Prepare for Spring!

Dear Families,
         Our concert is Sunday, March 16 from 11: 30-2:30 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. We will have instrumental and vocal performances showcasing some of the music that students have been enjoying at school. We also invite students to share individual musical performances.

         If your child wants to prepare and share a piece of music please return the bottom portion of this letter so that we can include it in the program.

         Students that are playing music in school ensemble should be practicing daily. If your child does not know what music to practice please contact Adele right away. Practice will build fluency and confidence.

*** Parents who wish to help with the play are invited to come to a meeting on Saturday, March 1 from 1:00 to 3:00. The location has been changed to the school (not Dan and Adele’s house).

         This Friday, February 29 the Tuolumne Group will be going to Ano Nuevo to see the elephant seals. This is a great trip to a truly amazing part of the California coast.  This is a rain or shine outing and students need to dress for the weather. If it is sunny it still can be chilly in the dunes. Layers and good walking shoes are required. Raincoats or ponchos will be needed if it rains. (We have extra ponchos.) Students need to bring lunch and water.  Students should arrive at school between 8:00 and 8:15. We will be leaving as soon as everyone has arrived or at 8:30, which ever is first. 

                                                      See you at school!

Spring Concert - return by Tuesday, March 11.

I will prepare and play __________________________________

Composed by ________________________________________________

Student’s Name __________________ Instrument ______________

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Rain or Shine News!
February 4, 2008

Dear Families,
            Thank you to Meghan Browne! She has worked each Wednesday and Friday since the beginning of the year. She is moving on to a more permanent position. She has been wonderful with the students in class, on the yard, and at the park. Friday, February 15 will be her last day. 

Tuolumne and Tenaya students, if you have found great websites or other sources for your report please bring them to school and we will post them for others to use. Your homework is to practice your instrument and do any math assigned by Dan.

Please note that we ask that students leave candy and sweets at home. It is important that students bring lunches that include some protein and nutritious food. School is a lot of work and takes high quality fuel!

On the first Tuesday of each month we show the school to prospective parents. If you know a family that might be interested please invite them to an Open House and give them a brochure. We have lots.  Our next Open House is Tuesday, February 5 from 4 to 5.

We have lots of great plans shaping up for spring!

Thursday, February 14- Valentine’s Day
All children are invited to bring in Valentine’s. If they choose to bring in cards they should bring one for each child in their group. If they wish to bring in cards for special friends in other groups they are welcome to do so.  A class list is attached. Please, no candy.

Saturday, March 1-1:00-3:00- Do you have talent to spare?
Play Meeting at Dan and Adele’s House
319 Loyola Dr. Aptos
Parents who wish to get creative and work on our play are invited to an organizational meeting at our house. We need graphic artists, set design, costume builders, sound people, and musicians. RSVP to Adele if you would like to get involved!

Sunday, March 16- 11:30-2:00- Spring Concert and Family Potluck at Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Children will present instrumental and vocal music. Until then, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Saturday and Sunday- May 3 and 4-Play rehearsal and performance dates. 
Students will present MY BEST FRIENDS, a musical play about Beatrix Potter and her stories. Amy Pine has agreed to work with us on this beautiful play. Ten years ago it was written by parent, Nadia Wynd,  and presented by our students. Amy created the music. The performance will be at the Pacific Cultural Center.

February 18-22- Presidents’ Week
School is closed this week in honor of Presidents Lincoln and Washington.

March 24-28- Spring Break
School is closed this week.
           
Best wishes,
Adele Gardner and Dan Hoppenfeld

Summer Letter

Dear Families,

We hope you are enjoying this lovely summer weather! We are eating lots of fresh fruit and getting in a bit of relaxation. We are going east to Boston, Maryland, and Washington DC.

The 15th Year Celebration for Santa Cruz Children's School is sure to be a highlight of our summer. We hope to see all of you there! It is on Sunday, August 19 from 12-3. It is a potluck and we are hoping to see many students from the past as well as families and teachers.

Here is some information that will help you prepare for the next school year.

Important dates and events:

Sunday, August 19: 15th year celebration, 12:00- 3:00.

Tuesday, September 4: New student party and orientation, 1:00- 2:30

Tuesday, September 4: Orientation for all parents, 6:00- 7:30. Meet the co-op teachers, mingle with others, and get important information about the coming year.

Wednesday, September 5: First day of school!!!

Sunday, September 23: Getting to Know You Potluck, 11:30- 1:00. Bring your favorite dish to share and have some fun.

Students Need:

School Record Request Form- Use the enclosed form to request records of students entering from other schools.

Vaccines and First Grade Health Exam Forms- Proof of up to date vaccinations must be provided for each new student before entering school. A copy of the yellow card that your physician provides is proof. First grade students must provide proof of a doctor's exam. Children who had this exam upon entering Kindergarten do not need to repeat it. Students entering from other schools will have these in their files.

A Lunch Bag or Box- This should be strong enough to last all year (or longer!). It should be labeled with your child's name. It should hold enough food for two snacks and lunch. We encourage using re-usable containers for food and drink. The food will be healthier, cheaper, and more ecologically sound.

Emergency Cards- Each student needs a new card each year. Please be sure to fill out both sides.

Earthquake Comfort Kit- Odds are we will never have an earthquake at school. If there is an emergency at school we want you to know we will care for your child until you arrive. Please bring a Comfort Kit for your child. Fill a small bag with things your child enjoys eating and drinking. Enclose a little note for your child. We will put these items in a quart size freezer bag and store it until the end of the school year. Most likely, we will take these out on the last day of school for out "Thank goodness there wasn't an earthquake" Picnic. The kids will enjoy having a treat and a loving note from home.

