A Note from The Director April 2015
Dear Interfaith Families, April is Book Fair month at ICDC and that makes me happy. I absolutely love books and I absolutely love stories. Stories help us define who we are, and they inspire us. If you’ll permit me, I’d like to share a story with you now. When my oldest daughter, Jessica, was a little girl, all she talked about was playing the violin. When she was very young, not quite 2-years-old, she saw Itzhak Perlman on Sesame Street in a brief vignette where he and a little girl were climbing up some stairs, each with a violin in hand. The girl scampered up the steps with relative ease, and when she got to the top, she played a simple melody on her violin. Those of you who know Mr. Perlman know that when he was a child, he was stricken with polio, and so for him, the climb up on his crutches was far more difficult. And yet, when he got to the top, the sounds from his fiddle were beautiful and haunting. They looked at one another and each said, “Some things that are easy for you, are very hard for me.” That was a defining moment for Jessica, because after she watched this, she couldn’t stop talking about having a violin of her own. When she was four years old, I found her a teacher who taught by the Suzuki method. She was not a fast learner. In fact, it took her a whole year to learn the piece “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” which she learned arduously, measure by measure. We practiced together every day (almost) – but we kept it short, maybe 15 minutes at a time. Her progress was slow, but she never lost her passion for it. I didn’t push her; I let her move at her own pace. Today, I am proud to share that my daughter Jessica is a violist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
All children are capable of the most extraordinary things, things we never thought possible. And, all children have gifts waiting to be discovered and nurtured, if we take the time to look and listen closely enough to find them. It has been my privilege to share in your children’s lives this past year. It has been a gift for which I thank you. Warmly, Julie Oudin
IMPORTANT DATES Please see page 4 for the many important dates this month.
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Health & Safety There are many nutritional drinks that target kids and promise increased energy, alertness, and improved athletic ability. Some of these companies are even targeting 4-year-olds. Water is the best way to provide hydration. If a child is reluctant to drink water, try adding a little flavoring or juice to the water. Children who eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water do not need these extra drinks. Many drinks with vitamins listed on the label are actually meant for adults. Children who take a multivitamin do not need these extra vitamins. Soda should not be offered for hydration due to increased sugar, caffeine and artificial sweeteners. Soda can cause dehydration due to the sodium content. Being physically active can greatly increase the amount of fluids children need to drink. Parents and caregivers need to be aware of children’s fluid intake and schedule regular fluid breaks for children playing outdoors, especially as the weather gets warmer. Georgy Redifer, R.N. www.childrenshealthnetwork.org
A Special Thank You Our ‘Under the Sea’ Silent Auction and Family Night was a tremendous success, thanks to the incredible efforts of our Auction Committee, co-chaired by Mary-Kathryn D’Agostino and Shannon de la Paz. Our Decorations Chairs, Catherine Preddy, Carey Scasserra, and Lesley Work outdid themselves! The Great Room could not have looked more beautiful. Thanks to all members of the Auction Committee for their hard work and dedication: Julie Hinson,Tiana Smith, Gina Lee, Hoa Vo, Lindsey Perkins, Julia Warren, Elizabeth Reno, Ashley Williams We would also like to thank all of our parents for their donations and for their support of our wonderful school. The Administration, Teachers and Staff of ICDC
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Curriculum Corner Library According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the International Reading Association (IRA), “the single most important activity for building the skills essential for reading success appears to be reading aloud to children.” When you share a book with your child snuggled in your lap, you strengthen the bond between parent and child. The cozy feeling that develops around this ritual transfers to the act of reading itself, so that reading conjures up feelings of warmth and love, creating a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime. Please join us in our Great Room for our annual Scholastic Book Fair (April 8 – 10). This is a wonderful opportunity to pick up some books for your home or for your child’s classroom. We hope to see you there!
Science Lab
This month, our scientists will spend some time learning about simple machines and how they make work easier. Some of the simple machines they will learn about include levers, wheels and axles, and inclined planes. Here are some books that you can read with your child to reinforce the science concepts taught in the lab this month: Simple Machines by Allan Fowler What is a Wheel and Axle? by Lloyd G. Douglas
ICDC will celebrate NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child from April 13th – 17th. Here are some of the activities your child will experience this week: Music Monday-Children will make music in our Outdoor Nature Classroom using our new musical instruments donated by Eric Young for his Eagle Scout project. Taco Tuesday-We’ll enjoy a delicious taco lunch this day. Work Together Wednesday-Our children will get a jump start on celebrating Earth Day by using recycled materials to build a classroom masterpiece. Artsy Thursday-Teachers will plan fun art projects this day using a variety of art media. Fun Friday-Oasis for Children will be here to present “Hats On and Away We Go”.
