MEDFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER ON SOUTH STREET- OCTOBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

(Website address-www.medfieldchildrenscenter.com, E-Mail address-rph.mcc@verizon,net)

CENTER CLOSED:                    1.        Monday, Oct. 9th (Columbus Day) 

SPECIAL EVENTS:                    1.       Lisa Hull Pictures Tues., 10/10 and Wed., 10/11 (Individual Pictures)

              2.        Halloween Parties - Signups will be posted on the Parent Bulletin Board in your child’s classroom

              3.        Fourth Annual Story Time at MCC-Wednesday October 18th 6:00-7:30/8:00  WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS (info upcoming)

PARENTS’ CORNER 

1.        ARRIVAL – Children thrive when they have consistency and familiarity with routine.  It makes them feel safe and fosters independence.  Some children are still adjusting to separating  from parents; to make it as comfortable for your child as possible, please try to adhere to the same routine each drop off, including trying to get to MCC on time.  We know it’s difficult to leave when your child is sad, but saying a quick, happy, reassuring good-bye and leaving as quickly as possible will help.  School is still new to many and we promise drop offs will get easier.  As soon as you are out the door, the frowns turn to smiles; the kids settle in and have a great time with friends.

2.        PARENT VOLUNTEERS –Please see your child’s classroom teacher if you would like to volunteer to help out in any way.  Thank You!! 

3.        ABSENCES –We very strongly request that you call all absences into our office (359-4239) anytime your child is out due to sickness or vacation schedules. It helps us keep track of potentially contagious illnesses. 

4.        LABELS/BATHROOM – Just a reminder to label all backpacks, lunch boxes and outerwear clearly with your child’s name.  Please make sure your child has gone to the bathroom immediately before entering our school.  ThanksJ 

5.        RECYCLED GOODS – We are always looking for beautiful junk, recycled goods and used books/toys in good condition, especially computer paper, labels, stickers, envelopes, records, tapes and meat trays.  We especially need baby dolls in good condition and dramatic play clothes for girls (frilly nightgowns are great) and boys (sport coats and vests). 

6.        FIRE PREVENTION WEEK – During the weeks of October 2nd and 9th we will be practicing fire safety awareness in a fun, non-threatening manner.  Please reinforce this  concept in your homes & make every effort to visit your local Fire Station Open House.  It could truly be life saving to one and all. 

8.      FILE PAPERS - Please make sure medical records are up to date with 2006 physical exams.  Your cooperation in working together is greatly appreciated.  Also, please remember to  give us any changes as they occur to keep your emergency form up to date. 

9.      COMPUTER TOTS – ComputerTots will be coming to MCC every Thursday to offer thirty-minute computer classes. This is a great opportunity for your child, three years and older, to learn how to use a computer through   cooperative learning.  Anyone interested in signing up, please see your classroom teacher or Robin. 

10.    LUNCH BUNCH - We are requesting that all families who have “lunch bunch” kids send in a container of wipes for each child.   This will help ensure clean faces and hands for all.   Sometimes napkins just don’t cut it!!  Thanks in advance.

11.    Miss Sarah from Stony brook has made her first appearance at MCC.  She’s a wonderful addition to our PreK curriculum.  Each year the kids look forward to her visits to learn about nature. 

SPECIAL NOTE

Please be aware that our pick-up policy is as follows:  Your child MUST have a written note as to who is picking him/her up if it is someone other than yourself.  That person will be required to show us some form of picture identification.  A child CANNOT be released unless we have a note.  This policy will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.  If you regularly carpool with another parent, you both should submit a blanket statement indicating your arrangement for our records.  Remember, this ensures your child’s safety, which is always our number one priority.   

FALL BIRTHDAY WISHES GO OUT TO… Mikey Farrow (10/18), Lily and Jack Goodman (10/9), Sarah Churchill (10/1), Caitlin Knight (10/5), Emma Norton (10/6), Sierra Reagan (10/21), Luke Rosenzweig (10/12), Josie Bisciotti (10/8/), Spencer Mirken (10/13), and Karley Rhuda (10/10) If you see Cindy Dowd on the 4th be sure to wish her a very happy birthday!   We hope that Joey Sabra, Stephen Williams, Kelcey Harkins, Kailee Morris, Andy Cochran, Emily Saunders and Zoe Condon had lots of fun, and lots of presents at their birthdays last month!

