Parent Teacher Connection

All the News that Fits!

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:37:51 -0800

Dear Families,

Play, Play, Play!- Meeting for Parents: Tuesday, January 31 from 3:00-4:00.
Are you an aspiring Artist? Musician? Seamstress? Graphic Artist? Do you have a secret passion for set design? We are going to need your help. We would love to see you there! Childcare will be provided.

Painters’ Workshop-every other Friday
Julia Blyumen, Ariel and Tanya’s mom, is presenting a Painter’s Workshop every other Friday afternoon for the Colorado and Sedona Groups. We had our first class last week and it was a hit! She could use help with set up and clean up. It is fun class. Let me know if you want to assist.

Play Date Set- Sunday, April 29
We will be presenting the plays at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
Spring Concert- Sunday, May 20
Children should be really practicing their music for Lars’ class. We want to be really prepared to share a lively show on May 20 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. We will start at 11:00 and follow with a potluck lunch.

The San Francisco- Coastanoa Trip for Sedona- May 10-11
More info is soon to come.
The Big Sur Trip for Tuolumne is set for May 23-25.
More info will be coming out soon.
We close for three holidays this spring:
February 20-24 for Presidents Week
April 9-13 for Spring Break
Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day

We will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 14. Children are welcome to bring Valentines for each member of their class and for any other students and teachers they wish to honor.

Open House for Prospective Families
We are having Open Houses for Prospective Parents on the First Tuesday of every month. If you have friends that are interested in seeing the school please invite them! You are our very best ambassadors for the school. Our next Open House, isTuesday, February 7 4:00-5:00. There are flyers near the front door. If you are planning to enroll a sibling in the fall please get an application from Dan or Adele. Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk with us. We so appreciate all that you do to make Santa Cruz Children’s School a great community for us all.
Best wishes, Dan Hoppenfeld, Deric McLean, Andrea Randall, and Adele Gardner

Merry and Bright

Sun, 4 Dec 2011 20:42:16 -0800

Dear Families,

We are grateful for all of the ways that each of you supports the students at Santa Cruz Children’s School. Your generosity and caring participation creates an exceptional learning community.

Thank you to all of you who joined us for the delightful performance of A Year with Frog and Toad. We want to give a special thanks to Zak Bauman made the arrangements for the trip and for the backstage tour.

Becky, Emma, and Kaitlin Schmauch are part of the Girl Scouts. They are collecting coats to share with others in our community. The coats will be dry cleaned before they are given away. If you have any coats- child’s or adult that are gently used you can put them in the box in front of the school this week. Becky will make sure they find a good home.

The Robert N. and Florence Slinger Fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County granted $3,000 for the benefit of the students at Santa Cruz Children’s School. We thank Susan and Chuck Hawley for recommending SCCS to the Community Foundation.

While the school does not rely on fundraising, gifts allow us to keep tuition moderate, keep technology up to date, and enrich the learning environment. All gifts are tax deductible. (Tax ID Number 77-0331230). If you are interested in making a donation, please speak with Dan or Adele.

We have also received donations through GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com. If you use these sites for online shopping or searching you can designate Santa Cruz Children’s School and they will make a donation to the school. Thank you to those who already use GoodSearch.com.

Here are some important dates:
Thursday, December 15- Santa Cruz Mission Field Trip- Tuolumne and Sedona Groups. If your child is in one of these groups there will be a permission slip in their homework this week. (Thank you Amy Marlo for arranging this!)

Friday, December 16- Last day before Winter Break. School is out at 12:00. There is no aftercare.

Tuesday, January, 3, 2012- First day of school after Winter Break. Monday, January 2, is the federal holiday for New Year’s Day.

We wish you a holiday filled with good times, close friends, loving family, and the peace and joy of the season.

Warmly,
Adele Gardner, Dan Hoppenfeld,
Deric McLean, and Andrea Randall

Time Falls Back, Leaves Fall Down!

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Families,
We have a very exciting few weeks coming up, and lots of future dates have been set. Before we get to that list we have a few things to mention.

We want to give special thanks to Chuck and Susan Hawley for taking Tuolumne students out on their boat. We saw lots of wildlife and enjoyed a beautiful morning.

Billy Healey shared a great lesson on Pasta earlier in the year, and Tuesday he and Nicolette Harris will be doing an apple tasting and press fresh juice with the students.

