Happy Thanksgiving!

2007 – 2008 vol. 24 no. 3 Parent Newsletter Happy Thanksgiving! w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 7 november 05 News T here’s a lot happening now at Meher Montessori School. The holidays are near and we have a number of important events occurring soon and some new activities that have just gotten underway. Halloween Celebrations Our annual Halloween celebration took place on Wednesday, October 31st. Each class had its own party. You can view the photos from the parade on our web site. Just click the update buttons. Information Changes Please notify the office immediately if there are any changes in your personal emergency information for our files. It is very important that we always have up-to-date information in case we need to reach you in an emergency. Any home or work changes and also any changes in those authorized to pick up your child should be written down and turned into Mrs. Muñoz or Mrs. Chavez as soon as possible. Parent Conferences Our first round of Parent Conferences began November 5th. Each class had their own special flyer about Parent Conferences. Holidays This year the Thanksgiving Holidays will be on November 22nd and 23rd. The school will be closed on both days. Earn Double Points For Montebello Town Center One Great Gift Cards Purchased in November Don’t forget to credit Meher Montessori!!! Winter Break This year the Winter Break will be from December 24th – January 4th. The school will be closed during this time. 2 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g november 07 Halloween Pi c s november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 3 Classroom New s Mrs. Thomas’ Class We are happy indeed to know that the Innisbrook Fundraiser was a success, more so ever to know that we were the top classroom sellers over $3,881. Thanks to all our parents who ardently supported and contributed towards the fundraiser. Our heartiest congratulations and special thanks go to the grand prize winners David Ramirez, Julia Hernandez, Ryan Lee-Nguyen and Sofia Gonzalez. The only birthday celebration for the month of October was Ajay Manneth who turned 5 on October 22nd. Happy Birthday Ajay. On the 24th we started to grow a sweet potato as a class project in a jar of water. We are so amazed to see so many sprouts sprouting out and the long tap root and the secondary roots in the potato. We also have very colorful coleus that have rooted and sprouted in large glass vases that are adoring our windowsills, in the classroom. The red ribbon week was from the 22nd to the 26th of October. The school celebrated it by wearing the red ribbon that week, distributed 4 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g by the Monterey Park Police Dept. During this week we talked about the difference between good and bad drugs and to keep away from strangers who might offer goodies to lure you into taking bad drugs. We were proud to show off our red ribbons in support of the campaign. Our picture day was on Thursday, October 25th. All of our class children were there on time dressed for the occasion and were picture perfect. The Halloween parade and the party went off very well. The presentation table was filled with Jack-O-Latterns of various sizes both carved and painted by some parents and children as well. Ms. Avila one of the staff members in our classroom brought all the necessary carving tools and carved a Jack-O-Lattern of 4 ghosts as a presentation to the children and the children enjoyed it very much. Thank you Ms. Avila for your effort and a beautiful job done. Children really love the time of Halloween. It’s such a special event for them so that they can just dress up november 07 and be funny or serious. The next day the shared their Trick-or-Treat experience with their peers in the class. Like last year I have my conference scheduled divided into two different Fridays of the month. The 1st conference was held on the 9th, most all the parents who attended were very pleased with their children’s progress. The next conference was scheduled for Friday the 16th. I’m anxious to meet everyone of you. Please remember to keep your schedule. By the way we made it again 100% on School Shirt Day. We are so proud and happy that we have such enthusiastic and helpful parents. Thank you again. We’ll all enjoy our ice cream treat pretty soon. We’ll have our annual Thanksgiving meal in our classroom on Wednesday the 21st of November at 11:15 a.m. We’ll put out a sign up sheet on the front cover of the “sign in” book. You may sign up for whatever item you choose on the list that you can bring. All of our parents are warmly invited to share the meal together with us as one family and make it special and meaningful. Wishing all our parents a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving. Love to all of you, From all of us in our class november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 5 Mrs. Weerakkody’s Class Dear Parents, The month of October was spent in a very joyous way. We had many exciting happenings. I want to thank all the families in my classroom for helping with the fundraiser. This shows the family support given to our school. The funds raised makes it possible for the classroom to get additional fun materials. The children are moving on and progressing well with the math and language