FCCC NEWSLETTER

Play to Learn, Learn to Love

FEBRUARY 2016 Director’s News Inside this issue: Have you heard? Care News 2 kept organized, fo- Bear Cub News 2 Yes, we all tearfully Shaquae cused and prepared; Cuddle Cub News 3 wished Eileen well and Walker – Is Eileen managed to ad- Baby News 3 thanked her for the currently dress all of our needs Puddle Jumper News 4 many wonderful working as she put her heart Triangle News 4 things she has done afternoons into her work and Quad News 5 throughout her 8year in Triangles achieved all that she Upcoming Events 6 tenure. Her warmth with Teresa and Bjay. set out to accomplish. Announcements & 6 and competence has She is a student at Reminders We wish her much supported every facet Community College of School Closings Dates 6 success as she tackles of our community Philadelphia in the School Closing Policy 6 her new venture! whether you are a par- early childhood educa- Allergy Info & Health 7 Policy ent with a question, There are several new tion pro- need or nudging, child faces around FCCC and gram. Website Information 7 needing a tickle or it is my pleasure to Meet our Staff 7 Edwina hug, staff needing sup- make formal introduc- Director’s News 8 Suah – Is (continued) port or guidance, or tions to the communi- an Assis- Fundraising 9 director (that would at large. tant Bake Sale 9 be me!) needing to be Group Supervisor in Contact Info 10

Care Bear News

Time is surely flying and the them over and over again. One story time with bigger groups, Care are really grow- sense we would like to focus etc. if you have any idea to ing!!! If you have not noticed on this month is taste. As the contribute to our circle time we have all mobile babies. children are getting a lot old- (ex: songs you may sing at Walking, running, crawling, er and able to eat solid foods home or books you may like to rolling, scooting, etc., so we we will be introducing some read) please feel free to let us are always on the go! As we new snacks that are pur- know!! continue to follow the Care chased for us by the center. Bears needs individually we Please feel free to ask the would like to say will also have a lot of planned staff what they are and let us farewell to Eileen!! We will activities and projects for know if they can or can not miss your morning walk our group as well. Many of the have them. The snack will be through, and your random pop- children have shown a lot of listed in your child's commu- ups to say hello!! interest in art activities with nication log each day. We are non-toxic paints, markers and looking forward to expanding Happy Birthday to Emma on dotters. Please send your our taste buds at school!! 2/13; Lucia on 2/21 and Bryce children in clothing that you on 2/28! Put a candle on your With the children being a lit- are ok with getting a little cakes... tle on the older infant side we dirty during these art activi- will be taking advantage of ties. the things we can do with Our five senses are very im- them that we would not be portant!! Each day we use able to do with our young in- fants. Scheduled circle time,

Bear Cub News For our Black History celebra- The theme for February is " If also help the Bear Cubs express tion we will create traffic lights you're happy and you know it". their feelings, as well as notice invented by Garret Morgan in The Bear Cubs will be working their friends feelings. Aside 1923. The Bear Cubs will identify on activities and projects involv- from all of, that we will make the colors green, yellow & red ing Chinese New Year, Valen- and they will learn how to say tine's Day and Black History light. The Bear Cubs will learn month. how to say bike as the Bicycle frame was invented by I.R. John- For Chinese New Year celebra- son in 1899. Aside from all of tion we will create dragon masks that the Bear cubs will learn and march around the classroom about caring, sharing and differ- listening to music. ences.

For our Valentine celebration we Welcome Nicholas and his par- will create Valentine cards, dif- ents Carol and Tom who came to ferent size heart collage and us straight out of the Care create a Valentine mailbox for red Jell-O and on Friday Febru- Bears. our special Valentine cards that ary 12,2016 we will have a Val- we will receive from our friends entine celebration. There will be games, dancing, special FYI: February 12,2016 Valentine and teachers. We will practice celebration. giving hugs & kisses and learn snacks and socializing. about loving and caring. We will February 15,2016 FCCC closed for President's Day.

