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And just because your little one isn’t potty trained doesn’t mean you can’t enroll in classes. We are a diaper friendly school and our staff and volunteers will assist children to the restroom to encourage use of the toilet. This way, potty training doesn’t stop at school.

Port Gamble Trails – Gate #6, South of the Port Gamble Church on Hwy 104

Crafts for the kids – Costumes encouraged!
Costume parade following the 5K

Race Fees:
5K Run – $15.00
Kids’ Dash – $5.00
Tee Shirt – $10.00

Register at Poulsbo Running (779-8757) or download the forms here:
2011 Registration Form
Pledge Sheet
Flyer for the Jack-O-Lantern Jog 2011

The Kids’ Dash is about 100 yards – easy for any age group. The 5K is on gravel roads, one uphill close to finish, jogging stroller accessible. One aid station with water will be provided at the 5K half-way point. Fruit, bagels and water will be provided at the finish.

And just because your little one isn’t potty trained doesn’t mean you can’t enroll in classes.  We are a diaper friendly school and our staff and volunteers will assist children to the restroom to encourage use of the toilet.  This way, potty training doesn’t stop at school.

Coming Soon … the Jack-o-Lantern Jog 5K and Kids’ Dash on Sunday, October 9 at 10am.
Register at Poulsbo Running (779-8757) or download the forms here:
2011 Registration Form
Pledge Sheet
Flyer for the Jack-O-Lantern Jog 2011

Visit our school during the open house on Tuesday, Aug. 23 between 6 and 8pm. Meet Teacher Sue and explore the playroom.  See how the kids at Poulsbo Cooperative play and learn!

The first day of school is Sept. 12.

May is here, and with it comes our annual celebration of Mother’s Day on May 8. A mother is more than the person who brings us into the world. She is the person who loves, cares for, teaches, guides and protects us as children. I honor the difference you make in the lives of the children to whom you give such loving care. I also appreciate the sacrifices you make and the time and energy you spend to do the best job you can. I know that for all the heartfelt joy and fulfillment you receive, there are days that can be challenging. So to celebrate your successes and give you encouragement for the challenges, we will have Mother’s Day tea parties to honor all you do. Please plan on being there.

This is the last newsletter of the school year. I want to thank you for being so cooperative (no pun intended) while working in the classroom. I hope you made some lasting friendships and plan on getting together at the summer play dates.

Thanks also for sharing your wonderful children with me. It’s been a delight to watch them grow and learn!

Love,
Teacher Sue

Wish List

Kids’ socks
Dress-up dresses
Beads
River rocks

May Parent Education

This month everyone needs to attend one of the parent ed meetings. We will be doing a fun scrap-booking project, putting together your child’s preschool memory book. The nights offered this month are Thursday, May 12 for Wiggleworms and Monday, May 16 for Bumblebees.

We will also share ideas for staying connected this summer and our thoughts on how to make next year great. Come and enjoy spending an evening with other parents, sharing memories and planning for future ones together.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

There will be a sign-up sheet for conferences. They will be held Tuesday, May 31, 9 am – 3 pm.

Each conference will be scheduled for 20 minutes. Come with your questions and concerns.

Children will need to be attended by someone else during your conference. If you can’t arrange child care, you can coordinate with another parent for back-to-back conference times so one parent can watch the children in the play room while the other parent has their conference with Teacher Sue. A phone conference can also be arranged.

Summer Play Dates

Every other Wednesday in July and August we will meet at Lions Club Park on 6th Avenue in Poulsbo for a play date. This will be our time to meet and greet old friends and welcome new families to our preschool.

May Board Meeting

The board meeting this month will be Monday, May 2, 6:30 pm at the preschool. Both out-going and in-coming board members will attend.

Out-going members will pass on their knowledge and expertise to the new volunteers so that our preschool will run smoothly again next year. All positions have been filled! Thank-you for your willingness to be involved. Our program is something special, and it is due to the quality of people we have at our school.

Indianola Beach Field Trips

The tide will be very low on Monday and Tuesday, May 16 and 17, so observing tide pools full of baby crabs, starfish and other crustaceans will be easy to do.

We will meet at 9:45 under the picnic table pavilion, across the street from the Indianola Clubhouse. Parking is available next to the pavilion or along the street. Do not park in the post office parking lot.

Plan on bringing a towel, toys for digging in the sand, cameras, sunscreen, and whatever else you need for a trip to the beach. There are about 50 stairs to go up and down, and a lot of rocks to walk on at the top of the beach, so come prepared and plan on your feet getting wet.

After enjoying the beach for about an hour, we will come back up to enjoy our snack at the picnic tables before going home. Snack parents need to pack a sack for each child, including a water bottle. Extras may be needed for siblings that also come.

Mother’s Day Tea Parties

Our tea parties this year will be after Mother’s Day — Monday, May 9 for the Bumblebees and Tuesday, May 10 for the Wiggleworms. Please plan on being back in the classroom the last part of the day (11:00 for Bumblebees and 10:45 for the Wiggleworms).

