MAY NEWS
We have been busy bees here at the farm and have lots of information to share so please be sure to read through this newsletter! The farm has been buzzing and so you may have already heard but if not, it is official, Ms. Leslie and Mr. Jesse are expecting a baby boy this August!
STAFFING CHANGES
June is a natural time of transition at the farm as we end our Kinder/Grades program for the year, say goodbye to some of our old friends and then welcome some new faces. At the start of the year we asked for feedback from our staff and after considering both feedback and talents we decided to make some staffing changes that will take effect in June. Ms. Janie will be moving from Treehouse to the Saplings room working alongside Ms. Courtney. Ms. Andrea will be re-entering the classroom and joining Mr. Rob in the Treehouse as they begin their Lifeways training in the Fall. Ms. Leslie will continue with the Kinder/Grades class and will be co-teaching with Ms. Kristin when Kinder resumes in the Fall. Ms. Kristin is a Good Earth parent and comes to us with an extensive background and passion for early childhood education. Ms. Barbra will be moving into a support role and assist daily with cooking, gardening, animal care and classroom coverage as needed. We are also in the process of hiring another support staff member to assist us in the afternoons. Ms. Leslie, Ms. Janie and Ms. Andrea will all be attending to Administrative duties. We have also made some policy changes and so staff will no longer have cell phones on their person during the workday. We will check emails during break/naptime in the afternoon but ask that if you have any time sensitive details to communicate that you please phone the school directly. One of the great things about Farm School is that your children know all of the staff and so we expect a fairly seamless transition.
THEMES
The staff have begun “Team Planning” and so our monthly themes will now be consistent across all school programs! This month we are discussing Transformation and the process of Caterpillar to Butterfly. The children had already noticed many different kinds of caterpillars and even found a cocoon that we are patiently watching.
TUITION CHANGE: Effective June 1st
Just a reminder that the tuition change announced earlier this year for both Sapling and Treehouse programs will take effect June 1st. All rates are posted on the website and tuition is now inclusive of the supply fee so there will not be any additional fees for the Sapling or Treehouse Programs.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Spring Conferences are scheduled to begin this month and while we will continue to conference with all parents in the Winter we are changing the Spring Conference process. If your child’s teacher feels the need to speak with you directly they will contact you to schedule a conference. As always if you have any concerns you are welcome to request a conference now or at anytime throughout the year. The week of May 28-31st we will have your child’s developmental assessment, notes and artwork available so that you can arrive a bit early at drop-off and/or pick-up to view your child’s file.
CLOSURES & EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, May 13th MOTHERS DAY CELEBRATION 8:30-10am
We want to welcome mothers or the important woman in your child’s life to join us next Monday! Refreshments will be provided on the Sassy Pea Patio and a brief program with the children will take place at 9:15am.
PARENT WORKDAY: Saturday, May 18th from 8am to Noon.
Childcare available upon request, please email. Refreshments provided.
Tools needed: Power Drills, Post Hole Diggers, Long Nose Shovels, Pick Ax
Please note that we ask all families to participate in 2 of the 3 annual parent workdays. This is the final workday for the year and so families unable to meet the requirement will notice a fee of $75 on their account for the missed workday. If you have any questions please call/email Andrea.
MEMORIAL DAY CLOSURE: Monday, May 27th
SAVE THE DATE! GRADUATE RECOGNITION POTLUCK, Saturday June 8th, 6-8pm
You are invited to join us as we celebrate the beginning of Summer and recognize our children graduating from our Treehouse and Kinder/Grades programs in a bridging ceremony. Grandparents of graduates are also welcome to attend.
