It was a pleasure to welcome you for Observations! If you did not get a chance to schedule before the Thanksgiving holiday, please let me know when you'd like to come. The Kindergartners are eagerly awaiting more opportunities to do their tea service and they are also exchanging conversations about the high points of their experiences so far! It was exciting to have an older sibling observe one day, due to that morning's snow delay!

It was a pleasure to see everyone for Parent Conferences! I enjoy having the time to talk together and I find it so helpful. Please don't hesitate to call if you have anything that you feel you need to follow up with. I consider my office hours to be everyday between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm, except 1st and 3rd Thursdays, but if those times are not convenient, please leave a message for me to give you a call to arrange a time.

As I write for the first newsletter, I am hearing rumors of the first frost warning! The weather edges along, and we are settling in and enjoying the start of the new year, welcoming old and new friends. On a personal note, I am enjoying the start of my second year as Guide and Site Director at Center School and it feels wonderful to find myself in such a great community of students, families and staff. The children are discovering their new roles and opportunities within the classroom. There is a warmth of enjoyment and exploration that is visible and vibrant in the Center School community.

We have been developing a routine and rhythm to our new cleaning job process as the Kindergarten children continue to rotate through the 3 choices of "Tables", "Floors" and "Kitchen" jobs, and training the children just under their own age bracket.  It is wonderful to see them create their own style and methods, time frames and flexibilities according to other patterns that may be incorporated into the day.

We are starting on garden clean up in preparation for our Garden Wish List items!  Beyond the Wish List, we already have started raspberry and elderberry bushes, and we will be planting seeds in our collection of applesauce and yogurt containers...thank you for bringing in what you can collect. 

We will also be growing herbs that can be served for tea in the classroom:  Peppermint, Chamomile, Lemon Balm etc.  The hope is that we can establish more perennials that can be utilized, providing the children with the full circle of growth and appreciation.

I want to let you know that there has been a probable case of chicken pox this past Monday, April 5.  The incubation time is 15 to 21 days, so please keep an eye on your child for the classic bumps and lesions. Please keep your child out of school during the contagious period. It is usually acceptable to assume that it is not contagious once the lesions scab over. Fever, general malaise and loss of appetite can also accompany chicken pox adding to the discomfort. As always, check with your child's physician.

We are beginning to think about our garden! Emily has been asking each of the children what they would enjoy growing. So far we have heard some interesting replies! Peas, pumpkins, sunflowers... I am looking forward to finally getting familiar with how the grow-light in our classroom is set up...it seems like an ingenious device, as it is reattached to the window casement and bookcase each year...! Lately we have enjoyed baking (more!) pumpkin muffins, cracking walnuts, popping heirloom corn, and peeling boiled eggs.

It was such a pleasure for me to observe at the Family Open House as the children invited their families in! Certainly the children enjoy sharing their classroom activities on this special occasion! Last Friday during afternoon class, we had a flurry of cleaning, polishing, washing and dusting: the children took such extra care and ownership of the materials and the overall environment in preparation of the Open House. We are participating in the Food Drive, so please consider what you can share. We will be setting up a box inside of the classroom; the last day to drop off will be Dec. 18.

Thank you to all of the families that participated in the work day this past Saturday! Our playground looks wonderful and will be so much easier for the children to enjoy. We will continue to have work opportunities, however, so if you could not help out that day, please check a new sign up clipboard for indoor chores that can be done at your convenience.

We made it! To Bald Hill that is! I was so excited to be able to finally find a day, last Tuesday, where we could (Notes from Mary Anna continued) have warm enough and dry enough weather to go. Of course we missed the peak of the color, but we had such a great time anyway. Thank you for your flexibility, participation and enthusiasm!