NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2008
Dear Parents,

This month is an extremely busy one for all of us at Circle of Friends.  In this
newsletter you will read details on school pictures, preschool conferences,
registration for next year and other important information.

FUND RAISERS

Thanks for all of you who participated in the Uno’s night.  What a lot of fun.  
We continue to collect box tops and Shaw’s receipts.  We will also be involved in
a fundraiser at the
Learning Express on November 4th.  Additional details can
be found in the Parent Board section.   Circle of Friends is very appreciative of
your support for these programs.

School pictures will be taken November 6th and 7th by Ted Morton
Photography. A note with the designated day for your child will be coming home
shortly.   All individual photos of children and class pictures will be taken during
the school day.  If you would like to have siblings in the photos or have a family
grouping done, please sign up on the photo sheet at the reception desk. The
process will at 8 a.m. for family and or sibling pictures. Ted has been doing our
school pictures for many years and always does an incredible job.

IN THE PRESCHOOL

First let me thank the Framingham Fire Department for visiting us last month
with a special thank you to Anderson’s Auto School for allowing us to use their
facility to watch the Fire Department videos.  Even though the weather was not
the best, the children were able to come out and climb aboard engine 7 followed
by a short walk next door to Anderson’s.   It was a real treat.

Anyone who has walked into school over the last few weeks has been greeted by
the wonderful cooking scents from apple sauce, apple crisp, pretzels and
pumpkin cookies.  We have some amazing bakers in our school.  

The Cubs are really enjoying the letter of the week in their classroom.  Cooking
has been exceptional.  Apple-Berry Crisp took in the first three letters in one
swoop.  They are truly great bakers and having a wonderful time experimenting
with measurements, textures and taste tests.  Graphs noting a variety of apples
and mirror portraits are just some of the interesting things that go on in this
room.  Origins of student’s first names are up next.

The Butterflies’ Farm Stand was a sight to behold.  These future economists
made lots of choices as they chose produce, weighed products and counted out
play money.  Paper or plastic were the words of the day.  Lesson on deciduous
trees and evergreens kept their interest as they talked about pigment in leaf
color.   

The Ducklings are knee deep into Autumn.  Fall wreaths of acorns and
pinecones and baking pumpkin cookies kept these ducks quite busy.  Roots,
shoots, sprout, oxygen and chlorophyll are some of the words they focused on.  
Pumpkins, squirrels and how animals prepare for winter are next on the agenda.

The Duckling class is in need of a digital camera.  If you have recently purchased
a new camera and your old one is still in working condition, please think of us.

The Bunnies have been very busy.  The taste test with green, yellow and red
apples was a big hit.  Paper bag pumpkins were fun to decorate but carving and
scooping out seeds from a big pumpkin was amazing.  Learning to flip coats on
was a great lesson for everyone.

Little Chicks have had a great time discussing shapes and sizes of different
leaves from maple, oak, sassafras and dogwood.  Pinecones, acorns, leaves and
maple seeds in the science area provided a wonderful opportunity to feel various
textures.  These scientists were mesmerized as they explored the inside of a
pumpkin, how it felt and what it smelled like.

Daily challenges and discovering the world around us keep everyone on their toes.

If you have dress up clothes that your child has outgrown and you feel would be
appropriate for our dress up corners, we would love to have them.  Community
helper gear such as police and firefighter clothes, nurse and doctor outfits, or
outfits depicting your heritage would be welcomed with open arms.

The
Change for Children program has gotten off to a great start.  Each class
has a piggy bank to collect any spare change that comes in. Last month
everyone in the preschool got a chance to put a coin in the bank.  We have
designated the funds collected to date toward a share of a goat, a share of a
sheep and a share of a llama.  Thank you for your donations and for helping
children learn the valuable lesson of helping others. Your generosity is greatly
appreciated.


GYM CLASS
Carol Kagan, our gym teacher, has asked me to remind parents that children
should wear soft soled shoes or sneakers on Gym day.  This is particularly
important as winter approaches and children begin to wear heavy all weather
boots.  A pair of sneakers in your child’s bag will make Gym class fun and keep
everyone safe.   

CONFERENCES
Fall conferences will begin November 3rd and continue through the next week
and a half.  Please contact the office if you haven’t received your conference
schedule.  All conferences are held with Lead Teachers and are in 15 minute
segments.  This is a great time to ask questions about your child, so be sure to
make a list.  It is extremely important that you arrive at your conference at the
specified time so that we can accommodate everyone.  If you are unable to
attend at the designated time, please try to switch your time with another family.

REGISTRATION
Registration for next year will begin on November 13th promptly at 8:00 a.m. in
the office.  You will receive a registration form and tuition sheet for 2009/2010 in
your child’s bag the first week in November.  Please let me know if you do not
receive one.

Circle of Friends Preschool and Children’s Center families will have first choice of
classes until December 1st, after which time registration will be opened to the
general public.  

Classroom assignments will be made at the discretion of the Director and
teaching staff with the child’s readiness and best interests in mind.  Please
remember that you are only allowed to return registration forms for your own
family.  Teachers are unable to collect forms in the car line and those found in
bags will not be counted until the end of the day.  As the registration letter
states, limited space in some classes can make the process competitive.

