July 24, 2006

Two major events not to be missed are: the Big Beach Party at the Millers' in West Sound.  This Sunday, August 30th at noon, if you need directions, please talk to Lydia, RSVP to Lori and Fred (Milo's parents) at 468-0543.  Bring a potluck dish to share!  There will be music: Hans Mayer will be giving a performance.  Maria's husband, Nathan, will also play his bass and we will have a great sound system, so bring your favorite CD (please be sure your name is on it so we can safely return it to you.)

Another potluck prior to our graduation ceremony on Tuesday (tomorrow) at noon.  We will share lunch together -- please bring easy finger food and/or juice/fruit and then the children will be presented with their graduating diplomas.  Does anyone have that Michael Jackson song "We are the ones, we are the children?"  I would love to borrow that tomorrow.  Please bring your camera.

This past week was filled with puppet making and innovative spontaneous puppet shows.  We created numerous glitter galaxies, and finally got a nice, hot day for much water play and slippery, mushy footprints on a paper roll.  This coming week will be focused on saying good-bye and reflecting on all we have accomplished the past year.

This week we are hoping the weather will be warm enough to enjoy more water play.  Please bring a bathing suit and labeled towel.

A preschool parent reported a suspected case of chicken pox this week, so stay alert to spots and fever.  Seven days of incubation is recommended.

You have a last opportunity to volunteer.  We have a clean-up day scheduled for Tuesday, August 2nd from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Lydia has kindly arranged a couple of babysitters.  We will be doing some basic clean-up type things: kitchen cupboards, refrigerator, washing chairs, etc...  We will be playing music and having fun while working together.

We have a Board Meeting today at 3:15 pm and everyone is welcome.  It will take place in the elementary school.

It has been an incredible gift to spend such precious time with your children.  This is such a crucial, creative time in their lives and Samara and I feel deeply honored to be part of your family.  Thank you for choosing Salmonberry Preschool.

Many blessings, have a safe summer, wear your sunscreen, and listen to your heart.

Love,

Ethna and Samara

July 17, 2006

Parent meeting today at 1:15 pm.  Stephanie will be here for child care.

This will be our last parent meeting of the school year.  With only two weeks to go and so much to do, we would love to touch base with you before the end of the year.  We will be discussing graduation ideas, snack scheduling, and August child care options.

These days are flying by.  As soon as the weather brightened up, we were outside as much as possible and that will be our continuing goal.  As a group, we have been talking about being kind, friendship skills, conflict, and listening to each other.  We have been singing and playing music, and being very active with games outside.  This coming week, we anticipate the weather will be warm enough to do lots of water play activities.

I had submitted proposals to teach a portion of our circle time activity at state and national conferences for the Education of Young Children.  I am excited to say that my proposals have been accepted.  Now all I have to do is make my way to the state conference in Bellevue, and the national conference in Atlanta.  As part of that preparation, I hope to be doing a little taping of our circle time and how our children ring the bells in an effort to attain balance and calm.  I would be happy to tell you more about this at the parent meeting today.

These next few weeks will fly by and we are really hoping that all our graduating children will be able to attend a small graduation.  At this time we are thinking a potluck style lunch next week.

There will be a Board Meeting coming up in the next three weeks.  You are all invited to attend. 

Please remember our beach party potluck at the Millers on July 30th.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

July 10, 2006

It has been a fabulous summer to date.  We have released two sets of butterflies in our thriving garden.  Samara and the children made a wonderful snack from the vegetables in the garden last week.  The fish, however, did not fare well.  On day one the first one died, day two another one bit the dust, nd by Wednesday with another dead fish, I returned them to the fish doctor.  We will not be looking after fish in the near future -- it does not seem to be one of our strong points.  However, the good news is, Andria came in and worked on the chicken coop, securing possible entrances of the predator.  The two remaining chickens have returned home.

Our sun prints came out great; the children came up with many creative designs.  We spent most of last week delving into clay.  We will be continuing to work with clay and spending much time in the garden.  Finalizing the secion on solar system.

It is amazing to think we only have three weeks left of this quarter.  I know this will go very fast.  Samara and I are discussing how we would like to do graduation for our preschoolers.  We are open for ideas this week.  There is a very strong feeling of trepidation abut saying good-bye to these children that have become so much a part of our lives.  I know we will see them again but we will deeply miss having them with us on a daily basis.

The last parent meeting will be next Monday 7/17 at 1:15 pm.

Thank you to Heidi and Dennis for the donation of the large pot and the weed whacker.  Thank you to those of you who have helped with the weeding; we welcome more volunteers in this area even if it is only 15 minutes worth, it makes a difference.

The preschool is looking great.  Moana had the building repainted, the decks, sidewalks, and furniture power washed, windows repaired, and some plumbing repair.  Rick, the painter, left us some beautiful flowers out on our deck and the place looks awesome.  Thank you, Moana.

Make sure you have the end of the year beach party on your calendar, July 30 at the Millers.

We have had a few discussions on friendship this week.  We have been talking about the qualities of good friends, and being kind.  It seems the children absorb vast amounts of knowledge and are open to ideas.  They bring so much joy and creativity to our school.  Thank you for entrusting us with these unique and fascinating precious children.  We promise to be as fully present as we can while providing a safe place for exploration and stretching.  We feel blessed to do the work we do.  It is an honor.  Thank you for the opportunity!

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

June 26, 2006

Happy Solstice!!!

The heat has arrived!  We have been enjoying the sunshine as much as possible.  We will be spending a lot of time outside; may I suggest leaving a hat in your child's cubby with their name on it?  If you wish your child to wear sunscreen, please do that before school.  If you forget, we have sunscreen and would be happy to help.

Last week we made more butterflies, finger painted, and began making our own "Very Hungry Caterpillar" books.  We have watched all our caterpillars grow and change into chrysalises, and as of Saturday afternoon we have one butterfly.  We anticipate a freedom party when we let our butterflies go.

The beach party was rescheduled to Saturday, July 30, 12:00-3:00 pm.  Please bring a dish to share; everything else will be provided.  Pebblecove Farm, 3341 Deer Harbor Road, 2 miles past the West Sound Deli toward Deer Harbor.  The Millers 376-6161.

There will be no school July 3 and 4th, with an 11:00 am start on Wednesday, July 5th so you can stay up late and enjoy Eastsound's spectacular fireworks.

Finally it is here...SPA NIGHT...this Thursday at "The Buddha Barn."  3:00 - 9:00 pm -- drop in and stay for an hour or six.  Hawkins Road behind the big Orcas map, stay to the right at the Y, the barn is on the right.  Bring your bathrobe or clothes to relax in, towel, and finger food to share.

The animal collection has been in transition this past month.  Just before school started we lost three of our adorable chickens to an unknown predator, and the other two were rescued by the Freedman/Hagstrom family.  Our caterpillars are transforming as you read this, and as of Saturday we now have 10 baby goldfish on load indefinitely.

Tuesday, June 27, there will be a planning party for the 4th of July parade at 3:00 pm.  We are thinking about Salmonberry families walking together.  Come to the meeting and help formulate a plan.  

This week we'll be making solar prints and exploring clay.  We will continue to observe our chrysalises and get to know our fish family.

Samara brings endless energy and creative ideas to this program, if you are looking for ideas on how to fulfill your volunteer requirement.  Samara has created a beautiful board listing some volunteer idea opportunities just inside the school.