work. We have been shown the land forms and are working on the coloring of the lakes and islands. We are learning plant and animal life. The children are very interested. We celebrated the red ribbon week. We wore the ribbon for the five days of the week and spoke about good and safe medicine and bad medicines and how to stay away from bad influences. On Friday the children got to take the ribbon home. Picture day was very exciting. Everyone came with special dress clothes and looked very beautiful and handsome. The children took a class picture with the teachers. We had 100% participation for our school shirt day and we will have  w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g a pizza party one day this week. We made 100% for two months in a row. Please do not fail to have your children wear their school shirt on Friday, November 30th. We will be winners again. The Halloween parade and party was very special. All the children came in their wonderful costumes. We got to parade in the parking lot area and had a chance to take pictures. Quite a number of parents attended the parade and took pictures. In the afternoon, we had a wonderful party and had a very special time sharing the treats. All the children had bags we had made to take their goodies and all the projects home. We had such a variety of treats the parents had brought for the party. I would like to thank Erica’s Aunty (Marcella Ordaz), Xander’s mom (Angela Calzada) and Jeffrey’s mom (Cynthia Zhang) that helped us to set up, serve and clean up after the party. In our cooking class we made bread pudding, baked and frosted a cake a made orange rice crispy squares. We are starting to do some cooking for Thanksgiving. At this time we are learning the story of the Coming of the Pilgrims. We are learning about the food and lifestyles of the pilgrims. We will have november 07 M r. P a g e ’s C l a s s a sign up sheet for our Thanksgiving feast. Can the parents get into the We are fortunate to have some Thanksgiving mood. Help us to create a very special feast. If you have any wonderful parent helpers this year. special traditional and ethnic food Cathy Chitjian, Nicholas’s mom, led the you would like to share feel free to children in making a terrific Halloween door hanger. Nicholas’s older sister do so. Parents please keep the day Katrina, who’s 13 and is in her second Wednesday, November 21st free. year at Cal State, also helped. Cathy next did a Thanksgiving Come and join your son or daughter art project with the for the Thanksgiving Our classroom children. It’s a decorative celebration with us. refrigerator magnet. Many has great Progress reports thanks Cathy! By the way, were presented to all energy and if you have some skill or the parents and we just enthusiasm. talent that you would like completed the parentto share with the children, teacher conferences. I was very happy to sit and speak to please contact Mr. Page or Ms. Peña for information. We’d love you to share all my parents. We celebrated Nathan’s and something with the children. Our classroom has great energy Nishtha’s birthday. Again please feel free to let me know if you want to do and enthusiasm. There’s an explosion of learning throughout the room. Our something special for your child. Please have your child wear the children love their classroom and love school shirt on Friday, November their teachers. It extends out into our participation in School Shirt Day. We 30th. At this time I want to wish you and had 100% again this month – so a your families a happy and wonderful party will ensue. Our Halloween Party was wonderful. Thanksgiving. Thanking you. We started in the morning with our usual School parade in the parking With Love, lot. Be sure the check out the photos Mrs. Weerakkody (available for download and rss feed) Ms. Mills that are up on the Internet. We have Ms. Martinez the web url links on our web site under recent updates. Mr. Page P.S. We went on a was dressed up as a superhero, nature walk to pick up fall Ms. Peña was a wizard and Mrs. leaves. We picked up leaves Rivera was dressed in scrubs from the various trees. The as a doctor. The children were children were taken in most all dressed as some creature small groups and they had a or character and all enjoyed the good time. november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 7 parade and subsequent picture taking. After we came in from the parade and changed our clothes, the children settled back into a regular work time. Then when they came in from lunch time recess we had our Halloween party. There was plenty of food of all kinds and we had some games as well. We had a pumpkin carving by Helena’s dad, Mr. Morales. Nicholas’s dad, Nico supervised the children in bobbing for apples. We had four people helping with face painting: Linda (Timmy’s mom), Meredith (Ethan’s mom), Yadira (Luz-Helena’s mom) and Ms. Peña. As usual we give great thanks to the many parents who helped with the setup and clean up. With love from Meher, Mr. Page Ms. Peña Mrs. Rivera Buffalo Gal As I was walking down the street, down the street, down the street A pretty little gal I chanced to meet and we danced by the light of the moon. I stopped her and we had a talk Had a talk, had a talk Her feet took up the whole sidewalk And left no room for me Buffalo Gal won’t you come out tonight Come