SNACK TIME IN THE PRESCHOOL
This month snacks will include crackers, apples, oranges, carrots and pears.  
Some of the things the children will be baking include cranberry relish, monkey
bread, dirt cups, and home made butter and corn bread. We are very grateful to
families who have baked special treats for classrooms or brought in fruit.  These
delicious additions are always welcome and very much appreciated.

EXTENDED DAY
We have a wonderful group of children who stay and have lunch with us.   As the
years go by, the number of children with severe allergies has also increased.   
One of our biggest issues is children with peanut allergies. For families whose
children will only eat peanut butter, an option we have used at school, is
sunflower butter.  Sunflower butter is very similar to peanut butter though a bit
sweeter.  You can find it at Trader Joe’s and other supermarkets.  Please give
sunflower butter a try.   Above all, if your child does have peanut products in his
or her lunch, please make sure that teachers are informed and lunch boxes are
labeled, alerting us to the contents.

In the interest of health safety, it is important that every child who stays beyond
lunchtime have a small towel to rest on and a small blanket.   Our space is
limited. Pillows and sleeping bags are difficult to store in cubbies or hang on
hooks.    


INFANTS AND TODDLERS

First, I would like to welcome Sarah Eastham, our new teacher in the Ladybug
classroom.  Sarah is a graduate of Framingham State College and has been
getting to know our Ladybugs since early October.  We are very happy to have
her here at Circle of Friends.

The Penguins and the Ladybugs have been very busy this month doing all
kinds of fall activities with leaves, acorns, and pumpkins.  With the cold weather
coming in, we have also been working on dressing skills – putting on jackets,
zipping up coats, and getting on mittens.   Upcoming activities will include a
picnic, making waffles and celebrating Pajama & Slipper Day.  Keep a look out for
the notice about these dates.

In
the infant room this month, we are pleased to welcome Nina Tjin-Limon and
Jax Poverman.  Jax is Kathy Herman’s grandson, so don’t forget to tell her how
cute he is!  Aiden will begin his transition from Teddy Bears to the Penguin room
where he will make many new friends.  

School pictures will be taken this year on November 6th and 7th.  All infants and
toddlers will have individual photos taken and the toddlers will try to do a
classroom photo as well.  If your child has a sibling at the school or, if you want
other family photos, please sign up on the photo sheet at the front desk.

Please remember to send your child to school with a warm coat, hats and
mittens.  Also, if you have not done so already, please check your child’s supply
of extra clothes here to make sure it includes some warm items.  As always,
please label all containers and cups that come into the classroom.  With a busy
group at lunchtime, this helps us to ensure that each child has his/her own cup
and containers are returned to the appropriate lunch box.    

Finally, please call if your child will be late or not coming in at all so we can staff
and plan appropriately.  Thank you.  

Maria Cosgrove


HEALTH NEWS
The approaching season brings colds, flu and sniffles.  We do our best to teach
children to cover their sneeze and wash their hands frequently to keep germs at
bay.  I am sure you do this at home as well.  If your child has had a fever or has
vomited, there is a 24 hour holding period until they may return to school.  This
is also done to minimize the spread of germs.  You can help control flu and
viruses by keeping your child home an extra day to rest and make sure their
systems are ready to tolerate the return to school.  All the staff and children in
the building appreciate your vigilance in keeping virus exposure levels down.   

LATE FEES
We are trying a new late fee procedure starting immediately.  If you are late
picking up your child, a late fee of $2.00 a minute after the first five minutes will
be accessed on your next statement.  This will eliminate having to fill out a late
slip and billing will be done according to what is recorded at pick up time.   
Hopefully, this will help teachers as well as parents during those sometimes hectic
dismissals.  Please keep this in mind in your planning as the inclement winter
weather approaches.  

VETERANS DAY
Just a reminder, the Preschool will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th,
Veteran’s Day.

THANKSGIVING BREAK
The Preschool will close for Thanksgiving break after extended day on 11/25.  
The entire building will be closed on 11/27 and 11/28.


IN CONCLUSION:

Thank you to Tracy Lampl for parent/teacher resources books.  A list of the
books available is attached to this newsletter.   We are so fortunate to have
volunteers like Tracy devoting their time and energy to projects such as this.  

Our thanks go to Debbie Dillon for being our school shopper this past year.  She
did an incredible job.  Christina Dervin has graciously taken over these
responsibilities and we are grateful for her help.

It’s starting to get nippy outside, and our unpredictable New England weather will
surely keep us on our toes.  We have a limited number of extra hats, mittens,
etc. in school.  Most children feel more comfortable with their own things, so
make sure they have what they need for the day (labeled, of course).  Please
remember that we don’t have the luxury of having children without the proper
clothing (or with a sniffle) stay in while the rest of their class is outside.

As always, feel free to call me with any questions or concerns.  Your input and
constructive criticism is essential to our becoming a better school.