Blessings, 

Ethna and Samara

June 19, 2006

Changes, changes, changes.  Come take a look (no touching, though) at our chrysalises!  We have four painted lady butterflies in the making.  In class we've been monitoring them, measuring their progress, and marveling at their rapid growth.  We've also been going through our own metamorphoses through story and play.  We've been caterpillars, pretending to molt again and again, shedding the skins that no longer fit our growing bodies.  We've imagined what it feels like to change so much -- to have wings when we did not before, and we've felt the freedom of flight as we've taken off, blown by the wind in search of sweet flower nectar.  Here is a copy of a poem we've been acting out.  Some of our old-timer parents might recognize it:

Butterfly butterfly big and bright

Flies all day and flies all night

Blown by the wind as tired as can be

Bumps into a beechnut tree

Beechnut tree hugs the butterfly

As the winds blow by

'Cause friends help friends

When the wind blows strong

So be a butterfly

And sing this song.

We've also been doing story yoga -- learning yoga poses that go with a story.  Our latest is about a butterfly who gets caught near an erupting volcano.  (Don't worry -- with the energy of the sun and some powerful breathing the butterfly gains the strength to fly to safety.)  The sun has also been the center of a lot of our attention as the children have pretended to be planets revolving around it -- one of the ongoing activities relating to our unit on the solar system.

This next Sunday, June 25 at Lydia and John Miller's: 3341 Deer Harbor Rd. from 12:00 - 3:00 pm will be a Salmonberry community-wide beach party.  Details will be posted this week at school.  We will gather, connect, enjoy each other -- something that always feels necessary and comforting.

Thank you to all our committed parents who help our preschool run smoothly, who encourage your children to see the good in themselves and in life, and who recognize the value of staying open.  May our hearts continue to be open to each other, and may we discover the countless ways we can encourage each other to use those wings of ours to soar.  And when that wind does blow, to know we have our community to nurture and protect us.  

In Peace,

Samara

June 12, 2006

Our first week of the summer quarter flew by.  We made many butterflies with different media, my favorite were the mirrored prints with paint on one side, then rubbing the folded paper that opens to a surprise creation.  It was so appealing we had a few parents jump in to participate.  We encourage your participation and we are grateful for your awareness in avoiding influencing your child's creation.

Our caterpillars arrived safely.  The first batch arrived at the beginning of the week and the second batch arrived on Friday.  We have been watching them grow very quickly and keeping a chart of their progress.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has been a big hit.  Along with puppet shows and discussions of the universe, our solar system, earth, and our island.  Not to mention the creative woodworking that evolved this week.  It has been a very full week.  We really enjoyed our sunny days and spent much time outside when we could.

We will be working on something for Father's Day this week.  We will continue to chart the growth of our caterpillars.

I am away Thursday and Friday of this week and Monday of next week.  Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff will be assisting Samara Thursday and Friday.  I have known Muriel and her parents for a few years.  Muriel has graduated Orcas High School as valedictorian and is off to college in the fall.

Although there is flexibility with arrivals in the morning, if you are going to be arriving closer to 9:30 am please call and let us know.  Depending on the time of your arrival we will try and greet you at the door.  We would appreciate your call if you are not attending school on your scheduled day.  If you are going to be late for 1:00 pm pickup at school, it is important to call.  Thank you.

We have a parent meeting today at 1:15 pm; Muriel will be able to watch your preschooler while you are attending the meeting.

Thank you, Moana, for hiring Rick Moore.  Rick has done a great job painting our preschool buildling.  It looks fabulous!

Blessings and love,

Ethna and Samara

June 2, 2006

Welcome back!  We are ready for eight weeks of jam-packed fun, learning, creating and celebrating.  This quarter we will be exploring space and looking at our planet, where we are on the planet, and what earth is made of.  We will be watching caterpillar's metamorphism from their chrysalis into butterflies.

We have two new faces starting on the 12th of June.  Please welcome Maddi and Christian.  This quarter we are asking that no nuts or seeds come with the snack that you as parents bring to school for the whole class (please plan on 11 children and, if possible, Samara and I.)  Of course your child may want nuts and seeds in their lunch, which is fine.  We will not be using them when cooking for the whole class.

We are optimistic about the weather; we plan to spend plenty of time outside this quarter.  It is a great idea to put sunscreen on  your child in the morning.  We will have some sunscreen at school, which we will use.  If you do not want sunscreen on your child please let us know.  This would be a good time to change the spare clothes in the green closet.  If you could switch the winter clothes for warm weather clothes that would be appreciated.  We are bound to need them.

I thank you for your help over the break with clean up and preparations.  If you are feeling guilty and need a job to do, talk to me and I will guide you to relief in the form of a manageable job.  Anyone can feel free to help with weeding the garden; we are swamped and any help will be appreciated.  If you are overwhelmed with all you have to do in life, take a breath!  And let it go.

Prepare for spa night, June 29th.  Make sure your significant other will take the children or arrange a sitter.  This is going to be well worth your time.  I firmly believe that we need to refill our own cup before we can continue to give.  When you are recharged you know you do a much better job as a parent.  This is the perfect rechargeable opportunity.  Come to the barn between 3:00 and 9:00 pm for massage/facial/hot tub and the support of other women.  We bring healthy snacks and hang out and talk with nothing better to do than RELAX!  We will cover more details at the next parent meeting.

Lots of love and summer blessings,

Ethna and Samara

May 8, 2006

This is the last week of our jam-packed spring quarter; we are celebrating the graduation of four children this week.  Emma and Robert have already moved over to Salmonberry Kindergarten.  Amirah, who has been traveling over from San Juan Island, will be taking the summer off and attending a Montessori school on San Juan in September.  This is also Brennan's last week; he will be taking the summer off and attending the Orcas Elementary School's kindergarten.  We will have a brief graduation/goodbye today at circle time.

May Day celebrations were pulled off by a few committed parents.  Thank you to Tammy and Paul Pollard for setting up, Tammy for selling fruit for two hours, Samara for taking over the booth and helping me with the lengthy clean-up.  Emily and Lydia did a wonderful job face painting.  Gratefully Samara's daughter, Stephanie, and her friend came by in the afternoon to paint many more faces.  Thank you to all those who contributed fruit and thank you Andria for muffins.  It was the determination of a few that made this one happen!

The summer schedule is complete, the vacant spaces filled immediately. Some children have increased their days; however we still have a current maximum of four days and a minimum of two days.  There will be one new face: Maddi, whose sister will be attending Salmonberry with Paul and Mairi.

We have decided after much thought and experimentation that 13 children in the classroom were a little too much.  It is amazing but a few small children make a big difference.  The summer schedule will average 11 children per day and we are still open 5 days per week.  It is our focus to offer children quality interactions, guidance, and support.  This is much easier to achieve with a smaller group of children.

Please make sure you clean everything out of your child's cubby this week.  I tend to be brutal in getting rid of unwanted stuff.  I will assume I can dispose of anything left.

Have a wonderful, rejuvenating spring break and a serene Mother's Day.  We look forward to your return on June 5.

Love and blessings,

Ethna

May 1, 2006

Our garden has been planted.  We are grateful to Stacy for the extra raspberry and strawberry plants.  The children chose to plant spinach, corn, peas, beans, and lettuce.  We have beets, cauliflower, squash and much more.  I look forward to our children eating delicious, healthy organic produce.  We deer-proofed, but did not think to child-proof.  Everything in the garden was in place on Thursday night when we left but Friday morning we were disappointed to find some plants were trampled on and plucked out.  Please pay close attention if you are at school after hours with your children.

