October 2009 Newsletter
Dear Montessori Parent,
October is a favorite month and makes living in the Midwest a pleasure. It was moved from the eighth month in the Greek calendar to number ten by the Romans. No matter what you call it, the sights, sounds, and scents of October are unique here. Buoyed by family outings, walks, or watching the beautiful sunsets together we can get through gray winters knowing they too are only in passing and Spring will come again. Take your family to an orchard…Tanners, Hoerrs, or Ackermans in Morton, it really is a nice one. Collect the most beautiful leaves you and your children can find and press them in a phone book. At Thanksgiving table, let your young one put a chosen leaf beside each plate or use them for name cards. Spend precious October Saturdays with your children. And, on the cold days of January and February, you will be glad you did.
Last week we had a very nice potluck in the courtyard, and we’d like to thank everyone who came and brought food. The weather was terrific, if not a bit cool, but it was nice to eat outdoors with everyone on such an autumn evening.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that our Pat Meredith library is no longer at the end of the upstairs hallway. It has been moved downstairs into a much larger room that can accommodate more books and more children to read them. It is now located at the far end of our Elementary wing, in the classroom we’ve always called our library, and where Mr. Meredith has his math class every morning. If you have the time, feel free to take a look at the work that our volunteers have done. Thanks to Michelle, Amy, and Jennifer for spearheading our library move. If you volunteered to be a library helper you may get a call as there is still a little work to be done. We do thank everyone who helped with building the library last year, also.
Speaking of libraries, we have a new Parent Library located in the Office. We intend for this to be a lending library for the purpose of parent education of the Montessori method. There are some great resources there, and we encourage you to take a look. We simply ask that if you’d like to borrow something, let John know or leave a small note on the desk.
In case you missed our new parents night last Monday, we showed a very nice video entitled “Edison’s Day” about a family raising their child using the Montessori method in the home. We will have an encore viewing of this video during our Staff meeting on Monday, October 19th, at 3:15. Any parents who would like to view this are welcome to attend for that portion of the meeting.
Our Elementary class was able to visit Camp Wokanda for the Chinquapin Music and Storytelling Festival last month, despite the weather. It’s usually a lovely event out there, only this year they were confined indoors because of the rain. They were still able to hear some nice music and stories. The Elementary class also had the opportunity to take a trip out to Forest Park Nature Center to visit the prairie there, in conjunction with their own prairie project which is being headed up by our science teacher Mrs. Jacobson. And, lastly, the Upper Elementary students took a trip out to Broad Branch Farm, operated by our very own Poeppel family, to see the beauties and realities of organic farming. It was a very nice trip, indeed.
Parent Handbooks were passed out to new families a couple of weeks ago. If you missed yours or need a new one, they are available outside the Office. Please do read through this valuable resource, as it is full of necessary information. Many questions you may have about school can be answered within those pages.
Also, you should have received a Parent List for this school year with names and addresses of our families. If you did not, you may pick one up from the Office. Please let us know if there are any inaccuracies or changes to be made, and we will make that update in the next newsletter.
Hot lunch will start this month on October 30th. This is for all day students only, and it is optional, as usual. If you plan to have your child partake, please make sure you have paid the fee of $25 by that date. We are planning something different for hot lunch this year, something more healthful and enjoyable for everyone involved. Jennifer and Michelle are going to be in charge of hot lunch this year, and they will be working with the elementary class to plan a menu that they will prepare together for all the students each month. They plan on varying the menu each month, and we will post this in advance. We will, of course, be aware of all the children’s allergies and dietary restrictions, so make sure the Office has this information. We’re really looking forward to this new hot lunch program and I’m sure it will be very beneficial to the children.
A note about things electronic: If you’d like to receive newsletters and other important correspondence via email, please drop a note off at the office or email us at peoriamontessori@gmail.com, if you haven’t already done so. Also, Leslie has created a Facebook page for our parent community to communicate with one another. It’s called “Parents Group – Montessori Children’s House of Peoria,” so if you’re on Facebook and would like to talk with other parents in this way, you can join this group.
Coming up in October we have the following events:
The Elementary class will be traveling to Sommer Park for their annual
Outdoor Adventure field trip. This should be lots of fun, as always.
There is no school on Monday, October 12th, for Columbus Day.
Primary art classes begin on October 6th.
Our annual all-school Halloween Carnival will be on Wednesday,
October 28th. This occurs from 1:00 to 2:45 in the gymnasium. There will be treats, games, painted faces, and more. Everyone is invited. We need lots of helpers that afternoon to make it a success. Any time that you can be here would be highly appreciated. We set up at 12:30 and the clean-up lasts until about 3:30. We need donations of apples and small pumpkins or gourds for painting, and also apple juice or cider. A tub for these will be provided outside the office door beginning on the 15th. We will post a sign-up sheet outside the office for you to indicate if you can help with the event, and we will be getting in touch with those of you who have already volunteered. If you have an idea for a fun game or booth or craft activity, please indicate that on the sheet as well. The children do love the Carnival!
Looking ahead to November, we’d like to remind you of some important dates: Parent Conference days on the 6th and 20th, Veteran’s Day on the 11th, and Thanksgiving Break from the 25th to the 26th. There is no school on these days. In addition, you should know that our school Picture Day is set for Nov. 4th. Please mark your calendars.
Of course, it is time to pay for October if you have not done so. And, please consider paying by automatic deduction.
As the weather gets chillier, be sure to put your child’s name on any outer wear that s/he wears and brings to school. And please, do have them bring a jacket.
Again, we encourage you to take the time to enjoy this beautiful season. We look forward to a terrific October…
Thank you,
The Montessori Staff