BRUSH
CREEK NURSERY SCHOOL
Newsletter October, 2006
Classroom Notes : Halloween
Parent Observations : Wrapping Paper/Book Faire
June Adjustments : Garden Day
Needed: Soft Wood for the Wood Barn : Photo Days
Eye and Ear Screening : Board Elections
Employee Profile:Janice Carpenter
Classroom Notes
Well, it’s hard to believe but a whole month of school is already over. We feel like we’re on our way to a good year. We are enjoying getting to know everyone, and we hope you’re all feeling more comfortable in your new routines. It was great to see so many of you here at our potluck, thanks to all of you who came out and brought such a delicious assortment of food.This month we’re going to be quite busy. The farmer’s market has begun and the kids are having a blast. Thanks to so many of you who have brought various items to enhance the fun.
Later in the month we will of course engage in some “spooky” activities and projects as Halloween draws near.
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Halloween
It’s already begun. “What are YOU going to be for Halloween?” can already be heard being discussed on the play yard and at lunch. The build up of excitement is happening. This time of year can be very exciting for kids, but also overwhelming. Often a child who seemed so excited about the whole idea of trick or treating will balk when the big moment arrives and end up happily passing out candy to other children. The costume you all agonized over may end up in a heap on the floor.At school, we believe it is best to have a very low key approach to this holiday. We all know children thrive best in safe, consistent environments. They need to know what to expect and many don’t like things “sprung” on them. Imagine how scary it would be to arrive at school and find your friend with fangs and a mask!! Developmentally, children are just learning the difference between what is real and what is fantasy. Because of this, we will NOT be wearing our costumes to school. If your child would like to share with us how they looked on Halloween, you can send in a picture of them in costume. We will be talking about our fears, about reality vs. make believe. We will do lots of orange and black projects, projects about pumpkins, and projects about spiders!! (back to top)
Parent Observations
October will mark the beginning of parent observations for the FRONT CLASSES. The back classes will wait a bit, until all the children are better adjusted to school.Observation is a time when parents are encouraged to come into the classroom environment and see what we (and your children) do. A sign up sheet will be posted: watch for it. We ask that only one set of parents visit per day, and that any small siblings stay at home during this time. Observations last the first hour of class: and we hope you’ll all sign up! (back to top)
Wrapping paper/book faire
Thanks to everyone who bought books at our Book Faire. The school received many new books for our library and we earned some money to enhance our program as well.The wrapping paper sale is now over and it looks like we were successful. Remember, on line orders can happen all year long and the school will still get the 50% profit. You just need to access Innisbrook on line and use our school code which is 102001. Thanks again for all of your fundraising support. (back to top)
June Adjustments
Some of you may have a small item on your bill this month that says, June adjustment. At the time you paid your deposits for the 2006/07 school year we were not positive as to tuition costs. Our deposits did not reflect the actual June 07 tuition rate. Therefore, the small adjustment is now made. Thanks. (back to top)Garden Day
In the month of October we will be having a garden party….Look for a flyer to come out letting you know when we will be “constructing and creating” our new garden project right off the back/Big Yard fencing. We’re really excited about this project and we will need a few hands to get it the rest of the way. We will be spreading bark, constructing planter boxes and bringing in soil. The fence will need to be finished as well. We hope a number of parents can help us make this wonderful idea a reality…..look for more info soon. (back to top)Needed: Soft Wood for the Wood Barn
In order for the children to be successful in our woodworking barn, we need to supply them with the right kind of materials. We are looking for some soft wood scraps to make hammering a nail a success. If you can hook us up, let us know. We're also arranging for parents to come and help us on woodworking times. If you haven't let us know you're interested, please do! (back to top)Photo Days
We're coming up on photo days here at school October 4th and 5th. All parents will be asked to sign permission for John Youngblood (our photographer) to take your child's picture. Individual shots as well as group pictures will be done. We will not be doing any messy activities on those days, so rest assured that you can really spruce your kids up if you wish. (back to top)Eye and Ear Screening
On October 18th and 19th the front classes will be participating in Eye and Ear Screening. The Assistance League of Sonoma County provides this free service to preschoolers. The screening is done here at school and it’s done in the form of fun games. We hope you will sign your permission slips to have this valuable service completed with your child. (back to top)Board Elections
The Board of Directors held an informational night for perspective Board members. It was a very successful meeting, with a number of parents showing interest in volunteering. We are working on pairing up people with positions, and we will be holding Board elections the third week in October. Parents are voting members of our organization, so you will all have the opportunity to vote for the new slate of members. Elections will be held by paper ballot, so please take a second to vote the third week in October!Thank you to outgoing members: Tiah Marie Foley, Kim Corcoran, Adrian Light, Cindy Phillips, Christina Poulsen and Vali Reed. Jennifer Foster, whose term was up, has agreed to take on a second term in order to become our Community Smart/eScrip coordinator. Thanks everyone!!!
Employee Profile : Janice Carpenter
The Brush Creek Board of Directors is pleased to recognize Janice Carpenter as our profiled employee in the “Employee Recognition Program”. Please join us as we celebrate our Janice over the next month.A detailed profile is located in the front bulletin board. Please read all about why we value Janice, and the road that has brought her to us. Here is a mini profile of Janice:
Janice was born in Englewood, New Jersey, but quickly moved to Rhode Island. After high school she started to pursue a career in Nursing. After two years Janice changed majors and transferred to Syracuse University in NY, where she earned her BA in Graphic Design and Advertising. Janice worked as an Art Director in Rhode Island when she and a friend decided to move to the West Coast. They came across country and chose San Francisco as their home.
Over the next ten years Janice worked for American Express and B of A. Janice married her husband George, and started a family. During that time she did at home daycare. She caught the teaching bug and attended SF State in the evenings, where she earned her teaching credential with special preparation for Early Childhood Education.
In 1996, Janice and her family moved to Santa Rosa. She gave up home day care when her youngest child was three. Janice substituted until summer of 2002, when Brush Creek hired her as a regular staff member.
Janice’s oldest daughter is now at college in Chico, son Jack is at Montgomery high and Lisa is in middle school.
Janice loves all sports, she loves to draw and watch her kids compete in sports. Janice is very active, and a fun asset to our school.
Please congratulate Janice on being profiled employee of the month.
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Have a great and spooky month everyone!!!
June Adjustments : Garden Day : Needed: Soft Wood for the Wood Barn : Photo Days
Eye and Ear Screening : Board Elections : Employee Profile:Janice Carpenter