May 6th, this Saturday, will be a fabulous celebration.  It is the first day of the Farmer's Market and all May Day celebrations will take place on the Green.  There will be a parade from Children's House leaving at 9:45 am for the Green, or you can meet us at the Green.  Festivities on the Green will be starting at 10:00 am.  Salmonberry will have a fresh fruit salad booth, and face painting.  We really need some  help with making fruit salad, selling it, and painting faces.  The sign-up is in the mud room.

We have a parent meeting today!  Please come at 1:15 pm; we will be providing child care and a fun game for moms.

The next Board Meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday 5/2 at 3:15 pm.  We love to have parents attend.

The school year is flying by; there are only two weeks left in this quarter. 

Our spa night has been scheduled for Thursday, June 29th.  This will be an opportunity for us to just hang out and enjoy each other's company without our beloved children.  It is vital that we replenish our own cups so we can continue to give and give and give.  Massages and facials will be very reasonably priced.  Or just come and sit and enjoy the stillness or supportive conversation, get in the hot tub, or do some yoga.

This week we will be focusing on the birds that visit our garden and starting some secret arts and crafts; no peeking, moms.

The Thai Sisters restaurant was fabulous.  Authentic and excellent!  They are open Thursday and Friday, lunch and dinner in the kitchen at Oddfellows Hall.

Have a fabulous week.  We can hardly wipe the smiles off our faces with this wonderful spring weather.

Love and blessings,

Ethna and Samara

April 24, 2006

Wow!  What an explosive week we had!  Recently many children made clay volcanoes, and this past week we made plaster-of-paris volcanoes.  We played with a number of experiments of how to make different volcano-type eruptions.  We discovered that for a big volcanic eruption you need a bottle of soda and a packet of Mentos (strawberry worked.)  Thankfully we did this one outside.  With our individual volcanoes we used vinegar, red food dye, and baking soda.  It was very exciting and terribly messy, which adds up to a lot of fun.

Earlier in the week we had painted our own Earths, and designed beautiful transparent spring necklaces.  This week, our focus will go to our garden and planting.  We are hoping to plant lots of food, so that we can enjoy healthy eating all summer.  This is one of the gifts of being an all-year-round school.

Thank you for getting your enrollment applications in on time.  We assume everyone who intended to apply has done so, unless they have spoken to Paul or me personally.  Paul Freedman and I will be meeting soon; it is decision time.  We are taking many variables into consideration and we are aware this could be a very difficult task.  Paul and I will give this application process our total presence, with heart and integrity.  If your child will be attending Orcas Island Elementary please let me know so I can keep you informed about our kindergarten transition program.

Hopefully, most of you have had the opportunity to meet Chama who has been working occasionally on Fridays; she is wonderful with the children.  Chama is very grounded and calm, and I love having her around.  This week you will notice a new face at preschool -- her name is Amy Prince.  Amy also comes with an extensive background in working with children and designing programs.  Amy will be visiting on Tuesday and substituting for Samara on Wednesday.

It is amazing that May is so close.  We are looking for face painters for our May Day Festival, which promises to be a blast!  May I suggest we watch each other's children while we take turns painting faces?  If you cannot paint a face, we are inviting you to donate some fruit already cut up.  Salmonberry School will be selling some healthy fruit cups at the May Day Festival.  Thank you!

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

April 17, 2006

Coffelt's Farm was an exciting adventure.  The sun was shining as two kids (the goat kind) followed us everywhere.  The most surprising moment was when the ewe jumped the fence to be with her baby lamb, knocking down one of our children.  As it happened, our host, Ruthie, was holding the lamb for us to gently touch.  Just like the mother bear in all of us, this sheep was going to do what she needed to take care of her baby.  Thankfully, nobody was hurt and we had an excellent field trip.

T-Ball starts today.  Register today, Monday April 17 at 3:30 pm at the public school playground.  Practice starts tomorrow, Tuesday April 18.  You must be 5 by August 1, 2006.  It costs $40.  Practice will be every Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm.  Parents must be present to supervise their children at T-ball.  If you would like to coach or have questions, call Amber 376-8882.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS THIS FRIDAY APRIL 21st

We have a Board Meeting tomorrow at 3:15 pm.  There may be an Executive Session, but after that everyone is welcome to attend.

We tolerate toys on occasion but find them hard to keep track of and generally distracting or worse.  It seems many toys have been showing up lately.  We would appreciate it if toys didn't come to school.

The children have been planting in the school garden.  It feels like perfect weather to assist growth.  Just like some of our children will be heading off to kindergarten, our seedlings also need a change in environment to keep growing.  The garden is really taking shape.

This week we will be looking at Earth Day, creating Earth art and art from earth.  We plan to explore volcano type experiments and continue to plant.  We have been practicing the continents song; ask your child to sing it to you:

North American, South America

Europe, Africa, Asia

don't forget Antarctica,

and don't forget Australia

Remember we have an open door and you are welcome to swing by anytime.  We are eager to spend even more time outside as the weather gets warmer.  Please provide warm clothing through this cool part of spring.

If you are feeling like you need to catch up on some volunteer hours, this would be a great week to continue the weeding by the fence and the side of the preschool.  

Thank you for continuing to support the best growth possible for your children.  Samara and I deeply treasure each child in our care and feel truly blessed to b part of their lives.

In gratitude and with blessings,

Ethna and Samara

April 10, 2006

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you to the awesome diehards who did not shrink from the wet and cold, but who turned up and worked hard.  We accomplished many of the projects on our list.  If you did not make it to the work party we have a few things left for you to do.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with others to improve the preschool grounds.  I personally find it very rewarding, working together in community, my body tired and my eyes feasting with a great satisfaction on the work done.  Thank you to Board members for a great lunch of hot soups, pizza, pasta, and salad.  Thank you to the workers: Barbara, Liz, Doug, Jon W, Tammy, Lydia, Rosie, Scott, John M, Lynn, Mairi, Paul F, Paul P, Paul K, Emily, and a special thank-you to Lori and Fred, who traveled from Lopez.  I am also thankful for the children who also pitched in to help, moving gravel, bark, and setting posts.

"Work is love made visible" Kahlil Gibran

We have our field trip to Coffelt's Farm tomorrow.  If it is your snack day, please make it easy to eat while at the farm.  Be sure to wear rain gear and boots, no umbrellas please.  The plan is to load your carseat into a designated driver's car as you arrive.  The drivers are: Amie, Chantelle, Wendy, Rosie, and Lydia.  If it is not your regular day at preschool, you are welcome to attend with your child.  We will be leaving by 9:30 am.

There is one more kindergarten information session with Paul Freedman at 3:30 pm this Wednesday, April 12.  Enrollment intentions/applications are due at the end of next week.  Hopefully many of you were able to attend preschool screenings at Orcas Elementary last week.  I would love to hear how that went.

Last week we created clay volcanoes, replanted our thriving seedlings, created collage bugs, painted, built, played music, drummed, danced and sang, measured, added and baked.  This week we will be into the spring farm theme.  It is egg season, frog eggs, bird eggs, etc...  They are all seeds about to grow and change.  We will examine this transformation.  We will be planting in the garden, and we will continue to build our town.

