Tomorrow begins the month of October and teachers will be emailing you the monthly newsletter. It has been a busy and productive month. We look forward to seeing you on October 9 for the Early Years and Elementary Curriculum Afternoon. Please mark your calendars for this special day when you will get an overview of your child’s year in a new grade level. We will begin at 2:30 with Early Years parents attending a meeting with me to talk about our program and then you will proceed to your child’s class to talk with the teachers.
Elementary parents will go directly to the classrooms for a 2:30 start with the teachers and I will be available at 3:30 for discussion with parents in the multi purpose room. Sharing information with our partners will help ensure a productive learning journey for the students this year. This time is not designed for individual talks about each child but please feel free to arrange for an appointment with the teacher if you want to talk about your child with them.
Birthdays are special occasions and on your child’s birthday you may bring a cake or cupcakes for the class to share. However, no gifts, goodie bags or visitors will be involved as this will be a time for the classroom and the child only. Parents, relatives and friends outside of the classroom can celebrate with your child during the birthday party that you plan. If you want a few pictures please ask the teacher and she will take some to share with you later.
Children or parents are not allowed to hand out birthday invitations in school unless they are inviting the entire class. We teach values of caring, respect for others feelings and need to ensure that we model this daily in the school. I had a mother come to see me whose child had been excluded from a birthday and somehow these invitations were given out in school. This child was the only member of the class excluded and the child was deeply hurt. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that this does not happen again.
I received an email that contained an article from a former parent and thought I would share parts of it with you as it speaks about the value of a balanced life.
Good Morning Mrs. Adele,
I have been forwarded this article, and found it interesting to share with you: “Written by a Pre-School Teacher – It says it all!
I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 5-year-old did not know enough. “What should a 5- year-old know?” she asked.
Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed.
One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew: counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed- in with how much more their children already knew- some who were only three! A few posted URL’s to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.
It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mom by adding to her concern, with lists of all the things their children could do that hers couldn’t.
We are such a competitive culture that even our pre-schoolers have become “trophies” and “bragging rights.” Childhood shouldn’t be a race.
So here, I offer my list of what a 4-5 years- old should know:
He should know that he is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time.
He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others, and in varied situations.
He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking.
He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up. He should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use his imagination.
He should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs.
He should know that the world is magical and that so is he. He should know that he’s wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvellous.
More important, here’s what parents need to know:
That every child learns to walk, talk, read and do Algebra at his own pace and that it will have no bearing on how well he walks, talks, reads or does Algebra.
They should know that being the “smartest” or “most accomplished” kid in class has never had any bearing on being the happiest.”
I enjoy receiving articles from parents and invite you to send me things that you have read and enjoyed.
As we work together as partners with you to educate the children we try to ensure that the methods we use in school will ensure that children develop in all areas-cognitive, social/emotional, aesthetic and physical. We keep in mind that there are many things that a child needs to know.
Sincerely
Adele Hutchison
Early Years and Elementary Principal
Upcoming Events
October 9 Curriculum Afternoon at 2:30
October 14-‐16 Eid Al Adha (tentative)
October 21-‐Nov.7 MAP Testing
