December 2014 News

Dates to Remember

Dec 5  Tuition Due; 5 weeks Dec 6 Barnes and Noble East Volunteer Event
Dec 11 PAB Meeting @ CMP 6:30 p.m.
Dec 20-Jan 4  Winter Break/ No School


2015 Upcoming Events
January 100th Day of School
January Summer Camp 2015 Registration
February 2015-16 School Year Registration
February 12 Mom’s Night Out
March Family Bowling Day
May Culver’s Scoopie Night

 Your investment at Work

One of the best benefits of a Montessori education is the relationship between teacher and child that is allowed to develop over a two/three year span. Here is one interesting reflection about this phenomenon from MariaMontessori.com:

http://mariamontessori.com/mm/?p=2573


Teach to Give Back
Have your children be a part of the giving back baskets in each coat room.
CMP is collecting dry goods, diapers, new/gently used children clothes for families in need.  Thank you Torrie Mueller (Millie and alum Josie’s mom) for delivering these items through the YWCA.

Welcome to CMP!
Jacob Tennie and Family (middle classroom)

Christian Ruesch and Family  (downstairs classroom)

CMP Survey   
A survey was sent out by CMP to those who receive this newsletter regarding what areas fundraising efforts should go to.  If you have not received this survey and would like to, please email Jenna Gay (Brody and Owen’s mom) at JennaKGay@gmail.com   


Barnes and Noble Event

On Saturday, December 6th, from 9am to 1pm, Countryside Montessori will be fundraising by gift-wrapping at Barnes & Noble (East Towne location).  Thank you so very much to our wonderful volunteers.  Stop in and say hi, read a book, buy a present!

Thank You!

Thank you for sharing and gifting CMP the ability to nurture and

educate your child(ren)!  We are so proud to serve you and the children!
Peace, and Happy Holidays to each of you and your families!

November 2014 News

Dates to Remember
Parent/Teacher Conferences- through out the month
Nov. 11th   Hulafrog contest closes
Nov. 13th   PAB Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 27th & 28th  Happy Thanksgiving (No School)
Dec. 5th   Tuition Due (5 weeks)


Show Your Love For CMP
Please go to www.Hulafrog.com, and tell everyone you know to do so too, before 11/11/14; “love” CMP!  The preschool with the most loves wins GREAT advertising AND a $15,000.00 play yard for their school!  Wow… let’s do this!


THANK YOU! Welcome to a festive time of the year. The next few months promise to bring excitement and many traditional family gatherings. Families gather together to give thanks for the blessings they have received during the year and create happy memories for the years to come. This is a special time at Countryside Montessori and we would like to take the time to say, “Thank You” for your generosity and cooperation.
* CMP would like to recognize and thank all of the parents that donated time, and/or goods to assist the classrooms with the Pumpkin Patch Trip, and Halloween
Celebrations.  What a great time and success both were helped to make possible by all of you…
* PNO Committee – Leah Viola, Jenna Gay, & Jen Trost (and the donations/ solicitation help from so many of you!)
* Jenna Gay – phone directory & copies
* Ken & Mary Gay – cleaning out flower barrels
* Katy Pohlich (Juno’s Mom) for her donating her community hours to CMP, and working on our flower beds!

Weather Preparation         

Friendships are happening, a work ethic is growing and we are having fun both inside and outside.  To allow your child to be as independent as possible in the coming colder weather, please try to outfit him or her in a coat (and hat, gloves, etc.) that is within their capabilities to put on and to remove; for ease and safety, it is best if all clothing allows freedom of movement (no mittens or scarves please) and a full range of vision. Putting names on every piece of clothing including each mitten, hat, sweater and coat is helpful. Thank you!


DID YOU KNOW?

*  CMP receives a savings back when you use your Target (or affiliated card, and put us down to receive the donation.
*  It help us so much when you and friends “Friend” us on Facebook.
*  You can help CMP when you write a review on Yelp.com, Hulafrog.com, greatschools.org, or savvysource.com
THANK YOU for your help support and efforts in continuing to make CMP a great school for children.

