Newsletter September/October 2011
Important Dates
Tanaka Farms • September through December 31 Fresh and Easy fundraiser: Save all Pumpkin Patch Day your receipts over $20 • September 27, Frogg’s Bounce October 5th House fundraiser, 2-7 p.m. • October 5, Pumpkin Patch field trip at Tanaka Farms • October 19, General Meeting 7-9 p.m. • October 24, 28 Blooms & Blossoms Conferences • October 28 Sprouts Pajama Day • October 29 Saturday cleanup day 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A great day to spend with your family • October 31 Seeds & Blooms & other Hilltop families! Hilltop will be Pajama Day closed that day so that all • November 5 Hilltop Annual Fall families can attend. See the sign-up sheet on the Auction, “Sowing the Seeds of bulletin board at school. Love,” 6-10 p.m. • Meet at the big white tent at 9:30 Book babysitters now! • Admission for adults $6; children $12 (includes picking veggies & one pumpkin, petting zoo & wagon ride) 3 EASY Fundraisers • Sunscreen, hats, water bottles • Screamin Coupons! • Totes/bags for veggies (www.screamincoupons.com) • Bring a marker to write your child’s name on their bag • Renew your support or sign up for & pumpkin the Ralphs Community Partners • Dress children in closed-toe shoes and long pants… program (www.ralphs.com), or the Vons Escrip program (www.escrip.com). • Remember to set your home page Registration Paperwork, to Goodsearch Earthquake Kits (www.goodsearch.com) search engine, powered by Yahoo! This Please remit any outstanding paperwork for your child to Shannon site gives money back to the Hendriks as soon as possible. Please turn in forms directly to her or community just for searching place them in her file at the sign-in cubby. If you have any questions, the web! don't hesitate to ask. We also have some outstanding earthquake Select Hilltop Preschool kits. to ensure credit! Page 1 Lines From Lynette...
Hello and a big welcome to all our new and returning families!
During the summer, the teachers and I have enjoyed wonderful opportunities to continue our education, find inspiration and revive ourselves. First, Sarah and Anthonette attended a two day conference in Sacramento called “Good Stuff for Children,” hosted by Roseville Community Nursery School and Bev Bos educator extraordinaire. Both teachers came back with renewed energy and passion, and a greater purpose toward teaching young children. This workshop is life changing for teachers; we are so glad they could attend.
The second event, which took place over the course of three days, was attended by Anthonette, Sarah M., Jennie, Bob, Sara P. and I―it was the long awaited and anticipated Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) course. We never have had the opportunity to take this course, as the cost was so prohibitive in the past, but we found a fantastic instructor who worked with us to make it possible, Meike Lemans. We all came away with an even greater understanding of PET. For interested families, you too soon can enjoy the opportunity to take PET classes with Meike, as we will be offering them at Hilltop. I will offer Parenting from the Heart Classes, as well, beginning in January (if you’d like to learn more about PFTH, I’m glad to share).
Last, Jennie, Anthonette, Alissa, Malia, Sarah and I attended a workshop on “An Introduction to Reggio,” presented by Patricia McGrath and hosted by Little Owl Preschool. As always, it’s great for me to connect with fellow colleagues on similar paths.
Speaking of colleagues, Hilltop has a new teacher this year―many returning parents already know him―Bob Sandoval, whose family returns for its fourth year. Son Zeke, Hilltop alum, is now a second grader; son Gabriel will be in Blossoms. Bob will support Blossoms on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; additionally, he will use his engineering background as the new woodworking teacher. Because of Hilltop’s philosophy and his inspiration, he began taking classes to earn his certificate in early childhood education. Welcome Bob (be sure to meet wife and mom, Lea)!
As the teachers and I anxiously plan and prepare for the up and coming school year, it’s such an exciting time when change and new adventures are in store.
