January 2010

 It’s hard to believe it’s 2010!! I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing break. Don’t be surprised if you encounter some reluctance returning to school after so much time off. As we all know, sometimes it takes a while to get back in the routine.

 A big welcome to Zack Andrew and Mary Mitrani in the TTH class! Zack’s older sister, Mary (1^st grade) is a TCNS alumni.  And Anthony will be moving into the opening in the MWF class.

 Remember – cold season is upon us! Our sick policy is in the handbook, but please keep your child at home if they’ve had a fever or vomiting within the past 24 hours. We’ll continue to talk with the children about germs and good hygiene (hand washing, using tissues, etc), but reminders are helpful! Also don’t forget to bring all your snow clothes during this long winter season. We love to play outside!

 Fundraising:

Thanks so much to everyone for all your work on Fun with Santa!! It was a huge success! We made over $3500 for TCNS and it seemed like everyone had a great time. I’d love any feedback or suggestions for next year. Just email me, or drop a note in the tuition box and I’ll put it in the file. We’ll be exploring another community fundraiser for spring to replace Big Fun. Look for more information as we get closer.

 Remember that TCNS does have scholarship money available. Our scholarship committee uses the same guidelines as free & reduced lunch (upper range = $40,793 for family of 4). The committee will also take into consideration special circumstances, such as unexpected medical bills, changes in living situation, etc. We can also work out a different payment schedule anytime, just let me know.

 January is a long month and we have a lot going on. Pajama Day will be the 13^th and 14^th!  Your child (and parent helpers if they’d like) get to wear their jammies to school that day. It’s very exciting and we just put our snowpants on over our pajamas when we go outside. Remember there’s no school on the 18^th for Martin Luther King Day.

 January Activities:

We have a bunch of great winter books and projects lined up for January. We start off the month reading Stella, Queen of the Snow by Marie-Louise Gay. This is a great book about winter with wonderful illustrations. We’ll do icicle painting, cheerio birdfeeders, and trace our arms for winter trees. Next we’ll read The Mitten by Jan Brett. I’m sure everyone is familiar with this favorite. We’ll be sewing and lacing this week and make mittens to decorate our tree. And don’t forget pajama day on the 14^th & 14^th! At the end of the month we’ll read two snowman books – Snow Family by Daniel Kirk and Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan. These are great wintery books and during these two weeks we’ll make snowpeople out of all kinds of materials – puff-paint, paper, salt dough, and socks!! It’s sure to be a fun month!!

I’m a little snowman, short and fat.

Here is my broomstick and here is my hat.

When the sun comes out I melt away,

Down, down, down. Oops I’m a puddle today!