This will be a very special snack and all are encouraged to bring something. A sign-up sheet will be made available for each class so we can ensure a great menu. Thanks.

Successful Fundraising

A huge thank-you to all the families that helped man the stations at the Lumberjack Run. We brought in about $475. What a great year of fund raising!

Congratulations to the Beeler Family

Welcome to Baby Ryan. He came into the world on Monday, April 25, weighing 8 lbs., 7 oz. Camille is a proud big sister.

Registration

If you have not turned in your registration for next year, please do so ASAP. We want to secure your spot for next year. We are getting calls weekly about next fall and we don’t want a “returning” family to end up on a wait-list.

End of Year Potluck (June Parent Ed)

On Saturday, June 4, we will end our school year with a potluck at Salisbury Park. We will meet at 11 a.m. and eat at around noon. Teacher Sue will provide hot dogs, and each family should plan on bringing two items: salad, main dish, dessert, vegetable/fruit platter, chips, etc. Plates, utensils, napkins, cups, water and lemonade will be provided. Please bring serving utensils for your items.

Driving directions to the park from Poulsbo: North on Hwy 3 toward the Hood Canal Bridge, left onto Wheeler Street (first road north of the bridge turn-off), right into the park after the Salisbury Park sign.

April has arrived and the hope is we can spend more time outdoors! We planted seeds and hope to watch them grow. We will talk more about gardens, the environment and animals. I hope we can spend time looking for bugs, frogs and worms. We’ll hang a hummingbird feeder and watch for them to arrive. If the weather refuses to cooperate, we’ll have to jump in puddles and make mud pies! But remember – April showers will bring May flowers.

Wishing you a beautiful spring!

Love,
Teacher Sue

Parent Education

This month’s parent ed topic is “Plays well with others.” We will discuss the different types of aggression, recognize the role aggression plays in the social hierarchy, and learn how to build a foundation of positive social skills.

You will also have a chance to make next month’s working schedule and bond with fellow parents. As usual, parent ed starts at 6:30 pm. The Wiggleworms meet on Monday, April 11, and the Bumblebees meet on Wednesday, April 13. It is mandatory for all members.

Wish List

Superhero capes
Tent
Lantern
Kids’ socks

We Did It!

I can’t express how proud I am of all of you and the effort that went into the auction. It was such a fun evening! We made over $16,000 in gross proceeds – the most we have ever done, and with the fewest families. You all deserve a huge “thanks.” A special big hug goes to Angelina! She put in countless hours to make sure everything went smoothly, and it paid off big time. The proceeds will go a long way to the continual improvement of our program, as well as allow us to put a little away in our rainy day fund.

We’re Going to the Farm!

This month we are lucky enough to visit Boundy Farm on Bainbridge Island. We will get to tour the farm and see (and try to feed) horses, cows, chickens, sheep, geese and fish.

Children should wear boots and dress for wet weather. Snack and story time will be in the barn at the end of the tour. Snack parents, bring a “portable” snack along with paper towels, hand wipes and/or sanitizer, and a garbage bag. And please have a few extra for siblings who may be joining us.

The Bumblebees will go Wednesday, April 13, and the Wiggleworms will go on Thursday, April 14. Both classes need to be at the farm at 9:30. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking options.

This is not a drop-off day, so children must have a responsible adult with them. Siblings are welcome, just tell Teacher Sue.

Directions: Turn right on High School Road, then follow until the road “T”s at Fletcher Bay Rd. DO NOT TURN, but drive straight across into the driveway. You will see a big, blue barn. After parking by the driveway fence, walk up to the lawn area and find Teacher Sue with carrots ready to feed the horses. See you there!

Parent Education Make up Class

This Saturday, April 9, from 10:00 am – noon, there is a make up time for the many families that have missed more than one parent ed class already this year. Please plan on joining Teacher Sue and many board members — no children, please – to give our school a thorough deep-cleaning. It is important that we clean all the surfaces and spruce up the classroom so it looks its best for our open house.

Open House

Wednesday, April 20 we will be hosting an open house to start introducing new students to the preschool. Please get the word out that families are welcome to visit our classroom that evening from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. They can bring their children to play while they learn more about our program.

This, of course, means preschool registration will be open to the public and we will fill classes on a first come, first served basis. So don’t forget to turn in your registration if you are interested in returning to preschool next year. We’d love to have you back.

Our Last Fundraiser

On the weekend of April 16 and 17, we will be helping at the Lumberjack Run that is being held on the same trails where we held our Jack-o-Lantern Jog this past October. People will be coming from far and wide to participate in this 50- and 100-mile run. Our preschool will be manning a support station for 30 hours straight. This means we will have a couple people, around the clock, available to help runners with food, drink, blankets and encouragement. There is a sign-up sheet available on the bulletin board next to our front door, where you can put your name down for the time when you would be willing to help. Our preschool will earn a third of the run’s profits.

You can also visit our school during the open house on Wednesday, April 20th.  Anytime between 6 and 8pm, you can meet Teacher Sue and explore the playroom.  See how the kids at Poulsbo Cooperative play and learn!