out tonight, come out tonight Buffalo Gal won’t you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockin’ Her heels kept a-knockin’ and her toes kept a-rockin’ I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockin’ And we danced by the light of the moon I’d like to make this gal my wife, gal my wife, gal my wife I’d make her happy all her life if she would marry me 8 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g november 07 Mr. G eorge’s Class I enjoyed my parent-teacher conferences on November 6th. I was pleased to hear of the positive comments from my parents. I was asked by my parents how they could help their child. I said, “Read to them and have them read to you.” If they can’t read, get them some phonics cards. My first 2 groups have been working well in history. Level 1 enjoyed the 23 cards of Centuries: (20 A.D. and 3 B.C.) the study of our calendar and the decades. Level 2 are studying What Ancient Civilizations Gave to Man in Picture form. The Egyptians gave us surveying, paper, the lever, copper and bronze, and the calendar. The Assyrians gave us the postal system, a modern specialized army and the public library. Babylonia – Hammurabi’s code; Persia – first known coin; Phoenicia – written alphabet; Greece – music and drama; Hebrews – the belief in one God and the Roman – bridges, roads and aqueducts. The children drew the pictures and labeled each accomplishment. My advanced reading first graders and second graders are in a Reading Program. They have to read a story to me and complete the question sheet. Our first story was on Christopher Columbus. I heard some wonderful experiences from my 3rd graders at Pathfinder Ranch. Canoeing, horseback riding, high-rope climbing, forest ecology, entomology mad science fair, cooking, hiking and play writing were some of the enjoyable activities at the ranch. That sounds like fun...Except for sleeping on bunk beds. Sincerely, Mr. George Ms. Thames november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g  Mr. Harrod’s Class For Halloween Vicente was Sonic, the Hedgehog, Xavier was a Vampire, Desiree was Dorothy with her dog, Toto, and someone was the Masked Avenger. The children enjoyed the party in the afternoon. We had a great time during our week at Pathfinder Ranch. The naturalists who taught us were great: they related well to our children and were knowledgeable in their fields. A couple of highlights for the children were the High Ropes Course: scary, fun and very satisfying to successfully finish. The other highlight was on the horse ride when Eli’s horse started running. We learned that the relationships between living and non-living things in the forest keep the forest healthy and help it to flourish. Our class on forest ecology was in the forest that is across the road from Pathfinder. We had many classes most all of them in natural surrounding in the middle of what we were learning about. In the entomology class we learned that insects have 6 legs; they have a head, thorax and abdomen; in metamorphosis insects have 4 stages in their life: egg, larva, pupa and adult. In the geology class we learned about the layers that compose our earth, plate tectonics and the 3 kinds of rocks: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. At the end of the classes we found or captured, identified and 10 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g returned some insects and rocks. In herpetology class we held some amphibians and reptiles. In another class we learned that plants make their own food through photosynthesis. In photosynthesis the plant uses sunlight, water, CO2 and chlorophyll to produce sugar which is the plant’s food. We learned about the O2-CO2 cycle and the water cycle and the life cycle of trees. We hiked to 3 different gold mines. One was still active. We learned about manzanita: in Spanish it means little apple,it has smooth bark and the Indians used it.We tested Pathfinder’s pond to see whether it was healthy or polluted. It was healthy.We learned what to do to take care of a forest. Our 5th-graders,* have started or are ready to start fractions. Our 4thgraders,** have either named all the countries of the world on a blank map or are well on their way to accomplishing this goal. Our 6thgraders,*** are good at helping the other children identify the countries of the world and helping others at Go Eli! math. * Miles, Antonio, Sophie, Daniel, Annais, Vicente and Soul ** Jordan, Xavier, Adriel and Dana *** Samuel, Jessica, Eli, Desiree, Adan and Michael Jessica Carranza, Desiree Delgado, Sophia Gonzalez and Dave Harrod november 07 After School Art Class We have begun the second cycle of the new school year. Our first project was a nature scene where the children were able to pick out an animal and create their own nature scene from natural materials such as moss, bark, sand, rocks, twigs, leaves, pine cones, flowers, earth clay etc. The children have been introduced to natural materials and activities such as gluing, sculpting and creating a scene from their imaginations. The older children were very inspired by their trip from Pathfinder. They really got into the project and let their imaginations roam. We have a great group of enthusiastic learners who seem to love doing all the art activities and do them very well. Gilly Shaeffer and Mrs. Yoshida Primary