Saturday, November 29, 2014

Christmas Time Already??? !!!

  Wow it's practically December and almost Christmas already I feel like we didn't even get through fall! I know this is a very busy time for all of us adults and kids as well. I am going to try my best to breathe deeply and enjoy this season with my family and with our class. I am so excited to be inside the classroom this year and to share the joy and excitement that this time brings for your children as I get to watch them wonder, explore, imagine and create holiday memories at home and at school.

 We return to school Monday December 1st for 3 weeks which the school has decided to go with a general Holiday theme. Each teacher and class is allowed to cover what ever they choose in the winter holiday area. I have chosen to start off with Gingerbread man I love the story, I love that there are several versions of the story and even new fun twists on the story as well. I love the smell of the spices in gingerbread and the look of each individual cookie and that each is different, and unique like our children. On the second or third week of the holiday theme I will need one parent from MWF and One TTH parent to bake some gingerbread children for us to decorate. I can provide the cookie cutters, and I am offering power hours. Please ask me for details we will do this on a day when its just our class after free choice it will be something we do as a class.

 Wednesday December 3rd is the ugly sweater night out and Bunco game at the Highland Springs Resort. Its a fun evening out with a dessert bar, Bunco and conversation. If you are available that evening please RSVP and join us this is one of the few adult only things we do at IPS and its fun to bond with others when the kids are not running around!

 We will also cover a little bit of Hanukah. We will play dradle and talk about the lights and menorah. We will also share the story of  the birth of Jesus and the manger. This will allow us to explore other holiday traditions as well. My family is Hawaiian, Portuguese, Scottish and Swedish so we celebrate those customs. The children in our school are from so many cultures and religions  if there is something you wish to share with our students please feel free to come to me and we can set up a center the day that you work doing an activity from your culture as well. I want our class to learn, absorb and participate in a diverse environment so anything you would like to share is welcome! Please shoot me an email or talk with me in person and I can get plans and arrangements made.

 So the first week back we will be transitioning to the holiday theme with some gingerbread man stories, counting, and other fun activities to ease them back into the routine. It is important for us to maintain as much routine during the holiday time as possible. I will be working on maintaining as much consistency as possible. Please help me to do this by reminding your child of the school rules, and being a good listener as we return this week, and in the weeks ahead. Its important that we encourage them to do well at school and use positive reinforcement at school and at home.

 When we return you may notice its getting cooler this is a great time to check the extra clothing in your child's backpack to ensure its weather appropriate. IPS doesn't keep a lot of extra clothing on hand and even in chilly weather we still play outside sometimes with water, we still paint and get messy so those extra clothes come in handy. I would suggest also taking a jacket to school each day. Even if they fight it a cheap hoodie in a backpack comes in handy some days and we can put it on as needed. Try to make sure your child's name is on their coats, hats, or any other clothing they use at school so just in case you leave it I can return it quickly. No matter how cold it is we find it valuable to play outside so please consider that when dressing for school. I know sometimes its hard to convince them otherwise. I found with my daughter she said to me recently princesses don't wear pants. I have told her they do but under the dress and I found some cute leggings that go fantastically under dresses. They even make fleece lined tights. For boys I let them know that even super hero's wear jackets and ninja turtles would be nothing without a warm shell.

 Cold weather is also a time for us to remind families of the sick child policy we have at IPS. We really encourage you to keep your child home if they are sick and the same goes for parents who work in class. I follow the same rules as the kids in regards to illness usually for me my issues are all allergies and sinus problems. If your child has had fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or any documented contagious illness within the last 48 hours it is recommended that you keep them home. Illnesses that are considered contagious are hand foot and mouth (that illness requires a longer time out of the classroom) strep, pink eye, chicken pox, rotavirus, croup, lice, RSV, Scarlet Fever, Impetigo, whooping cough, and some others. If you have questions as to when they come back the CDC, your doctor and the school staff can help answer those questions also be aware that some illnesses require that your child stay home more than 48 hours please respect these rules. If in doubt keep them home! I am trying my best to fight the spread of illness with good hand washing, cleaning high traffic areas and good self care. You parents are a part of that too when we clean the classroom remembering to hit all those regularly touched surfaces, reminding kids to cover coughs and sneezes and helping with hand washing. Also at home helping to remember what they are taught at school will help them to bring less home and these things are good life lessons.

  Work calendars are ready and available on the blog under the work calendars tab. Please remember it is your responsibility to check either the calendar on here or in the office to make sure you have to correct work days. If  you are unable to work please try to find a trade or a sub. Failure to find a sub or no-show for a work day results in fines (which are never fun) There is a sub list available in the office. If you or your child are sick please try your best to get a sub coming to school sick just spreads it around more and we don't want to be sick for the holidays.

  We will be getting ready for our holiday party as well. On Thursday December 18th and Friday December 19th we will wrap up and head out for break with a party. Our class will sing and dance then we will enjoy a snack and then play games and give gifts at our first Christmas party. I will provide details soon of our scheduled time to sing. As always families are welcome this will be a pajama party with breakfast. Yes I said pajama party we will  wear PJ'S to school and be comfy all day even I am wearing PJ'S! Please make sure they are comfortable and school appropriate PJ'S and if needed leggings go great under those super cute night dresses. I am asking that each child bring to school with them a book wrapped and tagged to a friend from your child's name on party day so we can do a Christmas Gift book exchange, that will take place during the party. I am asking as I do on all party days that if  you have additional gifts or goodies to give please have them ready to distribute to cubbies that day. I will give you more details on all these things as we as a staff get them finalized.

 Our school participates in the Yucaipa, and Beaumont Christmas parades. Yucaipa is a day time parade with a theme and Beaumont's is a night parade with lights. Details of those will come in the Friday blast. I personally always attend the Beaumont parade with my daughter who rides the IPS float with me. Its a fun evening ride.

 With all this I want our children to think of others at this time. How can a 3yr do this you ask? Well we have 2 ways this year. One is to donate food that will go to stock local food pantry's they can help you gather items and turn them in to the office. Talk with them about how not every family has food and we are giving this to help others. Let them know that the Bible says we need to share what we are blessed with. Tie it in to your own family holiday traditions as well. In our class we will have a card making station as well. I used to work in the probation system, foster care and retirement care settings and the holidays are particularly rough on those groups of people. I remember working in the retirement  home how some residents never got many holiday cards or crafts and how it would make someone's day to know that they received something from someone. So we are partnering with The Lakes at Banning to make cards and crafts that will be distributed to those who may not get them. I will be telling the kids that these are going to a place where people may not get cards and how their simple card with some art will brighten someone's day and make them happy. With that said please encourage your child to make one, and let them know that you are excited to hear what they did. I will be delivering these cards once a week. I am also in need of supplies. Craft items, stickers, ribbon and various card decorations and myself and other parents will be helping the children to write messages in the cards.

 Wow this is a lot of stuff! Please continue to check Facebook, the Friday Blast and teacher blogs for the latest updates! And if in doubt ask questions we are here to help.