*  During this Winter Holiday Season, when you order gifts for the children in your life from Montessori Services, CMP receives 10% back from the total orders to spend here.  Last year, we purchased new juice glasses, and rugs for Brandie, Cory and Grace’s classroom.  They are online, and catalogs will be available in mailboxes soon.

In Search Of…

We are looking for someone with marketing and computer savvy skills to assist CMP with developing a poster to hang in various locations for enrollment.  In addition to that we are looking for someone who could help with color print copies of this poster.  (Approx. 20-30 posters)  Please see Debby or Patty if you are available.  Thank you!


Is your child well enough to go to school? It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school.  Children who come to school are expected to participate fully in school day activities. Here are some guidelines that might help in a parent’s decision-making:  

1. Fever:  A fever of 101.5 degrees or more signals an illness that is probably going to make a student uncomfortable and unable to function well in class.  Your child should stay home until her/she is feeling better; your child should be fever-free for 24 hours without using Tylenol or advil/ibuprofen. . If child is sent home due to illness children must stay home the following day of school.  

2.  Vomiting, Diarrhea or Severe Nausea:  These are symptoms that require a student to remain at home until a normal diet is tolerated. If child is sent home due to illness children must stay home the following day of school.  

3.  Infectious Diseases:  Diseases such as impetigo, pink eye with thick drainage and strep throat require a doctor’s examination and prescription for medication.  Contacting the doctor and using the medicine as directed for the full recommended length of time are necessary.  Once medication has been started and the child is feeling well, he/she may return to school.  Student’s with chicken pox may return to school when all the scabs are completely dried and no new lesions are developing (usually 5 – 7 days).  

4.  Rashes:  Rashes or patches of broken itchy skin need to be examined if they appear to be spreading or not improving.  

5.  Injuries:  If a student has an injury that causes continuous discomfort, the student should not attend school until the condition is checked by a doctor or it improves.  Injuries that interfere with class participation need a medical evaluation.  Thank you for keeping everyone healthy!


Barnes and Noble Fundraiser – Volunteer Opportunity On Saturday, December 6th, from 9am to 1pm, Countryside Montessori needs volunteers for gift-wrapping at Barnes & Noble (East Towne location). Please consider taking part in a fun opportunity to promote our school and raise funds for the awnings and parking lot projects! Sign-up sheets for one-hour time slots will be posted in the classrooms so, or contact Leah Viola (Jack and Audrey’s mom) at leahtviola@gmail.com for more details.

2014-2015 School Calendar Released

Countryside Montessori Preschool 2016-2017

8/18/16New Students Visit (4:30-5:30pm). See letter with orientation packet.
8/22/16First day of School!
8/26/165 weeks of tuition due (8/31-930)
September 2016Friendship Month at CMP
9/5/16No School - Labor Day
9/6/16Parent Orientation Night (7:00-8:30pm). Parent only please)
9/8/16All School Family Pizza Social at CMP 5:00pm (no rain date)
9/15/16Parent Advisory Board Meeting at CMP 6:30pm. ALL ARE WELCOME!
9/30/165 weeks of tuition due (10/3-11/4)
10/4/16Picture Day
10/6/16Field Trip to Pumpkin Patch in morning
10/27/16School Halloween Celebration (see notes from teachers)
10/28/16No School - Inservice
November 2016 - Date to be AnnouncedParents Night Out - Silent Auction. Great fun for parents!
11/4/164 weeks of tuition due (11/7-12/2)
11/24/16 & 11/25/16No School - Thanksgiving
12/2/165 weeks of tuition due (12/5-1/6)
12/19/16 - 12/30/16No School - Winter Break
1/2/17Return from Winter Break. Second semester begins.
1/6/174 weeks of tuition due (1/9-2/3) or semester payment due
1/16/17No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/26/17100th Day of School! Don't forget to wear your pajamas to CMP!
February 2017Registration for Summer Camp 2017
February 2017Letters of intent for school year 2017-2018 sent home
2/3/174 weeks of tuition due (2/6-3/3)
2/14/17School Valentine's Party (see notes from teachers)
March/AprilParent Teacher Conferences (see sign up in classrooms)
3/3/174 weeks of tuition due (3/6-3/31)
3/3/17First week of 2017-2018 school year tuition due - letters of intent will be sent home.
3/3/17Moms Night Out at CMP 6:30pm
3/9/17 & 3/10/17No School - Inservice
4/10/17-4/14/17No School - Spring Break
3/31/174 weeks of tuition due (4/3-4/28)
4/17/17School Resumes
4/28/174 weeks of tuition due (5/1-5/26)
5/26/172 weeks of tuition due (5/26-6/7)
5/29/16No School - Memorial Day
6/1/17All School Picnic at CMP 5:30pm (no rain date)
6/7/17Summer Camp 2017 First Session Tuition Due
6/7/17Last day of School
6/12/17First day of Summer Camp!

