8 February 2013
Dear parents and whanau
Welcome back to all of our families after a lovely sunny Christmas holiday break.
What a wonderful and exciting time we are having with the arrival of five tadpoles (next to the bathroom). We are already having lots of observations and research being done by the children, which we will include into our literacy focus.
New Hours and other changes
We are very pleased to announce that our change in hours will take effect from this Monday 11th Feb.
The new hours are:
Morning session 8.30am to 11.30am
Afternoon session 11.50am to 4pm
Please note that the news-time / afternoon tea time will now begin at 3.15pm and finish at approx 3.30pm.
We also have one additional child per session increasing the number of children to 25 per session.
New Children and Waiting Lists
We are currently accepting applications for this years enrolment now that we have increased our roll.
Reminder about Children’s Safety
We would like to remind parents that our driveway is one way only. The maximum amount of time allowed for actual parking on the driveway is five minutes.
There is no reversing out of the driveway. This is incredibly dangerous for children
Warning for new parents – turning right into Khandallah Rd means you are turning into a blind corner.
Programme
We have been focusing on the Mãori culture and we will be extending this to other cultures, including yours, if you would like to be involved. Please refer to the handout in your pocket describing how your culture can be included in our planning.
For examples of the way we include literacy, numeracy and science into our above programme please see the blue learning snapshot board.
Over the next two weeks we will have developed information sheets which will describe what literacy looks like during the morning session and the afternoon session. We will also have developed our ‘transition to school’ sheet. This information will be discussed with parents at either a parent/teacher interview or during parent help time.
Help Needed
Is there a parent who would be willing to add two new pockets of material to our ‘parent’s information pockets’? Would you please see one of the teachers if you are able to help.
We would appreciate any donations of your milk bottle tops, corks and untanalised wood for our carpetry table.
End of term duties
Thank you to all of the parents who contributed to the parent help roster last term and towards the end of term cleanup.
Term Dates 2013
Term 1 End Date is 19th April (both sessions)
Term 2 2013 Start date is 6th May (both sessions)
Sun Hats and being sun-smart
With the recent increase of sunny days, we are ensuring that our children now wear a sunhat for all outdoor play. Please see the teachers to purchase a ‘Grace Kindergarten’ sunhat which consists of a full brim. Alternatively please make sure that your own fully brimmed hat is available in your child’s bag for use.
Please remember to apply sunblock to your child before their arrival at kindy. However if you have forgotten we have sunblock available for your use on the sign-in table. Please note the teachers do not apply sunblock to children due to individual skin allergies.
Grace Kindergarten hats and tee-shirts are available for sale. Please see the teachers. They are both $20 each.
Reminders
We would like to remind you that your child’s portfolio is available for you to look at any time. Also that we value your feedback at any stage either with a meeting, through a phone call or with an email.
Parent Help Roster: Due to the weekly/daily changes in our parent help roster we are unable to email out an accurate copy. Please write down the dates you have chosen in your calendar at the time of your choice. If you cannot make your parent help duty – please contact 3 other parents to try to swap before your duty date and then let the teachers know you you can’t do it.
Please speak to myself (Pip) or Ange Marklew if you have any financial concerns regarding paying donations. We understand that this can be a tough financial climate for some of our kindergarten families.
Remember to pack an extra set of clothes and named drink bottle for your child.