cademy for Children
A Montessori School and Child Care Center
JUNE 2017
NEWSLETTER
Summer Registration
We appreciate all of you who have already registered your children in our summer programs. We still have a few summer openings. If you would like to register your child, there are forms available in the office. We look forward to hearing from you, if you have not yet registered, and are excited to see the children who will be staying with us throughout the summer. The summer program is a great opportunity for the children to take part in the wonderful activities our staff has planned. It is also a great way to keep in touch with old friends as well as the chance to make new ones.
Swimming Lessons
If your child will be taking swimming lessons at Island Park at 10:40-11:10 a.m. and you would like to have an Academy staff member walk him or her to lessons, please be sure to bring in your child’s swimming card to confirm acceptance and to make sure we get your child into the right lessons.
Fargo Parks Swim Passes
Fargo Parks swim pass forms are available in the office. The Academy staff will pick up passes June 5. Parents are responsible to pick up passes after this time. All children who were three as of December 31st, 2013, are eligible to go to the pool for open swim. Be sure to complete the swimming permission slip before June 1. The children will go swimming Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, weather permitting. Wednesday will be the alternate day if the session was cancelled on Monday or Tuesday due to bad weather.
Tennis Lessons
The Academy staff will be walking children over to Island Park tennis lessons. Children enrolled in the 9 a.m. lessons can be walked to their lesson by one of the Academy staff. Please let the office know when you have confirmation of registration.
Summer Programs ~ June
May 30 – June 2
Childcare Week
Enjoy a week of fun as we celebrate a year well done and look forward to the upcoming summer sessions!
June 5 – June 9
“Vacations in France”
Take a trip to France with us! Enjoy daily French lessons, along with various French cuisines. Learn some key phrases and explore new sites!
June 12 – June 16
“Carnival of the Animals”
The animals are having a carnival and we get to join them! We will learn about the different instruments that make up Camille Saint-Sean’s classical, “Carnival of the Animals,” as well as sing about many different animals throughout the week!
June 19 – June 23
“No Bake Fun”
Enjoy the fun of baking without actually baking! Try new and exciting foods and learn about the recipes! Also practice measuring and pouring different ingredients. It is exciting when the children get to eat something they got to create!
June 26 – June 30
“Growing Flowers”
Stop and smell the roses! Learn about how different plants and flowers grow! Take a look at the different parts of the flowers and even grow one of your own to take home!
July 3 - July 7
Childcare Week
Enjoy the birthday of our nation by taking a pause from the craziness of summer. Please let the office know by Wednesday, June 21, if there are any changes in your schedule.
School Closed:
July 4th
School Office Hours
Ms. DeLynda’s office hours will vary due to the many events of the summer. If you wish to schedule an appointment with her, please call in advance. You are welcome to contact her directly by calling 701-261-8087 or e-mailing .
Safety Town
The Academy will be driving the Kindergarten children who have preregistered for the 10:30 Safety Town session to this event. Please confirm with DeLynda if your child is registered.
BIKES------à
Please take note that it is best to lock your bikes up outside of the playground so children don’t climb on them during outside time. Please use the Academy sign in the parking lot or wherever you see fit.
Sunscreen
We are asking parents to please apply sunscreen to their children’s skin before they come to school each day. The Academy staff will reapply during the afternoon hours, but to save time in the morning, we would like the children to arrive at school with sunscreen applied. If you happen to forget to apply sunscreen, please let the staff know so they can be sure your child has sunscreen on before going outside.
Healthy Snacks
We at the Academy would like to help children eat healthier and be aware of a variety of healthy snacks. If you will be bringing snacks to share at the Academy, we ask that they do not include candy or gum. Also, please keep in mind those students who have peanut allergies. At the request of numerous parents, we would like to follow our healthy snack rule.
Hand Washing
We are asking all families to have their children wash their hands when they arrive, as well as before they leave the Academy daily. We are looking for ways to cut down on the number of germs entering our center, as well as trying to find ways to reduce the amount of germs being exposed to our families. Thank you for your assistance in this effort.
TOYS, TOYS, TOYS
Just a reminder that we do not allow toys from home to be used at school. Please leave all toys at home.
Spring Music Program
Among the Academy’s most delightful memories are its school programs. Our Spring Music Program is not an exception. “Take a Bite of Music” was a great success. All of the children and Ms. Sue’s hard work really paid off. Awesome Job!
School Picnic
The School Picnic was a beautiful evening of socializing for the children, their parents and the Academy staff. There was an excellent turnout at Lindenwood Park. Playing in the park, eating cotton candy, and making conversation is a perfect way to end the year. Thanks to all the families who attended!
Classroom News
Kindergarten –Ms. Maria
The last month of the school year has come and gone. I can truly say this group of kindergarteners has been so much fun to work with. This group has improved so much over the year that even I am impressed! They started the year not knowing how to sound out words and spell them, or not spelling them, or not spelling them efficiently. They ended the year by confidently sounding out most words they came across, including words with blends. This is just one example among many!
I am most proud of their kindness and empathy. There have been many instances of students that have been sad or hurt and they have been comforted by others. They have been quick to take turns for being first in line or next to read a sight word, or many other things. I have heard many kind comments about other kids’ drawings, clothes, haircuts, etc. On the rare occasion that something negative is said to someone, they are quickly admonished by the other kids. I continue to be impressed everyday by this group of kids. They amaze me by what they can academically, and how they continue to show empathy in their growing independence.
