November Newsletter 2017

Klahanie School

November 2017 Newsletter

THANKS A LOT

Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for Sun in the sky.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for clouds so high.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for whispering wind.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for the birds in the spring.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for the moonlit night.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for the stars so bright.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for the wondering me.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for the way I feel.

Thanks for the animals,
 Thanks for the land,
 Thanks for the people everywhere.

Thanks a lot,
 Thanks for all I've got.
 Thanks for all I've got.


-RAFFI CAVOUKIAN

October 2017 Reflection

Thank you parents and children for such wonderful conferences, what fun sharing about your children!   As shared during conferences, your children makeup a warm and inviting group.  The leaves are changing and the rain has re-emerged, autumn is fully here.  Thank you parents for dressing your kids so weather ready with warm layers and easy to slip on boots!  Thank you also for practicing with your child at home ways to put clothing and coats on independently.  We use the following technique at school:

“You put your tag by your toes, hands in the holes and your flip it” flipping the coat on by laying coat upside down by child’s toes.

Drop off has been a benefit witnessed by teachers when children are greeted by their school day with independence and feelings of pride entering the classroom.  The experience has manifested from our teachers hopes, the day begins and ends focused on the children and they sincerely show the joy from that.  They enter class with smiles and ease, ready to help sing or talk about animals we are interested in or even making a tent with our class parachute.   Now that the routine is well established please feel when you feel your child is ready, to walk your child to the door (maintaining all parent conversations in the cozy tentJ) to take a peek on our powerful circle of love and connection. 

We have been talking about how our rain gear acts as our own personal tent when in the weather elements.  Inside and outside the children are exploring new friendships and with that we are able to support the natural and normal relationship dynamics playing out and figuring out how to open our listening ears and learning to speak from the heart, and what defines a kind leader.  I am taking a lot of time to help the children figure out joyful ways to connect with friends and introducing mediation “holding our concentration” complimented with movement stories.   There is a great amount of kindness offered and received during class daily.  The main focus I leave them with is how kind they are.  We explore together that kindness and gratitude will lead to a joyful life on earth and possibility greater connection with others and earth.  We continue to build our empathy development with inquiry and listening along with important grace and courtesy response to friends’ questions and actions. 

“Dad believes that the things of nature are a gift.  And that in return, we must give something back.  We must give thanks…..

To me, it’s a little embarrassing to say thanks to trees and things.  But Dad says it becomes a habit; it makes you feel good.  ‘Thank you, stars,’ I say as we near home.  And the stars come out, one by one, as if from hiding.”

Giving Thanks by Jonathan London

November Curriculum Topics

Day of the Dead, Dia de Muretos (Oct 31-November 2) art and inspirations from the honoring and remembrance of family

·      Salmon: amazing life cycle journey, Pacific Northwest salmon and habitats.  This is a very dear unit to me and we read some amazing books and poetry about the salmon’s inspiring life. 

·      Giving Thanks: exploring ways to express our thanks to those we love and the earth.  Before our Thanksgiving break we will make a meal as a class over a couple of days, set our table, sing a Thank You song and eat our class made meal together.  The meal will be applesauce (pealed cooked by the children, a bit of honey added), smoked salmon and corn bread (made by the class).

o   Thank you song: “Thank you for the food we eat.  Thank you for the friends we greet.  Thank you for the birds that sing.  Thank you, thank you for everything.”

·      Orcas: Like Salmon, we are very honored as an island community to be able to observe first hand the Orca migration led by Grandma, the matriarch of the Puget Sound J pod.  We will learn about Orcas and compare our native whale activity to those surrounding Scotland’s archipelago Inner Hebrides. 

·      Turkeys: parts of the turkey and behaviors, get ready for some funny words coming home! 
Ara Lee, Juniper's mom and musician/teacher, will come in the first Wednesday of the months to introduce our class to music!

Reminders/Thank You

Thank you Jordan Beck-Vroom for your amazing teaching talents in class, your time offered for Spanish lessons and daily practice and loving patience with children and co-teacher colleague!  Thank you Klahanie School parents for your participation creating a beautiful school vibe of friendliness and kindness.  And thank you for helping create a fun and memorable Pie Auction fundraising event, the school made $3406.00 for scholarships next year and we could not have accomplished this without MC and evening Chef, Jeff Miller and organizers Colleen Miller, Jen Keller and Jordan Vroom.  Such a fun evening! 

·      No School: Thanksgiving, Thursday 23^th