For many of you, this will be your child’s first school experience. We know you are probably both excited and nervous about this new chapter in your child’s life. As teachers of young children, and parents ourselves, we believe in engaging in open com munication as well as providing a nurturing, warm and thoughtful environment for your child.
As you will notice during the next few weeks, Hilltop’s classrooms will experience a lot of bustle and noise, and ultimately joy . Children are up doing things, talking, playing and exploring. Such an environment differs from the “old” images of a teacher doing a lot of “talking” while young children doing a lot of t “listening.”
Early childhood is a time of life quite different from adulthood, and even from the later school years. It has been documented that children in the early years (birth through 8 years) learn far more appropriately through direct interactive ex periences than anything else! They learn extraordinary amounts through play and exploration. And the younger the children are, the more of what they learn needs to be relevant and interesting on the day they experience it, not just in the con text of some future learning.
Based on this knowledge about young children, we design our environments to provoke inspiration, creativity, imagination and investigation of the world in and around them. It works a lot better than trying to cram in abstract concepts or redesign the young child. A Reggio inspired program like ours is aware of the intent and purpose of a child's investigations, and we as teachers are co learners alongside with them supporting and building our knowledge together. But that’s not all. To make the program a good place for everyone, we provide enrichment opportunities and activities to this community and the families in volved.
We are eager to learn as much as we can about each child’s family, cultural background, past experience and current circumstances. With this knowledge, we work to create a program and environment that fits the children and families of Hilltop. Love, Lynette
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Preparations for our highly anticipated annual auction event are underway! This year’s theme perfectly fits all our little Seeds, Sprouts, Blooms and Blossoms—Sowing the Seeds of Love . So gather as many friends and family as you can, and help support our beloved school at the Greenbrook Clubhouse on Saturday, November 5, 6-10 p.m . This wonderfully exciting event includes dinner, drinks, our fabulous live and silent auctions, and excellent company. Greenbrook Clubhouse is located at 18222 Santa Joanana Street, Fountain Valley.
Sunlight and water nurture growth, and your dedicated support of this event will nurture its great success!
Your valued support means soliciting auction donations of all kinds and contributing in the following ways: • Purchase 4 tickets per family at $25 per ticket (your $100 purchase is reflected in your October tuition invoice; each additional ticket $20) • Sell at least 20 50/50 raffle tickets ($1 each) • Collect donations totaling at least $150
Donations can come from any business or service establishment in the Southern California area.
Merchandise, gift certificates, tickets of any kind, hair cuts, portraiture, salon and spa services, personal training, kids’ parties, bouncy houses—everyone’s got something to sell or provide! One of and Mom and Pop establishments are especially generous. Tip: All businesses are accustomed to queries for school donations, so don't feel shy or awkward!
Your personal gifts and services are valuable, too! The possibilities are endless. • Prepare a gourmet meal, host a cocktail party, or teach a cooking class • Bake a cake or cookies of the month for three months • Provide access to a vacation home for a week or weekend • Offer a pair of your season tickets to a sporting or entertainment event • Teach a surfing lesson or donate a round of golf • Offer babysitting vouchers or organize/coordinate a child’s birthday party
We also seek event sponsors (realtors, accountants, insurers, any local business). In the program, purchase advertising space for your or a friend’s business. Solicit advertising from your or your husband’s company. Personal messages to your child in the program from grandparents, uncles and aunts are uniquely special!
Please deliver your donations by Friday, October 28. Your $150 in donations and pre paid event tickets are a great start, but please do what you can to keep nurturing that success! Challenge yourself; you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easily you can surpass that $150 donation goal.
Please, don’t hesitate to contact Erandy Matejka with auction questions at [email protected] or 714 469 4536. Or talk to any board member! We’re here to help you!