Nora Bianchi has gotten a little survey out to all of you, we appreciate the time you take to fill that out and get it back to her.

Robert Annon has been out on the yard with the most gigantic rake! He is at the forefront of the people we will need to help with the leaves. If you can please sign up for a morning raking spot.

Here are the dates, mark your calendars!

Friday, November 11- Veterans Day- School will be closed.

Friday, November 18- Parent Conference Day- Please sign-up to meet with a teacher. Childcare is available from 8:00-4:00 on a drop in basis. There are no classes. There is no charge for care during your conference.

November 23-25- Thanksgiving Holiday- School is closed. Please enjoy the time with family and friends.

Wednesday, November 30- Frog and Toad All Year- We will be attending Shakespeare Santa Cruz’s winter production. The cost is $14 per ticket. A letter specifically about this event will be out soon.

Thursday, December 15 Santa Cruz Mission- This field trip is for the Tuolumne and Sedona groups. Details will come out later.

Friday, December 16, School is out at noon. There is no aftercare.

December 19- January 2 Winter Break

Tuesday, January 3 School resumes in 2012.

We sincerely appreciate all that you do to support your child’s education and Santa Cruz Children’s School. Please do not hesitate to speak with us about any concerns or ideas you may have.
Happy Fall!

Adele, Dan, Deric, and Andrea

Things are Falling into Place!

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 20:28:09 -0700

Dear Families,
The first few weeks of school have flown by! Sahara and Patagonia groups have enjoyed delightful trips to Big Basin, our first newspaper came out, the Tilted Sky Runner is up and spinning, and science has been electrifying!

The children have been working hard and consistently turning in homework. Thank you for all of your support from home. It has been great to have parents working in our classrooms.

Library hours have changed. Our new library day is Tuesday.

We have lots of exciting educational opportunities coming up in the next few weeks. You are going to want to mark your calendars!

Friday, October 22- PICK A PUMPKIN! At 8:45 the Mojave and Gobi groups will walk to Safeway. We will get a tour and pick out a pumpkin. Each child will be able to buy a pumpkin that they can carry back to school. We will use the pumpkins for lots of great activities before we send them home! Parents are welcome to join us, the more the merrier!

Friday, October 29- Halloween at school! Children, and parents, are invited to wear their costume to school. Our parade is first thing in the morning so don’t be late! We will share our costumes. All the “ boos and ghouls” will have class as usual. Kids can bring a change of clothes if they like.Also, please no weapon props. Remember to bring the costume home for the big day!

Monday, November 1- The day after Halloween, please leave all candy at home.

Tuesday, November 2- Election Day- Remember to vote. All of the children will get the chance to visit the polling place next door and to cast their own ballots. Talk to your kids about the election. Tell them how you decide how to cast your ballot.

Thursday, November 11- Veterans Day- School will be closed. Talk with your child about veterans you know. Talk about what “serving your country” means to you. Thank you to each of you that have served our country in the military and through other selfless work.

Monday, November 15- Lady Washington Field Trip- Sahara and Patagonia will sail out of Moss Landing on the tall ship, Lady Washington. We need to be in Moss Landing at 9:00 so we will have to arrive at school 8:00 AM. The school will be open by 7:45. We can only take 7 adults on this trip, so sign up early if you want to come. It is $35 for each adult and $25 for each student. If this provides a hardship for your family let us know and the fee will be waived.
Read the attached letter and send in the permission slip right away, the parent slots are first come first served.

Friday, November 19- Parent Conference Day- Please sign up for your conference time. There will be no school on this day, however childcare is available at the rate of $6.25/hr.

Wednesday-Friday, November 24-26, Thanksgiving Holiday- School is closed.

We so appreciate it when you talk with us about your children and your concerns. We want school to be a positive and productive place for each of our students. Andrea is available to talk with you each day from 8:00-8:30 and by email. Open communication really helps the school be and enriching place.

Thank you for your caring support,
Dan, Adele, Andrea, and Deric

Ready, Set, Go!

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 21:36:39 -0700

Visiting with family and friends, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors are our main activities this summer. That and reading a few good books add up to a perfect combination for time well spent. We hope you are enjoying the long days of summer as well.
We are thinking about next year and getting ready with renewed enthusiasm. This letter has important information that will help us work together to get the year off to a terrific start. It will be posted on our website at www.SCChildrensSchool.com.

