You are invited to our
Annual Stone Soup Celebration,
Friday, November 20, 2009
11:30am – 1:00pm

Greetings everyone!

Just a note to say what a magical place Hilltop is!  Not only has the co-op and Pre-K children endured a seamless transition from the summer into the school year, but I’ve noticed that the parents have stepped it up as well in their support for this year’s Auction event.  As you know our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Fall Auction, “Dancing for Our Stars” is just around the corner on November 13th.  What happens around this time of the year, is that Hilltop becomes a COMMUNITY.  It is an event that is created, organized and led by the Hilltop parents, teachers and supporters. We all come together for the greater benefit of our children. Each year the event is unique, solely based on the creativity and the efforts made by each member.  We look forward to it every year and I am excited to see all of you there.

So how can you help?  You’ve probably noticed the ramp up in the Auction messages via yahoo groups and on the bulletin boards at school.  Yes, there are still many things to do and it is hard work, but well worth it…you’ll see! One of my favorite things about the Auction preparation is the “basket assembly”.  These evenings are always a great get together not only to work on the Auction baskets, but also gives you a “sneak peak” of the items.  So make sure you sign up for one of these nights.

Love,
Lisa Mullens

Musical Notes

Greetings Hilltop Families!

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to the year. I am so very happy Greetings Hilltop Families!

Are you hearing songs in your head? Most of us do, and are often bothered by not being able to make it stop. But for young children, the ability to hear the music in their heads is a major milestone in their musical development. The experience of hearing music in our minds is called audiation.This skill is the foundation of musical thinking, and is essential for musical growth to occur. Being able to hear the music in your own head enables you to create it in reality: to sing it out loud, to play it on your guitar or your piano. It is the musical equivalent of thinking through what you’re going to say before you say it.

Is your child audiating? I think many of them are! In a recent class, Owen and Taylor supplied the musical interlude from the CD on a song we were singing a capella. They heard the song in their heads, matched it to our classroom rendition, and added the part from the CD that we were not singing! And I’ve heard from Malia that there has been spontaneous singing of “Can You Do This?” in the classroom.

So listen closely for your children’s spontaneous singing, humming, and chanting. And the next time you can’t get that song out of your head, don’t despair – you’re audiating!

Welcoming your questions or comments, at info@beachmesamusictogether.com.
Musically,
Ms. Kindel

Pre-K Thoughts

Things are going well in pre-k this year. We have enjoyed the varied personalities and friendships are growing. The children are developing a sense of who they are in this classroom and within the group. The following is a window into the classroom:

On our walk to collect leaves one day in the park Koa discovered that there were lots of ants traveling around the base of a big tree and up the tree. He then noticed that some were traveling up and some down. I asked why they all thought they were going up the tree.

Molly said – Maybe they’re going to a party.

Taylor said – I think they are going to a meeting.

Denny, Chelsea and Alex were playing outside. Chelsea was busy with something and noticed Denny tell Alex that he loved him. Chelsea then also wanting to express her love and stated she loved him too. To which Alex responded- So many people love me!

Dominic stated one day – I wish I had safety goggles on all the time. Then when someone pokes me in the eye I won’t go blind.

Owen, wearing safety goggles that were too tight – My eyes were so tight that it was breaking out. He tried to poke me but luckily I had these safety goggles on.

Farmers Market Field Trip

In preparation for the Stone Soup Celebration, Hilltop will visit the Farmers Market at the Orange County Fairgrounds to purchase fresh vegetables required for the making of our special soup.

This field trip will be Thursday, November 19, 2009 . We will meet at Hilltop at 9:30 and leave for the market at 10am. We'll return to Hilltop for lunch at noon.

All children are welcome to attend even if that is not their regular school day.

More information will be passed out in early November, so please check your parent boxes.

November Parent In-Service

At the next General Meeting Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 7pm, special guest speaker Patricia Riba, MA, MD will discuss “What is proper nutrition along with the psychology of eating and feeding”.  She will address “picky” eaters, issues of childhood obesity and elimination problems along with other issues.  There will also be a time for questions and answers at the end of the talk.  See you then!