GLENCAIRN GAZETTE
Dec. 2008 – Feb. 2009
Glencairn Learning Center 1323 S. Main St. Duncanville, TX 75137 (972) 298-8958 Owners: Joe & Brenda Brown www.glencairninc.com
Director’s Chair
During this time of year, we tend to reflect on the past and honor age-old values and traditions. We add new traditions to the old ones once we have our own children. Traditions are value-driven and these help shape the standards that we set for ourselves and expect from others. We teach traditions by the stories we tell and values by the examples we set. I often think how difficult it must have been for my mother raising four girls by herself, at Christmas time especially. However, she never showed it and we never felt it. She instilled in each of us the importance of sharing, giving and that giving was better than receiving. Although as a child, it felt so much better to get presents than to give them. She taught us that using good manners and saying “Please” and “Thank You” were just a few of the ways to show respect for others. During the holidays, she would take us to work with her at the nursing home where we would share a meal, sing Christmas carols and visit with the residents. As children do, we would complain about having to go but it felt so good once we got there, listening to their stories and giving and receiving lots of hugs. My mother is gone now but she still lives in the traditions and values that I now share with my family. Values such as using respectful manners, earning privileges, contributing to the family unit and helping others. Traditions like baking cookies, (using my mother’s recipes) and delivering them to friends and family, going for a Christmas Eve drive to look at all the lights, attending Christmas church service and the list goes on. My teenage son still looks forward each year to picking out one present from under the family tree, placing it under a little tree in his room and being able to open it as soon as he wakes. As a parent, I now know why my mother started that tradition. She needed time to wake up after having only a few hours of sleep, plug in the tree and have a much-needed cup of coffee before the festivities began. Our children are our most precious natural resource. It is so important to give them the tools they will need to navigate our world and to share the wisdom of family traditions to reinforce their social values. Happy Holidays and blessings to all of you.
Calendar of Events
Mon-Fri, Nov 24 – 28 Public School Closed. Daycare only. Tue, Nov 25 Noah’s Ark Stuff N Fluff. 9:00 a.m., $12.00 Thu-Fri, Nov 27 – 28 Glencairn Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday. Tue, Dec 2 Annual Glencairn Christmas Program Starts at 7:00 p.m. Participating children must be there by 6:45 p.m. Wed, Dec 10 Kindergarten class goes to see Pinocchio at the Naomi Bruton Theatre in Dallas, 9:30 a.m., $12.00 each Fri, Dec 19 Santa Clause visits Glencairn. Picture order forms will be available. Christmas Parties and Book Exchange Dec 22 – Jan 2 Public School Closed for Christmas Break. Daycare only. Tue, Dec 23 Merrimakers perform “The Elves”. Ages 2-12, 10:00 a.m., $5.00 Wed, Dec 24 Glencairn closes at 4:00 p.m. Thu-Fri, Dec 25 – 26 Glencairn Closed for Christmas. Tue, Dec 30 Old Red Museum Field Trip, Ages 5 and up, $10.00 Thu, Jan 1 Glencairn Closed for New Year’s Day Mon, Jan 19 Public School Closed for MLK Day. Daycare only. Sat, Jan 24 National Belly Laugh Day Fri, Feb 13 Valentine’s Parties and Card Exchange. Fri, Feb 27 Merrimakers Perform “Dr. Seuss”, Ages 1-5 10:00 a.m., $5.00
The Latest in Classroom News
Infants - Bunnies
Ms. Diann and Ms. Pamela
We are having so much fun watching your bouncing bunnies grow and learn. Every day is a new day! Four of our babies are getting ready to move up to the next class. We will miss them but we are so proud of all they have learned and accomplished. Every day we meet the needs of each baby to stimulate their continual growth and development. We sing songs, read stories, have puppet time, and learn about different colors, shapes and textures. Thank you for the opportunity to love your precious little ones.
little choir has worked very hard and they are excited for you to watch them perform. We have quite a few activities coming up in the next several months so please check our parent board often. Have a safe, healthy, and happy Holiday.
