MMS News November, 2011

Parent-Teacher Conferences are this month!

South class conferences are the week of October 31st.

West class conferences are the week of November 7th.

PM class conferences are the week of November 14th.

MWF class conferences are the week of November 28th.

Please see your class’ sign up sheets and information from your child’s teachers for specifics on your parent-teacher conference.

Tuesday November 22nd:  Staff Meeting from 12:30-1:30.  All children who are regularly dismissed at 12:30 and 1:30 must be picked up by 12:25.

November 24th and 25th:  School Closed.  Thanksgiving.  Enjoy!

As the gift giving season approaches….

All the families in our community are lucky enough to have to worry if their children get “too” much.  We are very blessed.  I know that many of you think about how to develop a ‘giving’ spirit in your children, particularly because your children have so much.  First, simply consider this, take comfort in the fact that your children will probably grow up with a sense of giving because you are thinking about it.  Secondly, there are accessible ways for you to DO things with them to instill a generous approach to the world now.

In teaching children to give,  you have to start small and in familiar venues with familiar people.  Help your child make presents for the people they love-whether as part of the holiday gift giving or simply ‘because’.  Help them make a picture or card for a friend or a relative. Baking something delicious? How about giving some to a neighbor? We can instill a well rounded sense of generosity and giving to others through everyday giving.  Children will connect to it more easily if it becomes part of your habits.  You can always extend this to donating toys and clothes to a local charitable organization, but keep in mind, it might be hard for your child to part with what s/he sees as beloved items.  Cookies and art work might be easier to part with.

When there is a special event, involve your child.  If you’re attending a birthday party, provide materials for your  child  to make the card.  Let your child do the wrapping of a gift.  Yes, it won’t look like Martha Stewart did it, but who wouldn’t love it more wrapped by a child?

In anticipation of the upcoming ‘gifting’ season, I have collected a list of book/author recommendations from our teachers.  They chose these books either because they are their favorites to read to kids or they know that some of your children are already big fans.

Authors:

Todd Parr

Shel Silverstein

Arnold Lobel

Helen Oxenbury

Specific books:

Different Kinds of Families by Mary Ann Hoberman-all ages

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by M. Rosen and H. Oxenbury-all ages

Life Doesn’t Frighten me Anymore by Maya Angelou

All the Frances books by Russell Hoban (esp. for 4 years and up)

I Love You Forever by R. Munsch

Mortimer by R. Munsch

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by W. Steig

Grandfather Twilight by B. Berger

The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allen Ahlberg

And last but not least, we have two new students in the PM class.  Kaitlin Minihan and Jack Sullivan started in the class this week.  Please make them feel welcome at our school!