TEDDY BEAR E-MAIL ADDRESS is for the whole school!!  Please feel free to use it whether you are a Teddy Bear or a Critter!!  The address is:  Coopteddybears@yahoo.com

CALLING CHAINS: You should all have received these from your child's teacher. Please SAVE these to refer to during the entire year. It is the quickest way we have to reach everyone when necessary. Please keep the chain going if someone does not answer-- leave a message on the answering machine, if possible, and call the next person on the list.
In case of bad weather, refer to SNOW DAY RULES in your booklet. Phone chains will start at 7:30 A.M. There are rare occasions when the staff does not want to risk your children's well-being and we will close whether Brewster does or not... you will get a call! No matter what, YOU should use your own judgment; please don't come if YOU think it is too dangerous for you to drive!!

OUR VISITING "PETS"' surely are having many adventures with the children at home. The Journals are filling up with great stories that we read to the children. Each day in class, the children anxiously wait to hear who will be the next host-- a good experience for them in learning to have patience and take turns. Thank you for helping your child remember to bring the pet and his book back on time!

HELPING PARENTS-Please remember to arrive 15 minutes before school begins so that you can help with the drop-off system. The system only works if you are there to help. Please park in the parking lot by the stone wall along Oak Street, or you may park in the numbered spots that are empty. This will facilitate our drop-off and pick-up times.

A LESSON ON GIVING-- Our collection boxes have been delivered to St. Andrew's Food Pantry.  Thank you for your generous donations!  The need continues, though.  We are extending our collection to include Christmas.  We greatly appreciate all your donations, which will be collected through December 14th. This provides a good opportunity for you to talk to your child about people who are less fortunate in the community.


PLEASE SAVE
1)  Washed Styrofoam bases from meat purchases (we use them to hold paint)
2) Containers from frozen meals, such as Lean Cuisine, or other micro. meals, also for paint!
All donations can be left in the collection box in the entrance hall. - Thank you!
    
           
WISH LIST -Here is a BIG WISH-We  are looking for a donation of a small real Christmas tree for the children to decorate at Christmas time. One that is about 5 or 6 feet tall is ideal. If you can help, please let one of the teachers know. Perhaps a few parents together would like to make donations towards the purchase of a tree?

REMEMBER our Holiday Musical show at Western Conn. State University (Tues. Dec. 10)! It has always been a great way to start off the Holiday season. Lots of songs and audience participation make a fun time for everyone.

PARKING LOT ISSUES…If it is necessary for you to walk your child in to school at drop-off, you must park away from the middle of the parking lot or entrance door so that the cars dropping off children are not blocked.  At pick-up time, please pull your car in as close to the wall or rows of cars as possible, filling in the middle area only if there is no other spot available.  We are experiencing many difficulties and frustrations and with everyone's cooperation, we will work together to make these times less stressful!

OUR THANK YOU PRAYER: (In case it was missed in previous newsletters!)
THANK YOU FOR THE WORLD SO SWEET,
THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD WE  EAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE BIRDS THAT SING,
THANK YOU, GOD FOR EVERYTHING.  AMEN


LOOKING AHEAD-
REGISTRATION for the 2003-2004 school year will take place on Tues., Jan. 14th from 9:30-11:00 AM. An OPEN HOUSE for all interested parents and students will be held on Fri., Jan. 10th , from 10:00-11:00 AM and 1:15-2:15 PM. Please pass the word on to your family and friends. Invite them to come and see what our Co-op is all about.

If anyone would like to help publicize our Open House or if you have any suggestions for the best places to advertise, please let Robin Tedeschi, or any one of the teachers know. We are always looking for new ideas. Where was the first place you thought to look when seeking out a school for your child?

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS will be celebrated as half birthdays here at school.  For example, if your child's birthday is July 7th, we will celebrate his birthday on or near January 7th.  This way we will avoid having so many birthdays at the end of the school year.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

Monday, Dec., 16th ~ Holiday Party… please watch for different school times and  surprises!

Tuesday, Dec., 10th ~ Holiday Show at Westcon…please ask teachers for directions!
        We should try to arrive by 10:00 am, for a 10:30 am show~parking can sometimes be an issue…

Tuesday, Dec. 17th - Jan. 2nd~NO SCHOOL-HOLIDAY RECESS!!                   

PICTURES SHOULD BE IN NEXT WEEK!!!  Please read the payment instructions included with your photos.


ALL OF US HERE AT BREWSTER CO-OP WISH YOU AND YOURS A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!!