Mom & Me Get Together We are looking forward to our Mom & Me Get Together on Wednesday, April 8 through Friday, April 10. Your child’s teacher will inform you of the date and time for your child’s class. ICDC Newsletter
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People of ICDC Each month our Parent’s Club will be highlighting one of our staff in their newsletter. This is a great way for you to learn more about our wonderful teachers and staff. Hello everyone. I am Virgie Alexander, an afternoon Assistant Teacher here at Interfaith. I have the pleasure of co-teaching with Joanna Saegusa and Carrie Rodriquez in A-8 and I also sub in other classrooms. I enjoy working with all of the children, parents, and the entire staff. I am currently enrolled in college obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies. I decided to go back to school to get my degree after doctors discovered I had a brain tumor in July of 2008. The tumor was removed in November of 2008. After recovery, in April 2009, I enrolled as a part-time student at Lone Star College Montgomery and I received my Associates of Arts Degree in May of 2014. I am married to a wonderful man who I dated for six years before marriage and we will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this May. We are proud parents of 8 children combined, 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. I enjoy church, sewing, decorating, music, cooking, dancing and just being around people. I am so very grateful for our director, Julie Oudin, who saw that special something in me. I will always do my best to teach, nurture, encourage and love our children here at Interfaith. I am so very blessed and honored to be a part of this wonderful school and I look forward to many years at Interfaith.
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April 2015
Important Dates
Thurs. & Fri.
Spirit Days – wear your ICDC T-shirt
April 3
Spring Holiday- Center Closed
April 8-10
Mom & Me Visits
April 8-10
Scholastic Book Fair at ICDC
April 13-17
Week of the Young Child
April 13-17
Annual Food Drive
April 17
Oasis for Children comes to entertain
April 20- May 1
International Weeks
Last days for “D” is for Discovery Science 2015 enrichment classes are: April 20- Monday’s class April 22- Wednesday’s class
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Other News Meet Emmerson “Emme” Perkins Director for the Day On Tuesday, April 7, ICDC will have a new Director! Emme Perkins will be joining our Administrative Team as Director for the Day! At her request, ICDC will be serving hot dogs, tater tots, and applesauce for lunch. Stay tuned – more fun to follow.
Annual Food Drive Our annual food drive, which supports Interfaith of The Woodlands’ Food Pantry, is being held April 13 – 17 in conjunction with the Week of the Young Child. Please collect items in the box outside of your child’s classroom. Needs include: canned vegetables, canned fruit, protein such as peanut butter, tuna, canned meats, chili, Spaghettios, macaroni and cheese, milk (powdered, condensed, or evaporated), and all sizes of diapers. Your family can make a difference!
Congratulations to Amber and Carlton Brock, Silent Auction Winners of Front Row Parking at ICDC through February 2016!
Scholarship applications for the 2015 – 2016 school year are now available in the front office.
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ICDC Parent’s Club From The President
MANY THANKS! I would like to sincerely say ‘thank you’ to all of our parents, staff and teachers who helped make the 2015 Under The Sea Silent Auction and Family Night such an overwhelming success! We hope you and your children had a wonderful time attending the classroom receptions, playing games, getting your raffle tickets and bidding on the amazing auction items! With your support and generosity, we were able to raise $20,775 for our school! WOW!! My appreciation, as well, goes out to our fabulous Room Moms for their creativity in selecting unique basket themes, communicating with the classroom families and organizing our fantastic classroom baskets! We couldn’t have done it without you! And, finally, please allow me to extend my personal gratitude to our Silent Auction Chair – Mary Kathryn D’Agostino - and our Committee Members for their countless hours, continuous efforts and for sharing their amazing gifts of talent that led to such a special event! Silent Auction Decoration Chairs: Catherine Preddy, Lesley Work & Carey Scarcessa Silent Auction Committee Members: Julie Hinson, Gina Lee, Lindsey Perkins, Elizabeth Reno, Tiana Smith, Hoa Vo, Julia Warren, Ashley Williams
BOOK FAIR – UNDER THE SEA! Please come to our Book Fair April 8 – 10th and browse the great selection of books! Our teachers will have wish boxes filled with their favorite books for purchase for their classroom and to give you great ideas for your children! Please sign-up to help with our book fair – and you will earn 1 free book for every 3 books that you purchase!
GET INVOLVED! If you have an interest in participating in the ICDC Parent's Club Board or Chairing an Event for the 2015-2016 school year, please let me know or join us at our next meeting: April 15th and May 12th at 1:30 pm. Thank you for your continuous support of our school! Shannon K. de la Paz skdelapaz@gmail.com
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