Next week, Tuesday April 18 at 3:15 pm is the next Board Meeting.  If you are curious, I encourage you to attend.  Our next parent meeting will be May 1 at 1:15 pm.

Many of you have met Chama Anderson already.  Chama and Samara will be sharing Fridays with me at preschool.  The children have taken to Chama quite nicely, she is great with them.  Liz has taken a job at the state park on San Juan.

"It is never too late to have a happy childhood" Tom Robbins

Many blessings,

Ethna and Samara

April 3, 2006

The last few weeks of spring transformation have been amazing.  I have been watching the space in and around the trees evolve from dark and wet to a translucent haze.  The haze began to swell with color, and now, today, the dark wetness is filled with green.  The green is still young and flourishing and I can feel the power of spring at our fingertips.

We have been watching the seeds we planted sprout in soil and water.  We have been observing how the different roots grow as far down as the tops of the plants grow up.  Seedlings need to be transplanted already.  Just like the older children in preschool getting ready for kindergarten.

Parent conferences were wonderful; it feels so precious to have that time with you to really talk with, and listen to you about your children.  Thank you for attending.  We really appreciate what wonderful caring parents we are surrounded by.

We continue to explore the different aspects of community, and are making our own town.  Preschoolers are rather creative about what to build in our town.  We have also been discussing values of community; the first being respect.  We encourage you to catch your child being respectful and point out any observations of respectful behavior in the community.

Our work party and spring family get together is this Sunday April 9 at 10:00 am.  There are many different projects, some small and some large, requiring different levels of skill.  This is a great opportunity to come and feel the support and connection to our Salmonberry community, while doing your volunteer hours.  Let the sun shine!

This Wednesday, April 5 at 5:00 pm Paul Freedman will be hosting a parent education session at the elementary school.  If this time does not work for you, he will be doing another session next Wednesday April 12 at 3:30 pm.

Toddler playgroup starts this week, today Monday April 3, and will run through the month of April.  For $5 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm we will be doing arts or crafts, music, and outdoor fun.  A healthy snack will be provided.

Next week, Tuesday April 11 is our field trip to Coffelt's Farm to visit with the spring lambs.  If you volunteered to drive please provide a copy of your license and insurance by Thursday, April 6.  Feel free to use the copy machine at the Elementary School.  If your child does not normally attend preschool on Tuesday, you are still welcome to join us.

Thank you to Samara, Chama, Liz, Andria, and Rosie for covering for me during my illness last week.

Many blessings and health to you and yours,

Ethna and Samara

March 27, 2006

The last week of March is here already!  It is exciting to be surrounded by all these beautiful signs of spring.

Thank you for attending our efficient parent meeting last week.  We covered some important information including enrollment requirement changes.  Please refer to parent meeting notes if you have any questions.

Thank you to all of you who helped Andria create a wonderfully successful fundraising event.  It was a pretty full, hopping house at the Oddfellows.  I myself engaged in much thigh-slappin' and foot-stompin'.  Thank you Andria, everything went very smoothly and the soups were delicious!

We continue to plant and to replant things that are just growing like crazy.  We have also begun construction of our own town.  We are looking at the building blocks of our community.

You will find a progress summary in your child's cubby today.  I hope you have a chance to think about your child's development and progress.  If I included a questionnaire, please fill it out and bring it to the parent conference.  Make sure you know what time you signed up for.  We look forward to parent conferences at the end of the week.  If there is no progress summary in your child's cubby, this will be a goal-setting conference.

Thank you very much Bernard for the awesome shelves that appeared over the weekend and thank you to Sean for the children's cubbies in the coat room.

We need some leaders and helpers of projects for the work party April 9.  There are many different projects for a variety of levels.  I am sure we have something for you.  If you are not sure what you can do, just ask me.

April 11th we are having a field trip to Coffelt's Farm to visit their spring lambs.  If you have volunteered to drive please provide a copy of your license and insurance.  You can make copies over at the elementary school.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

March 20, 2006

A VERY HAPPY SPRING!!!!  I hope for all of you there was some winter growth worth celebrating.  It is easy to celebrate the return of the light.

What a fabulous week we had.  Much learning about worms.  We came to recognize how important our environments are.  Although our skinny work enclosure let us see how they tunnel, sadly most of them died.  We had fun digging around for more; we found a worm city and a worm camp.  We have a new batch in a new spacious home.

The parent meeting today is a big one.  Not only do we have Nicole returning to watch your preschoolers, but we have chocolate.

1.  Paul Freedman will be talking about enrollment.  This is important information.

2.  For the past year I have been meeting with other early childhood educators and directors.  We are the Orcas Island Early Childhood Consortium with the help of Bev Bell from Children's House and Sage MacLeod from ECEAP, grand money was raised.  We interviewed and recently employed a family advocate and children's support specialist.  Cori Rosenberg will be with us for a little while today.

3.  We also have the sign up sheets for conferences available at today's meeting.  If your child has been in the program for some time you will receive a progress summary soon.  Please read the summary and think about what goals or thoughts you might like to discuss at the conference.  If you are fairly new to the program this will be a goal setting conference.  There will be no school for conference days, Thursday March 30 and Friday March 31.

South End String Band: Don't miss this thigh slappin', foot stompin' irresistable fiddle music at its best.  See you there at Oddfellows at 7:00 pm.  Remember, kids are free.

Work party/Welcome:  If you cannot make April 9, I will be happy to work with you on April 1st or 2nd.  Let me know.

Have a great week.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

March 13, 2006

March is showing us the cold snow of winter and the warm sun of spring.  It really has been a beautiful contrast.  Next Monday is when spring officially begins.

As most of you know our work party has been rescheduled for April 9th at 10:00 am.  I know this date conflicts with some, so feel free to check with me about some of the jobs that are available that you could do in your own time.

At preschool we have been looking for signs of spring, making spring flowers, planting seeds and making a temporary home for our worms.  We had a successful trip to the post office and have been writing letters.  The store will continue to evolve and change this quarter.

We will continue learning about worms and how they help our gardens.  We will be expanding our awareness to the community in which we live.

Our next parent meeting will take place Monday 3/20 at 1:15 pm.  I will provide childcare, chocolate (what more can you ask for?) and the conference sign-up sheet will be available.

It is St Patrick's Day on Friday!  Depending on the children, the weather, and if there is a parade, we may join in.  Check in with us near the end of the week.  General permission slips will be by the sign-in sheet.

Andrea's sign-up sheet for the fundraiser with the South End String Band is filling up quickly.  We still need some help.

Due to the number of families enrolled at school we will need two days for parent conferences, Thursday 3/30 and Friday 3/31.  The sign-up sheet will be at the parent meeting next week.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

March 6, 2006

Welcome back!  We hope you have all had a wonderful break and are ready for spring, just two short weeks away.

Please offer a warm welcome to our new families this quarter.  You will be seeing Claire, Stormy (just moved from California), Zora and Sayde.

We have already begun the process of enrollment for September, if you know anyone who is interested please let them know.

We will not be doing our official sharing this quarter.  However if a child has something special to share we will find time to do so.  We will be continuing with the community theme; the store will be around for awhile longer.

