A Note from The Director February 2015
Dear Interfaith Families,
This past weekend, I was able to join 11 of our teachers who attended the Early Literacy Summit at Rice University, a fabulous day of learning about young children and their development. While many of the sessions focused on literacy development, other topics were covered as well, such as the importance of the block center, creating outdoor learning environments, and enhancing the classroom with music. For me, the most interesting and provocative session had to do with the importance of play. One expectation that parents have in choosing a preschool for their child is that the preschool will get them ready for “big” school, by providing them with the readiness skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. And, here at ICDC, we do just that. But, the primary way we do it is by providing young children with opportunities to play. Children learn through play. This is something you have heard over and over again; but it is true. Through play, children develop the cognitive skills and social skills necessary to function in the real world. They learn to regulate and control their emotions. They develop their creativity, they solve problems, and they use their imaginations. Later scientific skills have their roots in early play, in imagining possibilities and then testing them out. Rote learning and memorization may have their place, but early childhood is the time to experiment, explore, and construct ideas through hands-on learning! Our teachers are experts at facilitating your children’s play, at setting up the environment to encourage their exploration, at knowing when to ask a question and when to stand back and observe. When you let children be children, they are happy, and no doubt about it, happy children learn better. Let’s not rush them through their childhood in an effort to “get them ready” for the next stage. When the time comes, they will be ready, and most importantly, they will feel good about themselves. As a reminder, In-House Registration for both Summer Camp and the 2015-2016 school year begins on February 3rd. We look forward to having your children back with us this summer and in the year ahead. Warmly, Julie Oudin, Director
IMPORTANT DATES Please see page 3 for the many important dates this month. ICDC Newsletter
1
Curriculum Corner Science Lab This month in the Science Lab, our children will spend some time learning how to keep their heart and teeth healthy. They will learn about healthy foods to eat and activities they can do to help their heart, and they will have some fun brushing and flossing teeth. Here are some great books about your teeth and heart that you can read with your child this month: Bear’s Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss Pony Brushes His Teeth by Michael Dahl How Many Teeth? by Paul Showers Hear Your Heart by Paul Showers
Literacy News Poetry: Using Oral Language to Promote Literacy Poetry provides a relaxed way for children to practice oral language skills, and oral language skills play a big role in young children’s literacy development. This month, many of our children enjoyed a poem about Martin Luther King in honor of his birthday. I have a dream, said Martin Luther King We’re gonna make that dream come true. Let freedom ring, said Martin Luther King. It’s up to me and you. It’s not the color of your hair, It’s not the color of your skin, It doesn’t matter what you wear, It’s the character within. I have a dream, said Martin Luther King We’re gonna make that dream come true. Let freedom ring, said Martin Luther King It’s up to me and you. 2 ICDC Newsletter
Health & Safety February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The American Dental Association’s annual campaign is held to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The ADA believes that developing good habits at an early age helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Their campaign slogan this year is “Defeat Monster Mouth.” For fun activities to use with your children at home, feel free to visit the following website: http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month/ Here are some tips from the American Dental Association to help keep your teeth and your children’s teeth healthy:
• • • •
Brush for 2 minutes 2 times per day Floss daily Limit your snacks and eat healthy meals Visit your dentist regularly
February 2015
Important Dates
Thurs. & Fri.
Spirit Days – wear your ICDC T-shirt
February 3
In-House Registration for Current Students and their siblings. Begins at 7:00 a.m.
February 12-13
Classroom Valentine Exchange
February 15
Open House for Prospective Families
February 16-20
Legacy Registration for former students and their siblings
February 17
Open House for Prospective Families
6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
February 21
Public Registration
8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
March 6
Family Night and Silent Auction
ICDC Newsletter
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
3
People of ICDC Each month our Parent’s Club will be highlighting one of our staff in their newsletter. This is a great way for you to learn more about our wonderful teachers and staff.
