Since the school year is half over (can you believe it?), it's time for the mid-year Developmental Reports. Teachers will complete a Developmental Report for each child, which will be sent home on January 20th for parents to review. A second report goes home at the end of the school year so you can see how your child has progressed over the course of the year. Parent conferences will be scheduled at the end of the month. Conferences are optional; if you wish to meet with your child's teacher for a more detailed report, please sign up in your child's classroom.

Our favorite owner, Mr. Al, is helping to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association by being "locked up." On Thursday, January 23rd a "warden" from the MDA will arrest Al and take him to their "Maximum-Appreciation Facility" at the Ramblewood Country Club. We need to raise bail money to spring him out! Check your mailbox for more information on this fundraiser. You can make a donation in any amount, by cash, check (made out to the MDA), or credit card. Just turn in your donation form and your money to the office before January 23rd. You'll be helping to raise money for a great cause!

Our special lunch week this month will be the week of January 20th. Please note that Chinese Lo Mein and Wontons will be served on Wednesday instead of Thursday, and that we have replaced Taco Bell with macaroni & cheese and corn bread from Boston Market. This will be the special lunch on Thursday.

If you are not handicapped, please do not park in the reserved spot in front of the building. Also, the white striped area directly in front of the entrance is a NO PARKING ZONE. Please be considerate!

Welcome back to a new year! We are so excited to announce that our two big girls, Emily T. and Amelia S. are beginning to transition to the Toddler 1 Room! We will miss them very much. We have a fun-filled month planned. We are helping our babies increase their hand-eye coordination and develop their skills. We are excited to start off a new year of growing and learning. Happy 2003!

Desiree, Gerri, Faith, Lauren & Vivienne

We are gaining two new friends this month in our class: Ella S. and Lexi W. We are also saying goodbye to our friends Lexi M. and Gregory E. as they begin transitioning to Toddler 2. We have many fun activities planned for the month as we explore different kinds of transportation, and learn about the animals that live in the arctic, the jungle, and the desert.

Tara & Sue

In the month of January we will be traveling to different climates around the world. We will first learn about the many ways to get there as we become pilots, sailors, and conductors. We will travel to the arctic to discover all the wildlife and wintery surroundings. We will travel to the jungle and rainforests, and talk about the animals that live there. We will end the month with a trip to the desert. We will explore sand, and create a prickly cactus out of toothpics.

Niki, Terri, & Stephanie

The new year will start rolling along with a unit on Transportation. We will learn new songs, and talk about vehicles, skateboards, and go soaring in a hot-air balloon! Our heads will be out of the clouds in time to welcome three students from Toddler 2 into our class: Angela D., Jake M., and Vraj M., and one new student, Alexander K.. Welcome! We will have a party to celebrate the 100th day of school on January 30th, where we will make time capsules that you can open with your children in another 100 days! Our art center is in desperate need of some simple household items: coffee cans and paper towel rolls. Donations would be appreciated!

Kristin & Andrea

Welcome back! We hope everyone enjoyed their holidays. January is going to be a really fun month! Our theme is Transportation and Travel. We will learn about arctic animals, jungle animals, and the desert. In addition, we will be working on the letters M, N, and O. The children will be doing some special activities to celebrate Ben Franklin's and Martin Luther King's birthdays, and the 100th Day of School! On a very special note, the children have been learning how to say their numbers in Spanish - they're doing an excellent job! Next week we will begin learning our colors in Spanish as well.

Erin, Maureen, & Stephanie

Preschool 2 is happy to be back from break and ready to go! We would like to welcome two new friends from Get Set to our class: Andrew S. and Jared S.! Throughout January we will learn about different parts of the world as part of our transporation theme. We will continue working on writing our names. We will also celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday with lots of fun activities that focus on being kind to others

Kim and Megan

During the long, cold month of January, we will keep warm by preparing hot chocolate with some of our snacks. We will read the Strega Nona books by Tomie de Paola while learning facts about Italy. We're even going to prepare a pasta lunch. We will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday by reading stories about him. At the end of the month we will each design a project at home with 100 objects on it to celebrate our 100th day of school. This has been a Pre-K tradition for many years. We'll display our projects in the hall for everyone to enjoy!

Barbara, Valerie, & Sherry

We are going to start the new year learning about measurements, dialing our phone numbers, and tying our own shoes. Throughout the month we will continue our Show & Tell on Wednesdays and afternoon plays. (the children had a lot of fun acting out "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Gingerbread Man" last month!) For something new, we will start an afternoon club with Pre-K 1. This will give us the opportunity to join another classroom to make jewelry, play games, or whatever the club's theme will be for that week. So gather your energy during our winter break, because we have much to do when we get back!

Kathy and Maura

Kindergarten is welcoming a new teacher this month, Ms. Christine Morrison. Miss Chris actually taught at the Goddard School several years ago and has decided to return. We are so excited to have her! If you haven't met her, or if you remember her from back in the day, be sure to stop by Kindergarten and say hello! In addition to continuing with their academics, the class will be celebrating the 100th day of school by having a "100 Toppings Sundae Party." It promises to be a fun and exciting month!

Gabriella S. - Toddler 1
Alexandra W. - Toddler 1
Zachariah M. - Toddler 2
Alexander K. - Get Set
Amir D. - Pre-K 1
(welcome back!)

If you have any old children's clothes that you no longer use, please consider donating them to our extra clothing supply. We are desperately in need of extra pants and shirts, especially in Preschool/Pre-K sizes. We'll also take old Halloween and dance costumes for our dress-up area. As long as they are clean and in decent condition, we'll take 'em! Thanks!!!