September 2010
Welcome to the start of another exciting year at TCNS!! We’re looking forward to getting to know all our new students and families, and eager to catch up with those returning for another year. All of us at TCNS really enjoy watching the children grow, develop friendships, practice their skills, explore, and find their place in the classroom.
Thanks so much to everyone who came and helped out during our cleaning bees and playground work bee!! The classrooms and playground have never looked so good! We’re especially excited about all the work on the playground and new patio. Watch for the addition of a climber and other structures over the next few weeks.
Don’t forget the family dish-to-pass picnic next Sunday, September 19th at Taughannock Park. We’ll provide plates, forks and lemonade. Bring a dish to share and meet near the playground at around 4:30 – we eat around 5 pm. The first parent committee meeting will be Monday, September 20th from 6:30-7:30 at TCNS. Come meet other parents and hear what’s happening at TCNS. Children are welcome and can play while we talk (and snack!)
Remember to dress your children for play – we love to get dirty! We go outside every day and fall weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared! Good climbing and running shoes or boots are best for the playground. Also, you can help us encourage independence skills in your child by dressing them in clothing they can manipulate themselves.
Contact me with questions at any time (austicloz@hotmail.com). We have scheduled conferences in spring, but will happily meet with you at any time. No question or concern is trivial to us. Jackie is ready to answer any questions related to the Terrific Two’s class (jacquelinepuleo@gmail.com). We have many ways we try to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the classroom, but don’t hesitate to call or email. Check out the parent information board for useful information and helpful hints. Also, if you haven’t signed up for a parent job, please check the list. Don’t worry, we have plenty of work for everyone!
FUNDRAISING: Information on our first fundraiser will be in your cubbies soon. Our fall bulb fundraiser has been pretty successful the past few years. Your friends and family can help support TCNS and enjoy beautiful spring flowers! We also have a collection for bottle returns near the back door.
We’ll hike to the falls at the end of the month, Wednesday September 29th (weather permitting). This is a great fieldtrip for parents and siblings to join us. We meet at central pavilion, hike to the falls, eat snack, and return to the playground. We’ll be looking for signs of all as we hike. Watch for details as we get closer.
SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES: We have a busy month ahead. We’ll start the month talking about the schedule, classroom manners and jobs, learning each other’s names and the routine. Toward the end of the month we’ll move onto seasons and fall. Our first book will be The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf. We’ll be making a friends mural for our wall and a book about the children, plus playing with colors – sorting, mixing, graphing and fingerpainting! Next we’ll read Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis. This is a great book about feelings and we’ll talk about our different feelings. We’ll make a feelings poster, and do feelings matching and bingo. The last week of September we’ll a sweet book about fall, Leaves by David Ezra Stein. We’ll begin to talk about the seasons and signs of fall, do leaf rubbings, a fall sculpture, and watercolor leaves.
TERRIFIC TWO’S: Welcome to the Terrific Twos! It was nice to meet our families at open house. If you were not able to make it, make sure you check in with me to get all your information. Please take the time to discuss any questions with us. We have planned lots of exciting play time with your children and we are very excited to get to know them. We’ll be reading I Like Me by Nancy Carlson and Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and decorating our TCNS totes and making circle caterpillars. Just a couple reminders, remember only disposable diapers and practical outside clothes and shoes are a necessary!