Daycare Hello Everyone! The kids at the primary daycare were all excited and stunned at Sergeant 1st Class Mel Basallo’s talk about Veteran’s Day and the equipment that the Veterans use. He talked about their food, uniform and the materials they sleep on. After his talk, he answered a few questions from the kids and Mrs. Ruvalcaba gave him a gift for his very informative talk about Veteran’s Day. Sergeant 1st Class Mel Basallo works for Alpha Company; 640th Aviation Battalion. The kids enjoyed working on their Turkey project made up of colored feathers. They will be able to take it home the end of the month. To one and all “Happy Thanksgiving!” We have a lot to be thankful for this year at Meher Montessori School. Till next month’s issue! We’ll keep you up to date with our daycare activities. Daycare Staff Elementary Daycare Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving with your families. Our winners from our Halloween pumpkin weight contest was Miles from Mr. Harrod’s class and Isabella Liu from Mr. George’s class. Remember to stay safe during the holidays and don’t eat too much! Ms. Avila november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 11 Altadena New s NOVEMBER EVENTS THANK YOU - A big thanks goes to all the parents who participated and donated a lot of Halloween fun and food at our annual Halloween party and parade. We all had such fun!!!! HOLIDAYS - The School will be closed Monday November 12th (Veteran’s Day) and Thursday and Friday November 22nd and 23rd (Thanksgiving). TEACHER– PARENT CONFERENCES - We will conduct conferences November 14th –November 16th for Mrs. Hyde’s children and November 19th – 21st for Miss Wildhaber children. Please look on the coat rack for the sign-up papers. CANNED FOOD DRIVE - We will once again have a canned food drive that we will donate to the needy families in the Altadena/Pasadena area. A box for the canned food will be in the day care room and the children will take the cans to the church for them to distribute to the needy families. THANKSGIVING FEAST - We will have a feast for the children on Wednesday November 21st at 11:00. Please sign-up and join us for a preholiday feast. Sign-up for the feast will be on the coat rack. MRS. HYDE’S CLASS - The year is flying by and the children are all doing so wonderfully. We look forward to all the holiday events and all the decorating in the classrooms. Many of the children are now into subtraction; puzzle words, and lots of geography. I have been with the Meher Montessori Schools for 25 years and each year it seems like the children are more brilliant! What are you thankful for? Angel - “I’m thankful for sharing toys with my sister and cousins” 2. Auden – “I’m thankful for my Mommies and food” 3. Shayna – “I’m thankful for food, a house and a School and friends” 4. Elliot – “My Mommy” 5. Eden “I’m thankful for my Daddy” 6. Maggie – “I’m thankful for my friends and my bed” 7. Wynfrey – ‘’Sharing toys with my sister” 8. Mclain – “I’m thankful for wearing my Spiderman outfit” 9. Walter – “My MiMi, Grandpa, Uncle Brad, and Aunt Joanne” 10. Chloe – “I’m thankful for Mommy and Dad” 1. 12 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g november 07 11. Nicolas – “I’m thankful for my baby brother shares toys with me” 12. Zachary – ‘I’m thankful for my toys” 13. Sabrina – “Mommy” 14. Natalie – “Mommy” 15. Krishnan – “To play video games and go to Ethan and Evan’s house” 16. Kerrigan – “My house” 17. Rui – “Playing with my toys with my sister” 18. Niko – “My bike” 19. Manny – “Mom, Dad, and Sister” 20. Sydney – “My Mommy” MS. WILDHABER - She is observing at the Monterey Park School and will return November 13th. The children are all in Mrs. Hyde’s classroom and they are dong a great job! What are you thankful for? Raiah – “My Sister, my Mommy, and my Daddy” 2. Lilly – “A princess” 3. SPriscilla – “?” 4. Mayze – ‘”For all my brothers and my Mom and Dad” 5. Ajorin – “A pancake” 6. Zahra – “My Mama and Poppy” 7. Matthew – “Play dough and Spiderman” 8. Sophia – “The Halloween stuff” 9. Alexandra – “ Mommy” 10. Ulysses – “Food” T- SHIRT DAY – We will have our monthly t-shirt day Friday November 30th. Please remember to wear your t-shirt with pride and support your precious little School! Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!! 1. november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 13 Pathfinder Ranch Outdoor Education The week of November 5th, the 3rd–6th grade class went on an outdoor education trip to Pathfinder Ranch in the San Jacinto mountains near Hemet. This group was one of the largest groups in a long time. Of the 27 children 10 of them are in the third grade. To those parents of the third grade children you should feel very proud of them. All week they were immersed in 8 hours of learning, and other activities such as climbing, horseback riding and canoeing, but one of the best things is that all of your children were independent. They dressed themselves, showered, made their beds, brushed their teeth, and kept their areas neat and clean and arrived to breakfast each day at 7:00 a.m. and class is at 8:00 a.m. Not once did anyone complain - much less cry for home. Parents you should be proud of your children for their inner strength to be away for a week on their own and accomplishing all the tasks given to them. The children all show