November/December 2004

PLEASE NOTE –

Just a note:  We are combining the November and December newsletter.  Thank you for everything you all do to support our school, children, and teachers.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful, loving, and generous family here at Brewster Co-op!  

THANKS TO --all the families who have donated food for our food pantry drive!! 

 --the GAGLIO family for sharing N.A. dolls and folklore!

 --the BANCROFT family for donating TWO turkeys for our feast!  

 --the TORRIONI family for donating stuffing and a special snack treat to the afternoon classes!

--the FITZGERALD familiy for donating pictures!

--NORMS for donating placemats for us to decorate for our luncheon!!

--The MANOCCHI family for their donation of electronic toys!

--The DIMINNO family for donating games

PICTURE DAY was a day full of smiles and “Kodak moments!”  Thanks for your help! 

THANKS, ALSO to all those parents who helped to make our Halloween celebration eerily fun and successful!  Thank you in advance for all our volunteers who helped with our Thanksgiving Luncheon!  We couldn’t do any of it without all the extra help!  We’re sure everything will be delicious and everyone will have a great time!  Thanks also for your $5.00 contribution…it serves not only to cover the cost of our luncheon, but also helps to defray the cost of our special surprise guests for our holiday party!  

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 by 8:00 A.M. We will always close when BCSD closes.  In the event of a two hour delay, we will usually remain open.  If there is confusion, please feel free to call your child’s teacher.  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 10 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 will be delivered to St. Andrew’s Food Pantry this week.  Thank you for your generous donations!  We are extending our collection to include Christmas.  We greatly appreciate all your donations, which will be collected through December 17th. This helps to provide an opportunity for you to talk to your child about people who are less fortunate in our community.

WISH LIST –Here is a BIG WISH—We  are looking for a donation of a small Christmas tree for the children to decorate at Christmas time. One that is about 5 or 6 feet tall would be ideal. If you can help, please let one of the teachers know.

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!  One more request…please DO NOT PARK in spaces 7 or 10, since these spaces are designated to commuters, and some get extremely grouchy when their space is taken…(they obviously never learned how to share ~ ha-ha!)

LOOKING AHEAD-

REGISTRATION for the 2005-2006 school year will take place on Thurs., Jan. 13^th from 9:30-11:00 AM. An OPEN HOUSE for all interested parents and students will be held on Wed., Jan. 12^th , 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 our exciting and wonderful  Co-op program!

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:

Friday, Dec., 17th ~ Holiday Party… please watch for different school times and  surprises!

Tuesday, Dec., 7th ~ 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…

Monday, Dec. 20th – 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 THANKSGIVING AND  HOLIDAY SEASON!!

WITH WARMEST REGARDS,

ROBIN, VERONICA AND JANE