The only way this event is a success is through your dedicated efforts! Page 3 What in the World Is OCCPPNS? Blossoms’ Bursts
OCCPPNS is more than the world’s largest acronym. The Orange It is the tiny steps into wonder and discovery that County Council of Parent Participation Nursery schools falls under develop into who we are. the larger umbrella of California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools, a community of parents and educators committed I believe that the work of early childhood is the ladder to teaching and inspiring families through parent involvement and upon which we build our futures both emotionally and mutual support. Parent participation nursery schools and pre educationally. In the Blossoms class, I try to remem schools are founded on the principle that the best education results ber in every interaction that we are influencing how from an active partnership among parents, teachers and children. children approach relationships, problems, wonder, discovery and life. According to Co-op Quarterly magazine, the first cooperative nursery school was started in Chicago in 1915. The idea soon We are spending this month exploring and discovering caught on both nationally and internationally. Currently, the Cali each other. Finding out who we are, who we are in fornia Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools has more relationship to each other, what our shared interests than 171 member schools statewide. Orange County has 14 parent are and how we can use this knowledge to have fun, participation schools, ranging from Seal Beach to San Clemente. build skills and learn about new things.
For more information, such as council information; annual conven What are you wondering about? tion dates and location; publications; educational resources; the OCCPPNS newsletter; FAQs and more; visit www.ccppns.org. Juan –Taking apart a computer Jessica–My friends, Anthony and Jeremy Brady–Star Wars, fighting and light sabers Cole –Spiderman Gabriel–Clocks and how they work Secrets from Seeds Logan–Journals and cars Lucy–Space and what it looks like Hello Everyone! The children in the Seeds Asiya–Scuba diving class have enjoyed the first weeks of school. Joshua –Cars They are getting to know each other, learning We have been excited to welcome Bob into the names and discovering friends to play with. Blossoms classroom. It is Many of the children enjoy singing and have shared songs during exciting to experience a new snack and lunch time. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” is a favorite. and fresh perspective on the children and the work. They also love to sing “The Bear Went over the Mountain” and the “Baby” song. You might have noticed the pretend baby on one of their fingers: two eyes and a little mouth drawn with a marker. They love when the baby wakes up! Ask them about these songs; I’m sure some would love to share.
The Seeds children also enjoyed making play dough―they chose to make red and yellow dough (the red dough is a bit pink). One child wondered why the play dough turned orange, so we’ll be exploring some color mixing activities soon.
The children also discovered worms wiggling on the grass, which Wisdom… lead to such questions as “Is this the mommy worm?” “Is this the Try to see your child as a baby?” and “Can worms go in water?” We are looking for books seed that came in a packet about worms, so if you have any you’d like to share with us, please without a label. Your job bring them to the classroom. is to provide the right en vironment and nutrients The Seeds children are a delightful and to pull the weeds. group, and it is such a pleasure to You can’t decide what get to know them, learn with them kind of flower you’ll get and discover with them. We look or in which season it will forward to fun and exciting times bloom. ahead! —An excerpt from Bless Your Seeds Teachers, ings of a Skinned Knee,” Jennie and Sarah by Wendy Mogel, Ph.D.
Page 4 Meet the 2011-2012 Hilltop Board
So that you can get to know us all a little better, each of our board members wrote a little something about themselves, their board responsibili ties and their experiences at Hilltop. We’re here to listen, share information and answer questions, so please don’t hesitate introduce (or reac quaint) yourselves so we can get to know you and your family, too. You are welcome to join us for the open portion of our monthly meetings, which take place on the first Tuesday every month, from 7 9 p.m.
Laura Ehrlich, President My position oversees the board and its responsibilities, and acts as the official representative of Hilltop at all school events. This is our fam ily’s fourth year at Hilltop. My older daughter, Molly, now 6 years old, just graduated from the Blossoms classroom into public school Kin dergarten after three amazing years at Hilltop. Thank goodness we get to stay here for a couple more years, as my younger daughter, Megan, now 4, enters the Sprouts program. This is my second year on the board, serving last year as the publicity chair. Please feel free to approach me with any questions you might have! I hope you’ll love Hilltop as much as we do!
