February 2022 Newsletter
February is a month to start thinking about Spring – longer daylight hours makes everyone think of planning for the garden and outside activities; we like to go outside for walks to look for signs of spring. In our classroom, February is a busy month as we learn about Valentines day, and the Chinese New Year.
February is also a month where, as teachers in a Montessori classroom, we see the children start to make important connections;for example, a child may notice that the 1000 cube is the same shape and size as one of the Pink Tower cubes. You may notice that your child wants to help sweep or fold clothes at home because he’s been folding cloths at school. These connections are always exciting and should be rejoiced. Maria Montessori once said that “education is not something which the teacher does, but it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.” As we see spring naturally develop, we also see children’s skills develop spontaneously too.
Valentine’s Cards:
If you would like your child to hand out Valentine’s Day cards to friends in the school, please bring them in by February 10th, and follow these requirements:
- Please do not name the cards, as this can make it hard for the child handing out the cards to read the recipient’s name. Please just have your child write “Love from..( your child’s name) “. Then it is much easier for your child to hand a card to each of his/her friends.
- Please put the cards in a named ziploc bag, as they have to sit for 72 hours at school before they are handed out – unfortunately, COVID affects even this fun activity for the children ☹
- Please keep in mind that we can not share or hand out candies. If you particularly wanted to add a small gift to the card, please consider a Valentine themed pencil, or stickers. Candies attached to the cards will be sent home.
- Valentine’s cards will be handed out during circle time.
Valentine’s Party – Monday February 14th:
- Snack – please bring a fun, Valentine’s themed snack for your child, such as heart-shaped sandwiches, strawberries, heart-shaped cheese and
cucumber slices.
Valentine’s Poem:
- Please write a poem with your child about how special you are to each other and how special your child is to you. We will read out the poems during circle time. Your child can decorate the poem too!
Dates to remember!
February 14th: Valentine’s Party – see notes above.
February 21st: Family Day – School AND Daycare CLOSED
Friday February 25th: School AND Daycare CLOSED for Teacher Professional Development Day.
Monday 15th – Friday 19th: School is CLOSED for half-day children.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Daycare is open.
(22nd, 23rd, 24th)
Monday February 28th: All classes resume.
Chinese New Year – Year of the Tiger
We will be talking about the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Tiger.
The tiger is a symbol of courage and bravery, and so in this new year, where we are
all hoping for an end to the pandemic, it could symbolise resilience and strength.
For our children, it can bring leadership, strength, confidence and generosity
to help each other; the children also develop life skills, such as adaptability,
resiliency and coping skills.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS!
- Please bring bedding in each Monday for your child. This is very important as due to the COVID restrictionswe can not share or supply bedding. Please put the bedding in a sturdy bag with handles.
- Please pack a water bottle and cutlery every day for your child.
- Please continue to put your child’s name on everything that you send to school- lunch and snack items, bedding, shoes/boots, coats, mitts etc.
- February fees are due by the 1st of February. Thank you!
- The centre is CLOSED on Monday 21st and Friday 25th
- School for half-day children is closed the week of February 21st.
- Please dress your child appropriately for the weather and ensure mitts and toques are packed everyday.
Birthdays this month:
Shiloh, Sophie, and Wally
If you would like us to celebrate your child’s birthday in class, please send us a quick email.
Sounds of the week:
Each week we are focusing on one letter sound. Please bring in a different object each day of the week, in a named Ziploc bag. The object should be based on reality, so please leave the stuffed toys and cartoon characters at home. Life-like miniatures or models, names of familiar people, places, photosand even a wordare fine to bring, as long as it contains the sound that we are listening for. Remember we are looking for the sound that the letter makes, not its name. The sound can be at the beginning, the middle, or at the end of the word.
February 1st: r as in rock, rabbit, raspberries.
February 7th: s as in snail, sock, sand.
February 14th: t as in token, top, hot.
February 28th:u as in umbrella, up, underwater.For this week, we are looking for the short sound of U, not the vowel sound, i.e.: the sound that the U makes at the beginning ofUmbrella,not unicorn.
Teacher’s tip! Have your child carry a basket or a box around the house during the weekend, and help him/her collect 5 objects for that week. This makes it easier for your child to then take one object from the basket to bring to school each day.
Music with Ms. Tessa
“We are starting a new instrument this month. We will be working with rhythm sticks! We will be focusing on rhythms in 4/4 time.
We are moving away from the body movement we focused on from September to January. A great way to carry this work into the home is to grab pencils or utensils and play along to preferred music with the children.”
As a team, we thank you for your continued support of our wonderful school.
Happy Valentine’s Day, and Happy Family Day everyone!
Mrs. Divya, Mrs. Joce, Miss. Nicole, Ms. Diana, Ms. Michelle, Miss. Glynnis, Miss. Tessa.