Happy Fall,

Carola


FROM THE PARENT BOARD

Tuition info:

One of the most important decisions that the Parent Board has to vote on is the
tuition rate.  It’s a difficult decision.  While we want to keep increases in check,
we have to understand the needs of the business and decide what increase, if
any, is appropriate for Circle of Friends to sustain the excellent level of care for
our loved ones. A lot of thought goes into this…we do a competitive analysis of
area preschools, and then look to our financial guru, Sarah Burzillo to make
recommendations. This year, in particular was tough. The economy is teetering,
and the purse strings are tighter for everyone. BUT –without an increase, our
wonderful teachers and great Circle of Friends community would be affected.
Keeping all of this in mind, the Parent Board voted to increase the 2009-2010
tuition by 2%. For perspective, this is a smaller increase than in previous years.
We are obviously concerned about the health of the economy, yet we felt without
this slight raise, the impact to our school would be negative.


Upcoming Events:

School Pictures, Ted Morton Photography is coming! Ted will be coming
November 6th & 7th.   A packet with a variety of options will be sent home with
the finished pictures so that you can make your selections.  Parental volunteers
are needed to help get the children ready for their photo shoot.  Sign ups for
volunteers were recently sent home.  Please contact either Jenine Lawton -
jeninepollack@hotmail.com or Libby Gorman - libby@hotaine.net if you could
pitch in an hour or so.

Giving Feels So Good:

After casting your ballot at the polls on Tuesday, November 4th, swing over to
Learning Express in Sudbury between 9AM-6PM.  They will donate 20% of
your shopping dollars to Circle of Friends. Just tell the sales associate you’re with
the Circle of Friends Fundraiser when you check out so the school receives the
credit. It’s that easy!

We had another great UNO’s fundraiser. Pizza and magic was enjoyed by many!
Totals are still being tabulated Stay tuned for fundraising totals.

Thank you to Christine Memmott for continuing to collect all the
BOX TOPS from
the plastic teddy bear by the front door and turn little pieces of paper into money
for Circle of Friends - $200 last year!  It’s easy and the kids can help clip, stuff
Ziplocs, and carry them in.

When shopping online, check out
iGive. Our friends and family can shop on-line
for holiday gifts AND earn funds for our school at the same time!  iGive.com will
give a $5 bonus donation when you join and shop within 45 days, plus up to
26% of each purchase made through one of the hundreds of on line merchants!
(Ann Taylor, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Gap, eBay, Old Navy, Oriental Trading,
Overstock, Priceline, ProFlowers, Shutter fly, Snap fish, Staples, Starbucks,
Target, Tire Rack, airlines and more AND many of the merchants offer free
shipping and other discounts to make shopping even more fun!   

Click BEFORE you go shopping www.iGive.com/COF


BE OUR GUEST
Last month’s Parent Board meeting was packed!  Thanks to so many of you for
showing up and having a say in all things Circle of Friends.  We invite you to join
our next Parent Board meeting on November 13th at 7:30 in the conference
room.


REMINDERS

Pick Up and Drop Off Line  The pick up and drop off line is moving along quite
smoothly. We strongly suggest that you do not get out of your car while in line.
It is a moving line and safety is uppermost in our minds. Should you need to get
out, please pull forward and park.  

Go label crazy!  Don’t forget to label all your child’s belongings from backpacks
to socks.  Items you wouldn’t even think you should or could label get shuffled
around.

Volunteer  The Parent Board is always looking for volunteers to assist with
planning events and Fundraising efforts.  If you are interested in helping, please
contact Libby or Jenine.  After the photos, our next big event is the teacher
appreciation brunch in December.  We’ll be looking for volunteers to help cook,
bake or help out in a classroom.

Book Kits  Thanks to a generous grant from Target, and the tireless efforts of
Tracy Lampl, we were able to create a wonderful library of books kits that can be
signed out by parents.  Each kit has a theme which mirror the themes used in
the classrooms and contains 3-5 books.  Parents can request a particular book
kit to bring home and enjoy with their son or daughter.  In addition to the
classroom theme book kits, there is also a series of book kits designed to help
parents deal with an issue they may be facing such as a death in the family,
divorce or sleeping difficulties.  Checking out a kit is simple.  Just ask your
teacher for the kit you would like and she/he can help you sign it out.  All we ask
is that you return your kit promptly after reading the books so that another child
may enjoy them.

Here is a list of book kits that are available for sign out.  Check out a kit today!

  • Friendship
  • Families
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Hibernation
  • Stars/Moon/Night
  • Snow/Winter Animals
  • Groundhog Day
  • Nursery Rhymes
  • Dinosaurs
  • Five Senses
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • All About Me
  • Colors and Shapes
  • Farm Animals
  • Insects and Plants
  • Apples
  • Penguins
  • Body and Nutrition
  • Wind
  • Around the World
  • Recycling and Community
  • Library
  • Getting Ready for Kindergarten
  • Dreams/Nightmares
  • 100th Day
  • Post Office
  • Art
  • Under the Sea
  • School Buses
  • Rainforest
  • Divorce
  • Grief and Loss
  • Moving
  • New Sibling
  • Fear
  • Self-image
  • Disabilities
  • Bullying
  • Sleep Problems
  • Separation

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please let us know.
Libby Gorman and Jenine Lawton
Co-Presidents, Parent Board