Many of you have not had the opportunity to hangout in our beautiful art studio so I thought I would take you “behind the scenes” with me. The Parent Group did the fundraising to pay for the studio to be created. I am forever grateful because the art studio is my favorite place on campus. The children learn that this a calm place for their creative spirits where they are free to move to different centers. Each day the teachers, Miss Cynthia and Mrs. Alicia set out different materials for the children to explore. Many of the things are set up for a week or two so the children have plenty of time to use the materials in different ways. Today when I was observing the children I watched a little boy connecting the colored markers end to end. He created 2 “sticks” of different lengthens and then put them next to each other and compared the lengths. This is not what the markers were designed for however this child was being creative and using math skills to compare them. Markers get used in this manner all the time and I celebrate it when I see it because I know they are working “outside the box” with the materials and developing their eye hand coordination.

Another table had “repurposed” materials to tape or glue together. Building/creating with three dimensional objects is another level of development for children. Now they have to incorporation balance, gravity, and surface availability (where to put the glue or tape). This is a group creation that is being added to by many children.

• February 24 & 25 will be school picture day. Many of you will want your child to look “perfect”. From my experience as a parent and teacher I have learned that the bump on the head that shows in the picture will illicit more memories than the “perfect pose”. I am not advocating for hurting children but rather put your mind at ease that however the picture turns out it will capture a moment in time that is worth remembering.
• Are your younger children on the school wait list? Registration for the 2015-16 school year will start March 1^st. Younger siblings get priority registration. If you haven’t put them on the wait list now is the time to do so. Come in the office to fill out the form and pay $10.00 (cash or check). I use the wait list to get the names of the siblings so you get their registration packet at the same time.
• A word about registration for the 2015-16 school year. Children that are returning will get a registration packet in their cubbies on March 1^st. There are only a few forms to fill out along with the nonrefundable $75.00 fee for returning children. Packets need to be returned by March 15^th to keep your priority. After that I start calling families on the wait list. Many families like to request a teacher especially if an older sibling had that teacher. I like to honor requests whenever possible. If you have a request please write it on the registration card. Having said this I want you to know that if for some reason you don’t get your request all of our teaching teams are amazing and I am confident you will come to love the new teachers.
• The Dance, Family Pajama and Pancake night is February 6^th at 5:30 pm sponsored by the CPP Parent Group. Come in you PJs, children and adults for an enjoyable evening.
• Attached is the February calendar and the art studio newsletter (sorry for the delay in sending it to you).

“As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has –or ever will have – something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.” Fred Rogers