Thursday, April 7, 2016

April 2016 Newsletter

Klahanie School
April 2016 Newsletter


“It’s the little things citizens do.  That’s what will make the difference.  My little thing is planting trees.”
Dr.Wangari Maathai

March 2016 Reflection
Happy Spring!
Thank you for fantastic parent conferences, this is such a value to my work with your amazing children and welcome and thank you for the continued communication.  And it is fun to share the joys and stories.  Imaginative play has increased to a fun level and everyone is in full, festive spring swing!

April Curriculum Topics
Our world hangs like a magnificent jewel in the vastness of space.  Every one of s is a part of this jewel; and, in the perspective of infinity, our differences are infinitesimal.  We are intimately related.  May we never even pretend that we are not. 
Fred Rogers, Life’s Journeys According to Mister Rogers

·      Peace Maker Dr. Wangari Maathai: I was honored to listen to Dr. Maathai when she visited Seattle over a decade ago.  She is my favorite Peace Maker to share with the children.  Using a fictional story I wrote and orally tell during circle, I will share Dr.Maathai’s life mission for the earth, women and children of Kenya and beyond.  I welcome you to look up her work www.greenbeltmovement.org.  Each Earth Month our class plants seeds and a tree with the children in honor of her vital work.  She is dearly missed.
·      Earth Month, solar system creation and recycle Art: We will be using the wonderful recycle materials from Tinker Topia in Tacoma (www.tinkertopia.com) to create Art pieces as well as plant some seeds and tree in honor of our earth and Dr. Maathai.
·      Talking Sticks:  branching off our talking rock we use during circle time, we will make talking sticks for the children take home that can be used during family speaking/listening time. 
·      Parts of a Plant/Flower: seed, roots, stem, corolla, pistil, stamen, nectar and pollen.  During the month of April we will be planting seeds and working in the soil most of the month.  Thank you for dressing your children in cloths you do not care getting home muddy or paint on.  All paints are washable.
·      Life Cycles of Butterflies:  Yearly we hatch Painted Lady butterflies to the garden, we will be observing the cycle of the butterfly as well as art and science projects opportunities surrounding this fun unit.
·      Sewing/weaving, Wood-working and Food Preparation opportunities
·      Outside Painting and large science projects (solar system and nature plus recycle collage).  The last week of the month we will be acting out our solar system and sing some earth songs in the garden Thursday and Friday.


Reminders/Thank You
·      Spring Break   No school April 11th-15th

·      Thank you for turning in summer session contract.  Dates are July 18-22, 25-29 and August 1-5.  This is open to current, future and alumni entering Kindergarten. 

·      Thank you, Thank you Jordan Beck for organizing the Klahanie Scholarship Fundraiser and all the family donations!   Check your emails for the raffle flyer to distribute.  Tickets can be purchased through paypal.me/KlahanieSchool, drawing will be May 5th. 

·      Thank you Sara Bennett and Elizabeth Shaw for the play-dough


·      Thank you families for all the transportation volunteering and meals to families going through life experiences that need a little help.  This is a community, thank you all so much.