Getting ready for the first day of Preschool

  • Dig out that introduction letter you got from us (generally a month before school) with details about classroom entrances, backpack, timetable, healthy lunches, school supply list, etc. and make sure you are organized in advance, so that you are not unduly stressed on the first few days. Make sure the back pack and lunch box you choose are easy to manage and think about the best clothes for your child to wear. That doesn’t mean their Sunday best. It means clothes your child can play in, without fear of paint splashes and clothes that are easy to manage when visiting the toilet.  Closed toe, easy to put on, shoes are always a must.
  • Talk to your child about preschool but resist the temptation of hyping it up too much as the child might be totally underwhelmed with the reality. ( We suggest visiting the library for some great first day books too) Refer to the teachers – who you’ve most likely already met – by their first names and tell your child about the other children, the painting, the play dough and the kind of activities you know that will interest them. Many children have already visited the preschool in advance of term start!
  • In the week before the start day, explain to your child that you or another loved one will be dropping and collecting them from preschool and how that will work. Tell your child the two things you, or your minder, will do while they are at preschool to give the child a sense of the short time involved, like going to the bank and preparing lunch. It’s not too long and not long too short – in fact just enough time to have fun before being collected!  It is okay to sound excited for your “work time” as should they…
  • On reaching the door each morning, smile and treat teacher like a friend. Relax and don’t fuss and let your child know that you’re confident that they can manage. Remember that your child is alert to the emotional messages you send out, so don’t panic and don’t let the child see you crying.
  • If your child is fine going in on the first day, just walk away and don’t look for problems where none exist. The majority of children will sail in, no problem. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee and a little treat – this is a big day for you too!
  • If your child does cry going in, follow the lead of the teacher. Often children who come in the door crying are okay and laughing five minutes later. Rest assured that your child is in kind, nurturing, and capable hands!
  • Make sure to return for pick up on time as children can fret when they see other children leave before them.
  • Don’t expect the teacher to give you detailed feedback in the first two weeks when the whole group is really settling in.
  • After the day, ask your child about the sand, the books, the “works/lessons” and the other children. If your questions are specific, you’ll get more information.

Asking (and Waiting) for Help

stockmedia.cc / stockarch.com / CC BY 3.0Like all good things, parenting takes practice. A lot of practice, trials and tribulations. As we all know, there is no clear cut manual. Each child and family is incredibly unique. Every parent wants a deep connection with their child and to successfully prepare them for the world. We all want to create responsible, strong, compassionate adults. These are the ultimate goals, but how do we get there?

Each day brings on so many unprepared situations. The screaming child in the grocery store, the child that hits at school, the first lie, and so many other special moments you will share with your children.To prepare for these interesting parenting moments, they can be broken down into a simple lesson similar to what we do in the classroom. The following is a  practical example with an intentional goal.

