Download May/June News –Director`s Notes

May/June News –Director’s Notes
Reminders
*Replace bring in a spring change of clothing for your child’s cubby.
*Please do not wear flip flops, CROCS or any type of sandal with no support. We will be on the
blacktop and on the playground more often and we would like to keep the children safe during
outdoor running and climbing activities
* Please apply sunscreen at home before your child arrives to school. Thank you!
DROP-OFF TIMES
Before Care is from 8:00 AM to 8:50 AM (incremental fee applies)
Regular Morning drop-off time is 8:50 AM to 9:15 AM.
Regular Afternoon drop-off time is from 12:20 PM to 12:45 PM.
DISMISSAL TIMES
AM children 11:20 AM to 11:30 AM promptly
PM/ALL DAY children.......2:45 PM to 3:00 PM promptly
After Care is from 3pm-6pm (incremental fee applies)
IMPORTANT DATES
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION:
Please return your registration form for summer camp by May 15th. The A.M. and All day spaces are
filling up quickly for the first few weeks of camp. We would like everyone to have the opportunity to
participate for their choice weeks. Please return forms as soon as possible.
MAY 16 Thursday Evening
Dance Caravan Dance Recital 5:00 P.M. at S. Mountain School, Millburn. Note: Children must arrive ½
hour before their designated show time for costumes.
MAY 29 (Monday):
TBD:
MEMORIAL DAY - SCHOOL IS CLOSED
SCHOOL PICNIC
JUNE 6 (Tuesday):
Last day of classes for all students
JUNE 7 (Wednesday): GRADUATION DAY 10:00 A.M. The Millburn Library
Graduating children are to arrive promptly at 9:30 A.M. Seating will be available for all guests after 9:30
A.M. Information to follow shortly.
JUNE 12 (Monday): SUMMER CAMP BEGINS
Many thanks to all Alpine Montessori parents for taking time to read the monthly newsletter. We have enjoyed
planning creative activities and wonderful ideas according to the curriculum throughout the year. We truly
enjoyed all parents who have read to the children, created fabulous art projects and shared wonderful
information and displays about their culture and holiday celebrations. We hope the newsletters have stimulated
conversations between you and your child and provided you with a link between school and home. Have a
wonderful summer!
Sincerely,
Patricia Stroman and Ah Young Lee – Directors
May – June Events/Curriculum
I. SCIENCE/NATURE
A. PLANTS
1. We discussed the similarities and differences of various types of plants
using picture cards (plants with spines/fruits/edible plants/tall plants)
2. Plant parts: root, stem, leaves, various parts of a flower, and seeds
3. How seeds grow. 1. Lima bean planting experiment (learn parts of bean skin, embryo, seed) and planting
them in a clear bag to view growing root and plant. Literature link: How a Seed Grows by H. Jordan
Stems and Roots and In The Garden by David Schwartz
4. Uses of plants (food, medicine, paper, gum, cloth, cotton, lumber)
B. TREES
Parts of a tree (root, trunk, branch, leaf, blossom,) changes in a tree through the seasons, foods from trees,
how to tell the age of a tree and types of trees (pine, spruce, evergreen, maple, oak tree, fruit trees)
C. INSECTS
1. Ladybug information (color warns enemy that they taste bad.). Wings protect body. They are useful
because they eat aphids, which destroy crops.
2. Bees: How bees pollinate flowers and how they make honey. Literature link: Fireflies in the Night by J.
Hawes and Insects visit Flowers by Elaine Pascoe
3. Pests (slugs, aphids, beetles, grasshoppers)
4. LIFECYCLES
• Butterfly (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly)
• Frog (egg, tadpole, frog), Literature Link: Insects Grow and Change by Elaine Pascoe
5. DINOSAURS
II. OUR WORLD/CULTURAL AWARENESS
A. May 1st - May Day - Originating in Italy, honoring the Roman goddess, Flora. Celebration with
flower gathering and dancing around a Maypole.
B. May 5th - Cinco de Mayo (Mexican Independence Day) celebration with parades, mariachi, music,
dancing and fireworks.
C. Asian Pacific Heritage Month- We promote awareness of different countries such as China, Japan,
Philippines, Singapore, and Hawaii. We discuss the differences in the people, language, customs
and foods with visual aids.
D. We will continue the study of important places and monuments by recognizing and learning about
the Pyramid and Sphinx at Giza, The Taj Majal in India, The Grand Canyon in USA and The Sydney
Opera House in Australia.
III. ART APPRECIATION
A. Art Today in Every Way: Modern, Pop, Cartoonists, Photojournalists
IV. MUSIC APPRECIATION
Johannes Brahms - Born May 7, 1833
V. HONORING THE HUMAN SPIRIT (PRIDE)
Pride is a special pleasure one feels when accomplishing a challenging task, achieving a
goal, or acquiring a possession. Being proud of yourself contributes to positive self-esteem.
As a core value to the Montessori philosophy, we discuss with the children thing they have
done this year or in the past that they are proud of based on qualities of kindness,
commitment, intelligence and cooperation.
Thank you for your time,
Patricia Stroman and Ah Young Lee
Directors