K 4 – Turtles
Ms. Nancy and Ms. Konnie
PSA – Caterpillars
Ms. Mary Lou
Hello! I am very happy to be a part of your toddler’s lives. In December, we will learn numbers 1 - 5, and about the sights, sounds, smells, and symbols of the Holidays. Our class is eagerly anticipating the beginning of a new year. In January, we will learn about hibernation, weather changes, winter clothing and sports. We will also review our numbers, ABCs, colors, shapes and art. In February, we will learn about our bodies, nutrition and our 5 senses. Finally, we will create an obstacle course to teach directional skills such as over, under and through.
We’re getting ready for the holidays! Your children have been working very hard to prepare for their Christmas program. Please check our parent board for more information on all our upcoming events. January will be the time to discuss hibernation, migration, and many other winter-related subjects. In February, we will complete the alphabet and begin reviewing what we have learned. We will talk about friendship and, of course, Valentine’s Day. At the end of February, we will be covering Dinosaurs. We will use them to learn many math concepts as well as learn about bones and fossils. We are looking forward to a fun, productive winter for K-4.
Kindergarten
Ms. Dee Williams
PSB – 1 - Teddy Bears & PSB – 2 - Panda Bears
Ms. Dale and Ms. Linda W.
Our Busy Bears will be learning a lot over the next few months: the colors Red, Green, White in Dec; Gold, Silver, Black in Jan; Red, Pink, White in Feb; Numbers 1 – 10; Letters O – Z; circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, diamond, star and heart shapes. In December, we will learn about the sights, sounds, smells, and symbols of the holidays, as well as sharing and giving. In January, we will learn about cold weather, hibernation, sports, and clothing. In February, we will learn about “Our Bodies”, nutrition, personal habits, exercise and our 5 senses. Please check out our calendar for all the exciting holiday events and activities we have planned.
Happy Holidays from our Kindergarten class. We have a lot going on the next few months. The Christmas program, parties, and field trips just to name a few. With all that is going on, we are still hard at work, learning and exploring. In Phonics, Writing and Reading the objective is to continue identifying words and emphasize the sounds the letters make phonetically. In Writing, letter formation is ongoing. We will track print from left to right and from top to bottom in Self-Selected reading. We will also learn to recognize book title, cover, author/illustrator, and title page. Science, Social Studies, and Math will involve more visual, spatial, kinesthetic and problem solving strategies. In Science, we will cover Earth Science, the sky, weather and caring for the earth. In Social Studies, we will test geography skills. Math will introduce students to the concept of estimation with numbers in groups, counting the group and then comparing the results. A goal in Kindergarten is to have students learn all numbers 0-100. Our task is to meet this goal in the coming months. Writing numbers is essential as students develop their own way of writing. Instead of placing the emphasis on writing the numbers, we want students to understand the value of numbers, since writing skills will improve as fine motor skills improve. I am excited about the upcoming activities and hope to have as much success with them as we have already experienced. I have a GREAT class and that starts at home with you! Keep up the good work!
Pre-K Busy Bees
Ms. Linda, Ms. Andrea & Ms. Brandy
Our school year is off to a great start. It was nice to see so many of you at our Fall Festival. The children had a great time. Now it’s time to look forward to all of our winter Holidays. In the next few months, we will be studying letters L – R, numbers 10 – 20, and reviewing our colors and shapes. In Science, we will contrast the difference between fall and winter. We will discuss weather and animal life in winter. As I’m sure you know by now, the children are rehearsing for our Christmas Program. Our
Glencairn Announcements!