We are beginning our quarter with a field trip tomorrow.  Sorry for the short notice, it was the only time that really worked for Mike at the Post Office.  Permission slips will be available if you have not filled one out for the school year.  We will be leaving school about 10:45 am and taking a gentle stroll, planning to arrive around 11:15 am for our behind-the-scenes tour of what really goes on behind those walls at the post office.  We would like an extra adult, if you are able to assist, please let us know.

The big event this week is the work party on Sunday, March 12 at 10:00 am.  This is a combination spring celebration, family connection and welcome.  Our volunteer hours tend to go by the way in the winter.  This is when we really do need your help.  It is mostly just simple stuff, like weeding and garden prep.  Board members will provide some food, please bring either snacks or juice, gloves, and garden tools.  The idea is to make it as easy as possible to get together and get some work done.  Let's hope for a sunny day.

On the 25th of March the South End String Band are returning to help us do a little fundraising.  It will be an exceptionally fun family evening.  Andria has done much of the organizing but this will be impossible to pull off without lots of volunteer help from all the families involved at Salmonberry.  The sign-up sheet is in the lobby area.  These are definitely good opportunities to fill in those volunteer hours.

Thank you to Sean, Brandon's dad, for making our extra cubbies.

Dates to write down on your calendar:

Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 am Welcome/work party

Thursday, March 16 at 3:15 pm Board meeting (all welcome.)

Monday, March 20 at 1:15 pm Parent meeting and 1st day of spring

Saturday, March 25 South End String Band at the Oddfellows Hall

Thursday and Friday, March 30 and 31 parent conferences

Blessings and thank you for letting us play with your children.

Ethna and Samara

February 6, 2006

Yes it is hard to believe that this is our last week of the winter quarter.  We are already producing Valentine's greetings.

We had quite a week.  Another great session with gymnastics on Monday, followed by a small but good parent meeting.  Wednesday Maxx the fire fighter came; she was wonderful.  We will be taking a trip to the fire station in the next quarter.  On Thursday Deputy Sheriff Herb Crowe came to visit.  This was definitely interesting and your children may have some discussions with you about his visit.  He passed around his baton and a bullet.  Although Samara and I were a little surprised, the children appeared to take it all in stride.  I would love to hear your child's perspective if that comes up.

Samara has a sign up sheet on the inside door for child care during vacation.  If you have any questions please feel free to call her at 376-6771.

This week Ronan's dad will be coming in to share about being an EMT.  We will continue to enjoy our store and focus on Valentine greetings.  We will be asking the children to do one Valentine for class with their name on it so that the children can all receive one.  Please feel free if you and your child want to do one for everyone.

I am in need of some plumbing help.  The kitchen sink has a leak, although I have a few gifts this is not my specialty.  I am wondering if I have a parent who is willing to come and take care of it.  It may be as simple as a washer.  At least I hear a washer is easy to fix.

Tuesday afternoons have been suggested as a time to stay after school for 15 minutes or so and work around the garden.  Low key things such as weeding...it seems there is plenty of it to do.  Samara will post a job list by the next quarter.  Feel free to tackle jobs at your own pace.  We will be having a work party March 12 at 10:00 am.

Dates for your calendar:

March 6 - Start of new quarter

March 12 - Work party 10:00 am

March 20 - Parent meeting 1:15 pm

March 25 - Salmonberry concert

Tuesdays - after school 15 minutes of weeding together

Have a great vacation.  We hope everyone gets an opportunity to get recharged and return for the spring quarter with gusto!

Love,

Ethna and Samara

January 30, 2006

Please come to today's preschool parent meeting at 1:30 pm.  Our program is currently full with new enrollees waiting and requests for more days.  In an effort to accommodate current needs we have decided to expand to five days.  We cannot offer a five day option at this point in time.  However, we require your first, second, and third preferences for the days your child is currently enrolled.  The five-day program will begin March 6, 2006.

This coming week we will have Herb Crowe visiting to share what it means to be in law enforcement.  The children have really taken to the topic of community.  We are thoroughly enjoying our store.  Thank you for all your contributions of boxes, etc... we have plenty now.  Thank you for the loan of your shopping carts.  The hot spot is definitely the cash registers.  A restaurant has sprung up with great enthusiasm.  We will be keeping the store for some time.

Spring break is coming quickly, with only two school weeks left.  Please speak with Samara if you are in need of child care over the break.

We are waiting on just a few more strings on our Orcas map.  Please connect your photograph to where you live on the island by the end of the week.

Max from the fire department had to cancel last week.  I am hoping to reschedule her for next week.

Last week was fabulous, with exploring cooperative games, doing the alphabet laundry, painting, sewing, dancing, singing, gymnastics and so much more.

We appreciate the wonderful health filled snacks that you bring to school.  It would be great if you would plan to feed twelve hungry children.  Thank you.

Words for thought:

"To many of us, praise seems like such a good, positive way to get children to behave.  It's a way to make them feel good about themselves so they'll try harder to do what they should.  We congratulate ourselves that we have abandoned the use of criticism, in exchange for teaching with praise.  What we fail to see is that praise is simply the positive face of criticism, that both presume the right of one person to impose judgment on another."  Kathleen Grey, M.A. Child Care Information Exchange

Thanks again for being parents at this awesome school.  See you in the parent meeting today.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

January 23, 2006

The changes in the home corner are really taking shape this week.  We will be stocking our shelves and learning about the cash register.  We are still looking for some grocery carts or shopping baskets.  We will be happy to return them at the conclusion of the store.

We have been talking about fire safety and we did a drill last week.  We will be doing more fire safety this week as part of our community quarter.

Just in case you did not see the notice on the door, our parent meeting has been rescheduled for Monday 1/30/06.  The elementary parent meeting was scheduled the same day and it was a little much to ask our moms with older siblings to attend two parent meetings in one day.  Your attendance and input will be appreciated at next week's parent meeting.

Some of you have paid a visit to the Orcas Island map.  The plan is to attach a piece of red yarn from your child's picture to the approximate place you are living on the island.  It would be great if you could have your child help you.  The map is over the blue rug where we have circle time.

We had our first toddler playgroup last Friday.  We have three more weeks of playgroup on Fridays 10:00 am - 11:30 am.  Please spread the word.

Another full week of activity is planned.  Samara and I will be attending a disaster preparedness session with the elementary children, apparently not suitable for preschool age children but we would like to be educated.  Jeff Steele will be doing gymnastics on Monday, which has been going very well.  Tuesday will be Storybird's last session with us for the quarter.  On Wednesday we have Max from the fire department coming to talk to the children about the equipment she uses and the special clothing she wears to fight fires.  We will celebrate music with Samara on Thursday.

Next week we will have a police officer come to visit.  We would love it if a parent, aunt, or uncle would like to come in and talk about what they do in the community.

If you have any questions about your child or the program, please don't hesitate to ask.  You are always welcome to pop in and join us.

Thank you for bringing your children to our school.  We take our work very seriously while having the most incredible fun.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

January 17, 2005

We are truly excited to be back with your children.  They are such precious gems.

We practiced some letters and writing of names for those willing.  We jumped back into gymnastics.  Jeff is making great improvements with them.  We read stories and talked about what segregation was.  These children have an inner sense of justice and awareness that I don't recall being available to me in my youth.  We really do have future world leaders in our midst.  We had magical stories with Storybird on Tuesday and Samara's music on Thursday.

