”Seasonal” Green Tip from Amy Attached here is information about reducing the number of “electricity vampires” in your house. There are many simple things you can do around your home to save electricity.
Did you know …
One of the direct aims of practical life work is to strengthen the muscles in children’s hands so that they will be able to correctly hold and control school tools such as pencils and scissors. One activity that many children find enthralling and mesmerizing is “perforating.” For this work, children trace a shape (a challenging activity in and of itself) and then use a special tool to punch small holes closely together along the pencil line they drew. When the entire shape has been perforated, it can be carefully torn out of its frame. This work requires great focus, attention, and patience, uses the small muscles of the hand, and results in a tremendous feeling of success and satisfaction.
Assembly Line
On a regular basis, we hold “W.O.R.K.” assemblies. These assemblies are especially for children to “show off” their work, and are set up like a radio or TV show. On Friday, October 23, we held our first W.O.R.K. assembly. Some of the EC1 children shared their work first. Adin read some pages from Max and Derek read from Gus. Baden demonstrated careful pouring while Olivia H. showed some spooning work. Finally, Grant and Lucie showed some bead stair work. The audience then turned its attention to some of the children from EC2 beginning with Haseenah who showed the “studio audience” how to do the spindle box from
0 – 4. Jacob demonstrated a mixed vowel word box and Kiana did the lacing frame. Closing out the W.O.R.K. assembly were some children from EI, beginning with Rhys, Autumn, and Ariel, who showed the continent books they have made, while Jacob, Fox, Maya, and Isabelle showed the Planesphere maps they made depicting all seven continents on the appropriate hemispheres. (Both of these activities require the children to perforate continent shapes!)
Presenting one’s work before the body of the school and sharing before one’s classmates are excellent for helping children to build self-confidence and feel pride in their work.
Yoga with Ms. Veena!
There was such a large interest in Yoga with Veena, that a second session was added. Veena will be running a 3:00 and a 4:00 PM session on the next six consecutive Tuesdays. There are still a couple of spaces in the 4:00 PM session. Please see Victoria if you are interested in signing up your child. Please mark your calendars: on the final Tuesday, (12/08) all the children will be present at the 3:00 session, and parents are invited to the 4:00 session for a culminating program.
Coupon Books
Coupon books were sent home last week. The sale period ends on November 6th, so now is the time to talk to your friends, neighbors, colleagues and family members about these fabulous “Enjoy the City” coupon books. In addition to the many BOGO opportunities (including for cultural events), there are percent off coupons for local vendors you may regularly frequent. Checks should be made payable to EWMS. Thanks in advance for supporting our school!
Delaware GIS Day
Delaware GIS Day will be recognized with a series of activities on November 18, 2009 from 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Attached here is a flier about the events.
Free Event
A Downtown Fall Fest will be held on Saturday, November 7 from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM on Market Street in Wilmington. This event will feature dozens of free activities for kids and families. For more information, visit the DowntownWilmington.com website.
Book Fair
There will be a book fair beginning next Wednesday (11/04/09). You won’t be able to miss it, as the front hall and conference room will be filled with interesting things to read. Dianne Soccio-Knapp is still looking for volunteers to help set up the fair, sell books at the beginning of the day, at lunch time, and in the afternoon, and pack the books away at the end of the sale on the 11th.
Hours Opportunities
* The children in EC are in need of parents to do “talking computer” on a regular basis with them. This entails listening to the children dictate a story and keying their language into the computer as they speak. The parent reads the story back with the child, prints it out, and gives it to the child to illustrate. This is a very important language arts activity. It is very beneficial to the children, and can be great fun for the parents, too. If you’re interested in volunteering, or need more information, contact Keenya.
* The Book Fair will need parents to set up, sell books, and pack up. Contact Dianne Soccio-Knapp if you can help.
* The Playground Committee still needs volunteers. This is an easy job that takes about one hour on a rotating basis on Friday afternoons. It doesn’t take long, but goes a long way toward helping the school look nice. Contact the office if you’re interested.
Halloween Morning
Please plan to join us for Halloween morning this Friday, October 30 at about 8:45 AM. Younger siblings are invited, too! Remember, children’s costumes should not include facemasks or weapons of any kind. Please send children in with a change of clothing!
Parents and Kids Working Together Day
Please plan to join us for Parents and Kids Working Together Day next Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 2:00 – 5:30 PM. If your child is a napper, please plan to join us after 3:00 PM. This is your chance to work with your children in their classrooms!
Conferences
Conferences take place on Friday, November 13 and Monday, November 16. You should already have received a conference date from your child’s teachers. Please be sure to enter the date on your personal calendar, sign your conference form, and return it to the teachers so they know they can expect you. We are proud of our parental presence at conferences and have close to 100% of our parents show up for every conference. This is a valuable time for you and for the teachers, making it hugely important for your children. Conference Day Care
If you will need care for either or both of the conference days, or just for the time of your conference, please use the form attached to sign up. The special conference rate for one hour of care (during your conference) is only $8.00.
Calendar
Friday, 10/30
Halloween Morning, 8:45 – 10:30. All are welcome.
Wednesday, 11/04
Parents and Kids Working Together, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Wednesday, 11/04 – Wednesday, 11/11
Book fair
Monday, 11/09
EC Field Trip to Longwood Gardens
Friday, 11/13 and Monday, 11/16
Parent/Teacher Conference Days: Day Care Available
Saturday, 11/21
Maintenance Day, 8:00 AM – Noon
Monday, 11/23
Silpada Mom’s Night Out Fundraiser
Wednesday, 11/25 – Sunday, 11/29
Thanksgiving Break, no school
Tuesday, 12/08
After school Yoga Class’ “Show off,” 4:00 PM
Tuesday, 12/08
Friendly’s Family Night, 5:00 – 9:00 PM at the Kirkwood Highway Friendly’s
Attached 
Calendar