November 17, 2010
Greetings from the preschool,
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and our attentions turn to that simple yet profound notion of giving thanks. At circle time we take turns sharing one or two things for which we are thankful, and we will soon have beautiful Spirals of Thanks artwork hanging from our preschool ceiling.
Thank you for contributing the bags of cranberries to our school-wide Food Basket project. We’ll put the baskets together today at All School Meeting, and they’ll be delivered to the Putney Food Shelf. On a related note, the children recently painted our Food Donation Box and designated a spot in the hallway where it will reside. We’ve talked about the notions of charity and sharing, and we will make this box, and these intentions to share with those in need, a long-term community service project. Sharing feels good! Again, thanks for helping your children fill our box each month with non-perishable foods and other necessities of all kinds.
It’s that time of year when weather can seem gloomy and raw. Thanks for making sure your children come to school with warm outside clothes, boots or sturdy shoes, and a complete change of clothes for the cubby. Children should also have a pair of slippers or indoor shoes each day. We have some spare clothes and boots here that children are welcome to, as well.
On Thursday, Natalie and her parents will visit again, possibly with intentions to join the preschool sometime in the near future. Hannah and Charlotte will be joining us in early December, and Margaretta joins us in January. The program is growing more robust as it gets increasingly full! “Welcome” to the new preschoolers!
Niavh will celebrate her 4th birthday later this month. She has informed us that she wants to make an ice cream cake for her special treat – I’m sure there’s a recipe for that on the internet!
Last year the entire school participated in a “December Theme” focusing on the culture of Afghanistan and Pakistan. This year we will once again embark on a school-wide study of another region of the world, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Preschoolers will enjoy opportunities to cook (and eat!) some traditional foods from these areas, and we will make some traditional music instruments as well. In addition, TGS is complementing these activities with a service/learning component that will support Haiti and other struggling nations in a humanitarian effort. You may already have received Steve’s letter detailing our fundraising plans. I have included a brief description (lifted directly from his letter!) below:
“As part of this December focus, The Grammar School is using a unique organic
and Fair Trade fundraising program partnering with Equal Exchange and Ten
(over)
Thousand Villages, national Fair Trade pioneers. This fundraiser features a full-
line of organic, Fair Trade food and beverages. In addition to the organic, fairly
traded coffees, teas, chocolates, cocoas, and healthy snacks from Equal
Exchange, the fundraiser also offers items such as silk scarves from Nepal,
tablecloths and glass pendants from India, and batik greeting cards from
Thailand.”
“This service learning initiative will enable TGS to raise funds for “Partners in Health” initiatives in Haiti, while benefiting small-scale organic farmers and artisans around the globe. Under the guidance of Hop, the seventh graders will assume leadership in this project. Specifically, this week they are preparing presentations to each of the other classes to help students begin to learn about this region of the world and to better understand connections between themselves, their purchases and the people who grow and create products we use every day.”
“Information and order forms will come home with your child by Friday, November 19. If you choose to participate by asking friends or family to make a purchase or to make a purchase yourself, we request that order forms with payment be returned to school by WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST. This will ensure that ordered products are delivered and distributed to you prior to the vacation. Thank you for your consideration. (Please note that we are NOT encouraging nor asking students to go door-to-door, and that there are NO prizes or contests associated with this service initiative.)”
ABOUT EQUAL EXCHANGE: 100% of Equal Exchange products are fairly traded, imported from more than 40 small farmer cooperatives in 22 countries around the globe.
ABOUT TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES: A fair trade retailer, Ten Thousand Villages offers gift items rich in ancient global traditions. For more than 60 years, Ten Thousand Villages has established fair, long-term buying partnerships in places where skilled artisans lack opportunities for stable income.
Thanks for taking the time to consider this fundraising effort, and – as always – thanks for entrusting your children to our care!
--Ken and Leelee
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| Preschoolers dance and sing in French last week |
