Red Balloon Co-op School Weekly Newsletter March 10-11, 2009

This week we’ll continue the new time for outdoor play—the kids will be playing outside for the first and last half hour of school and will need RAIN clothes! More below in the “This Week” section…

Last Week
We had a good first week here—everyone survived the ice skating rink driveway and the group had fun playing outside in the snow, in the surprisingly warm and sunny back part of the driveway. Thanks to parents who stayed to help supervise. Krista brought back postcards, coins and stories from Iceland! The kids loved hearing about the puffins and whales and the grownups loved hearing about how Krista got engaged! Congrats, Krista! To celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week, Audrey brought sleep stars for the kids to make. They practiced “sleeping” with their stars and sang Good Night Irene and Are You Sleeping Brother John. Each child brought home a sleep star—Audrey suggested they might work as “magic sleep wands” at home! Another activity last week involved the song Old MacDonald and barns with paper animals to play with. We had pineapple for snack and noticed how pineapples are prickly like porcupines, hedgehogs and pinecones (and noticed the word “pine” seems to be important!)

This Week
Audrey is planning to introduce yoga to the kids using new yoga mats! She’ll start with just rolling and unrolling the mats and talking about breathing and how yoga is different from dance time (it’s not wild playtime!) Audrey wanted to stress the three components of yoga. One is breathing—noticing your breath by “blowing out candles” or “smelling flowers.” Two is resting—practicing having eyes closed, not moving, and understanding personal space and gentle touch. Three is learning to make shapes with your body and the imagination behind that. I can’t wait to see the little yogis! Also this week the group will make pinecone birdfeeders using birdseed and soy nut butter to bring home and hang outside a window. Families can encourage noticing birds this week and help kids find a great place to hang their birdfeeder.

Important for tomorrow:
*Drop off at 9:10 in the driveway to the left of 540 Prospect Ave
* I’ll open the garage if you need to leave your stroller
*Please dress your child in rain boots, raincoats, hats and if you have one, a kid umbrella (and label them!)
*Pickup at 11:45 in the driveway.

This Month’s Volunteer Schedule
Outdoor playtime will be 9:15-9:45 and 11:15-11:45 (volunteers, please come upstairs at 11:15 to help us get ready.) Thanks! Please contact me if you need to switch days: amandapeel@yahoo.com

Tuesday March 10th --Maya/John
Wednesday March 11th--Alise
Tuesday March 17th --Deepa
Wednesday March 18th --Ali
Tuesday March 24th –Amber/Ted
Wednesday March 25th--Liz

Things to Bring/Supplies
If you haven't yet, please bring your check for the month made out to Amanda Crowley. Thanks!
If we’ve used your extra diaper or clothes, please send a new ziplock baggie with a spare diaper and change of clothes. Please send your child with a drip-proof water cup labeled with his/her name. Label shoes (name on a piece of tape inside works), coat/sweaters and any other clothes they'll be taking on or off.