Preprimary II – Ms. Maria
The last month of May has really sped by! We are busy finishing up our math books and map punching to make maps. We said goodbye to our student teacher, Ms. Amy, who became a fixture in our classroom these last few weeks. Ms. Amy taught a mini – unit on ladybugs the first week of May – we learned about all different kinds of ladybugs and the parts of a ladybug. We also had a great time learning about symmetry and painting our own symmetrical ladybugs to hang on the ceiling.
This month we have started hammering and drilling using a real log. First, we used a hammer to put nails into the top of a log. This required us to concentrate on the nail as we swung the hammer down – this can be tricky! Next, we removed the nails and used a hand drill to drill holes into the log. The kids enjoyed wearing safety glasses as they nailed and drilled. Another work the kids have enjoyed is soap grating. The students used a small bar of soap on a small grater and made soap shavings! Then they poured the soap shaving into a small jar using a funnel. They really enjoyed taking a little of the soap home with them!
A special thanks to all the parents and family members that attended the music program and/or school picnic. The kids were excited to show off all the songs they learned from Ms. Sue. It’s always good to visit with all the families at the picnic – this has become a great end-of-the-year event! I have enjoyed getting to teach and spend time with all your wonderful children – it has been a great year!
Preprimary I – Ms. Karen
During our last month of school, we focused on our country. Not surprisingly, the most fun way to learn the names of many states was by finding out where the professional sports teams were located. We read a series of books about our National Parks, and the Grand Canyon was voted the best. We had models of mammals that live in our country, and it was popular work with most of the children learning their names. Reading about American legends like Paul Bunyon, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and the girl who loved wild horses was popular as well.
In practical life, we enjoyed using roofing nails and a real hammer to pound nails into a log. We then used a bit and press type drill to drill holes into the log. It was fun to wear the safety glasses when working. Many of the children also enjoyed using a sanding block to sand wood.
Our “Painted Lady” caterpillars formed chrysalis and emerged as butterflies; so, one day we enjoyed watching them fly away. We studied the life cycle of the butterflies and grasshoppers, also.
Thank you to Forbes’ family for donating a USA facts book and some geography works! The class enjoyed using them all!
Reading
Books
We would like to remind all families that have reading books from the Academy at home to return them as soon as you can. We are doing inventory and we are currently missing numerous books. We are so glad that we have so many active reading children.
Toddler II – Ms. Brittany
The month of May sure did fly by! We took the month of May to review things that we have learned throughout the school year. We also went on some nature walks and talked about different leaves and trees. During the first part of May, the Toddler Two class got to participate in a music program and show the parents what awesome singers they all are! During art time, we made dirt cups and hand printed tote bags! It is hard to believe that the school year has come to an end! We will end the year with a class picnic to make one more memory together! Ms. Jessica and I are sure going to miss the 2016-2017 class! We are glad that we will get to still see them in the building from time to time!
Toddler I – Ms. Aly
May has really flown by! The weather has made it enjoyable to be outside and walks have been enjoyed. With the end of May, so comes the end of the school year. We have had a wonderful year. We have made great friends and learned great lessons.
For art this month, we made flip flop sandals with footprints. We also experimented with painting with our senses: we painted a sun using yellow paint and a plate, we painted beach balls, and painted with ice cubes. This month we also read lots of books such as “The Pigeon finds a hotdog,” “Old MacDonald had a Band,” “We are Growing,” “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” “How I Feel about summer,” and “Pete the Cat’s Bedtime Blues.”
Infant – Ms. Connie
It is hard to believe that another school year is complete! The time flies by! The children grow so quickly in the infant room, it seems like things change overnight! We will continue to work hard on milestones as we get the older friends ready for the toddler transition. Our new friends have adjusted well to our room!
Our theme this month was “Bring on Summer.” On our door, we have beach balls with all our names on them. We have swim trunks on our birthday board and we have flip flops, umbrellas, and sand pails on the color board. For art this month, we made suns, ice cream, and butterflies out of footprints and fish and campfires with handprints. Our favorite books this month were “Penguin on Vacation,” “Maisy goes on Vacation,” “Little Giants Vacation Time,” “Mouse’s First Summer,” “Beach Day,” “Beach Socks,” “Chus Day at the Beach,” and “Its Vacation Time.”
We enjoyed seeing all our friends at the picnic at Lindenwood; it was a lot of fun. We are excited for summer to start! We have lots of fun things planned, including going outside to play, so we will need sun hats and sunscreen soon!
Music– Ms. Sue
We have had a musically wonderful school year at The Academy! All of the children have really grown and blossomed throughout the year. They have learned so many things about different aspects of music and all become such good singers. This was so evident at their energetic spring music program! They all did such a great job of watching, singing and participating through all of our many “food-related” songs. Thanks to all for the superb attendance as we all took a big “Bite of Music” that night!
Since our program, we have been busy singing about insects, and things related to going to the lakes this summer like fish, frogs, ducks, and boats. We are also celebrating things happening in the classroom with songs about “going on a picnic” or “going to the zoo.” The kindergarten and preprimary classes are also planning to share three special songs on the last afternoon of school during our special kindergarten graduation program. Hope you can join us!