2015
November
NEWS
I hate to take up newsletter space to go over this, but I’m seeing a lot of different variations of the uniform and it’s become a distraction in many of the classrooms, so I’m afraid I must. The uniform policy was put in place so the children wouldn’t focus so much attention on what they were wearing but on their works in the classroom instead. We have over 40 years of watching this rule work. This year, however, I’m seeing multi-colored tennis shoes, boots, crazy socks, cartoon images on items of clothing, jewelry, hair extensions, etc. This time of year heading into the holidays can be challenging for the children to focus…let’s make it a little easier by sticking to the rules. Remember, rules help children understand what behaviors are okay and not okay. As children grow, they will be in places where they have to follow rules. Following simple rules can help children learn to follow more challenging rules in other places. Please read over our policy for more information:
Dress Code All Primary students are required to wear a uniform. Uniforms are not required for Toddler and Mother’s Day Out students. Students at St. James wear uniforms to promote community, discipline and self-respect. They learn to see others as members of the same community and thus grow in their acceptance of peers. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us teach your child that following the proper uniform code is a part of their life at school.
Primary Daily Uniform Girls
Boys
Polo Shirts – red/white with school logo Skirts/Skorts/Shorts – navy Skirts/Skorts/Shorts – red/white/blue plaid Modesty Shorts – white/blue/black Socks/Tights – white/blue/black
Polo Shirts – red/white with school logo Shorts/Pants – Navy Socks – white/blue/black
Primary Dress Uniform Girls
Boys
Jumper – red/white/blue plaid White Blouse w/ Red Piping Socks/Tights – white/blue/black Modesty Shorts – white/blue/black
Navy Pants or Shorts White Oxford Shirt Socks – white/blue/black Tie – red/white/blue plaid
Primary Wednesday Chapel Day – Dress Uniform: Primary students attend Chapel each Wednesday and are required to wear their Dress Uniform. Primary Friday T-Shirt Day: School spirit T-Shirts may be worn on all Friday’s with shorts/jeans and appropriate shoes for gardening class.
Primary General Uniform Information: • All uniforms must be purchased from Parker Uniform Stores or Lands’ End. • EACH ITEM OF CLOTHING SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH CHILD’S NAME. • Uniform sweaters, sweatshirts and fleece jackets may be worn in the classroom. • Shirt tails must be tucked in. • Girls must wear modesty shorts under skirts/jumpers. • Boys and girls may wear sneakers with NO DECORATION, LIGHTING, OR GLITTER. Shoes must be closed toe, lace up or Velcro. Primary children will need a pair of crocs that remain at school. Sandals, open-toed shoes or cowboy boots are not allowed at school, this includes free dress days. • Hair accessories for the primary children should be school colors – red/white/blue. Please refrain from large or decorative hair accessories. • Please do not allow your child to wear anything that will be a distraction at school (e.g. rub on tattoos, nail polish, jewelry, etc.). If your child’s ears are pierced please have them wear simple stud earrings. Watches are allowed as long as they are not a distraction and Montessori friendly. • Please note that the children go outside every day that weather permits. Al though we may shorten the time outside during weather extremes, the children should wear appropriate protective clothing. All outside apparel must be clearly labeled with your child’s name.
