Happy November!  This is the month we reflect on all for which we are thankful.  I am sure we all feel grateful for Downey, our amazing teachers, and the opportunity for our children to learn in such a special environment.  Hope everyone has a great month, and please enjoy the newsletter.

Wow!  October is here and gone.  We have completed a few more required items of co-op.  With one fundraising event and the Irvington Halloween Festival under our belt, November will get a little less busy (at least for preschool).  If you feel like preschool events and activities are sneaking up on you, make sure to go to https://downeycoop.com/calendar/ to add the preschool calendar to your smart phone, computer, or paper calendar.  You can also hang your Downey paper calendar (from your Handbook folder) on your refrigerator or other convenient location.  There may be a few changes as the year goes along, but this calendar gives you a snap shot of the whole year.  We (those in charge of an event) will give reminders, but it is each of our responsibilities to know the happenings of our preschool.  (I have added all preschool events to my calendar with reminders in advance because my brain can not keep it all straight otherwise.)

While the children have enjoyed lots of play outside, we have had a few rainy days.  Thanks to the families, who in the cooperative spirit, are helping setup and clean up Century Hall for the children.  We will continue to have more of these days with the colder weather approaching.  If you are unsure how to help with Century Hall, just ask a fellow parent.  (It only takes a few minutes when everyone pitches in.)  Please note that there is a ladder in the back of the Century Hall closet that leads to the roof.  This ladder must not be blocked per fire code.  All toys must be put on the shelves or beside the ladder; otherwise, we could be fined.  Here are some pictures to help everyone understand how items should be put back into the closet.  Thanks so much for your help with this.

With gratitude,
Mindy

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“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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I hope everyone enjoyed Fall Break!  The children seem to be readjusting to the classroom routine really well.  After a trip to Waterman’s, the Frogs spent the end of October exploring pumpkins in lots of different ways.  We hammered tacks into them at the workbench, created faces with potato head pieces, cut them into puzzles, and used baked pumpkin in our pumpkin pies.

 

In November, the Frogs will continue talking about fall.  We’ll examine more of its beautiful colors, talk about the harvesting of various crops and begin to explore what animals do to prepare for colder weather.  Parent-teacher conferences will be held during class time on Wednesday, November 11^th.  I will post a sign-up sheet for you to select the time that will work best for you.  I will also be looking for a substitute to cover class on that day.

**Reminder:  You may want to check that your child has an appropriate change of clothes stored in the classroom. **

Mrs. Lovold

The Polliwogs didn’t have any trouble getting back into the swing of things after Fall Break!  This month we enjoyed “finding fall” on our field trip at Southeastway Park.  We explored the beautiful colors of fall by creating our own unique leaves, seeing what happens when the colors red and yellow mix together, collecting the falling leaves from our classroom trees, and sorting various “fall” shapes on our light box.

In November, the Polliwogs will also talk about harvesting wheat and corn.  We’ll explore what happens when we grind those crops and try our hand at baking our own bread.  Parent-teacher conferences will be held during class time on Tuesday, November 10^th.  I will post a sign-up sheet for you to select the time that will work best for you.

**Reminder:  You may want to check that your child has an appropriate change of clothes stored in the classroom. **

Mrs. Lovold

Tadpoles are ready and raring to go!  They move from one activity to another in a very migratory way.  They are so quick that October flew by.

In November, we will continue to explore fall.  Mr. Bushy Tale will be our guide.  He’ll show us what he eats and how he lives and plays.

November 19th and 20th, we’ll try our hand at baking break and making butter.  We will need an extra parent on those two days.  I know we have two participating parents, but having an extra set of hands on cooking days helps the process run smoothly.

Of course we are still working on the important things like following directions, sharing, and basic fine and motor skills.  You may not notice, but that is what we are doing during our time together.  Sometimes it is subtle…Sometimes it isn’t.  Remember that this age group tends to parallel play, play along with each other, and as the year goes on, they will start to play together.

Dates to remember: 

*Tuesday, November 10 – Parent/Teacher Conference

*Wednesday, November 11 – Parent/Teacher Conference

Sign ups for conferences will be at school the week before, and I will need substitutes.  Please be sure to bring in a warm change of clothes for us to have on hand in the classroom.

Thank you for all your hard work and patience.  Most of all, thanks for choosing Downey Co-op.

Mrs. Egan

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“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 

-Marcel Proust

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KUDOS!

Congratulations to Kristen Biehl for her work in coordinating this year’s booth at the Irvington Halloween Festival!  The booth looked great and was busy with visitors all day.  Thanks also to everyone who staffed the booth and who helped behind-the-scenes.  It was a great team effort!

PARENT ED OPPORTUNITIES

Unfortunately, our guest speaker was ill last week, and we had to postpone our nutrition event. The new date is Thursday, November 12, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  We will start collecting RSVPs for the new date soon, so watch your inbox for the email.

NEW EVENT!  Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, The Art of Early Reading and Writing.  Join us for this video and discussion exploring how art and “story writing” can support important early literacy skills that foster a lifelong love of reading and writing.

From our friends at other co-operative preschools: Our friends at Meridian Street Co-op are hosting a guest speaker from AAA to talk about carseat safety on November 2.  If you wish to attend or want additional information, you can contact Rachel Berzai of Meridian Street Co-op at berzai@sbcglobal.net.  You will need to identify yourself as a Downey Co-op member.

ICPC’s big “Parent Palooza” event will take place in February (date TBA) instead of November this year.  Stay tuned for details.

PREPARING FOR POINSETTIAS

Please be sure to prepare for Poinsettia Delivery Day on Monday, November 30th.  In addition to picking up and delivering the poinsettias you personally sold, several crews of volunteers will be needed to help unload, sort and deliver orders to outside customers.  This is a big day for the preschool, so if possible, please pro-actively make childcare arrangements so you can help on this morning.  (Century Hall will literally be filled with hundreds and hundreds of plants, so it is not possible to have children in the area.)  This year’s coordinator, Cassandra Crutchfield, will be following up soon with further details.  The poinsettias we receive from the grower are simply beautiful and make a great impression on behalf of our school.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AT DOWNEY CO-OP!

This is a very special year at Downey, as it marks the 50th Anniversary of our pre-school!  Plans are underway to mark the occasion, and if you have ideas for a celebration or would like to help on a 50th anniversary committee, please contact Erin or Mindy.

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“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” 

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

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We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Our preschool Thanksgiving break is Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27.