 

DIRECTOR’S CORNER

This will be the first newsletter sent via e-mailJ  MCC is finally entering the computer age!!  By now everyone on the e-mail list should have received at least one e-mail.  If you haven’t received anything at the address/es given, please let me know.  Thanks!! 

Please help me in welcoming Brooke Corrigan to our staff.  She’s a Medfield High School junior who will be helping out after school each day.  We are excited to have her join usJ 

Monthly we’ll be sharing with you funny things the kids say or do in our “Welcome to the Funny Pages” section.  No names will ever be revealed!!  Hope you enjoy the stories as much as we do. 

For our Fourth Annual Story Night at Medfield Children Center, we ask that you please do not park in Lord’s parking lot.  There is parking in the municipal lot in back of Master Painters.  Thanks very much for your cooperation.  We try to be good neighbors!! 

As you may be aware, early childhood teachers are required to attend workshops and other types of meetings to keep up in the field.  Each month the staff as a whole does readings usually based around a specific topic.  This past month we all read articles about making the transition to school and new beginnings.  They must have helped because we are off to a terrific start so far!   

Lastly, we have an on-going fund raiser at MCC.  We have MCC logo t-shirts in all sizes from child’s XS to adult XXXL for  $10.00/shirt.   You can see me at any time during the year to purchase one.  We’re saving up to possibly put in a new surface to our play-yard.  We’d love to put in a rubber surface rather than the bark mulch.  Periodic t-shirt reminders will be posted in our newsletters. 

 

WELCOME TO THE FUNNY PAGESJ

Miss Donna was asking an afternoon friend if he had a dog.  He said no.  Next was a cat, then turtle, then fish.  Each answer was a no.  Finally the child looked at Donna in exasperation and said, “I don’t live on a farm!”  So much for trying to make conversation.J 

A little boy in the Big Hall was telling me all about his computer.   He was very excited.  It appears it is a top-notch model because “it even has buttons”.J 

Dial-A-Friend AdditionsJ

1.        Emily Saunders  112 Walnut Street, Walpole, MA  02081    (508) 660-5447  Mom:  Terri                        (Miss Elizabeth’s Class)

2.        Kaylee Cronin     107 Harding Street, Medfield, MA  02052 (508) 359-7793   Mom:  Sally     Dad:  Tom   (Toddler Class)

 

Dial-A-Friend DeletionsL

1.        Lucas Woodcock-Maureen Lupo’s Class

2.        Charles Marie-Cindy Dowd’s Class

 

CLASSROOM CORNER 

Eric’s and Mrs. Fischer’s TODDLERS

Our MCC Toddler All Stars are of to a great start!  September welcomed several new families to MCC along with a few familiar faces that we were delighted to see.  We spent a lot of time getting adjusted to new friends, faces and surroundings and fortunately “Indian Summer” has enabled us to spend a lot of time on the play ground as well as strolling about the town.  Please note:  for the month of October we will be having “Theme Weeks” in order to allow us the flexibility to introduce a variety of topics while continuing to adjust to our classroom routine.  These are in order:  Apples, Fire Prevention, Fall Leaves, Halloween and Halloween againJ.  We would like to thank you all for your patience over the past month.  It is a learning experience for all of us, parent, teacher and child.  If you have ANY questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us at any time.  We are looking forward to an exciting October!  Your MCC Toddler All Start Coaches-Eric and Elaine

Elizabeth Caputo-NURSERY

Hello Everybody!!  Well, our first month of school has come and gone.  What a great start to a new year.  We had fun meeting new friends and seeing old friends.  We are finally getting the daily routine down.  As a class, we learned about ourselves and all about apples.  Now that October has arrived, so has fall.  Please dress your children appropriately for the cool weather.  Each child has a cubby for extra clothes.  We are looking forward to all the fun coming up in October, especially Story Night and Halloween.  Thanks for a great September.

Kristin Masterson – NURSERY

Hello Everyone!  Thank you to all for a great start to our school year.  The children are making friends and are loving their school experience.  During the month we learned about each other, about yummy apples, and best of all we got to PAINT!!  It’ our favorite thing to do!!  We also learned some songs like “Farmer Brown had 5 Red Apples Hanging in his Tree”, “Where is Thumbkin?” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”. 