Important Holiday Information
Glencairn Annual Christmas Program The Glencairn Pre-school through Kindergarten classes have been busy practicing for this wonderful holiday event. You, your family and friends are invited to join us at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd in the Alders Gate Building at First United Methodist Church of Duncanville, 427 South Avenue C, Duncanville, TX 75116. Please have your children there by 6:45 p.m. Don’t forget your cameras! Book Exchange and Class Christmas Parties (A.M. classes) Each year the children participate in a Christmas book exchange. This is always so much fun. Please bring a new, wrapped, age appropriate book to Glencairn by Friday, December 12th. Attach to the book a gift tag signed “From: Your child’s Name”. The children will exchange books during their Christmas parties on Friday, December 19th. Remember to sign up to bring goodies for the parties. Parents are always welcome to join in the fun. *Extra Charge for Special Activities This year there will be an extra cost for: “The Elves” Merrimakers show, $5.00, money due by Fri, Dec 9th, ages 2 to 12; Old Red Museum Field Trip, $10.00, money due by Fri, Dec 19th, Ages 5+; and “Dr. Seuss” Merrimakers show, $5.00, money due by Fri, Feb 20th, ages 1 to 5. Everything must be PRE-PAID and is NON-REFUNDABLE. Cozy Doze Fundraiser We are offering you a cozy option for your child’s naptime bedding this year! This year’s fundraiser is a pillow and matching blanket great for naptime at school, grandma’s house, car trips, or lounging around the house. “Kids love Cozy Doze because they are cute, lovable and easy to carry. Parents love Cozy Doze because they are affordable, washable, and teach children simple tasks and responsibility. Grandparents love Cozy Doze because they are convenient for overnight stays and car trips. Cozy Doze are a sanitary, spacesaving idea!” -Cozy Doze® Cozy Doze are only $30.00 and make great gifts. All proceeds will go to our classrooms. Weather Closings In the event that our school has to close due to inclement weather, please check our website, www.glencairninc.com or WFAA Channel 8 or the Channel 8 website, www.wfaa.com/closings for more information. As a general rule, our closures follow the Duncanville ISD.
Important Reminders
School begins at 8:30 a.m. Please bring children to school by this time. Children brought after 8:30 a.m. will be marked Tardy. Parents are required by the State of Texas to sign their children in and out each day. Each person authorized to pick up must have their picture taken for security purposes. These pictures are confidential and are used as photo ID along with your personal ID code. Check out our new website. It’s up and running with helpful information (school calendar, weather closures, etc). www.glencairninc.com Hold your child’s hand when entering or leaving the building. Please don’t leave your car running and unattended when bringing your children inside. Please lock your car! The inside lane is an express drop-off and pick-up lane. If you have business in the school or bring your child inside, please park so that traffic can flow through the lanes located in front of the door. Please do not park or block the fire lane in front of the building. The fire lane is located between the two red lines on the parking lot outside of the covered drive through area. PLEASE WATCH FOR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES. Please notify Glencairn by 2:00 pm if your public school child/children will not be riding the bus that day. Failure to notify Glencairn will result in a $5.00 per child charge. Please refer to your Tuition and Fee Agreement. All tuition fees are due in advance on Friday for the next week. A late charge of $20.00 will be posted to your account for fees paid after 6:30 p.m. Friday. Please make sure a current immunization record is on file for each child. Please leave at least one change of clothes in your child’s cubby at all times. Please launder and return borrowed clothing. We are in need of donations of boy’s and girl’s toddler and preschool clothes. We really need boys and girls underwear, size 2-4, as well.
Holiday Attendance
Child’s Name: Child’s Class: Please indicate with a the date information.
My child will following dates: be
X
the statements that apply to you and fill in
Glencairn during the holidays on the
attending
Thanksgiving Week Nov. 24th – 26th
Monday 24th Tuesday 25th Wednesday 26th
Christmas Break Dec. 22nd – 24th & Dec. 29 th – Jan. 2 nd
(We will close at 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 24th)
Monday 22nd Monday 29th
Tuesday 23rd Tuesday 30th
Wednesday 24th Wednesday 31st
(We will close at 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 24th)
Friday 2nd
My child will not be attending Glencairn during the Thanksgiving Holidays. I understand that tuition is still due during that period of time. My child will not be attending Glencairn during the Christmas Holidays. I understand that tuition is still due during that period of time.
PLEASE RETURN BY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008 (SAVE US A PHONE CALL!)