Mother’s Day Out and Toddler Dress Recommendations: We ask that Toddler and Mother’s Day Out students wear items of clothing that allow them to assist in their independence, preferably elastic waist shorts or pants with comfortable shirts. The teachers and staff do their best to protect clothing, but being a toddler is messy! Please do not send them in their Sunday best. Included below are requirements for the Toddler and Mother’s Day Out children: • Consistent with Primary, please do not allow your child to wear anything that will be a distraction at school (e.g. rub on tattoos, nail polish, jewelry, etc.). If your child’s ears are pierced please have them wear simple stud earrings. • Please refrain from clothing with cartoon characters as this distracts the other children and is contrary to Montessori philosophy. • The students are required to have a pair of Montessori Movers that will remain in the classroom. The children will be asked to change out of their outside shoes and into their Montessori Movers. Most children can learn to independently change shoes that have Velcro tabs. • Students that are beginning to potty train are asked to provide a pair of crocs that will remain at school. The crocs allow for quick clean up and change in the event of an accident. • The children go outside every day that weather permits. Although we may shorten the time outside during weather extremes, the children should wear appropriate protective clothing. All outside apparel must be clearly labeled with your child’s name. Thank you, Mrs. Loree
Dear Families, It’s the month of giving thanks! We are all so blessed. We still hold on to fall, the harvest, the turning of leaves and changing of the weather. It’s time for families to come together, to share their time. It is the time of sweet smells of cookies and pumpkin pies and listening to family stories. Now that the weather is changing, please make sure that your child has extra clothes that are warm! Remember, two of our main focuses are potty training and independence. Having appropriate clothing helps that process be a success. MDO children very much enjoy learning life skills. Activities, which up until now have been going on around them, they can now do themselves: preparing snack, setting the table, sweeping the floor, etc. We also have many food preparation works, which the children love. You can do this at home by setting up a tray with the materials to cut fruit and/or vegetables. We continue working with shapes, color matching works, painting, counting, singing, etc. We are learning a new prayer song for this month, sung to the melody of “Jesus loves me” “Thank you for the world so sweet, Thank you for the food we eat, Thank you for the birds that sing, Thank you Lord for everything” For most of our children the story of Pilgrims may be difficult to comprehend so we focus on the feelings of being “thankful” and “grateful.” Your child’s art work is very important to them and it’s a chance to see their development over the year. It’s why we repeat so many of our projects. As always, it’s a true pleasure caring for your children. Thank you, Ms. Eva, Ms. Mary and Ms. Ashley
MDO
The MDO room continues to add new works. Many help to develop our students’ fine motor skills and keep them interested in doing the works. This ultimately builds concentration. One of the things we keep in mind when adding new works is to make them seasonal - so sorting work and gluing work have been very popular the past two weeks. Another way to “freshen up” an existing work is to make a small change to it. That creates new interest in the way the children explore the new materials.
Over the past couple of weeks we have been doing a lot more music movement activities. The children enjoy moving their bodies and dancing around. One of the children’s favorite songs encourages them to march and move in slow motion, pretending to move like a dinosaur, and much more. We have also introduced a lot of classic nursery rhymes and songs.
Hello Toddler 1 Parents, Our class has been seeing colors change outside and in the classroom. Fall colors and fall seasonal works, are keeping us busy.
Color mixing is such a great work for the children to work with. Making colors of the rainbow, right in front of their eyes.
Toddler 1
We also had a very special visitor. Mother Rebecca came to tell us a story about creation. The children had such great questions and answers for her.
We also learned about being thankful for families, friends and especially food (candy was also mentioned.) Happy Thanksgiving! Mrs. Anna and Ms. Annabel
Hello Toddler 2 parents, Is November really over? Didn’t we just celebrate Halloween? Wow! Time flies when your having fun. This month we have been learning to sign; thankful, turkey, pumpkin pie, and feast. A big thank you to all the parents that helped in someway to make our feast a success, we appreciate it!
Ryan is using a Lego dipped in paint to make “Indian corn�
Michelle is working on her fine motor skills by using the tweezers removing the corn from the cob. This takes great focus and concentration!
Claire and Adam are diligently working on the gluing and sticker work. One of the many seasonal favorites the children like to work with.
Victoria and Anne Marie are having fun with gross motor by spinning and balancing.
Now that the cooler weather is upon us a few reminders, we do outside in all different weather temperatures. Please be sure your child has their name labeled in coat, gloves and hat everyday. We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Toddler 2 Teachers
Toddler 2
Normalization in the classroom is something we strive for from day one. We have noticed the children coming in, putting on their shoes (with help), and choosing work to their needs. The children are getting into routine of taking their shoes off and putting them back on as we go outside and return inside. Practicing and modeling how to put on shoes and socks at home is a great thing to do with your toddler and will help transition times in the classroom. We are working hard on this with the children daily.
Ford and Fitz sort Thanksgiving themed objects in the Sensorial Bin.
On the shelves the children are now enjoying: fall stamps, stickers, gluing feathers on a turkey as well as buttoning feathers on a turkey to practice fine motor skills!
Olive tests out painting on our new, beautiful easel.
Toddler 3
November is the month of “Giving Thanks” so we are talking about what we are thankful for at circle time. Many of the children are thankful for their pets and “lovies” as well as their immediate families. It is a time to acknowledge everything we have and everything we love.
Alexandra pours water into vases for flower arranging.
Keeping the classroom clean and neat are two things we teach the children to take pride in. Many children like to help wipe down the tables with towels and soapy water, while others prefer to sweep and push in chairs so friends are safe. We are learning how to work together and be a team in Toddler 3. Anna is laying out her felt in attempt to sequence The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Lilly practices the work cycle by beautifully rolling her rug and returning it to the rug holder.
