HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to the January edition of the Downey UpBeat.  We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season and the winter break from classes.  2016 is going to be an exciting year, as it marks the 50th anniversary of Downey Co-op!  Stay tuned for activities and events related to this important milestone, and please volunteer if you would like to help in any way.

January is open enrollment for current Downey members.  If you enroll for the 2016- 2017 preschool year during the month of January, you receive a discount on the registration fee.

January DISCOUNT REGISTRATION FEE!
$10 off first child ($20 fee)
$10 + $5 (sibling discount) off second child ($15 fee)

Registration forms and fee must be turned in by Friday, January 29 for the discount.  Registration forms can be found in the bottom right corner of the yellow mailboxes by Century Hall.

You can write a separate check for the registration fee or include it with tuition.  Either way, please note on the check that is for 2016-2017 registration fee.  Please put registration form(s) and fee in an envelope and place the envelope in Shellie Rich/Thomas’ mailbox (one of the yellow mailboxes by the century hall doors).

You can still register after January, but in February, we open registration up to Downey alumni and church members.  Then March 1, we open registration up to the public.  Remember that your registration and fee hold your place in the class in case we fill.

In the month of February we will be taking nominations for the executive board positions.  These are positions that are essential to the operation of our school.  Being a member of the board is a great way to be engaged, get to know others and have influence on what happens at Downey.  You can learn more about what the board does and how it works by joining us at January’s board meeting – Monday, January 25, 2016, location TBD.  If you know you are going to be a returning family, take some time to think about being part of the executive board.  You can nominate yourself or you can nominate someone you think would do a great job.  We vote in March for these executive positions.  The newly-voted board will attend the April board meeting and then run the May board meeting with the support of the outgoing board.

Executive Board Positions are:
Co President
Co-President
1st Vice President, Membership
2nd Vice President, Parent Ed
CPT/ICPC Delegate
Fundraising Chair
Treasurer
Secretary

Wishing everyone a great new year!

Mindy

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• There will be NO SCHOOL on Martin Luther King Day – January 18, 2016.
• School Closings:  With winter weather season here, please note the following regarding school closures:
  • Families will be notified of closings via email.
  • Families can also watch the local news for closing information.  Downey Co-op is closed whenever IPS closes.
  • More than 2 snow days in a year will result in a makeup day.
  • Downey Co-op will still be in session on days when IPS has a delay.

This is a combination Frog/Polliwog update.

Both classes spent the month of December learning about how animals prepare for the winter.  The children enjoyed using our classroom den for hibernating and also for having a little fun in the dark!

We made birdfeeders so the birds can enjoy a snack as they migrate to a warmer climate.  We also discussed how we are a little like the animals that stay active in the winter, as we put on our coats when it gets colder just like their furry coats get a little thicker.

I’d like to thank both classes for their thoughtful gifts!  You guys are amazing, and I thoroughly enjoy getting to spend time with each of your children.  I hope you all enjoyed a nice break!

Mrs. Lovold

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

2015 left the Tadpoles settled in their tadpole routine and exploring the room independently.  Let’s hope they welcome 2016 the same way.  You never know after a break.

January is a great time to learn about winter so that is what we will do.  If we have snow, we’ll put it in the sensory table, paint with ice, and maybe even make our own snow.

Thursday and Friday, January 14 and 15, we will have Pajama Day.  We all wear our pjs and make muffins and orange juice.  We may need an extra parent on those days.  It is always helpful to have an extra set of hands when baking even though we have two participating parents.

Let’s make sure we are all back into the routine when school starts.

• Make sure your child has a warm change of clothes and is dressed for the weather because we will go outside if 32 degrees or above.
• Participating parents arrive at 9:00 a.m.
• Join the monthly board meeting, check your Downey mail box, stay involved.
• Have fun while participating and smile.

Thank you for all you do, and thank you for choosing Downey.

Mrs. Egan

PARENT ED

Tuesday, January 19, 6:30-7:30 at Downey
The Art of Early Reading and Writing, video and discussion provided by Butler University’s Indiana Partnership for Young Writers

Wednesday, March 2, 6:30-7:30 at Downey
Math in Your Feet & Other Everyday Places with former percussive dancer and teaching artist Malke Rosenfeld.  Bring the kids!

April event TBA

HOLIDAY PARTY FUN

Thank you to all who volunteered and participated in the Downey holiday party.  A good time was had by all!  Check out some cute pictures, and special thanks to our photographer, Julie Patterson.

YOU CAN MAKE THE NEWS

Please remember that you can contribute information and/or photos to the monthly newsletter.  Simply email me at marydsparks@gmail.com.  Also look for special 50th Anniversary newsletter supplements, highlighting Downey alumni, starting this month.  Have a great month, everyone!