J E N Z N E W S
Message from Jen
New improvements
No doubt you would have noticed our lovely new flooring in the classroom placed over the break, it has really made a difference and opened up the whole area. The Quiet Room has also been improved with a lick of paint to tidy things up in there. Thank you for the positive feedback.
Clive School Kapa Haka Group Performance
As we have previously mentioned, the children enjoy performing the haka and often request to do this; in particular, it is a great outlet for the boys as a positive energy release. We have invited Clive School to have their Kapa Haka group come and perform for the children next Thursday morning. This will be an exciting opportunity for the children to experience a “real” Kapa Haka performance.
Practical Life Workshop
Teachers will be attending a MANZ workshop on “Inspiring Practical Life” on Saturday 13 August in Hamilton. We will be travelling after session on Friday so we ask if you can please be prompt in collecting your child next Friday to enable us to get away quickly. Thank you.
Student Practicum
We will have Fern Field with us on practicum 15 Aug – 9 Sept, who is in her third year of study of the Early Childhood qualification with Te Tari Puna. Please give Fern a warm welcome if you come across her in the centre.
PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY
We remind all our families to please slow down as you enter and exit Hicks Lane. Please do not exceed 15km. We must consider our neighbours who also access the Lane and pedestrians. Thank you for your cooperation.
Open Weeks
This term we have initiated “Open Weeks” to assist with promotions and parent enquiries. This will be initially every week 9.30-10.30am Mon-Wed, of which we have thus far done a mail drop in our local area (thanks to Denise Bellamy, Tyrone’s mum) as a way of getting the word out. We are very open to any suggestions from parents who have ideas about where to advertise or any innovative ways of getting the word out. If you would be interested in doing a mail drop in your area please let us know and we will set you up with material. Thank you.
Immunisation
On the outbreak of a communicable or notifiable disease, we are responsible for communications to parents and managing required absent days of infected children, and we must be able to identify who has been immunised and who hasn’t. The Ministry requires that we keep up to date records of children’s immunisation status and copies of immunisation records. This is generally done on enrolment, but some can be overlooked. We must also receive an updated copy of those four year olds who receive their 4 year immunisation. These are administered by your GP – but we must receive the up to date records for our files. We will work through the process of getting these up to date and will provide a list on the notice board indicating who we have immunisation records for and who we need records from. Please assist us by bringing in your up to date records so we can take a copy, if requested. Thank you.
Fees for 5 days
At the beginning of term we put up a notice advising of a reduction in fees for 5 day attendance, and for those five year olds who stay to complete the 3-6 period. We are reviewing our fee structure where we will release a short survey to see where our parents are at in terms of affordability in relation to the number of days they are willing to have their child attend.
A Montessori teacher’s ideal is to have each child attend five days to complete the 3-6 Montessori class, which is not driven by dollars but by the passion and belief in the Montessori philosophy and method and how this empowers our children and thus our future. Montessori is not a hit and miss; it is a way of life and instills a life long love of learning. Your child will benefit socially and learn at their own pace more naturally from attending Montessori five days a week. Often this is not realised until your child transitions to mainstream school where you can appreciate the amount and depth of learning your child has covered during their time at Montessori. It is then that you can clearly see the benefit of the Montessori philosophy and education.
The surveys will be in pockets later in the week so please complete and hand these in promptly to aid with our review.
Friendliness
This month we are covering the virtue ‘friendliness’, which helps to develop social skills in children.
The definition of the Friendliness virtue is:
“Friendliness is being a good friend, through good times and bad. You take an interest in other people and make them feel welcome. You share your belongings, your time, and yourself. Friendliness is the best cure for loneliness.”
Premiere Books
Premiere Books now offers their books for sale here at Jenz. They are located on the table in the cloakroom in the black box. There is a great range of books at discount prices. If you would like to buy it is an ordering system, you just need to complete the order form and you can hand your money in to the office. Please take note of the pick up date for when you have to have the money in by as they come and collect, drop off orders and replace the books with a new selection in one visit every 2-3 weeks. This is a great system but please note we will not be chasing up orders so we leave this in your capable hands.
Upcoming Events!
Open Weeks - 9.30-10.30am each Mon-Wed
Clive School Kapa Haka - Thursday, 11 August
Teachers Workshop, Hamilton - leaving Friday, 12 August
Housekeeping
Parent Book
Please access the Parent Book located on the table in the cloakroom to pass on any relevant information about your child for the day.
Person(s) who can pick up your child
You will need to authorize those other than the parent/primary caregiver if you wish them to collect your child from the centre.
1. Please complete the form next to the attendance register – prior to the arrangement.
2. Indicate on the attendance sheet in the morning, or phone the centre when this person will be collecting them.
Newsletters
You can access our newsletter on our website and register to receive these by email.
Invoices
Save a tree and give your email address to the office to receive your weekly invoice by email.
Attendance Register
Please sign your child in and out on the Attendance Register each day. We must have these records as they are linked to Ministry funding.
Late arrivals
If you arrive after 9.00am please assist your child to choose their name tag and a tray, and then allow them to quietly choose an activity to do at a table.
Late fee at pick-up time
A late fee of $5 per 5 minutes after 3.30pm will be charged to invoices.
A Word from Dr Montessori:
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”
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