Ms. Coral, Mrs. Amy, Mrs. Amanda
The Episcopal Diocese of DALLAS
Rufus Nkana and I were invited to represent St. James Episcopal School in the procession this past Saturday to consecrate The Revd. Canon Dr. R. George Sumner as the seventh Bishop of our Diocese. What an honor to be present at this wonderful event!
My jeep was stuffed full of non perishable food items from all our SJES families. The people at White Rock Center of Hope who helped me unload it told me they really depend on our school to help them feed families this time of year. Thank you all who donated!
Happy Thank
ksgiving A huge thank you to Alison Bray for organizing this year’s Feast! Thank you, also for all the numerous volunteers who came to help us pull off this feat! We had a wonderful time sharing a meal and spending time with our friends. I’d also like to thank the Andreason’s for donating the scrumptious turkey from their shop- Rudolph’s Market and Sausage Factory. And what would our feast be without the Nicholson’s donating their tasty Pumpkin Muffins from their Unrefined Bakery? We definitely have the best feast in Texas! I pray you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with all those you hold dear. Mrs. Loree and the SJES staff
Dear families of Primary 1: Here we are, approaching the holiday season at full speed ahead! Time flies when you’re having fun (or keeping busy), and that is just what we have been doing with our days. Autumn is such a quick season here in Texas that in the blink of an eye the leaves have changed color and are beginning to fall to the ground. Much excitement in our outdoor environment comes from searching for and collecting acorns on the playground and pumpkin picture matching in the garden. An explosion of interest in Language has taken place indoors, especially with our first-year students working repetitively to further develop and strengthen their pencil grasp using the Metal Insets.
The children have enjoyed working together to create variations of the Brown Prisms, Pink Cubes and Red Rods. It is really cool to see how they teamwork and come up with some
really neat creations using the Montessori Sensorial materials. We have introduced a new work to our classroom that focuses on the animals of North America. Children are encouraged to match object-to-picture as it relates to the animals that are native to our continent.
As the colder weather approaches, we encourage you to work with your children at home to help them learn how to independently put on/take off jackets and coats, and how to button/zip/snap them securely. Also, as a reminder, our school dress code states that only approved items of clothing may be worn by your child to school. This means that sweaters and jackets with the SJES logo are acceptable dress inside the classroom, and close-toed shoes of a solid color are most appropriate. Please help us enforce that all other outerwear be put away in your child’s cubby before s/he enters the classroom in the morning at drop-off, and that cartoons and characters stay home. We appreciate your cooperation with us on this, and if you have any questions or concerns you know where to find us! On that note, we are experiencing a short supply of extra clothes that we keep for your child if they happen to need a change or spare of something. Please bring to us or keep in your child’s backpack a spare change of uniform—including underwear! We hope that your family is preparing for a delightful Thanksgiving holiday, and as always, but especially now during this time of year, we would like to THANK YOU for allowing us the pleasure of spending time with your children each day. With heartfelt gratitude, Mrs. Amaris & Ms. Kim “Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.” -Maria Montessori
Primary 1
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and each year, this provides some great opportunities for discussions during rug time. Topics include our individual, personal blessings, and the things we do for others, particularly the food collection basket we have at the school. We have had fun singing Thanksgiving songs. The students always enjoy singing. During our rug time discussion, it becomes clear that children understand gratitude in a very natural way, unobstructed by life experiences that prompt the rest of us to overthink things. We would all do well to re-learn a bit of this naive approach to our blessings.
Hand-in-hand this goes along with a change in the weather. Please send sweaters, jackets, etc. with your children to school. Also, LABEL the clothing with your child’s name. Please check the St. James red sweaters and/or blue sweatshirts that you have at home and make sure that they are your child’s. We have some missing. Thanks.
The classroom has been very busy with work and socializing. The many, varied works in the classroom have kept the students mostly occupied, but not so much that they miss out on interaction among themselves. The teachers challenge is maintaining a healthy balance between scholarship and fellowship.
Ms. Marla and I feel blessed to have your children in our classroom. We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Have, fun, and enjoy!
