed this learning opportunity very much. Most importantly, they loved the chance to get to know the children better. Remember, the teachers are here to support you so don't hesitate to ask for help.

Here are a few helpful hints: keep the activity simple, make sure it's open-ended and be mindful of developmental appropriateness. 

Just a reminder…
  • Process Over Product
  • No Cutouts
  • Open-Ended Activities
Get ready for big FUN! 

* If you trade a workday or get a sub, tell your coverage what activity they will be facilitating.


- Maria Chew, Director
Committee & Staff Announcements & Notes

Scheduling
Need help with your yearly obligations?
The first half of the school year is coming to an end. Please make sure you have a plan in place for fulfilling your co-op duties for the year. If you need any help, please contact our Personnel Chair Sarah Egdal (personnel@laurelhill.org). In the spring, I will send out the Commitment Summary twice a month so you can ensure you are keeping on top of your obligations. 

Each family is responsible for:
  • 12 committee hours (monitored by your committee chair)
  • 12 maintenance hours (tracked by me, and separate from your committee hours)
    • 3 of the 12 maintenance hours must be fulfilled in a Fundraising committee (Auction and/or Community Fundraising)
  • 7 Parent Ed meetings
The Parent Ed Committee works hard to host engaging and pertinent Parent Ed nights for our community multiple times a month. If you find you need more help fulfilling a Parent Ed credit, you may also receive a Parent Ed credit by utilizing a consultant from our Co-op Council List; attending a Diversity and Inclusion coffee/event; and by having both parents in a family attend the same Business Meeting. Thank you for all you do! Our co-op cannot run without you.

Still Seeking Parental Leave Volunteers!
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help out a family and cover a Parental Leave Workday. No work hours given, just immense gratitude! We still have workdays that need to be filled, especially MONDAY AFTERNOONS. You can sign up for a shift here:
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
And
MONDAY AFTERNOONS

Warthog!
The Warthog is this Tuesday! It's a fantastic night to spend with friends, meet new families, and pass the boot to show our teachers some holiday love. It is also a mandatory Business Meeting. :-) If you are unable to attend, please fill out a Business Meeting Excuse Form. 


- Jessica Duque, Scheduling Chair (Olivia/AM)

A Note from Anne
Looking for Donations.... Always!!
The donations I’m looking for are different than the “Teachers Wish List” that you hear about at the Business Meetings from our wonderful Personnel Chair, Sarah. 

The kind of donations we are looking for are things you will generally have around your house. In addition to toilet paper rolls or recycled materials, I made a list of some fun ideas. The most important thing about these donations is that we need to have plenty of each item, so that plenty of children can create with them.

I welcome any and all ideas for gently used Good Junk! Please check in with me if you have any questions. We want to be sure the school can use your items and not send them back home with you. 

Thank you so much! The children are eagerly waiting to use their imaginations and to explore all opportunities we give them.

GOOD JUNK!!
Buttons
Old Jewelry
Picture Frames - without glass
Missing Toy/Puzzle Pieces
Stones 
Pinecones
BIG Tubes for kids to crawl into
Nuts and Bolts
Broken Ceramic Plates
Business Meeting Minutes
November’s (11/13/18) Business Meeting Minutes (also posted on the bulletin board in hallway).
October’s (10/2/18) Board Meeting Minutes (also posted on the bulletin board in hallway).

If you are interested in reviewing minutes from the Executive Committee meetings, they will be printed and filed in a binder in the office.

Calendar
Business Meeting: Warthog!
Tuesday, December 18, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday, December 19, 7:30 – 9:30pm
School Closed
Monday, December 24 – Tuesday, January 1
Extended Care Only
Wednesday, January 2 – Friday, January 4 
Upcoming Meeting Host Schedule
View the Meeting Host Duties Checklist to see all responsibilities for the main host and other meeting hosts. Please be aware that the new doors lock from the outside. To lock up after a meeting, be sure to close the outside doors and pull them shut from the inside of the rooms.






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Voice Newsletters · 401 Euclid Ave. · San Francisco, CA 94118 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp