July 16, 2010

Dear Families,

I hope you are enjoying the summer! I have a few things to share as we finish out the week…

Transition Visits

It’s hard to believe that fall is just around the corner.  As we look to fall, just a reminder that we have three scheduled three transition visits during the month of August.  The visits will be held on Thursday, August 12; Wednesday, August 18; and Tuesday, August 24.  All visits are from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. If your child does not attend on a scheduled visit day, please feel free to join us.  If you have any concerns about your child’s transition to the next classroom, please let me or one of your child’s current teachers know.  We are happy to work with you to develop strategies to ensure a smooth transition for your child and for you.

New RCC Sign

Be sure to check out the new RCC signs located under the Union Church sign in the front of the building.  New signs were long overdue and we are delighted with the result.

Field Trips

Many thanks to all everyone who has volunteered their time to chaperone our field trips this year.  We still need a few chaperones for some of our trips, so please visit www.signupgenius.com if you are able to help.  We know that it isn’t always easy to take time out of your busy schedule to accompany us and we really appreciate your support!

Teacher Appreciation

Teacher Appreciation Week was a terrific success! On behalf of the RCC staff, I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of you.  Your generosity made all of the wonderful events and surprises possible.  A special thank you to the following room parents and members of the teacher appreciation committee: Cara Nelson, Lori Petersson, Jonas Petersson, Anupa Bir, Jack Maypole, Linda Swain, Jen Clancy, Dawn Christianson, Paul Hummel, Lesley Parks, Sharon Briansky, Amy Waksler, Caterina Arboleda, and Roberta Laredo, for helping to coordinate the events. The teachers enjoyed the week and appreciated your show of support and gratitude. Thank you very much!

 

A Focus on…“Young Writers”

The motor skill required for writing began when your baby first grasped a rattle and continued to develop as she inspected dandelions between her thumb and forefinger.  It takes lots of practice for fine motor control to develop.  By the time your child was 2, holding a marker with her whole hand was possible.

Throughout the preschool years, children need frequent opportunities to work with an assortment of writing materials.  Because the child’s control of the small hand muscles is not yet very refined, large blank surfaces for drawing are very important.  Try to offer several choices of white and colored paper, construction paper, and cardboard.  Provide markers, crayons, pencils with erasers, colored pencils, paints, and chalk – as many choices as you can. Variety keeps children experimenting with different writing tools and combinations of paper.

Not all experiences need to be on paper, however.  Chunky pieces of chalk for drawing on the sidewalk are great. Later, house-painting brushes dipped in a bucket of water will easily get the chalk off of the sidewalk while providing additional fun!

Children learn about writing by observing people who already know how and by participating in simple writing experiences.  When you have writing tasks to do, even something as humdrum as your to-do-list, try to get into the habit of doing it when your child is around.  Before you know it, you’ll have an eager writer on your hands.

Annual Picnic and Book Fair

Despite the rain, we had a great turnout of families and staff at our Annual Picnic and Book Fair.  With your help, we received over $500 in new books to enrich our classroom libraries.  Many thanks to everyone who attended!

 

New Blog Posting from our Health Consultant Jack Maypole

Breastfeeding - Fewer things in Pediatrics stir as much as passion as this topic. Everyone agrees, it is the best nutrition for full term, and even pre-term infants. But what about families where mom's have insufficient amounts of milk, or who are unable to breastfeed?

 

Talk about a really good idea many docs and parents haven't heard about:
The use of donated breastmilk from human milk banks. Seriously. What a great idea. Click on to read more. And, enjoy! Jack Maypole

 

http://thefastertimes.com/pediatrics/2010/07/16/dont-got-milk-when-babies-need-human-milk-banks/

Dates to Remember

·         Monday, August 30 - Friday, September 3 – Work Week, RCC CLOSED

·         Monday, September 6 - Labor Day, RCC CLOSED

·         Tuesday, September 7 – First Day of School, Mandatory Parent Meeting 7:00

Community Events

Mark your calendar for the Newton Partnership’s Second Annual Newton “Touch-a-Truck & Early Childhood Program Fair” Sunday, September 26, 2010 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newton South High School. This event was attended by about 1,000 people last year and is sure to be a success again this year. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming months.

Congratulations to…

·         Martine Hyde on her recent engagement to her long time love, Jacob.

·         Kaitie Taylor who celebrates her 1 year anniversary with Riverside this month.

·         Amanda Burns who celebrated 7 years at Riverside least month.

In closing, I am on vacation next week and will be heading home to Kansas.  As always, Sue Haggie will be the administrator in charge while I am away.  That’s all for now…have a wonderful weekend! Lisa J

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.  One is roots.  The other is wings.” 

~Hodding Carter, Jr.