All the best! Mrs. Barrineau and Ms. Marla
Primary 2
Autumn is the season when the leaves turn red and brown. When the wind starts blowing, the leaves fall together ground. When it’s time to rake them, we do it with a smile. And when we’ve made a giant heap, we JUMP into the pile! The children of primary three have been busy jumping, singing, and working through the month! Our continent study has been focused on North and South America. We have learned about the countries in each continent, the animals from both continents, and also studied major landmarks and cultural traditions. In the last two weeks, we have emphasized the Amazon rain forest habitat and wildlife conservation. We have also discussed the rotation and tilt of the Earth as it travels around the sun and how this affects weather patterns around the world. Levi and Jackson sorting the North American cultural and geography photographs by country
Here is Patrick beautifully working with the “Take 5 Star,” taking a deep inhale as he traces inside the star and taking a deep exhale as he traces out to the point of the star.
In preparation for Thanksgiving, we have discussed the traditions that developed from the first Thanksgiving feast and what it means to be thankful in our own lives. The children have also had strong interest in practical life works and food preparation - just in time for Thanksgiving dinner meal prep! As you plan your menu for the holidays, keep in mind that your child knows how to use a food grater, a mortar and pestle, a dull serrated knife (for supervised fruit and vegetable cutting), a citrus juicer, a whisk, and an apple slicer. Your child has also been practicing leveling a measuring cup for precise measurements and filling water glasses with a small pitcher.
Top Left: Cole is using a motar and pestle to grind coffee beans Top Right: Aidan is using a potato masher to make guacamole Bottom Left: Nico is leveling off his measurement Bottom Right: Asha is pouring water into small glass cups
We wish each family all the peace, joy, and gratitude that the Thanksgiving season brings. We hope that you all enjoy the holiday break and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school in December. - Ms. Tamara and Ms. Jaymie
Primary 3
The holiday season is officially upon us! As soon as Halloween was over, the children quickly transitioned to discussions about Christmas and our jolly friend Saint Nick. It seems so easy for them to skip over Thanksgiving because the idea of being thankful and having gratitude is such an abstract concept at a young age; however, the wonderful thing about the Montessori classroom is that these abstract concepts can be all-inclusive in our curriculum! As a Montessori teacher, we are able to give the children ideas of what the word ‘thanksgiving’ actually means by allowing them to experience these acts daily. The Grace and Courtesy curriculum does not require a shelf in the classroom, as it pertains to abstract ideas that the children observe in their everyday classroom environment. Since the beginning of the year we have discussed how to care for and respect the classroom. We discuss how lucky we are to work in such a lovely space. We also come up with ideas on what we can do as a classroom community to keep everything nice and beautiful. The children also learn how to respect, love, and be thankful for all of the wonderful friends in our classroom. We work on kindness and peaceful interactions to help us solve our problems. If a friend spills a work on the floor there are immediately 6 little hands ready to help. They work together and form meaningful social relationships. The classroom is the busy little hub of gratitude that the children have subconsciously created for themselves. How lucky we are as teachers to experience this on a daily basis!
Happy Thanksgiving from our tribe!
Primary 4
Dominic and Abigail enjoying the yummy Thanksgiving feast.
Primary 4 spent the month of November studying the Pilgrims, Native Americans, and the First Thanksgiving. We discovered that the Pilgrims sailed all the way from England to North America on the Mayflower. We read stories about how challenging it was to adjust to the new land, and many of us were surprised to find out that the Pilgrims did not have it as easy as we do! Our afternoon children discovered that the trip from England to North America took 65 long days on the Mayflower and that the boat was much smaller than it seemed. Vivian brought in a 3D model of the Mayflower and we were able to visually name each part of the ship. We also learned that the people on board endured many hardships in hopes of living a happier life in foreign land. We discussed that the Pilgrims faith in God and his BIG love must have kept them going during the difficult time.
Vivian brought in a 3d version of the Mayflower ship! We were not only able to use this during group time to discuss the Pilgrims long voyage to North American, but also able to use the replica to name and observe the parts of the ship!
The afternoon children have begun a leaf study. We have studied the parts of the leaf and utilized our Botany Cabinet to learn the names of different leaf shapes. Noelle grades the red rods from shortest to longest. At this point in the year, we see many of our 3 year olds begin to transition from the Practical Life shelf to the Sensorial shelf. This lesson is a precursor to the Montessori Math shelf!
