Well, I certainly cannot let this newsletter go by without letting you know that Memorial Day was so much fun. When Mr. Dudley and I were ending the day, we learned that the numbers at our house came close to 150. Needless to say, the picnic and the parade were so much fun and we thank all who walked, watched and came to our house to celebrate such a traditional American holiday.
At the end of this week, we will have enjoyed our farm animals and we take every class over to the PK Center as long as the weather holds out. The children love the animals and it makes for an exciting outing.
Next week, on Friday, those children from the Pre K room will be promoted.
Since the last newsletter, there is quite a garden growing at the PK center so please if you have not visited, please do. As the vegetables grow, Mr. Dudley will be handing samples out when he can. Here at the IT center, there are sunflower seeds that our growing compliments of Jess and our littlest children. Let’s see how tall they get — great place by the entrance so that you can watch with your children.
Not sure how our fund raiser will turn out but I do know that there have been many orders. The money from our last fundraiser was used to buy an axillary thermometer for the infant toddler center. For the PK center we bought a large piece for the children’s lunch bags and other equipment. Anyone who wants to see the story in pictures of how we got the piece up the staircase, just ask. It is on my phone.
During the summer you will see a few of our high school/college students who are joining us or returning to help with the summer programs. Ms. Lindsey, Ms. Kathryn, Ms. Jennifer are college students who will be helping primarily at the IT center. Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Annie, Ms. Kaitlyn, and Ms. Jes are high school students and will predominantly be working at the PK center. Ms. Amber and Ms. Dana worked with us last summer and will be back again to help with the older children. At the PK center you will also see Mr. Nick who has been with us the last couple of years as a CIT – counsellor in training. This year he is actually coming to work with us and he is great helping with the summer sport activities. You will also see three other young CITs who will be joining us — Christian, Christian and Madeline. All have been with us in our childcare program so we welcome them as they come to work with us.
At the PK center, we will be saying goodbye to Ms. Alex who has been great working in the afternoons at the PK center. She will be working at a camp this summer and we wish to thank her and wish her the best.
Ms. Dotti has decided to retire this year and will be sorely missed. Through thick and thin, Dottie had supported Santa Fe and my family as we embarked on this new business. Her loyalty has helped to support this growing and expanding business. She has worked in every room, every age group and probably just about every staff member who has walked through these doors. It is clearly evident that she loves these children and she prides herself on doing an incredible job. We hope that she will come and visit and feed a baby or two when she can find the time as she has a large group of grandchildren that she cares for as well.
With Dottie leaving, Alisha will take her days and work full time through the summer for us. I have asked Maria to take the lead teacher position in the Cuddler’s room. I have been very impressed with Maria’s ease in working with others – staff as well as parents. She has a quite calm way about her and when all those babies are crying, she just meets their needs in a very comforting and calm fashion. She has shown a good understanding of developmental growth, good organizational skills and a willingness to continually work towards excellence in care. Her background and education are the foundation needed to work in an infant room:
• Degree in Psychology and on her way to doing her CDA as well
• Experience in developmental pediatrics working as a case manager
• Management experience having run a department of experts meeting the needs of developmentally challenged children and their families.
• Her recent contributions to the revamping of the Cuddler’s room to facilitate the motor development of all children
I would hope that everyone staff and parents offer her your congratulations but also recognize that she is a working partner in the care of your child. We are here to insure that your child is off to a good start which includes physical development but also includes social and emotional health.
You will see Ms. Selina in this room as one of the regular staff. Jess will be helping us with our transitions the next few months as so many of our children are so close in age. You will see Jess in either the Cuddler room or the Walkie- Talkie room depending on the needs of the children.
Please do not hesitate to stop in to tell me how your child/children are doing. I enjoy every story.
Jane