 

How to ask for help and/or wait for help:

The demand for help or recognition may be the most difficult aspect of good manners to teach a child. Their need is immediate in their eyes. In order to have friends and be appreciated your child must learn patience.

This can be done in a couple of ways. One is do not come a running for every whim your child may desire. If you are busy it is okay to say, “I will be with you as soon as I finish my soup.” This derails the need for immediate gratification, creates trust (because you will follow through) and brings the gift of patience to your child – a skill for life every person needs.

Yes, the child may cry, scream and lay on the floor the first few times. Calmly, respond, “I see you are upset. I will be with you when I finish my soup.” Savor that soup and then follow through. Acknowledge the child the first time they fully wait. Thank you for waiting, how can I help?” It is your choice – do you want to train them to scream and whine for everything they want or patiently wait through communication? Raise your awareness of what you want to put out in the world through your child.

Peaceful Parenting Practice – Boredom

Solving the problem – Are we effectively solving or creating one?

Child: “I’m bored.”

Parent: “Oh, you’re bored? Well why don’t you go and get your puzzle in your room and work on that?”

Child: “No, I don’t want to.”

Parent: “Then why don’t you get your coloring book and color for a while?”

Child: “No, that’s boring.”

Effective response – “Boredom is a choice. I gave you some ideas.” Or say (depending on age and ability), “I have some extra chores for you to do!” That usually gets them running out to play or off to an activity of their liking.

Basically, remember to parent with the end result in mind. We want our children to recognize they can solve simple problems like boredom and be creative independent individuals. This is a simple effective tool to begin with.

5 Ways to Improve Self-Esteem and Confidence in Kids

quinnrockinthewater

(Kathryn Kvols shares 5 easy ways to boost our children’s confidence)

What would you be doing right now if you truly believed in yourself?

As parents, we want our children to feel good about themselves and feel fulfilled as adults. Here are five things that we can do to improve self-esteem and confidence in our kids.

1. Celebrate, honor and nurture your child’s uniqueness.

While honoring your child’s uniqueness sounds simple, it can sometimes be difficult – especially when your child displays qualities that you may not be fond of. As humans, we tend to encourage the things we agree with and to discourage the things we don’t like.

Since most children strive to please us, we must be careful not to discourage the true spirit of the child. By steering our child away from what they love to do, we run the risk of harming their fragile self-esteem. There are many people who are not happy in their work today because they are doing what they think their parents want them to do, rather than what would make them truly happy.

2. Use parenting methods that encourage personal responsibility.

Try to avoid the autocratic parenting tendency to just tell your child how to do the task. Let him figure it out on his own and you will take a big step towards not stifling the spirit of the child. Methods such as motivating through guilt or controlling through threats and punishment can act as roadblocks to close relationships and a healthy self-concept. Instead, help to improve their self-esteem and confidence:

  • Offer children the opportunity to make decisions that deem appropriate
  • Give them time to express their opinions
  • Allow them to develop their leadership abilities without interference

These tools will help you show your children how to think – not what to think.

3. Model and teach your children the value of contributing.

Being helpful can make us feel truly valuable and improve our self-image. The more your child finds their value by being helpful, the more support your child will receive from society. Find ways to include your child in projects:

  • Assign them small tasks you know they can handle
  • Include them in age-appropriate ways
  • Ask their opinion about how to do something
  • Ask them how they think they could help (you may be surprised at the response!)

4. Instruct your child to be proactive.

It can be extremely discouraging to feel powerless. One of the best ways to empower your child is to explore together many solutions to a problem, go through possible consequences of each solution, and choose a solution that serves the interest of everyone involved.

5. Impart to your child the importance of valuing what he thinks and feels about himself over what others think of him.

When children start to think that another’s opinion is more valuable than theirs, they lose their sense of self. A great toll is taken when children give up who they are in order to be liked by others.