J E N Z N E W S
Message from Jen
Welcome back, it is good to see everyone back on board rearing to go for the new term. We have a couple of things happening this term which will keep us busy. We will be preparing for Matariki celebrations that traditionally fall in June, where the children will perform a play marking the Maori myth “The Creation” that tells of how The Earth and the skies came into being, through the self generation of Ranginui, sky father, and Papatuanuku, earth mother. We also have our Parent Insight evening planned where we will cover the Maths curriculum and offer insight into the value of remaining at Montessori for the fifth year, to complete the 3-6 period as observed by Dr Montessori.
Easter Celebrations
Thank you to everyone who came along and helped on our Easter Hat Parade day. The children had a great time and we had some great feedback about the children’s singing. It is important for parents and families to take advantage of these get-togethers as they enrich and build our community. You can see some great photos on our blog on our website. Thanks also to the families who took the time to come and share Easter day at my property; it was great to have your company.
Communication & Consultation Survey
In order to provide a service that meets the needs of our parents and families, it is therefore vital that every now and then we obtain relevant data directly from you. To get the ball rolling we will set the bar that we will receive a 100% response rate – why not? What’s in it for you, you may be asking? We can use this information to better meet your needs. The blue survey has been distributed to each family so please complete and return as soon as possible.
Student Placement
We have recently agreed to support Amber Rose, a student from Te Tari Puna for her Early Childhood practicum for four weeks commencing 23 May, so do welcome Amber when she comes on board.
Welcome ~ Nau mai, Haere Mai!
We warmly welcome Lydia Burns and the Burns family back to Jenz. Lydia is the younger sibling of Zoe who is a past pupil of Jenz.
Upcoming Events!
Matariki Celebrations - 1 July
Parent Insight Evening - 7pm, 16 June
Housekeeping
Parent Book
Please remember we have a Parent Book on the table in the cloakroom that provides a secondary communication line between parents and teachers to pass on any relevant information about your child for the day.
Person(s) who can pick up your child
The Ministry requires the centre to have written authorization of anyone other than the child’s parent/primary caregiver collecting the child. We have forms for this next to the attendance register so please make sure you fill this out, prior to the arrangement, and hand in to the office for our records. Please also let us know when the authorized person will be collecting your child by writing this on the attendance sheet in the morning or phone in and let the office know.
Parent Voice in Profiles
Please remember the children’s profiles are located on the shelves in the Quiet Room. You are welcome to take these home and share with family, please sign them out in the Parent Book (see above), we appreciate them coming back promptly as we add to these all the time. More importantly, we encourage a “parent voice” in the profiles – your opportunity to contribute - there are sheets by the profiles for this. Please fill them in and slip into the clearfile.
Front Entrance Door
The front entrance door is an identified hazard as we have found the door open on the odd occasion, which is a huge concern. Please note, the door must be forcefully pulled/pushed to “click” shut. You can appear to have closed the door but if it has not been forced shut properly with a “click” it will slowly open. Please be vigilant here.
Policy updates
We recently updated our Transition to School policy and we developed a Healthy Eating policy, which has been long overdue. Please note; the centre has an obligation to set recommendations for healthy eating and lead by example. These will be displayed on the notice board for families to provide feedback.
We are also updating our terms and conditions of enrolment to formalize a process for referring longstanding unpaid accounts to a debt collection agency. This will be placed on the notice board for parent feedback once finalized.
Reminders
Newsletters
You can access our newsletter on our website and register to receive these by email.
Invoices
Please give your email address to the office if you would prefer to receive your weekly invoice by email.
Attendance Register
Please sign your child in on the Attendance Register when you arrive in the morning, and out when you collect them in the afternoon. We must have these records as they are linked to Ministry funding. It is a lot of extra work chasing up people who haven’t signed in or out.
Late arrivals
If you arrive after 9.00am please assist your child to get their name tag and choose a tray, and then allow your child 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:
Scientific observation has established that education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.
The task of the teacher becomes that of preparing a series of motives of cultural activity, spread over a specially prepared environment, and then refraining from obtrusive interference. Human teachers can only help the great work that is being done, as servants help the master.
Doing so, they will be witnesses to the unfolding of the human soul and to the rising of a New Man who will not be a victim of events, but will have the clarity of vision to direct and shape the future of human society.
- Maria Montessori, Education for a New World
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