Madrone Trail Public Charter School

Dear Kindergarten Parents,

Thank you to all the parents who were able to make it to the parent evening last Thursday.  At the meeting we discussed child development of the 51/2 to 7 year old.  We also did some circle activities and discussed them.  If you would like information on these topics, please let me know.  I hope even more families will be able to attend our next meeting.  I am thinking of scheduling another meeting next month.  If you have any feedback on days or times that work best for you, please let me know.  This week we started a new circle with songs and verses about going to the orchard to pick apples.  It has been a lot of fun.  This week we had our vision and hearing screenings.  I will speak to parents individually if your child did not pass either the vision or hearing test.  If you do not hear from me, your child passed the tests.

Field Trips – I am working on planning a couple of fall field trips for our class.  I am hoping to take a field trip to an apple orchard next Thursday to pick apples.  The apples we pick will be brought back for use in classroom activities.  I am currently looking for an orchard or farm or someone’s house with several apple trees the children can pick from.  I prefer the apples to be no spray or organic.  If you know of any such place, please let me know as soon as possible.  If we find a place, we will need parents to volunteer to drive and help on the field trip, so please let me know if you can help.  I will let everyone know as soon as possible if we are going on a field trip next Thursday.

Volunteering Opportunities

Laundry fairies – The kindergarten accumulates one load of laundry each week.  The load of laundry is taken home by the “laundry fairy” on Thursday after school and returned clean on Monday morning.  A sign-up sheet is on the kindergarten bulletin board.

Walks to the park – Every Monday and Wednesday the kindergarten walks to the park to play.   Starting next week, we would love to have parents join us.  There are two spots available each park day.  Please sign-up early to join us.

Multicultural Fair – Madrone Trail will have a booth at the Multicultural Fair this Saturday in Hawthorne Park.   This is a great outreach opportunity for our growing school.  There are still volunteer shifts available.  The shifts are only 30 minutes and there is an activity for children.  The sign-up sheet is on the kindergarten bulletin board.

Volunteer Orientation Meeting – Tuesday October 6^th from 7-8 pm.  Come and find out about the many ways you can volunteer and support our school.  There will be information on various committees and snacks too!  Unfortunately, there is no child care available for this event.

Fall weather – Fall is here and the mornings have been cool and crisp and the afternoons hot and sticky.  It certainly makes it difficult to dress children for the day.  Please remember that we start our day outside and it is cold, so please be sure your child has a jacket in the morning.  It is also a good idea to put tights or leggings on under skirts, as these are easy to remove later in the day as the weather warms up. 

Bread bags – We bake bread each Tuesday and the children get to bring their little loafs home.  I have made a cloth bread bag for each child.  Please return this bag each week by the following Tuesday morning. 

Blessings,

Miss Amy

944-7477/amy.rudolph@madronetrail.org

Dear Parents,

It was a wonderful first couple of days of school.  We have an amazing group of children.  I am enjoying getting to know each child more and am looking forward to a wonderful year together. 

Parent/Teacher Communications: 

Throughout the year, I will update parents through letters and announcements.  Our school website allows teachers to post information online, so I will post all communications online at www.madronetrail.org and on our class bulletin board, located outside the classroom.  I will also print several copies of communications, so if you prefer to receive a paper copy, please ask me for a copy. 

Communication between parents and teachers is very important, so please let me know if you would like to speak with me about anything.  I am available by phone (541-944-7477) Sunday through Wednesday from 5-8 pm (or other times if the matter requires immediate attention). I am happy to discuss things over the phone or we can schedule a time to meet and speak in person.  I am also available by email at amy.rudolph@madronetrail.org.  During drop-off and pick-up times, I am focusing on many things so it is generally not a good time for me to have in-depth conversations with parents.  Drop-off is a good time, however, to briefly let me know about anything going on with your child that may affect their day, such as “he didn’t sleep well”, “we had a hard morning”, “she wouldn’t eat breakfast”, etc. 

Drop-off/pick-up:

This year’s drop-off procedure is slightly different than last year’s and I appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work out the kinks.  Drop off begins at 8:20 each morning. If you arrive before 8:20, please wait with your child outside.  Miss Inderiah and I will come out to greet the children at 8:20. Children should be dropped off at the fenced-in portion of the playground.  I will be standing at the entrance to this area (at the end of the sidewalk).  Please check-in with me before you leave your child, so I am sure to know they have arrived.   Please remember to check-in with me each day when you pick up your child, so I know they are leaving with you.  Thank you.

Parent Council:

The parent council is a great way for parents to support the school and faculty.  All parents are welcome and encouraged to join the parent council. The first parent council meeting of the year will be this Tuesday, September 15^th, 3:30-4:30 in the handwork room (the classroom closest to the playground). I hope to see you there.

Water bottles:

 All children need to bring a water bottle to school, filled with fresh water, each morning.  Please mark the bottle with your child’s name and place it on their picture symbol on benches outside the classroom.  We have water glasses for drinking water indoors, but the children get thirsty while playing outside.

Toys from home:

Children often want to bring toys from home to play with at school or to show to their friends.  I ask that all home toys be left at home or in the car. 

Parent Evenings: 

We will have four parent evenings/meetings throughout the year.  These meetings provide valuable information on Waldorf education, child development, classroom activities, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  Our first parent evening is scheduled for this Thursday September 17^th from 7-8pm.  We will discuss the development of the 5-6 year old and the work we are doing in circle time.  This is a great opportunity to meet other families in our new class.  I look forward to seeing you there.  Please note, parent evenings are for adults only.  Thank you.

Blessings,

Miss Amy

Madrone Trail Kindergarten Schedule

(Updated September 8, 2009)

Daily Schedule

8:20-8:30 – Drop – off (outside)

8:30-8:40 – Walk

8:40-8:45 – Transition indoors

8:45-10:00 – Daily activity/free play,/clean-up

10:00-10:25 – Circle/rest

10:25-10:30 – Snack prep/washing for snack

10:30-10:55 – Snack

10:55-11:05 – Snack clean-up/transition to story

11:05-11:15 – Story

11:15-11:30 – Transition to outside (rain pants, boots, etc.)

11:30-12:15 – Outside play

12:15 – Dismissal

Weekly Schedule

Day:                       Activity:                          Snack:

Monday                Painting                            Rice w/Beans

Tuesday               Bread Baking                 Bread w/ Butter & Trail Mix

Wednesday          Drawing                           Granola w/Bananas & Rice Milk

Thursday              Beeswax or Craft           Soup

Outside Play Schedule

Day:                                                                    Location:

Monday/Wednesday                                   Walk to Alba Park

Tuesday/Thursday                                      School playground