Tuition- The remainder of each student's tuition is payable by September 4. The remainder for Standard tuition is $6,300. The remainder of Co-op tuition is $2,800. If you wish, you may pay in monthly installments with nine checks dated September 1 through May1. Standard tuition checks are $700 each. Co-op checks are $311.11 each.

This should get you started! We will have lots more information on the first day. Please really revel in the summer. We hope that your children find time to daydream, play, and read! (We hope the parents get lots of that, too!)

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns. We check our phone regularly during the summer.

Best Wishes,

Adele Gardner and Dan Hoppenfeld

Mayflowers bring more than pilgrims

May 8, 2007

Dear Families,

First of all, let me pass on the many thanks from Noga to you amazing people. Your generosity and kindness are overwhelming. The meals, money, Jog-a-thon, art sales, yard sales, lemonade sales, egg sales, have been heartwarming and HELPFUL beyond belief. She is feeling a bit better and expects to be walking by mid-July. Keep her in your thoughts. Those of you who have participated in previous ìSAND DAYSî will truly appreciate the gift from Lou and John Larwood. They are having the sand delivered AND distributed around the yard! WOW. Thank you! We are coming into a busy and exciting time of year! We are looking forward to so many terrific events. Here is a list, make sure to include them in your plans.

Bay Cruise on the Velocity-
On THURSDAY, MAY 17TH, the entire school will go on a Monterey Bay cruise on the Velocity, the Stagnaro Fishing/ Whalewatching Charter boat. Jeffís cousin, Kenny Stagnaro will be our skipper. We will be on the bay from 10:00-11:30. This will be a beautiful trip, past the wharf and seal rock. Everyone should dress warmly! Weather permitting, we will have lunch on the beach upon our return. Cost Per Student/Parent Chaperone is $6.00.

If your child does not want to go, there will be a teacher at the school. We have a maximum of 12 parent spaces on the boat. Please RSVP immediately to be on the list. I expect that we may have more parents wanting to go than spaces. Parent Drivers will meet at the school at 9:00. We will return by 1:00. The Velocity is at K Dock, in the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor (on the Aldoís side of the harbor). Drivers should remember to bring quarters for the meters! QUESTIONS?

EMAIL SIRI: thinkcuresc@comcast.net

If you want to learn more about the Velocity, go to http://www.stagnaros.com/boat.html

Super Nova Big Sur Trip- May 23-25

Please remember to get money and permission slip in by this Friday. Spring Concert- Sunday, June 3, 1:00-3:00 at Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos. Students will be singing songs from this year in school as well as playing instrumental pieces. It is important that students spend time now practicing, practicing, practicing. We have many fine musicians at school and we invite them to share their music with us at the concert. If a student wishes to perform, please fill out the attached note and let us know the name and composer of the piece.

Fall Colors

October 13, 2006

Dear Families,

School is in full swing now and the children have some great work under their belts. We hope you caught the first issue of the Cruz Kid Chronicles, thanks to Ed James-Beckham and the Super Novas for that!

The Super Novas and the Quasars brought home some amazing baskets! Thanks to Sheryl, Jacob and Elliot’s mom for putting this together!

We have three new students! Welcome to Sasha and Ava Hawley. Sasha is in the Super Nova group and Ava has joined the Quasars. Brett Foster has really jumped right into the Super Novas. We are lucky to have such great new students.

We have lots of great events to look forward to in the next few weeks. Here are some dates to mark on your calendars.

Wednesday, October 18- 2:15 to 2:45

Comet Fair- One more GREAT ANDREA PROJECT

The Comets have been working hard to create a great fair for students and families to enjoy. There will be lemonade, clay figures, massages, face painting, jewelry and more! Every item will cost 25cents, 50 cents, 75cents, or $1.00.

We are hoping that shoppers will spend money that they have earned by helping at home. Kids are encouraged to bring quarters or dollar bills to spend.

This is part a curriculum on money. It is the first of three projects that the Comets are completing. We hope you all have a lot of fun buying and playing at the Comet Fair!

Field Trips- ORGANIZED BY THE FIELD TRIP QUEEN, SIRI
As part of our continuing lesson in Santa Cruz history, we will have field trips to the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center at New Brighton State Park.

STARS AND COMETS: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

Drivers will meet at the school at 9:15. Our visit will begin at 10:00, and end at 11:30. It is possible that we will eat lunch at the park, and return by 12:30.

NOTE: If your child uses a car seat or booster seat, and you are not driving on the field trip, PLEASE remember to leave the seat at the school on the morning of October 19th.

QUASARS AND SUPERNOVAS: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH

We will meet at the school at 9:15. We will leave soon after, to arrive at New Brighton before our 10:00 Tour. The tour takes approximately 2 hours. It is possible that we will eat lunch at the park, and return to the school by 1:00.

PLEASE NOTE: Drivers must provide a copy of your license and insurance. If you know you want to drive, please tell Dan or Adele. You can make a copy of your documents at the school.

Summer Readers’ Skating Party! Tuesday, October 24, 2:45- 4:00
We will walk all students who completed their summer reading goals down to the rink and go skating. Regular skates will be provided. Skaters can bring their own skates if they wish ur may get inline skates if they bring $3.00. No money for treats should be brought. We will provide a snack at the rink.

Skaters should be picked up at the rink no later than 4:00. Parents are welcome to join us at the rink.

Halloween, Tuesday, October 31
We will have a costume parade first thing in the morning. Students are welcome to come in costume. Please leave any weapon component of costumes at home. Parents are welcome to come and take pictures. It is really fun to see the kids, and adults, decked out. Children are welcome to bring a change of clothes for later in the day. Please remember to bring all costume parts home at the end of the day, so we don’t have any Halloween Boo-hoos.

November 1, 2006- The day after Halloween
Please keep candy at home for after school. Thanks.

Warmly,

Dan, Adele, and Andrea