They baked corn muffins and while eating them we delved right into fractions.  They started cutting them in halves, then quarters and eighths.  They were having fun with math.  Then we took a walking field trip to the Orcas Homegrown and the Island Market.  We observed what was in a store and talked about what we need in "our" store.  We drew up some plans and collected ideas for how we would design our store.  We observed how the barcode was read at the Island Market compared to reading the sticker price at the Homegrown.

Overall it was a very exciting week.  Today, Tuesday, Jeff is filling in with Samara while I am taking a personal day for training, to expand my massage skills.  I will be back on Wednesday.

Ester has returned and we have a new boy, Logan, starting next week.

So far we are not letting the rain get us down.  We are out in it every day.  Thank you for dressing your children in waterproof raincoats and rain boots.

We are collecting items that would be good for our store, such as empty containers and boxes.  Does anyone have any shopping baskets/carts we could borrow?

We will be taking some more community field trips between the rain, and the rain.  Max from the fire department will be coming next week on Wednesday the 25th (provided she does not get called out on an emergency.)

The Board Meeting has been moved to Thursday January 19, still at 3:15 pm.  Our next parent meeting will be Monday January 30 at 1:15 pm.  This coming Friday January 20 will be the beginning of a toddler group at Salmonberry preschool.  Please spread the word.  It will be 10:00 am to 11:30 am.  There will be an art activity, songs/music, a healthy snack.  It is a suggested $5 donation.

Blessings, 

Ethna and Samara

January 9, 2006

Welcome back!  We wish the year of 2006 to be the best it can be for you and your family.  We are happy to be back at school and eager to get into this quarter with your children.

This quarter we will be exploring community; where we live on the island, Washington, USA, and our place in the world.  In our focus on community we will be inviting guests to talk about their place in the community.  If any of you wish to come in and spend a few minutes talking about how you contribute to the community at large we would love to have you.  We would also like to take some walking trips into town to visit local businesses.

Some of the children have shown a strong interest in letters, etc...  Up until now we have occasionally offered materials that support and exploration of letters and basic mathematical concepts.  It feels appropriate to incorporate some pre-kindergarten skills into the curriculum in an effort to follow their interests.

We are collecting any items that could be from a grocery store.  Empty boxes, cartons, etc... We will be planning with the children how to transform our home corner into a community store.  Does anyone have any baskets or shopping carts that we could borrow for awhile?

We are also collecting any old calendars or cards for collage projects.

On the notice board over the blue rug is a map of Orcas.  Over the next week, please take a few minutes with your child to cut a piece of yarn and connect it from your photo to where your home is on the map.  Yarn, scissors and white tacky stuff will be available just under the map.

Your are all invited to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday on Sunday, January 15th at The Living Room at 2:30 pm.  There will be several performers, including Sharon Abreu, Martin Lund, the children's choir and the new exciting singing group called 'AhWomyn!' of which Liz and I are members.  :)  Children are free, the suggested donation is $10, and everyone is welcome regardless of ability to pay.  The funds raised will be going to OPAL to assist with local winter needs and to Black Box Voting, and organization committed to fair voting rights for all.

Many blessings for this new and wonderful year,

Ethna and Samara

December 5, 2005

We hope you really enjoy the peace in your heart, the joy in your family and the love in your community.  We send all of you blessings of deep love and calm mind over this hectic season.  Be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice or a combination, enjoy this celebratory time with those you love.

Your child has been busy at school creating objects of beauty, delicate art, and precious gifts; all for the ones they love.  It seems they have enjoyed this art intensive time.  I want for them to experience the great joy in giving.  So much of this season gets lost in purchases and hustle and bustle.  It takes effort to concentrate on the heart and the connections that really matter.  I hope that they can connect to the joy they give you in giving of themselves.

The book exchange will begin today, as some children only come on Mondays, your child will receive their book on the last day of school with a bag of goodies they have made.

We look forward to returning to school January 9, 2006.

The Salmonberry Board meeting will be January 18 and the next Preschool Parent meeting will be January 23.

May this coming year bring all the best that you had imagined and hoped for, only better!

Much love and many blessings and plenty of peace.

Ethna and Samara

November 7, 2005

Our last week in this quarter already!

Time has gone by very quickly, and in that time amazing and wonderful things have happened.  It is a joy to be such an integral part of your child's growth and development.  We catch phrases that make us rise up our eyebrows, we share light bulb moments, and we learn how to solve problems every day.  This is not just a preschool, this is Life Lessons 101.

This past weekend, staff from the elementary school and the preschool joined with Board members on retreat to think and tackle some tough questions.  We challenged our personal beliefs and evaluated progress made in the past five years.  We looked at academics and assessment.  Looking into the future was the most exciting: we all want the best for our children.  It is a blessing to be surrounded by people who care very deeply about quality education and hold common values that lead to a better world.  Rest assured you have made an excellent choice in Salmonberry School.

Last week we began to focus on all that we are thankful for by making a class gratitude list and leaf wreaths.  I have attached the blessing we say at snack time in case you would like your child to share this with your family at Thanksgiving.

We had a special guest on Monday last week: Lydia's twin sister Buttercup stopped by and read some Halloween stories and made pasta skeletons with us.  You can tell the difference between the sisters because Buttercup has a rather strong Southern accent and dresses with a certain flair that matches her purple hair.  We loved her visit and have encouraged her to return soon.

You recently received a creative fundraiser.  Please return the orders by Thursday, 11/10/05.  The orders need to be sent in so we can have the games before Winter Break.  They will make wonderful presents for birthdays in addition to the holidays.  I highly encourage regular family game night.  These games help teach a much-needed skill, cooperation, while having fun.

We will have a parent meeting the first day back at school, 11/28/05 at 1:15 pm.  Please put the date on your calendar.  Part of the meeting will be a discussion about the ingredients for self-discipline from the previous handout.  I will have sign-up sheets for Madelyn Swift's books.

Invitations: on Thursday 11/10/05 Hans Meyer will be performing at 11:00 am.  You are welcome to join us.  Bring your lunch and celebrate the last day of the quarter at preschool.  Donation for the performance are welcome.

On Friday 11/11/05 come to "Night of the Notables" at 5:00 pm in the Salmonberry Elementary School.  Come and see for yourself what great learning is taking place in Paul, Mairi, and Liz's care.

Thank you for being a part of this awesome community.  Thank you for trusting us with the most important beings in your life.  Thank you for striving to be the best parent you can be.  Let us support you in any way we can.

Blessings and thanks,

Ethna and Samara

October 24, 2005

The Salmonberry community came together again on Sunday.  Much was accomplished.  If you were unable to attend we have a few jobs that we still need your help with.  The children's cabin has a floor, the play boat was painted and is ready for imaginary sea adventures, and a large amount of debris and scrap wood was removed.  We were grateful to have helpers feeding the workers.  Thank you so much for your hard work and contribution; it is coming together like this that builds the foundations and strength of our community.  Thank you to Paul Kamin for organizing and putting up the tarps.

Last week we had a wonderful staff meeting.  I shared excitedly aboutthe conference I attended, particularly about one of the keynote speakers, Madelyn Swift.  We will be discussing some of her ideas on discipline in more detail at the next parent meeting.  This is not about power over another; this is about teaching ourselves  to use the opportunities our children give us to foster self-discipline and responsibility.  How we discipline our children today will reap benefits or rebellion.