With thankfulness and gratitude, Ms. Sarah and Ms. Bianca
Fall is upon us and so is pumpkin pie! The children have worked so hard in art this month finishing their pumpkin paintings! The results are amazing, and I hope you all love their paintings as much as I do! The kindergartners pumpkins on canvas turned out beautifully. They finished adding dimension to their pumpkins by using different shades of orange and brown. They also added some shading to the top and bottom of the pumpkin to make it look like it has a curved top and it is sitting in the grass. We used a smooshing technique to create the grass. We mixed light brown paint with green paint and added a little bit of water. We then took the paintbrush and smooshed it onto our grass. This gave the painting a marbled look, while at the same time adding some dimension. The effect looks like different shades of grass! After we finished the grass we added clouds to the sky. I love how different each child’s clouds look - they are so expressive! The paintings are beautiful!
Art &
The second level students also finished their pointillism paintings this month. After we finished painting the pumpkin we used brown paint for the stem and we also created “mud puddles� in the grass. By having little areas of brown in our grass, it created depth and color differentiation when we painted over it with green. After our mud puddles, we moved on to the sky. We created clouds using the negative space around our blue paint. At first the children were confused, but once they started painting their sky, they got very excited about making clouds! It was almost like painting in reverse to them! After the sky, they moved on to the grass, and then they were done! All their little dots paid off - the paintings are amazing! I love how much the texture of the dotted paint adds to the painting. The children should be proud of their hard work! In technology this month we have been working extra hard on our special project. The children really love to draw with the tablet and I am so impressed with their artwork! We also have done fun fall and Thanksgiving themed computer programs in between drawing pictures! Happy Thanksgiving! Ms. Hanna
Technology
In the Children’s
Garden
We’ve had some wonderful days gardening in this cooler fall weather. All of the children have had lessons on placing mulch blankets around the plants to insulate their roots. The afternoon Primary children have also had lessons on Living/Non-living. We learned a song that goes to the tune of Frere Jacques “It is living, it is living, I know why, I know why…it eats and breathes and changes, it eats and breathes and changes… it’s alive, it’s alive.” The children used markers to show things in the garden that were living and non-living.
Have you noticed the new garden box in our Children’s Garden? It’s filled with 3 varieties of Swiss Chard, artichokes, cabbage, shallot onions, lettuces, radishes, snap peas, Catmint, Comfrey and Italian Oregano! Happy Gardening! Putting mulch blankets around some of the plants in our new garden box (Thank you to last year’s Auction!)
Sweeping the rocks off the sidewalk
Sprinkling crushed eggshells around the Lamb’s Ear
Getting a trowel full of mulch in her bucket
It is hard to believe that it is almost December, the year has flown by. I have enjoyed getting to know your children this year. They make me laugh at the end of the school day. Now that it is chilly in the afternoon, students from Toddler 1, Primary 1 & 2 will bring their jackets to ASC. When they are done playing outside, we will place their jackets in baskets in the hallway outside of the library. Please remember to check the baskets at the end of the day for your child’s jacket. The large navy blue baskets are for Mrs. Amaris’ (Primary 1) and Mrs. Barrineau’s (Primary 2) classroom and the small white basket is for Mrs. Anna’s (Toddler 1). Primary 3 & 4 will keep their jackets in their cubbies and Toddler 2&3 will have their jackets in the ASC cubbies. Speaking of winter gear, please make sure you label your child’s jacket and if the jacket had a previous owner, please write your child’s name in the garment as well. We always like to go outside in ASC and sometimes this can be the coolest part of the day because the sun is starting to set. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me. Lisa Wilson
ASC
God’s Love Is Big The past few weeks in chapel we have been talking about God’s love in some very specific ways. Through the story of “Jesus and the three fishermen” we learned that we can be “fishers of men” and “catch” people for God by showing His love through our words and actions. In the story of “The Good Samaritan“ we learned that lending a helping hand shows God’s love to others. This past week we talked about Thanksgiving. We show God’s love when we remember to be grateful for what we have. I also shared the legend of the five kernels of corn, which over time have turned into 5 pieces of candy corn. The legend says that a long time ago people would put these 5 pieces on their plates to remind them to be grateful and thankful for these 5 things. 1. God loves us. 2. God gives us people who love us. 3. God gives us friends. 4. God provides for our needs 5. God hears our prayers and answers us. I have been noticing beautiful moments with our students, throughout the day demonstrating these ideals. One such example I witnessed a few days ago in the garden. A student was having a hard time trying to carry a heavy rock to the rock scrubbing work area, another student saw this and offered to “lend a hand” and some muscle, and carried the heavy rock for him. The first student then said “Wow, you’re really showing God’s love.” I am very thankful to be able to spend my days at this amazing school and to share the joy of our Lord with your children. As always remember that God loves your child and you, BIG!!! Ms Amaris
Chapel