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Cuddle Cub News

ing a tad cooped up, but are weighing in at 9lbs. 1oz. Mom- February is fixing to be pret- trying our best to keep busy my, Daddy and big sister, La- ty action packed for the with play, arts and crafts and dy are very excited and doing Cubs. This month’s lots and lots of dancing. We well! Congratulations Taylor & themes include Valentine’s encourage you to bring in any Anessa! Day, President’s cd’s you think the class would Birthday wishes go out to Bo, Day and Black History enjoy from home. who turns 2 on February Month. We welcome two new Cuddle 3rd and to Barbara, who cele- We will learn all about Martin Cubs to our class. Aiden and brates her big day on Febru- Luther King, Jr., Jackie Rob- his parents Naveen & Bindu ary 10th! Happy Birthday to inson, Rosa Parks, Jesse Ow- and Aviva and her parents Bo & Barbara!! ens, Barack Obama and many Stefan and Sara. Welcome! We would also like to bid a more prominent figures. We The Blizzard of 2016 didn't fond farewell to Mabel, look forward to exposing the stop the stork from visiting who’s graduating to Puddle Cubs to these important one of Cuddle Cubs families: Jumper status this month. trailblazers in history Walden Charles Foxwell was through art projects and born on January 23, 2016, books. The Cuddle Cubs will al- so celebrate Valentine’s Day with a super fun Val- entine’s Pajama Party. More details to follow soon! We are hoping that Feb- ruary allows for much more outdoor play and ex- ploration walks through- out the city. We are feel- Baby News

And delivered Walden Charles Foxwell On January 23, 2016 A precious little bundle at 9 lbs. 1 oz. Adelaide (in the Cuddle Cubs classroom) is very proud of her new baby brother. Anessa and Taylor are doing just fine.

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Puddle Jumper News Happy February! Time is party. The PJ's will be able to to flying fast here in the Pud- wear there favorite pajamas dle Jumper classroom. to school and have a dance party along with making some yummy smoothies for snack. The PJ's theme for this month will be "I love you to Pieces / Black History February is also Black History Month". We will be busy month. We will be honoring crafting and getting messy some important people who painting, gluing, and cutting have made contributions to all different size and our nation over the years. The label all of your child's be- shaped hearts. The PJ's will children will work on a few art longings. As the colder weath- use the colors red and pink project/ inventions such as er is finally here we have lay- a lot throughout this month. traffic lights, horseshoes, ers of clothes, hats, boots, We will paint with ice cubes hot combs etc. gloves and we do not want to and snow to experiment how cause any mix-ups. the paint melts onto the snow and ice and turns into The Puddle Jumpers would colored water. The Puddle like to welcome Mabel and her FYI: Updated Emergency Con- Jumpers will also help make family as she is new to the PJ tact forms due! classroom! some red homemade play dough. We will have a super Wish List: Dust Pan (stand up fun Valentines day pajama Reminders: Please remember one) Triangle News

Even though February is the We have a celebration planned portunity to welcome Race and shortest month of the year, the for Valentine’s Day, and ask if his parents Danielle and Horace Triangles have much going on! It you would please send in cards to our class. We would also like is the international month of for your child to share with to wish Margot good luck as she “friendship” which we will honor their classmates. Our valentine join the Quads. with discussions and stories curriculum will feature the chil- about how we treat others. Our dren decorating a box to accom- Reminders: Winter weath- children will be encouraged to modate their cards, and many er: Please make sure your child speak kindly to one another. art explorations using theme col- has a hat, gloves/mittens, and a They will practice inviting ors (red, white, and pink) with a coat that is appropriate for out- friends to work together, and variety of heart shapes to adorn door play. They also need snow engage in many activities that our classroom. Our reading fo- pants for playing in the promote teamwork, kindness, cus will be on Shel Silverstein’s snow. The Triangles share show and taking turns. “The Giving Tree”, Sam McBart- and tells on Tuesday and ney’s “Guess How Muck I Love You”, and Frank Modell’s “One Wednesday. February is also children dental Zillion Valentines”. We will also health month. We will promote continue to work on winter pro- healthy dental hygiene with the Happy February!!! jects, including activities in hon- use of books and discussions on or of “Black History” and the importance of brushing your “President’s Day”. Birthday to Charlotte on Febru- teeth every morning and ary 17! night. Please feel free to share creative ideas, books, CDs, etc. We would like to take this op-

