Malika Harville

Wow, we are down to 3 more days. It has been a very busy week and we are packing it in!

Progress Reports- 

Your child’s report is up and ready for pick up. Please check the white board. If your child’s P.R. is not picked up it will go into their file in the office.

Treasures- 

Your child will be bringing home a bag of items we have collected over the year. Please take the time to go through these things with your child and enjoy some reminiscing. This will happen on Thursday.

Last Day- 

Your child will join us at 1:15 when we all go to the auditorium for graduation. It will be an especially long day for them so please be sure to pack extra food and fill those water bottles! After the graduation we will return to the classroom where you can pick up your child for the Carnaval. Please let the office know if you are not going to be here for your child by 3:00 and what time you will pick them up. We will take them to the Carnaval but we ask that you prep purchase their tickets.

It has been such a wonderful year of joy and learning
tears and hard work.
I count myself as one of the very fortunate ones who
got to spend my days doing what I love to do!

I will never forget this….my last group of precious little people

💙 Miss Malika 

It’s almost time for our grand adventure to Shell Beach
Here are a few reminders

We are meeting at the parking lot at or before 8:30- Please do not be late- The tide won’t wait for us! 

YOUR CHILD WILL NEED: 

-Car seat/booster
–Well fitting backpack that can hold food, water, extra pants (nothing more is needed)- Child must be hands free!-
–Water Shoes: These are shoes that are completely water proof, well fitting and grippy. Not Crocks or sandals. Rocks are slippery and sand can pull loosely fitting shoes right off. No Socks. We will be in ankle deep water.
–Clothing- Shorts or pants that will roll up and stay up. Layers up top and a hat for the sun. Wear your creek clean-up shirt if you have one or a village shirt.
– An attitude of excitement and total respect for the animals whose homes we will be visiting. We will NOT be collecting on this trip. I trust you will support this. I will have a couple of collection containers so we can view up close.
– It will be sunny so sunscreen your child before the trip and don’t forget the hat. 🙂
-We have lots of adults on this trip so thank you all parents- staff and helpers for supporting this exciting day!

I can’t wait!
Miss Malika

We had so much fun on our field trip to the Environmental Discovery Center!
We learned about how water travels in a cycle and how important clean water is for all living things!
This is a wonderful place to visit! They are open to the public Thurs. & Sat. 1-4:30 and weekends.

If you want to support your child’s understanding of the amazing journey of water, pleaseconsider visiting our local lakes, rivers and ocean. Watching the Russian river pour into the Pacific is awesome from the cliffs at Jenner! 

CREEK CLEAN-UP 

Join the Village community in keeping our local creeks clean for all the animals who live there! A great addition to our water study! Peterson Creek runs into Santa Rosa Creek, runs into the Laguna, runs into the Russian River, runs into the Pacific. We live in a unique area to be able to follow our water in such an intimate way.   Saturday April 20th

ALL SPECIES PARADE

On Thursday April 25th our class will parade around the school dressed in honor of our favorite animal. Please plan to help your child prepare for this fun event in celebration of Earth Week! Learn some fun facts about your child’s choice. We live on this precious planet with so many others! Get creative and have fun! This is where your child’s building skills can really take shape! EAGLES – ALLIGATORS – AND – GRASSHOPPERS – OH MY!

MAKER DAYS

The children have been using their critical thinking skills along with their incredible imaginations to build and create structures based on certain challenges. The challenges come out of literature. For example we have had to remake baby bears chair, build a troll proof bridge, use a box to make something new and build an insect home that contains everything a bug needs. Student choose to work alone, with 1 other or in a group of 3. They are practicing problems solving and using lots of life skills. So FUN!

SHARE DAYS

Just a reminder that your child’s share time is an opportunity to expand on some unique qualities about your child an/or your family. Pets, family members, heirlooms, photos, hobbies, hand made projects, personal collections are a few ideas that are more personal and help your child’s classmates get to know them better. Please help your child choose and prepare to share some fun facts about their share as well. Thank you-

MAY DAY

Friday May 3rd. Your children will be wearing the same costume that we wore for the Dia De Los Muertos festival. Please be sure those black pants and white button downs still fit! 🙂

CROWNS (for the festival)

I will need many hands to help us make our flower crowns that Fri. We will start making them at 9:15. I will make a sign up sheet for the white board if you can help. Also, if you can, please make some bouquets of flowers that can stand up to the day with stems at least 3in. long or longer. Babies breath, fern, small roses, carnations and other sweet flowers to weave into the willow headband are appreciated. 

