Volume I, January 2011 Halifax Montessori Monthly Newsletter

New Year Letter To Parents

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by Maria Seow

Principal, Halifax Montessori

Dear Parents

It is the beginning of a new year and soon it will be Chinese New Year. We wish all parents and children a most happy and prosperous year ahead. According to the Chinese almanac readings, this 2011 year of the Metal Rabbit is where family and personal development are conducive, will flourish and overall, "the world will definitely be more peaceful" with diplomacy playing a leading role.

With the New Year there are a few issues that we will have to dwell upon:

Parent Involvement – For many years now we have sent out circulars to request parents to come into our centre and be involved in the daily activities whenever they have the time. This year we have requested a few parents and some have graciously accepted this invitation. As this month is a month for the family, Kyi En's and Emily's mummies have planned baking activities for the children on Valentine's day. We know the children will have a whale of a time.

Update of parents' particulars - At the beginning of every year, MCYS requires all centres to submit the updated particulars of all parents. Thus, we urge you to complete the forms and return as soon as possible.

Parents sign-in and out Register – All parents are aware, MCYS requires us to keep proper records of all children entering and leaving the centre. As such, we request that parents come into the school grounds with their children in the morning and sign in on the register that is placed on top of the shoe cubby. Please also remember to sign out when you fetch your child home after the school hours.

Please indicate the time in and out in both cases. Your compliance on this issue is most appreciated as we have been informed by our supervising officer that this has not been complied with on many occasions.

Sick children in the centre – Yearly this has always been an issue and last year many parents have been very co-operative and do take their children home whenever they fall ill in the centre. Most parents will come in almost immediately whenever informed that their children are ill. We hope that this will continue through the current year as we wish to keep the centre healthy for all with your co-operation.

Keeping the playground tidy – we do realize that the children love the free play that our playground provides. We do have children riding the play vehicles and in the garden, digging up opportunities for fun. However, we have noted that children do not return the play things to their original places. We seek parents' co-operation to ensure that children return their play things. This will also build a more responsible and well organized child besides keep our playground tidy.

Our teachers have worked very hard to provide your children with activities that fill the hours they are in the centre. We hope to see more children in the centre early as this will help teachers carry out their program more smoothly. This will also ensure that you children settle into the routine and help with cleaning of the environment before the start of the day's program.

Yours faithfully,
Maria Seow
Principal