November 2018 News

Cold Weather is Here & Winter is just around the corner…

We go outside every day and our full day students enjoy the playgrounds two times a day. Please be sure your child has easy on, warm outdoor clothing. Be sure each item is labeled.Now is the time to check for making sure you are ready for the first snow fall with the following items:
  • Boots (no ties please)
  • Mittens (no gloves)
  • Hat (well fitting, covers the ears)
  • Neck warmers (no scarves for safety, please)
  • Snow pants (easy on)
Remember function over fashion is a good note to follow.  Your child can practice basic care of putting these items on at home. They will love the success of independence (you will too)! If it is easier, you may leave an extra set of cold weather gear at school. We ask that all of the above items come to school each day so we are prepared for the changing Wisconsin weather.

PUMPKIN DAY 2018 a SUCCESS
What a beautiful way to celebrate fall!  If you haven’t already, check out some of our pictures on the Countryside Montessori Preschool and Countryside Montessori Preschool Families Facebook pages. They are priceless!

CMP Parent Social Events
THIS Friday November 2nd at Drumlin Ridge Winery all CMP parents, staff and friends stop by 5pm-7pm to enjoy a casual get-together to start the weekend!

Friday November 30th Countryside Montessori Preschool will host our annual MOM’S NIGHT OUT! Starting at 6:30pm come and take a much needed BREAK. Join us for appetizers, drinks, get a jump on your holiday shopping, and maybe a treat for yourself! It’s always a fun and relaxing way to connect with all the great moms we have at our school!

Volunteers Needed!
Parents you can still sign up to help with foods or drinks for upcoming staff meetings.
To sign up please visit:
CMP Staff Appreciation Meal Calendar

THANK YOU
For volunteering and helping with Pumpkin Day activities: Katie O, Jen R, Ashley and Carrie. A HUGE shout out to Keith and Susi for picking up the PUMPKINS and delivering them to CMP!

For helping on Picture Day: Jen R
**(Picture orders are complete, More class pictures will be done in the next few weeks)

For the delicious staff meeting meals for the month of October: Cassie R, Erica S, Amy H, Katie W, Amy M, Erin V, Alicia H, and Becky B

From all of us at Countryside Montessori to each of you and your families.. We are truly Thankful to be a part of each of your lives through your child.
Happy Thanksgiving!

“Walk together. Feel the heart beats. Experience the presence. This is how to be thankful.”
― Amit Ray

October 2018 News

Hello from our Parent Advisory Board President:

Greetings Countryside Montessori Preschool families and friends! Our 2018-2019 school year is off to a fantastic start! This will be my fourth year as a parent at CMP on the middle floor. I will be helping with our monthly newsletters, email updates, managing the school directory (coming soon!), and other organizational business. As the year goes on, I will ask other parents to introduce themselves here and talk about what they are helping with at CMP. My CMP pride grows with each passing year as I see all the wonderful volunteers who come together in all kinds of ways to support each other and our school.

Thank you so much for being here, reading the newsletters, participating in our events and fundraisers, and taking action to volunteer! I so deeply value everyone’s attention and commitment to achieving our goals! We are going to have an amazing year!

With sincere gratitude,
😊 Amy H


Parent’s guide to school communications:

The all-school newsletter comes out the beginning of each month via email. A hard copy is also available in your classroom parent communication station/coatrooms, along with a copy of the most recent Parent Advisory Board meeting minutes, and other information like tuition pricing, snack schedules, etc!

We are committed to creating a successful, collaborative space for parents, staff, and family to communicate and stay informed with one another. As we move forward this year you can count on the following useful communication tools to connect: all school newsletters, classroom monthly newsletters, mailbox letters, coatroom white boards, classroom communications books, social media account posts, and school website. By the way, if you have not done so already please request to be added to the Countryside Montessori Preschool Families private Facebook group and the Countryside Montessori Preschool Facebook Page.

Another really great way to stay-in-the-know and connect with other members of our CMP Community is by attending our bi-monthly Parent Advisory Board (PAB) meetings. These meetings are designed for parents and staff to come together to collaborate, discuss current projects, and brainstorm ways we can better support each other. IT TAKES A VILLAGE and you are such an IMPORTANT part of CMP! If you are interested please know you are ALWAYS welcome to join in the meetings. They are currently scheduled for November 9th, January 10th, March 14th, and May 9th from 6:30-7:30pm at CMP.