THANK YOU FOR READING!
💙 MISS MALIKA

LUNCHES/SNACKS

Please be sure you are packing enough food for your children. Several students are eating everything in their packs and are still hungry. We can supplement but an extra 1/2 a sandwich could be better.

FIELD TRIP WEDNESDAY!

Please drop off labeled car/booster seats out front of NWP! Keith will be there to collect.

WATERMELON BOX

I have a big project in the wings and I need someone to please get us a big sturdy box like the one watermelons and other big produce comes in. Do you go to Cost Co? Please let me know ASAP- thanks. I may ask you to hold onto it until the end of the month as we are getting short on storage space and these boxes are big unless you carefully break it down.

HEADS UP

I will be out of the class the week of the 11th-15th. Anna will be heading up the class and will be supported by Ms. Parent and one of the school subs, Eleanor.

We have been practicing our poem, songs and dance for the celebration this Friday. The students had fun coloring these masks and several want to wear them for the celebration. We will keep them here at the school until that time.

The girls have all decided they want to wear the folkloric skirts and blouses that evening. I recommend they wear tights and maybe a warm white layer for under their skirts + blouses as it may be chilly. Please plan on dropping off these students at 5:30 at the classroom. I will assist them in getting into their costumes. Plan to return to the class after the festival to return the skirt and blouse.

The boys have decided they want to wear black pants + white long sleeve button down shirt. I have vests and bandanas for them. I have a couple of shirts and pairs of pants so if you would like to borrow from me let me know ASAP! Please plan to have these students here at the classroom no later than 5:45! Drop off vests and bandanas after festival.

Be sure your child is well fed and ready for an evening of celebration!

PHOTOS

Have your child bring in photos before Wednesday so our Ofrenda will be complete and the stories told!

WITH MARIGOLDS AND STORIES TOLD
I HONOR THOSE WHO’VE GONE
WITH LANTERN LIGHTS AND SWEET DELIGHTS
’TILL NIGHT INVITES THE DAWN

Halloween/ Dia de los Muertos

Here at the Village we do not celebrate Halloween. The children do not wear costumes to school.
Every other year the school has a festival in honor of Dia de los Muertos, a latin celebration of the ancestors. Our class will put up an altar in the tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). 

Las Ofrendas (The Altar)

Throughout Mexico, the altar for the Dead takes great meaning through the offerings that are presented to the deceased relatives (or other family members such as pets) for whom it is dedicated. Please have your children bring in a photo of a loved one who has passed. If your family lost a pet, this can be quite meaningful especially if your child remembers them. It is helpful if the photo is framed and can stand on is own. Also, it is customary that no-one living is in the photo as it is placed with only the deceased. If you choose someone your child never met or doesn’t remember then it is a wonderful opportunity to tell some stories and build a mental picture of this person in your child’s mind. Plan on bringing in a photo Monday the 30th for the week. Your child will share with the class about their photo.

Family Traditions

As part of our study of Cultural traditions we are also looking at family traditions. Your child will bring home a little quetionare regarding things your family practices in the way of traditions. Whether it be popcorn Saturdays, a trip to grandma’s every mother’s day or a religious or holiday tradition that is perhaps unique to your family. Please discuss with your child and fill out the questionnaire and have your child return by Friday.

Festival

Our class will recite a poem and dance with the school for the festival. I have costumes of red skirts and white blouses for any child who wants to wear them. The other students will choose to wear black pants and white (button down) shirt. I have a few pairs of pants and long sleeve white shirts if you need. Please see me before the festival. I have bandanas for all student as well.

Rain

It is that time of year! Please be sure your child is ready to play in the rain! A thin totally waterproof rain jacket with hood and rain boots. The children get overheated if you send a snow coat. Let’s do layers. Plan to leave these at school so your child will be protected even in an unexpected shower. I have a few pairs of boots to loan for the season if you need. Let me know and you can check the sizes we have on hand.

Field Trip

Our next trip is on Tuesday Nov. 7th. We will be going to the Sonoma County Regional Parks Education Center at Spring Lake Park for a program titled Habitat and Home. Thank you for signing the sheet (up next week) and having your child ready with their car seat the day of! More to come.