Wendy Bennett – Pre-K

What a great start we had to the new school year.  It looks like a super bunch of children to work with.  I am really looking forward to a year filled with lots of learning as well as lots of fun.  An exciting year has been planned.  We started the introduction of the letters.  We covered the letter “A” and made some delicious applesauce.  Everyday we will be going over the letters in your child’s name so that they can not only recognize their name but all the letters as well.  We had two terrific visitors this month.  A BIG thank you to Ann Marie Sabra for volunteering her time.  It was a big treat for Joey.  Please let me know if there are any other parents who would like to come in and volunteer.  It sure would put a smile on your child’s faceJ  Also, Ms. Sara from Stony Brook came in and brought some great surprises for us to see.  Make sure to ask your child about them!!  The children loved having the guests spend time with us.

Cindy Dowd – PreK

We’re off to a terrific start in Mrs. Dowd’s class!  September has been a very busy, fun month making new friends and learning school routines.  Miss Sarah from Stony Brook visited and we learned about “migrating monarchs”.  Thank you for sending in family pictures for our bulletin board.  We started our alphabet books with the letter “A”.  Has your child sung the “Germ Song” yet for you?  There is still room on our play doh sign up sheet.  If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call or see me.  The best time to call is between 12:30-1:30, I am at school from 7:30-3:00 each day.  I am so enjoying your children and am looking forward to a wonderful PreSchool YearJ

Maureen Lupo – PreK/TRANSITIONAL

Well, we are off to a wonderful start in our classroom.  We’ve started off the year with three birthday celebrations-so who wouldn’t be happyJ  We have all learned each other’s names, favorite colors and enjoyed looking at each other’s family pictures.  We started our ABC books with the letter “A” and learned lots of facts about apples.  Only 25 more letters to goJ  Parents and grandparents please feel free to come visit any time.  Please look out for a sign up sheet for our Halloween Party.

 

HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

PS… 

THANK YOU FOR:

Arriving to school on time

Checking the parent board for daily messages

Picking up mail from cubbies or backpacks

Saying goodbye to your child, then exiting quickly so we can begin our day with minimum disruption 

STOP AND READ

Sorry for the lengthy newsletter and will try my best to keep future ones short and sweet.  Please read all newsletters, curriculum sheets, handouts, etc. carefully.  They inform you about our school days and activities and what may be needed.  They will also hopefully answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for your time 

CLOTHES

We ask that all children have a change of clothes in their backpacks or cubbies should they have a bathroom accident, juice spill, etc. 

We have lots of fun with art and outside play.  Your child’s clothes may become messy as he or she is busy learning thru exploring, experimenting, and playing with different materials.  Please have your child dress in wash and wear clothing, not special occasion clothing. 

DAYS OFF

We follow the Medfield Public school’s schedule for days off with the exception of their teacher days and also Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Because those holidays fall at the beginning of school, we chose to stay open to help maintain the continuity of school routine which helps the children with their adjustment and transition to school.   

MEDICATION

If your child has seasonal allergies or asthma and is given medication before school, please verbally inform his/her teacher or leave a written note so that if your child acts differently than the way he or she typically would, the staff will be aware of the possible cause.  We also appreciate being made aware of other things (such as a parent being away, a sick family member, etc.) that may effect your child so we can be sensitive to extra needs he or she may have. 

PARTIES

For classroom parties, a sign up sheet can be found on the parents’ board outside each class.  We ask each family to sign up to bring in one item for the party so that each child feels he/she contributed. 

QUESTIONS

We understand you may have questions or comments about your child’s day to discuss with the teacher.  Unfortunately, drop off or pick up is so very busy and not the appropriate time to talk about your child’s day beyond a very quick check in.  If you’d like to talk in depth, please call anytime after 12:30.  If your child’s teacher is not available, Robin will arrange the most convenient time for your child’s teacher to call you back.   

SIBLINGS

We love when siblings of our students visit at drop off or pick up, but during special celebrations with your MCC child, we ask that siblings do not attend-in those cases it will be noted on the invitation, or newsletters.  (Please ask about infant siblings who are still young enough to stay in the car seats).  During the events that siblings are welcome, we ask for safety reasons that they remain with you at all times.  If you have any questions, please see Robin.  Thanks for your understanding.