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Quad News

January ended with a Robinson, Garrett Morgan ferent (sweet, sour, bit- blast of snow. We learned and George Washington ter or salty). about how snow is formed Carver . In addition, we and different types of will learn the names and Language Arts will include winter weather and what the roles of some people discussing how some occurs during these types in our current govern- things are alike or dif- of weather. We learned ment. that rivers, lakes and ferent, reciting poems,

oceans help create singing, and learning the weather through evapo- Math activities will in- names of some people in ration. Aside from this, clude learning the value our government and some animals have a layer of money, counting sides learning who and what of fat called blubber on shapes and naming buildings are on our paper which keeps them warm shapes, grouping shapes money. in the cold weather. by their number of sides and sorting and matching Social studies: Making the number of objects to your vote count: A day at Our theme for February the corresponding num- the voting poll. is “Alike and Different”. ber, Throughout the month,

we will do activities that Art/Science activities Cooking activities will in- show how alike or differ- will include drawing some clude making hard boiled ent, animals, people and inventions of African and scrambled eggs, waf- plants are. We will re- Americans, drawing self fles and pancakes, fruit member and discuss Dr. portraits, cracking open a salad, cooked and un- Martin Luther King Jun- brown egg and a white cooked play dough and ior’s ‘I have a dream’ egg and observing how we will also taste differ- speech and how The plants drink. ent foods and discuss Montgomery boycott came about. In addition, how they are alike or dif- we will learn Langston Dramatic play will include Hughes’ poem ‘Dreams’, observing traffic safety, and the contributions reenacting the Montgom- of other African- ery boycott, and role Americans such as Dr. playing as career people. Charles Drew, Jackie

FEBRUARY 2016 Page 5

School Closings: Upcoming Events

 Preschool Theater Trip: Aesop’s Fables @ Irvine Auditorium on 2/29  Spring In-service Day: Friday, April 1—FCCC is CLOSED  SILENT AUCTION—MAY 6  President’s Day, Feb- ruary 15  Spring In-service School Closing Day, April 1 Policy:

In the event that FCCC is closing for snow or any other emergency, our school num- ber is 3005 and will be an- nounced on KYW News radio 1060 AM, as well as KYW 1060 website, at cbsphilly.com/schools. You can also call the KYW school closing line at (215) 925- 1060. FCCC will close for the day if Friends Center (215) Announcements & Reminders 241-7000 closes. Every Parents and teachers are wel- Wednesday is come to borrow books from our The Director and Office pizza day. resource library in the B space Manager will call the Lead alcove. Please complete the Teachers who will divide the borrower’s form and drop it in list amongst the Assistant ˚Check chil- the right side slot. Please re- Teachers and all families will dren’s mail turn borrowed materials in a be called. slots every timely fashion, so that others day. have an opportunity to borrow If the public schools close, as well. Visit FCCC will automatically open www.librarything.com, ˚Friends Child Care Center is at 9:00am to permit staff Username: fccc, Password: on Facebook. Check us out time to arrive to work safely. 1501cherry for a list of books for upcoming Fundraising You will not receive a phone in our library. Events. call for this procedural clos- http://www.facebook.com/ ing. If, due to inclement pages/Friends-Child-Care- ˚Additional Parking Placards weather, FCCC needs to Center/197767671575 are available in the FCCC Of- close, you will be notified by fice, 2nd Floor of the C space. email and telephone. You may call the main office number ˚Resource Library: CHECK to check on the school’s sta- IT OUT tus.

FCCC NEWSLETTER Page 6

Allergy Information & Health Policy

Classroom Allergy Alerts: children and staff that everyone Please be alert for pre-illness NUT FREE CLASSROOMS: participates in reducing the symptoms such as lethargy, spread of illness and maintaining glassy eyes, diarrhea, fever, CUDDLE CUBS AND PRE- a healthy environment. FCCC etc., and keep your child home if SCHOOL bases its health and wellness she/he seems to be coming down »Please be sure to check the policies in accordance with DPW with something. Regulations and the American expiration dates on your child’s epi-pens (and all other medi- Academy of Pediatrics Caring cations). All medications for Our Children Performing When a child has been diagnosed should move with a child into Standards. Please call to inform with an infectious (contagious) their new classroom when they us whenever your child will be illness, FCCC issues an Infec- transition. absent due to illness. Your child tious Disease alert via email to the affected classroom. If mul- »Please be sure to wash both may not be brought in for child you and your child’s hands im- care unless she/he is able to tiple cases occur throughout the mediately upon arrival into participate fully in all activities Center, a center-wide notifica- your child’s classroom. including outdoor play. You will tion will go out via email. The need a back-up plan you can use identity of the child will not be

when your child is sick. given and personal information Illness Policy: will be kept confidential.

