A Note from The Director November 2013
Dear Interfaith Families, Our classrooms are enjoying the onset of cooler weather. Time spent outside is a valuable part of our daily schedule. We recently received a grant through the American Academy of Dermatology for a shade structure for our Nature Classroom. It has been fantastic, allowing classes to spend more time learning in a nature environment. Not only do children love it, but it’s both refreshing and rejuvenating, which enhances development and quality learning. Our Nature Classroom is an extension of our classroom educational experience. We currently have a pumpkin patch set up in the environment where the children can look, see and touch as they explore. A special thank you to teachers Tina Tyler (A12), Lauri Cleek (A13), and Tammy Sumrall (A9) for creating this fun hands-on activity area for the autumn season! Our Three year olds through fourth graders have been enjoying our sand tunnels and ramps that were added to our sand play area. They are open-ended materials that stimulate young imaginations, provide choices for discovery and invention, and promote the development of problem-solving skills. Children also develop mathematical and scientific concepts, such as balance and gravity, as they work with the tunnels and ramps. And of course, they are engrossing and fun!
Thank you for the fantastic support of our Fall Innisbrook Catalog Fundraiser. All of these funds enable us to provide additional learning opportunities for our children. Thank you too for our wonderful Parent’s Club Board and fundraiser team to make this event possible. We have an open-door policy at our school and strive to have continuous lines of communication. Please feel free to touch base with me if you have any questions or concerns. May you and your family be blessed with peace and loving hearts during this harvest season. Warmest regards, Bobbie Hrycushko, Director
IMPORTANT DATES Please see page 4 for the many important dates this month.
ICDC Newsletter
Curriculum Corner November 2013
Natali Gee, Assistant Director
Science Lab This month, we will focus on Life Science as we learn about birds, fish and the five senses. We will discover what items are using only our noses, in the “What’s That Smell?” activity. We will also determine which animals walk, swim or fly as we explore different types of feathered friends and underwater creatures. Here are some great books to read with your scientists this month: My Five Senses by Aliki About Birds: A Guide For Children by Catherine Sill About Fish: A Guide For Children by Catherine Sill
Parent Education Class: Exploring Intercultural Communication Thursday, November 14th 6:30-7:30 p.m. Starting from childhood, culture influences how we see the world around us and how our perceptions are formed as we grow older. This interesting and informative session with Dr. Terry Thibodeaux from Sam Houston State University will focus on the importance of an understanding of various cultures and acceptance of diversity.
Library News: Janet Murphy, Literacy Specialist The November story time will be all about fall and Thanksgiving. Some of our stories will be: Tommy Turkey, a magnet board story Fall is Not Easy by Marty Kelley The Best Thanksgiving Ever by Teddy Slater I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Allison Jackson We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by James Dean
A few of our songs are: We Eat Turkey ICDC Newsletter If You Are Thankful and You Know It
Strong Mama! By Pete Litwin from his Smile at Your Neighbor CD
Health & Safety Getting an adequate amount of sleep is essential in the lives of our children; it is just as important as nutritious foods and safety. Healthy sleep allows them to function optimally, be more receptive, and interact better with their environment. They will also feel better, have more energy, and remain calm and attentive. Healthy sleep requires a sufficient amount of sleep, uninterrupted (good-quality) sleep, the proper number of age-appropriate naps, and a sleep schedule that is in sync with the child’s natural biological rhythms (internal clock or circadian rhythm). A lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, which is not conducive to learning. Here are some tips to promote healthy sleeping: • Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule • Follow-through with a bedtime routine every night • The child should have the same sleeping environment every night. It should be cool, quiet, dark and without a TV • Avoid caffeinated products
• Exercise daily • Watch for difficulty breathing, unusual nighttime awakenings, chronic sleep problems, and behavioral problems during the day.