so much growth and independence during the week that is so remarkable that when they get home you can notice the difference. One of the activities is a high hopes course where they climb up a 30 foot pole - cross a beam, traverse on a high wire and down a zip line. All children attempted the high ropes course and 98% accomplished the task. It was not without fear or trepidation, they were all very frightened, but they all preserved and succeeded. Another true reflection of the value of a Montessori education was the children in comparison to the other schools at Pathfinder. Meher’s kids had great focus, listening skill, discipline, enthusiasm and great minds to ask great questions. One of the naturalists was hand picked for our group because her degree and credential in teaching. She had been very discourage and disappointed with the educational system until she got our kids. Once again she was motivated and inspired by our kids to enter the teaching profession again and will perhaps attend the Montessori training. All the kids invited the naturalists to Meher to come see their class and observe. The week went by fast and the kids still had energy for the last class – The Lorax and Tree Planting. This was the perfect ending of the week. The children planted a Cypress tree and unanimously voted to name it Meher. Mr. Page, you should be very proud to have these children represent Meher Montessori Schools. Thank you for trusting your children to Meher. Please log onto our website for photos of your kids. —Mrs. Chavez 14 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g november 07 Pathfinder Ranch Thank You! Congratulations Again Everyone! A big thank you to all the families, friends and staff that supported our Innisbrook fundraiser and have given donations! This year our total sales were $14,743! Our highest total sales ever in the history of Meher Montessori!!! Our school will benefit over $7,371 for our classrooms. Look for new materials in your child’s classroom soon. Ce lebrating Ea rt h Montebello Town Center will be having it’s second Celebrating Earth Day next year. Please keep this in mind. Keep your old computer monitors, televisions, laptops, plasma screens and LCD screens for donations next year. Meher Montessoiri will be credited for the monitors you bring. We will let you know which date this event will take place. Thank you again for supporting your school. november 07 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g 15 Pediatricians Advocate More Playtime For Children Young children today, seem to be spending more time in structured activities than ever before, at the cost of less and less time for old fashioned unstructured play time. A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, issued October 9, 2006 argues that free and unstructured play is not only healthy but necessary if children are to fulfill their social, emotional, and cognitive potential, and become successful in managing stress. The report challenges factors that are threatening free play and unscheduled time - these include changes in family structure, increasingly competitive college admissions processes, and federal policies that lead to less recess and physical education time in many schools. The loss of free time and a hurried life style can be a source of stress, anxiety, and may even contribute to depression for many children. Though parents may recognize the importance of free and unstructured play, many are afraid to reduce their children’s activities, fearing they will fall behind. Among its specific guidelines, the report suggests the following: • Emphasize the benefits of “true toys” such as blocks and dolls, where , children use their imagination, instead of-passive toys that require little imagination. • Create an appropriately challenging academic schedule that is balanced, extracurricular activities based on each child’s unique needs—and not 1 w w w. m e h e r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g on competitive community standards. • Encourage parents to understand that each young person doesn’t need to excel in multiple areas in order to be considered “successful” or to be able to compete in the real world. • Suggest that families choose childcare and early education programs that meet children’s social and emotional developmental needs, as well as academic preparedness. The report notes that “the challenge for society, schools, and parents is to strike the balance that allows all children to reach their potential, without pushing them beyond their personal comfort limits, and while allowing them personal free time.” (American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia; October 9, 2006) COMMENT: As the report notes, a number of studies have shown that unstructured play has many benefits, including helping children to be creative, find their passions, develop problemsolving skills, relate to others, and adjust to school settings. While many parents would like to see their children having more unstructured playtime, it is often difficult to accomplish given the pressures of our busy and competitive society. We hope that this report, from the Academy that represents the nation’s pediatricians, will cause us to think and reassess the activities and schedules we create for our children. –Child Health Alert - Nov 200 november 07