It is in the best interest of the

FCCC Website Information

Be sure to visit our website at www.friendschildcare.org to download forms, check out calendar events, and visit the classroom portal to see what is happening in your child’s classroom. Parent Password is ‘letmein.’ Thank you for helping to make FCCC the best it can be.

Meet Our Staff

Care Bears Teachers: Markita, Toni, Erica, Kyra, Floaters: Nathalie, April Ashley Osborne

Bear Cub Teachers: Subs: Michelle, Linda, Andrea Gail Centola

Cuddle Cub Teachers: Administration: Shannon, Barbara, Ericka, Raechel, Susan Shanice Preschool Teachers: Teresa, Cordella, Missy, Bjay, Puddle Jumper Teachers: Shaquae Lea, Zakiyah, Edwina, Renee

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Director’s News (continued) Puddle Jumpers working in next week or so. We are be held at Pipeline Philly with Lea, Zakiyah & moving forward with our located at 15th & Chest- Renee. She has her CDA plan to take down the per- nut Streets. This event will and is an experienced manent dividing wall be- serve as our main fund- teacher work- tween Triangles and raiser of the school year ing with tod- Quads and install a sound and will hopefully make a dlers. absorbing, mobile space significant impact in help- divider that will give us ing us reach our $10k Deneeya Brown opportunity to distribute fundraising goal. FCCC – Is the tempo- the space a little more fundraises to support cul- rary Administrative Assis- evenly with the ultimate tural arts programming tant who will be answer- goal of swapping class- and to further its quality ing calls, managing com- rooms for Quads and Pud- improvement initiatives munication and record- dle Jumpers. In doing so, for improved services to keeping tasks. Quads will have their own its families, children and FCCC is in its final phases space to further develop staff. We hope that you of being painted. The their pre-k program and will participate through Bspace is next to be ad- we will have created a ticket purchases, event dressed. Friends Center is more compatible shared attendance and item do- in the process of schedul- space grouping in the B- nations. Auction details ing the work to take place space. A written transition will be distributed in mail- plan will be shared with boxes and emailed by groups after final details Monday – February 1, are attained. Stay 2016. Let’s make it a night tuned… to remember!!

Due to popular de- Happy Valentine’s Day! mand, FCCC is bringing back its Annual Silent Auction & Social!! It will

Fundraising at FCCC Opportunities: Throughout the year, par- If you have any suggestions ents will be asked to sup- on Fundraising ideas, please port fundraising through don’t hesitate to let us T-shirts purchase T-shirts volunteerism and participa- $14 tion. There are many ways Bake Sales man the tables, in which you can be sup- bake goodies portive. Annual Appeal donate di- Provide baked goods for rectly to FCCC, ask for bake sales. matching fund from employ- Actively seek donations er and company sponsorship Silent Auction will be held for annual auction event. on May 6, 2016 at Philly Volunteer to be a fund- Pipeline. Volunteers are raising cheerleader for needed to be a classroom your child’s classroom. cheerleader, solicit dona- Seek to meet minimum know. Also, if you are in- tions, join the committee, family participation levels terested in volunteering on attend the event and bid, for small fundraisers held the Fundraising Committee, bid, bid… Information to throughout the year. please notify the office. follow. We would love your help! Fundraising Events: Bake Sales

FCCC runs semi-annual sign up to bake goods to bake sale fundraisers be sold in the Friends throughout the year to Center Lobby to building help offset programming tenants and visitors. costs. We look to our Bakes sales run from families to volunteer to 8:00am-3:00pm daily. help with these events. Please provide a list of in- gredients in order to Upcoming 2015-2016 maintain safe options for Bakes Sale Schedule: all those with food aller- weeks of gies. March 14-18 Parents are also needed to help table-sit during May 9-13 these bake sales.

We appreciate your sup- Families are asked to port.

PageFEBRUARY 9 2016 Page 9

1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215)241-7011 (tel) (215)864-6973 (fax) www.friendschildcare.org

FRIENDS CHILD CARE CENTER

Office (215) 241-7011 [email protected] Director (215) 241-7108 [email protected] Finance (215) 241-7011 [email protected] Care Bears (215) 241-7013 [email protected] Bear Cubs (215) 241-7012 [email protected]

Cuddle Cubs (215) 241-7027 [email protected] Puddle Jumpers (215) 241-7007 [email protected] Triangles (215) 241-7012 [email protected] Quads (215) 241-7012 [email protected]

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