Last week we painted and printed with leaves.  The creations were gorgeous, not to mention the paper that lined the table, which you might see as wrapping paper at some point.  We made our own pumpkins out of brown shopping bags and newspaper.  They look fabulous all over the preschool.  We have been looking at organs from the body, reading stories about pumpkins, tracing bodies, playing hide and seek, taking apart old appliances and having some lengthy play time in the dress-up/home corner.

This week we will be doing Halloween activities, and I know some children will really want to come to school in the Halloween outfit.  We do not have a set day for coming to school in your Halloween costume; you the parent can decide with your child if or when they want to come to school dressed up.  I will only request "no accessories" that may get lost at school.  Keep in mind that we will go outside, even in the rain.  Please consider introducing the Sugar Sprite if she has not come to your house before.  Raincoats are essential this time of year.

The children's sharing on Mondays and Tuesdays has been going quite well.  Many children are telling us stories and sharing their experiences.  We are currently focusing on learning how to listen and be respectful with each other.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

October 17, 2005

See you at the parent meeting today at 1:15.  Child care provided.  I will be giving a synopsis on my conference experience.  I gathered many materials, ideas and information.  I bought new books, music and other assorted items.  I am eager to share with you.

The volunteer work weekend is this weekend, Sunday 10/23 starting at 10:00 AM.  We have a sign-up sheet with various jobs listed.  Please take a stroll over to the elementary school porch and put your name on the list.  There are jobs for every skill level and interest.  This is a wonderful opportunity to connect to your school community.

We will continue with music and body awareness, yoga and storytelling.  I am looking forward to sharing some new music and stories with the children.  We are enjoying the exploration of body, and looking at skeletons.  This week we will look at what the inside of our body is made of.

These past few weeks the children have really enjoyed a song "Five Little Speckled Frogs" that teaches some basic math.  We will play with that even more this week.  Please invite them to sing it to you.

I look forward to seeing you at the parent meeting today!

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara

October 10, 2005

A huge thank you to John White for purchasing a new bathroom handle and replacing the old one in a matter of days.  It is a lever handle with a push-button lock, kids can lock the door for privacy, it is easy for them to get out, and we have the key to unlock it (should we need it) hanging by the door.

Thanks to Scott Miller who worked with the laptop donation and has it up and running with software so we can keep assessment records on children.

Last week Samara taught the children music on Tuesday, we had a yoga session on Wednesday and then Carol, the children's librarian, read stories on Thursday.  The yoga was a very successful experiment.  Man of the children have done yoga before.  I was amazed at how well they did and how eager they were.  We will continue with all three specials through the month of October at least.

Nicole will be substituting Wednesday and Thursday.  I will be attending the WAEYC (Washington Association for the Education of Young Children) conference in Bellevue.  I will share my conference experience at the next parent meeting.

Bulb orders are due in this week, Thursday the 13th.

There is a Board meeting Friday October 14 at 3:15 pm.

Next week on Monday October 17, 1:15 pm will be our next parent meeting.

I would like to recommend the sugar sprite.  Lydia put a flyer in the children's cubbies about the fairy, if you have any questions please ask Lydia or myself.  I recommend this idea and believe most children would rather give up candy in exchange for a toy.  Last year Peter kept a few of his favorite candy pieces and happily gave up the rest.

I spent Sunday with the elementary children (and some preschoolers) on the field trip to Camlann, a medieval village near Duvall.  We toured the village meeting tradespeople.  We saw how homes were built, and listened to the lives of the blacksmith, the scribe and others.  It was a great success.

We hope to be taking our own field trip later this month.  There are apples out there begging to be picked and dried or turned into sauce.  We will need many parents to support this adventure.  I will let you know more soon.

Blessings, 

Ethna and Samara

October 3, 2005

What a GREAT fall weekend.  The potluck on Saturday was a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other a little better over a fabulous variety of delicious food.  Thank you for all those who helped with setup and clean up.  My son Peter had a fever and I was only able to attend part of it.  As to be expected when we all return to school, colds, etc... have returned also; please be conscious of washing your hands often.  I have been teaching the children (I learned this in an aids training) to first wet hands then wash with soap for the duration of Happy Birthday before rinsing.  They all know and love the song, and it takes this long to kill germs.  Keep on singing!

Parent conferences went very well.  It was so important for Samara and I to be able to gather the information from all of you.  This year there was definitely a recurring theme of what parents want for their children.  We will absolutely be spending time on identifying feelings, expressing them so others can understand and some basic tools for dealing with frustration.  The conferences really help us get clear and set individual plans for your children.  Thank you for attending and being so forthcoming.

Although the class photo seemed slightly traumatic for our youngest ones, overall it went well.  Hopefully we will have some great photos to choose from by the next parent meeting, October 17.

This week we will have two new adult faces in the classroom.  Alyssa will be with us on Monday and Nicole will be with us on Tuesday.  They are here as volunteers this week.  Both have experience working with children, hopefully they will be able to volunteer from time to time and substitute for Samara or myself.  I will be attending a conference in Bellevue next week.  It is sponsored by the Washington Association of the Education of Young Children (WAEYC.)  I am sure I will return with even more enthusiasm (if that's possible) and new ideas.  I will fill you all in at the October parent meeting.  Carol, our local children's librarian, will be returning on Thursdays with stories for the month of October.

Over the next few weeks we will be identifying fruits and vegetables.  Talking about what is healthy for our bodies, and we will likely do some graphing of our favorites like last year.

This week we will begin exploring families and how they are different/alike.  We will be doing silhouettes of our faces.  We will also begin looking at bodies and how they are made.  Last week the children really enjoyed expanding the mathematical activity we set out.  It began with recognizing and laying out patters with colors, it evolved into connecting the cubes and measuring how long they are.  We will be revisiting the passion expressed and expanding that even further.  Their minds are so inquisitive and it is exciting to be around them as they light up and want to know more.

A huge thank you to Bernard for building the plant shelves.  They look great and so do all the plants sitting on them.  Now all we have to do is keep them alive!

Samara and I often reflect on how grateful we are to be part of your child's life.  We love what we get to do with these children.  I could gush here, but just THANKS for bringing your child to this awesome preschool.  You all are part of making it so great!

Enjoy this fall weather, light your fire and huddle up with a book together when you can.

Much love and blessings,

Ethna and Samara

September 26, 2005

We have had a fabulous week still settling in as a group in some ways.  We have reached the place where we are now working on being inclusive with other friends.  A common phrase heard at preschool is "say what you mean, just don't say it mean."  We have the full spectrum of assertive to passive and everything in between.  We are supporting and encouraging children to find their voice or express in a way that can be received.

It felt great to have our first parent meeting.  Many parents are stepping up to the plate to help the school and work together.  I really do feel as if we have a strong team this year!  In fact I ended up with three offers for building shelves last week.  Although Bernard won the prize and gets to build the shelves this time, I have many more projects up my sleeve that Elmo and Steve will be able to help with.  In fact we have a fall work party coming up next month.  Sunday October 23rd we will be meeting at school at 10:00 am.  We have a few different projects lined up, so any level of skill will be needed.

Volunteerism is part of the Salmonberry philosophy.  We really do rely on our whole community of parents to help with fundraising, to fix fencing, provide snacks, whatever it is that will keep the school presentable and functioning well.  Moana has kindly organized another bulb sale this year.  There is a sign up on the preschool door; we need parents to take a shift.  It is easy, fun and social; it is even preferable to have your child there.  Adults are softer in giving where children are concerned and it is a wonderful experience to teach children about how they can help the school.