The School Day
School Starts at 8:30 everyday. Kids are welcome as early as 8:00. We introduce the day and get started with classes right away. Being late disrupts classes and leaves the student one step behind the group. Please make being on time a priority.

Aftercare is available until 4:00 each day at the rate of $6.25/hr. Once you have purchased an aftercare card you may use aftercare at will. The cards are $125 each and represent 20 hours of care in half-hour increments. We punch the card as you use the time. We will notify you when you need a new card. No after care time is charged if you pick up by 2:45 or when you are with your child.
Time after 4:00 is deducted at the rate of $37.50/hr.

After school each day there is a teacher on the yard. Students are welcome to play there. Inside, teachers may be making phone calls, preparing for the next day, in conference with parents, or just enjoying a little calm. This is a great time for parents to meet with teachers. Please feel free to talk to us about your ideas or concerns; we want to hear from you. We ask that children play outdoors.

Check the cubby everyday. The cubby is where you will find finished projects and parent letters. Helping your child keep the cubby uncluttered will make it easier for them to find the books and supplies that they need for school. It will also let you see the work that they have done.

Important Dates and Events

Tuesday, September 7, 1:00- 2:30, New Student Party and Orientation

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

Wednesday, September 8, First Day of School!

Sunday, September 19, 11:30 to 1:00, Getting to Know You Potluck
Bring your favorite dish to share and have some fun.

Things to prepare before the start of school
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 2 snacks and lunch. We encourage using re-usable containers for food and drink. The food will be healthier, cheaper, and more ecologically sound. Please keep sweets at home. Please do not pack glass containers.

Clothing
Please write your child’s name on the inside tag of all of their garments. Please make a quick check for your child’s possessions to take home each day- jacket, lunchbox, and things from the cubby. Please try to refrain from clothing and lunchboxes that reflect the media. While this may not be a distraction for your child it can be for others. Shoes need to be great for running and playing.

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 that we will care for your child until you arrive. Please bring a little 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 our “Thank Goodness There Wasn’t an Earthquake” Picnic. The kids will enjoy having a little treat and loving note from home.

Habits and skills that will prepare you child for a healthy and independent year at school

Healthy Sleep Habits
A regular bedtime and routine can really give your child the head start they need to have a great day at school. Doctors recommend 10-11 hours of sleep a night for children 5-12 years old. http://www.sleepforkids.org/html/sheet.html

Great Hand Washing
Hand washing is the number one way we prevent colds and flu from spreading at school. Show your child how to wash their hands after using the restroom or using a tissue.

Know Personal Information
Children should know their first and last name, phone number, and address, and their parents’ names. It is fun if they know their birthday as well.

Dressing and Personal Presentation
Young children should practice putting on shoes, sweaters, and jackets. We want children to dress neatly and comfortably. Hair should be neat and out of eyes, hands and face should clean, and teeth brushed! Taking pride in ones personal appearance helps set a tone that says, “We think what we are doing here is important.” We are here to help; independence is the goal.

Greetings and Goodbyes
Help your child learn gracious responses to greetings from teachers and students. Let them know how you want to be greeted when you come to pick them up!

Odds and Ends
Party Invitations
Please mail invitations to families. The invitation is much more likely to arrive at its destination and no one will feel left out.

Play Dates
Please arrange play dates in advance.
Make sure that whoever is picking up your child from school is listed on his or her emergency card.

Illness
If your child is ill please call us and let us know they will not be attending school. Attendance is important but sick children need to be home. If you are unsure in the morning keep them home; bring them in later if they are healthy. If your child becomes ill at school we will call you or the people on the emergency card.

Field Trip Drivers
If you wish to drive on field trips we need a copy of your driver’s license and a copy of proof of insurance on file. You may use the copy machine upstairs.

Things we need from you to start the year
Emergency Cards
Each student needs a new card each year. Please be sure to fill out both sides.

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. We also recommend that hearing and eyesight are checked before starting school.

Tuition
The remainder of each student’s tuition is payable by September 7. The remainder for Standard tuition is $6,525. If you wish, you may pay in monthly installments with nine checks dated September 1 through May 1. Standard Tuition checks are $725 each.

That’s all for now. See you in September.
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 periodically during the summer! (429-8444 or adele@scchildrensschool.com)

Best Wishes,

Adele Gardner and Dan Hoppenfeld