Sleep needs vary from child to child, but the following are general guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation: 1 to 2 months old: 10 1/2 to 18 hours per day 3 to 11 months old: 9 to 12 hours per day 1 to 3 years old: 12 to 14 hours per day 3 to 5 years old: 11 to 13 hours per day
Try these tips at home to encourage a good night’s rest, and always remember to consult your child’s physician regarding any sleep difficulties. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving spending time with family and friends! For those of you traveling, be safe! Lindsey Johnson, RN ICDC School Nurse
ICDC Newsletter
ICDC Parent’s Club From The President
On behalf of the entire Parent’s Club, we would like to say thank you for supporting our school with your t-shirt orders! We sold close to 340 shirts!! That is awesome! A big thank you to Monica Bomkamp Enia as well for chairing this event and for doing such an outstanding job! T-shirts are in and were distributed to classrooms beginning Thursday, October 24 th. Remember that ICDC Spirit Days are every Thursday and Friday so wear your new t-shirts to show your school spirit! It is great to see the kids in all of their bright colored shirts. If anyone has any questions about their t-shirt order, please contact me or Monica at bomkamp.enia@gmail.com.
The 2014 Silent Auction is still several months away but we are already working hard to make it a great success. Be on the lookout for flyers that will come home in the coming months with details about the event. As always, if you are interested in donating an item, buying ad space in the auction program or helping with the event in any way, please let us know! Save the date – our very first Spirit Day is to be held on Sunday November 17th! See all the details in this newsletter and flyers will be going home soon! Stay tuned… Innisbrook orders are being tallied and we will let you know soon the total amount raised and the class who won the cookie cake party! As always, feel free to contact me anytime. Happy Fall! Shannon K. de la Paz, President skdelapaz@gmail.com 713/851.1411
2013 Silent Auction – Under the Big Top Planning for the ICDC 2014 An Evening Under the Big Top Silent Auction is well underway and there is a way everyone can help. •
• • •
Next time you are having your hair styled or getting a facial, ask the owner if they would like to help your child’s school by donating a gift card or basket of products. Remember, every business you patronize wants more customers like you! Just think… • Does your friend or neighbor have a business that would benefit from new clients or marketing? Accounting services, lawn care, personal training, catering, pet services, physical or speech therapy, photography… Do you or does someone you know have a special hobby that could provide our auction with a one-of-a-kind, custom made creation? Is your Dad a woodworker who could create a play table & chairs, a monogrammed toy truck or a dollhouse? Does your Mom quilt, sew or create treasured scrapbooks or floral arrangements? Do your friends or cousins have a vacation home that they would be willing to provide for an awesome family get-a-way? Perhaps you have something in the attic that was gifted to you at Christmas 3 years ago that you will never use? A bread maker? A telescope? A bone china tea set?
When you think about it, we can all help in some small way. And the kindness of our friends, family and acquaintances is what helps our school thrive. All donations and the contributors will be listed in the Silent Auction program which is distributed to every family in our school. We also display the merchandise or gift card at the event where it will be viewed by hundreds of people. If you have a donor in mind, please email our Silent Auction Co-Chairs Melissa Young melissa.young@corp-inc.com or Tiana Smith tiana.smith@corp-inc.com for our easy to complete Silent Auction forms.
ICDC Newsletter
Other news Each month our Parent’s Club is highlighting one of our staff in their newsletter. This is a great way for you to learn more about our wonderful teachers and staff. My name is Debbie Slade and I am the new Administrative Assistant at ICDC. Most of my background is Mortgage, but I have been working in the school environment on and off for the last twelve years. I also have worked for a non-profit social service agency for four years. My passion for helping others and the school environment has drawn me to Interfaith. I have been using Mary Kay products and selling them for the last 30 years. I love to play volleyball every Sunday at the YMCA. I have been married for 33 years and have two wonderful children. My daughter is getting married on March 1st, 2014 and my son has his own business in Lawn Care Service. I truly feel blessed and honored to be part of the Interfaith family, and I am thankful to everyone for making my career change such a pleasant experience.
Happy Harvest A big thank you to all those who helped with our Parade of Costumes and fall parties. Imagination and pretend play bring joy to all of us!
November 2012
Important Dates
Thurs. & Fri.
Spirit Days – wear your ICDC T-shirt
November 14
Intercultural Communication – Parent Education Opportunity 6.30pm – 7.30pm in the Great Room
November 25-29
No Partial Day Preschool, School Day, and MDO Classes
November 27
Thanksgiving Day Eve Open at 6.30am Close at 5.00pm
November 28-29
Thanksgiving Holiday Break – Center Closed
ICDC Newsletter
Go out for lunch! It’s Join us at Pure Healthy Eatery on Sunday, November 17
Share this flyer between 11am-4pm and PURE will donate 10% of proceeds to ICDC! 4223 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands www.liveandeatpure.com
ICDC Newsletter