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. Let’s start with our Philosophy!
Laurel Hill Nursery School is a parent cooperative nursery school. Member families and staff team together to provide young children with an affordable, safe, caring environment in which they can learn through play and connection. Members gain support for their parenting by working side by side with early childhood educators while having the opportunity to build a strong community for their family.
Welcome and Welcome Back!
Oh we missed you so. It feels great to fill the school with your amazing children once again.
We have 5 new students this semester! It can feel so strange to start mid year. Please help us welcome these amazing families in the warmest way possible.
AM Kids:
Louie Marrs with parents Jeff and Carin Marrs
Maja Mosur with parents Jakub Mosur and Erin Lubin
PM Kids:
Harrison Roy with parents Chris Roy and Nicole Aravena
Luca Solomou with parents Alexis and Lucia Solomou
Charles Rockwell with parents Carter and Julia Rockwell
Remember those changes we talked about before Winter Break? They are happening!
Just when we thought this place couldn’t be any better, we go and make it better!
- We’ve nudged Music and Movement so that there is a smoother flow into Group Meeting and Gate Time
- We are spreading out Eat If You are Hungry Time so that it makes more sense and is less of an interruption in the children’s play.
- We’ve also made some pretty big changes to Prek. We have flipped the schedule so that Prekers are on Lower Slope the first hour and have rearranged the cards so that Prek parents get to be with their children more consistently. We’ve also formalized the 2nd Prek Break!
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
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Committee & Staff Announcements & Notes
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
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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.
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Calendar
Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 8, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Business Meeting
Tuesday, January 15, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Pajama Day
Wednesday, January 16
Parent Ed
Thursday, January 17, 7:30 – 9:30pm
School CLOSED – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 21
Parent Ed: LH Philosophy, Part III
Tuesday, January 22, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Parent Ed: LH Philosophy, Part III (Make-up Sessions)
Wednesday, January 23, 9:15 – 11:15am & 1:15 – 3:15pm
Giorgio's Pizza Day
Monday, January 28
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Upcoming Meeting Host Schedule
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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.
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