Co-op News
Hello Families. The Co-op classroom has been a fun and busy place. By this time of year the children seem very settled into the classroom routine, have made friends, and have a good sense of their acquired problem solving abilities. It has been a pleasure to observe friends helping friends with ideas and solutions. It is wonderful to hear them say; " I have and idea", "How about five minutes" or "Let's take turns". Problem solving is such a fundamental aspect of young social emotional development at Hilltop Preschool. And this time of year we begin to see the children blossom with their skills.
The Co-op classroom has also been busy with investigating the decomposing pumpkin, the garden, the fruit trees, and especially the peach tree. With the peach tree in bloom, many bees have been visiting the flowers  in search of nectar. This has prompted many conversations about bees, why they visit the tree and if they will sting us. We recently read the Bee book to learn and discover more about bees. Please take the time to visit the garden, the fruit trees, and the pumpkin with your child so you may learn and share in their discoveries about nature, how plants grow, why plants decompose and the purpose of bees. The children have enjoyed learning and discovering wonderful things in their own Hilltop play yard.
The Co-op Teachers
Jennie, Sara and Sara |
Fundraising Fundamentals
At Hilltop, revenue from fundraising is essential to our operations. Each year, fundraising comprises almost 20% of our budget. Without successful fundraising, we simply wouldn’t have the cash to pay our rent, payroll and other bills.
So what does 20% of our budget mean? Well this year, we are budgeted to raise about $24,000 through our fundraising activities. With approximately 35 families, that means each family on average must bring in around $685 through their fundraising participation and efforts in order for the school to meet its goal.
So how are we doing so far this year? Quite well, particularly considering the economic climate. With the combined results of the auction, Tanaka Farms produce boxes, See’s Candy sales, Surf City marathon, Ralphs/Albertsons/GoodSearch scrip, family photography, restaurant nights and Frogg’s Bounce House, we’ve raised around $17,000, about 71% of our total goal. A huge thanks to our Ways & Means team (Shona, Alison, Beth and Laura E.) who have worked so hard to lead us to this point.
But we can’t let our year-to-date fundraising success diminish our efforts. We still have the remaining 29% to go. While our biggest fundraising event (our annual auction) is long over, we still have plenty of time and events to reach the full goal. But that requires everyone’s participation. Here are the fundraising events we have remaining for this year (along with a couple more rounds of Tanaka Farms produce boxes). Remember to invite your friends, neighbors and family to participate in these events as well.
March
- Saturday 6th -Safari Night
- Wednesday 9th - Dream Dinners
- Saturday 20th - Fundraiser at Classroom Supplies on Goldenwest
- Monday 22nd - Frogg's Bounce House Fundraiser 10-4pm
April
- Friday 23rd - My-Gym Fundraiser (tentative)
- TBA - Restaurant Night @ Roundtable Pizza & Dippin Dots in HB
May
- Saturday 1st - Spring Festival & Trike-A-Thon
- Wednesday 12th - Frogg's Bounce House Fundraiser
- Thursday 13th - TBA
- Friday 14th - TBA
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March In-Service
The topic for this month's  parent in-service will
be "Active Listening/Feeling Encouragers." Join us at the General Meeting on March 17th to explore this important subject! |
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Musical Notes
Hello Everybody!
Music Together is now in Co-op! We’ve had four classes so far, and the response has been tremendous. We already have favorites! Have your children been circling their hands in front of their faces? That’s ‘Old Brass Wagon’. Have they been cawing like crows and singing “chick-a-dee”? That’s ‘Robin Red Breast’. I am very excited by the level of participation that I’ve seen, for while it is natural for young children to respond to music, it is not the nature of all young children to freely express themselves in front of others. Some children observe and listen in group situations, then try the activities out at home.
Speaking of “at home”, are you finding ways to be musical children with your children at home? Look to your children for inspiration: join them in marching, drumming, chanting, and singing! Do what they do. Remember that singing can be done WITHOUT using words. In the Pre-K room, Isabella and McKenna consistently sing the ‘Goodbye Song’ with barks! Need more inspiration? March is Music Together’s Sing With Your Child month. Our goal is to get every family in the world singing with their children! Check out the ‘Sing With Your Child 2010’ section of the Music Together’s national website (www.musictogether.com) for fun activity suggestions and the Hello Song video contest!
I look forward to joining you around the campfire on the 6th at Safari Night! If you have special requests or suggestions about what you’d like for me to do or bring, please email me at info@beachmesamusictogether.com
Keepin’ it Musical!
Ms. Kindel |
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Board Nominations
At our April 21st General Meeting, which is mandatory for all families, we
will be voting for 2010-2011 Board Members. But before we can vote, we
need nominations!
Coming soon to your parent box, look for a document describing:
- Responsibilities for all Board Member Positions
- Responsibilities of the Nomination Committee
Also in your box will be a nomination form which needs to be returned
by April 19th.
This is a rewarding way to fulfill your job requirement at Hilltop. Please consider it for yourself or nominate someone you think would be great for one of the positions.
Please talk to Stephanie Gallegos if you have any questions about Board Positions, the
Nomination process, or Elections.
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