Newsletter July-August 2010

What's going on at the Corner???

We are still in baby mode, and the children's pregnancies are everwhere at kindy. Some of the boys have taken to becoming the doctors, midwives and surgeons who deliver the babies. Jamil delivered 5 on Monday alone. Can we have a baby photo of your child??? We will copy it and then display it. We have had many conversations about how we all were babies once, inside our Mummies tummies.

Healthy food, mind and body will be a heavily focus for this term. This will place strong value on our healthy food learning, while extending a small interest last term about growing strong teeth and bones.

Lexham Park is a very special part of Pukeko Corner, we will regularly visit each other at least once a term. These visits are so endearing to the children and the residents, it is extremely heart warming to see this relationship blossom into something very special. This term we are off for a walk down there on  16th August. You are all welcome to join us.

Rugby season is till upon us and we have been having a few "kiwi tag" matches outside. We are lucky enough to have Palemia with us here at kindy, not only is Palemia a rugby addict he is also qualified rugby umpire and is aptly suited to encouraging our national sport.

The feedback from our parent survey suggested that a few familits would like to have a grandparents morning at kindy. We thought this was such a brilliant idea that we will have this on the 8th and 9th September (Wed, Thurs).

We are in the process of interviewing for a long term reliever for Cathy. The response has been overwhelming, with many qualified, passionate teachers wanting to be part of our great team who inspire your amazing children. Cathy is planning to leave approximately the middle of August, but will never be able to stay away, in the meantime our lovely Janet will be relieving each Thursday to give Cathy an extra day preparing for her much awaited baby.

Graduates Visit

We had a very small amount of children attend our Graduates reunion, this was probably due to the school holiday, wet and cold weather. However, it was great to see the returning children and their families and as always the bond of whanauship never left.

Teachrs Only Day and Holiday Dates

We had a Teachers Only day on Friday 9th July, right before we shut for a week. We updated our Annual and Strategic Plan. We looked at our policies and precedures as well. Both are available for your viewing if you wish.

Teachers have been studying the effects of praise on our children, we have all been working hard to use different teaching strategies to achieve resutlts other than by using praise. This reading is available for you to read if you wish.

Professional Development

Professional develpment for teachers is imperative for the learning and teaching of both us and your children. Teachers are continuously reading the latest research developments for early childhood education. We discuss in detail the possible benefits the research offers and as a team begin implementing these strategies into our teaching practice.

Additionally Jody is considering attending a Reggio Emilio conference in Auckland further on in the year. 

Housekeeping

Please, please, ensure that you sign in at 8.30 and out at 2.45pm as funding may be reduced if your are always late.

In an effort to reduce lost property we are no longer having the lost property box and encouraging the children's self-skill by asking them to put their belongings in their lockers.

Please be aware of the yellow lines outside the Kindergarten, the Police have mentioned several cars often park on them. If continued there will be tickets issued. We have also had several parents comment on the cars parking/blocking the driveway at pick up and drop off times. Please also note that is okay to park in our disable car park.

We have several accounts overdue from last term, continual overdue accounts will result in your child being withdrawn. NB you signed on enrolment that you agreed to pay two weeks in advance, please honour your word.

Funding

You are all aware by now that we are about to suffer a massive reduction in funding, we assure you that we will continue to give you the highest early childhood education possible despite this. We will however be asking ourselves and the children to become more vigilant in the use of our soaps, hand towels and other little expenses we can cut down on. We will need ANYONE who can donate mediums such as good quality, cardboard, paper, etc.

Additionally to ensure absolute quality, we will be asking parents to pay an extra $2 per day, which makes your contrubution $6 instead of $4 per day starting in the New Year.

Up and Coming Events

Grandparents Day -  8th & 9th September

Our 3rd Birthday Celebrations - 24th September

God Bless,

Cathy, Gina, Diane, Corina, Gary, Jody, Dianne & Janet