We have a preschool class photo coming up this Wednesday 9/28 at 9:45 am.  Sorry for the strange time.  This is an effort to be inclusive of all students.  If it is not your regular day please come for this time.  We would love you to be part of the class picture.

On the inside door of the preschool we have a cork board.  The top section is "things we need."  We often put up a little sticky note when we run out of something.  It is usually something you can pick up while you are at the grocery store or running your errands.  This week we received batteries and ziplocks.  Thank you!!!  These little things are very helpful for us and hopefully easy for you.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday 9/29 due to parent conferences.  There are only four spaces left on the signup sheet for parent conferences.  Please sign up today.  We will see you on either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday.

As fall is officially here, we are noticing the chill in the air.  Although we have had some warm afternoons we need the children to dress for cool weather.  Jackets and closed shoes are preferred.  We have planned a fun social event to welcome everyone back to school.  We have many new families and we would love to get together and spend some fun time getting to know each other.  Saturday October 1 at 12:00 noon (after soccer) we will be having a potluck at Salmonberry.

Blessings,

Ethna and Samara (Gretchen)

September 19, 2005

Being the ultimate optimist, I want to say THANK YOU to the carpenter type person who will materialize and build us a few shelves this week.  I don't know who you are yet, but we are grateful.  We will need some of these shelves for all the plants that will be arriving over the next week.

I have received a few photos and have started to put them up.  Please bring in your photos this week.  Talk to me if you do not have any photos and we will see what we can do.

I apologize that it did not appear as a reminder last week but we have a parent meeting today, Monday September 19th at 1:15 PM.  One of the agenda items will be the gate and safety.  Also today Liz has organized a garden thank you celebration.  We will have some African dancers and drummers sometime this morning.  Then at 3:15 PM today (a big Monday!) we will have the Board meeting; everyone is welcome.

Tuesday morning we will be meeting up at the Orcas Elementary School in the resource room for photos at 9:00 AM.  Preschool parents are responsible for getting the children there and back to Salmonberry preschool.  Bring the envelope and payment with you.  If you cannot transport your child back to preschool please let me know.  If you choose not to do photos we will meet you at the preschool about 10:00 AM.

At the end of next week 9/28 and 9/29 we will be holding parent conferences.  This is an opportunity to set goals for your child with myself and Samara (Gretchen.)  It would be helpful if you were thinking about what you believe to be important for your child and his/her growth this year at Salmonberry.  The sign up sheet for goal setting conferences is on the door in the cloak room.

I cannot say it enough.  It is really important that you pick up your child at 1:00 PM sharp.  If you cannot make it  on time ask another parent or call the preschool and at least leave a message.  Samara (Gretchen) and I really need the short window of time we have.  Thanks.

We have accomplished so much in the few short weeks we have been together.  We are working on our bodies and our boundaries.  Who we are, and we will be telling the group about our families (family photos needed.)

Come to the parent meeting today at 1:15 PM, enjoy other parents, catch up on the latest and offer your ideas and opinions.  We look forward to spending some time with you.

Blessings,

Ethan and Samara (Gretchen)

September 12, 2005

Our first week was awesome; the children sailed back into school smoothly.  There were definitely some BIG eyes and shy moments; however overall (as one preschooler put it) they "used all the bravery in their bodies."  Our first week was a GREAT success.

THANK YOU to Bernard for putting our horse swing back up, to Elmo for fixing our water filter, to Lydia for donating and delivering more sand and to Steve Schiller for fixing one of our crawling tunnels.  Your children and the staff of Salmonberry are deeply grateful for all your efforts.  You all make a difference!  Thank you!

We have another new addition: welcome to Robert who will be starting this week, his big brother Peter is attending the Salmonberry elementary.  We are officially full for this quarter.

We spent time harvesting potatoes and sunflower seeds from our garden.  On Wednesday 9/14 we will be baking/boiling/mashing/roasting potatoes and sharing them with the elementary children who also helped plant them.

This week we did collage, painting, watercolors, used our new magnetic white boards and gained experience hammering in nails to our big slice of tree trunk on the deck.  Safety goggles, shoes, and a safety lesson were a must.  We played T-ball, sardines, catch, and hide 'n seek, not to mention some acrobatics on the swing and some stellar pumping with those little bodies.  It is such a great pleasure when a child learns something new, like climbing onto the swing or learning to pump by themselves.  This is what we live for, to share in their pride and excitement of their own growth and expansion.  Gretchen and I both feel so grateful to have this opportunity to love and be a part of your children's lives.

Next week we will be hammering, sewing, cutting, tracing bodies and learning about our bodies and boundaries.  We will be revisiting from last year what a healthy body needs.  We hope to go for a walk and collect some berries.  We will be checking in with children about what the preschool rules are, such as washing our hands before we eat.  Staying on this side of the silver gate until a parent leaves with the child.

Reminders:  I need three photos, one of your child when they were a baby, one current up-to-date photo, and one of your family.  We will be visiting the diversity of families and how families take on all sizes and shapes.  We also asked at orientation for each child to bring in a small plant with their name on the pot.

Thank you for picking up your child on time.  That allows for Gretchen and I to use our 30 minutes effectively by finishing our clean up, connecting and evaluating from the day and to set up/prepare for the next day.

Blessings and have a great week.

September 6, 2005

Welcome back!

Gretchen and I are so excited to get started again this year.  It has been a long break for the preschoolers, even for those who came to the summer fun program.

Welcome to the five new children enrolled.  Ronan, Owen, Brennan, Katarina, and Kayleigh for a total of thirteen enrolled this quarter.  Needless to say we have a pretty full house.

As you may know there has been some restructuring.  Paul is still Head Teacher of Salmonberry with two staff, Mairi and now Liz Shiffler who is a teacher in training.  The elementary school has two classrooms, K-2 and 3-5.  I have become Head Teacher of the preschool and Gretchen is assisting me.  Gretchen has chosen to lighten her load so she can focus on her creative writing at this time.  That means we are looking for a new volunteer who could eventually become a substitute teacher for Gretchen and I.

We have plenty of volunteer projects for those of you just bursting to put in your hours:

*We are in strong need of a few shelves to be built and are looking for a parent with carpentry skills to put up some shelves.  I would be happy to purchase what is needed.

*A parent with scrapbooking skills is needed for keeping up with the children's individual folders.  This could be taken home and done just once a month or whatever worked.

*Our garden around the building is in great need of maintenance, and some tender loving care.

Thank you to Andria for the beautiful vase of flowers that appeared for parent orientation and the glorious flowers around our deck with the promise to water them.  Thank you to Lydia for providing snacks for parent orientation and finishing off the drudgery work at preschool on Labor Day.  Thank you to Lynn for the ongoing assistance with administrative duties and Tammy for keeping our books and financial records up-to-date.  Thank you to Tammy and Stacey for laundering and repair of the children's dress-ups.  Without this volunteer effort from our parents, Salmonberry would not be able to function like it does.

Deanna Shaide from Homegrown has volunteered to take on our chickens; she has much experience and passion in this area.  Deanna is looking forward to having children work with her in keeping our chickens healthy and happy.  Many of us are relieved to have someone take this duty on.

If you missed parent orientation we will have something written up for you by next week.  In the meantime, feel free to ask me any questions.