January 5, 2010

Calendar

January

8  Parenting Group, ≈ 9:10 (after Friday Sing, Jubitz (below US Library) Topic:  The Truth about Lying: Your Beehiver and Lying

18  NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day

February

5  *No Preschool Classes - PS Admissions Day

15 NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

March

4-5  *No BS/LS Classes - Parent - Teacher Conferences

13  GAMBOL

20 - 28  No School - Spring Break

29  Classes Resume

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

We hope you had a wonderful seventeen sleeps away from school! It was a joy to see the Honeybees’ faces on Monday morning, and amazing to notice how much they had grown and changed over the break. Thank you all so much for a wonderful Family Heritage Potluck, and for all the delicious food that you shared. We so enjoyed spending the time with you!

 

Although our dear Allen was not able to join us that day, she thanks you deeply for all the kind words, thoughts, and the beautiful flowers that arrived on her doorstep. She had a successful knee surgery and is slowly, but surely, on the mend.

 

The week before Winter Break was filled with visitors, stories of family, and traditions old and new. Here’s a quick recap of what we learned about our families:

 

Emmett and his family like to make donations to the Heifer project during the holidays. This year, they made a donation of a beehive to a needy family in the name of the Honeybees, and we all got to make a honeybee magnet in honor of the donation.

 

Grant and his family brought in the electric train that they set up around their Christmas tree every year and showed us how it works. We also read a bit of the Polar Express together.

 

Ben’s family shared potato latkes with us, topped with applesauce and sour cream. We learned about the story of Chanukah from long ago, and also about the unique ways their family celebrates each of the eight nights.

 

Sophia and her family told us about Japanese New Year and about the special ornaments that decorate their Christmas tree. With the help of her grandmother, Sophia even showed us how to wear a traditional Japanese kimono.

 

Jay and his family like to make clove-covered oranges for the holidays to help their home smell warm and spicy. All of the Honeybees were able to make their own clove orange to take home.

 

Annabel and her family showed us their special menorahs for Chanukah, some old and some new. They also taught us how to play the dreidel game with chocolate gelt.

 

Megan and her family shared a bit of their Scottish heritage with us. We listened to her brother play Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, and we tried Scottish shortbread. Megan is learning how to do Scottish Highland dancing, and she showed us her beautiful footwork and steps.

 

Zoie and her family told us how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines by bringing in their beautiful Christmas lantern, which is called a Parol. It is made from translucent capiz shells and even plays music! They hang it outside their home during the holidays.

 

Last but not least, Emma’s family showed us how important coffee is to their family by explaining where coffee is grown, how it is roasted, and also showed us how Emma and her sister Greta help make a pot of French pressed coffee for their parents every morning. The teachers were able to have a taste, and it was delicious!

 

Thanks so much to Annabel and her family for looking after our parakeets during winter break. We’re sure they enjoyed the change of scenery and much loving care!

 

 Although we hope the worst of the season is behind us, there are still cold and flu bugs floating around that we all need to watch out for. As we recommended in September, please use the following guidelines to know when to keep your child home from school:

 

 

Generally speaking, it is recommended that your child be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Remember—you, the parent, are in charge of assessing the symptoms and making the decision. Please call Extension 330 to let us know when you plan to keep your child at home. We like to keep track of health trends. If a child comes to school and seems utterly miserable to us (e.g. lethargic, overly tired, coughing, feverish, etc.) we will track you down and ask you to come and take your child home. Thank you for your cooperation with this!

 

This will be a monumental week for our Bees, as the new year marks the beginning of our woodshop class, taught by our good friend Jennifer Marcus. Be sure to ask your Honeybee this week about the woodshop and all the tools they have been introduced to.