Hello! I am Cristina Hallare (Tina, to most) and I am the Lead Teacher in P-18. It was on one of my early days as a stay-at-home mom when I heard Joy Behar say on “The View” that if you really want to know what job you’d be really happy at, think back on what you used to pretend to be when you were 10 years old. Suffice it to say, one of my earliest memories from childhood was writing with colored chalks on a blackboard in my parents’ living room, teaching my imaginary students how to read. I have always been a teacher. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the Jesuituniversity, Ateneo de Manila, in the Philippines, where I was born. Prior to my graduation, the Jesuits offered me a teaching position in the university, and even gave me a choice to teach either Theology or History. I chose to teach the latter (mainly because I feared I would fall short of the tremendous moral responsibility of teaching Theology with the Jesuits). I taught Philippine History to Junior and Senior college students for eight years, and managed to complete my Master of Arts degree in History along the way. I thought I would be a college professor all my life, but marriage and children entailed a change of plans and a shift in priorities. Shortly after I got married and had my first child, my husband’s job sent us traveling and living around the world. We lived in Singapore, Australia and Chicago before we finally settled in The Woodlands in 2007. I spent 8 years being a stay-at-home mom to 2 boys --- Miguel and Santino (now 15 and 9 years old, respectively). As soon as my youngest entered Kindergarten, I resumed working. I became (and still am) a cognitive skills trainer for a brain training company in The Woodlands. I train children and adults one-on-one to enhance their cognitive functions (e.g. memory, attention, focus, reading and Math skills, comprehension, etc.). Two and a half years ago, I joined Interfaith as an Assistant Teacher. Prior to this, I was an Interfaith parent. My youngest spent 2 years of preschool in this school. As an Interfaith parent, I was impressed at how well his teachers prepared him for Kindergarten, and how they instilled in him a love for learning, which he carries on to this day. I can only hope to accomplish the same for the students I now have. I feel blessed to be in the midst of the Interfaith family, with all its brilliant, devoted teachers, caring parents, and precious children. I have a lot to learn, but each day, I feel that I grow in my craft and in spirit. Ultimately, I am simply grateful to be back in the classroom. I am thankful that I can call myself a teacher once again, and be the person that I knew, even as a child, I was destined to be.
4 ICDC Newsletter
ICDC Parents Club From The President Our next FUNdraiser with MIXED BAGS DESIGNS will begin on February 2nd – 13th. Mixed Bags has a wide variety of fun and functional bags for the spring/summer and NEW for the first time this year includes a second catalog full of kitchen items – bowls, cookie presses, mommy and me matching aprons, and so much more! Please check your child's school bag for more information on this fabulous fundraiser!
Our next spirit day will be held with Which Wich! Which Wich has superior sandwiches and makes it super easy to dine in or place an order online and all you have to do is swing by, pick it up and enjoy! Details coming soon… Please join us for our annual Silent Auction and Family Night – Under the Sea – the evening of Friday, March 6th at the school. All auction items are donated from each class and the community. If you or someone you know would like to donate something or volunteer to help at the event, please contact our auction chair Mary-Kathryn D’Agostino at mkdagostino@sbcglobal.net. Our next parent’s club and silent auction meeting will take place on February 11th at 1 pm. If you would like to be involved in helping with upcoming events or our silent auction, please come! As always, thank you for supporting our school!
Shannon de la Paz skdelapaz@gmail.com
LAST CHANCE!!! If you or your business are interested in donating an item or taking out an ad in the auction program for the upcoming ICDC "Under the Sea" Silent Auction & Family Night please see the front desk at the school for the appropriate paperwork asap. FINAL DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH
Win and Ipad Air or an Ipod Touch! RAFFLE TICKETS ON SALE STARTING MONDAY, FEB 9 In conjunction with this year's "Under the Sea" Silent Auction & Family Night we will be selling raffle tickets for a 64 GB IPad Air with WiFi and a 32 GB IPod Touch with Phillips Sound Docking Station. There will only be 100 tickets sold for each item. Tickets will be available at the front desk of the school or through a Parents Club Board Member until they are SOLD OUT. Winner will be announced at the March 7th Silent Auction & Family Night. Winner does NOT need to be present to win. Do not miss out on this opportunity to WIN an IPad Air or IPod Touch!! IPad Tickets= $25 per ticket IPod Touch= $15 per ticket
5 ICDC Newsletter