Chris Hay, Vice President Welcome to Hilltop. I have one older daughter, Amanda, and my youngest daughter is Jessica. This will be my 6th year with Hilltop (not con secutively, though; there was a 3 year break between kids. My main job is to assign jobs to all of the parents, so if you need a job or have any questions about your job, please contact me at: [email protected] . In addition, I will be coordinating board nominations and picture day in the spring.
Beth Craig, Treasurer Hello Hilltop friends! This year, I’m shifting gears from ways and means chair to taking over the treasurer position. Thankfully, my husband Gary is a CPA, and he will be guiding me through the learning process. My daughter Marea attended for two years and is now off to kinder garten. Thankfully, my second daughter, Evie, will be starting in the Seeds program this year, which means our family will remain immersed in the joy and magic of Hilltop!
Jennifer Dupuis, Secretary am responsible for taking notes at all board and general meetings, and imparting fines for all missed meetings. My daughter, Bella, will be starting her second year at Hilltop as a Bloom; this will be my second year as a working parent in the classroom. My 2 ½ year old son, Radley, who loves playing at Hilltop during drop offs/pick ups, is eagerly awaiting the day when he is old enough to become a Seed. Not only do I feel that my daughter has grown and blossomed at Hilltop, but that I and my husband also have grown as parents due to the wonderful skills of active listening and problem solving we have learned through their interactions at Hilltop.
Daphne Lietz, Co-Chair, Publicity This will be our fifth year at Hilltop, with son Camden, an alumnus, now heading into second grade and daughter Kiera entering the Blooms class. This will be my third year on the board, having served as secretary and taking care of the Yahoo Groups portion of publicity this year. My husband and I will be work sharing in the classroom, as I have rejoined the workforce after a 2 1/2 year layoff. I will sadly not be as present daily but hope to meet each of you at the in service meetings and on the day I am in class. We are looking forward to another enriching year at Hilltop with many old friends and hopefully the opportunity to make some long lasting new ones. Welcome back to school everyone!
Ellyce Rothrock, Co-Chair, Publicity Welcome, friends! My family is enjoying our fifth year with Hilltop. My daughter Ava, now 7 and entering second grade, spent two wonderful years with the Hilltop family; son Cole, 5, is starting his third and last year. I worked in the classroom for three years and served once as the board president and twice as the OCCPPNS representative. These days, my husband Reed is large and in charge of Captain Cole. I miss the daily interaction with Hilltop folks and will shed tears when this year is through, but I’m so grateful for the Hilltop community, its gifts to my children and the amazing, inspiring friendships that took root here.
Shannon Hendriks, Class Chair This is our family’s third year at Hilltop and my first year on the board. My daughter, Lucy, has grown into the Blossoms class, and Evelyn is so excited to join the Seeds. As program chair, I am responsible for ensuring registration packets are up to date, answer any questions families may have regarding registration documents and give tours to prospective families. Hilltop is very dear to our family; we look forward to an other year of learning with love!
Grace Santangelo, OCCPPNS Co-Representative This is our family’s second year at Hilltop, and my daughter Bella, 4, Unfortunately, we were unable to get everyone’s will be in the Blooms program. My son, Tyler, 22 months, will become bio, so please be sure to meet and greet the rest part of the Hilltop family next fall. Hilltop has been such an amazing of our board. You already know our Ways & addition to our lives, and we are so excited as the new school year be Means Chair, Erandy Matejka...you’ll be hearing gins. As Hilltop’s OCCPPNS co representative, I will enjoy the privi lege of traveling once monthly to other Orange County co op nursery plenty from her! Also, Brian Schunk and Tanya schools, meeting other school representatives, learning about others’ Charfauros are our Co-Chairs for Maintenance; environments and philosophies, sharing information and swapping ex Tugba Oygur is our OCCPPNS periences, comparing ways we can strengthen our schools and spread CO-Representative. ing the word about our awesome school!
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