We will be adding committee meetings to the calendar after we finish passing our VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPclipboards through all the classrooms to establish who is interested in joining. We still need everyone to look over the list and sign up! Feel free to discuss with your classroom teachers additional volunteering or fundraising commitment ideas you may have, in lieu of the list.


As cold and flu season approaches!😷😩
Two commonly asked questions concerning sick children…
(From CMP’s Parent Handbook)

1. What happens when a child becomes ill at school?
Licensing regulations require the CMP staff to call you to pick up your child. Should he/she show signs of: incessant cough, unexplained rash, diarrhea, temperature above 101.6, pink eye, vomiting, or complaints of ear ache or sore throat.
If we are unable to reach you, we will call your emergency pick up numbers. Parent or emergency pick up person must pick up ill child as soon as possible. While waiting child will be isolated from others for their comfort and to prevent illness from spreading.

2. When can a child return to school?
If your child was sent from school due to illness, they must stay home the following day to recuperate. This means child must be fever free (less than 100 degrees) and free of digestive problems for a 24 hour period before returning to school. When a sick child returns to school too early, you risk getting your child sick again and you expose all of the other children and adults to illness. When the well child does return they must be symptom free and able to participate fully indoors and outdoors.

HELPFUL Hints and Verbiage:
Coughing-  “Cover your cough, with your elbow”
Runny Noses- “Blow, wipe, toss and wash!”
**Washing hands when arriving to school and when you get home from school is also a great habit to adopt for helping to prevent and spread illnesses.


PARKING LOT SAFETY:

We want all children and families to be safe going to and from CMP.  Please help us
by following the following requests/guidelines:

– Please park in the marked stalls only.
– Please do not park along the driveways. (The next door church lot is available if needed.)
– Hold your child’s hand at all times.
– No cell phone use permitted in the lots please.
– Do not leave cars running in the lot at any time.
– Be sure all gates are closed and only adults are to use them for release.
– Never lift a child over the fence, please use the gates only.
– Go slow, take your time please.


THANK YOU:

– Tara H (Elsie) for all the work around the school.
– Cassie & Rich (Frankie) for the beautiful hanging baskets.
– Maia & Josh (Gwendolyn) for all the amazing seasonal flowers and planting.
– Josh – for picking up and delivery of Bucky Books.


PICTURE DAY  – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND

Get your smiles ready; it’s class picture day! Please fill out the form in your child’s mailbox and send it back by picture day Tuesday, Oct 2nd. You will get the proofs back before needing to decide or paying for the photos. CMP even gets a percentage back of the total sales!  Classes will also have class pictures taken, too! Great memories to capture!


OUR CURRENT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

BUCKY BOOKS will continue to be available for sale over the next month or so. They make really great gifts, think holidays, new neighbors, new parents, etc. The book offers great savings for area businesses near and far. Each book is $35.00 and CMP receives $15.00 from each one sold! Funds go directly towards our goal of new shelving for classrooms, entrance awnings, and teacher/staff continuing education.


T-SHIRTS GET, YOUR T-SHIRTS

We have awesome t-shirts for sale! They are $15.00 a piece and were designed to celebrate our 25th Year by CMP parent, Hallie Zillman.  We currently have children’s XS size available and are taking orders for additional sizes! Let a teacher know if you are interested.


PUMPKIN DAY is coming – Thursday October 18th

NEW! This year CMP will celebrate PUMPKIN DAY at CMP!  Due to our longstanding field trip destination retiring from school trips we will start a new CMP tradition with our very own Pumpkin Patch in the back yard, pumpkin games, face painting, etc…
We will be sending out a mailbox letter explaining more soon and will be looking for helpers!


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Tree Trimming– low branches, and or take away
( We could use several people, or a contact with a company?)
Pumpkin Pick Up and Delivery 10/17, or early 10/18?
Teacher Appreciation Staff Meeting Meal sign-up:
Committee Members:(See clipboards in your child’s classroom to sign-up)