Weekly Update 3-28-10

Dear Families,

We had good fun and got a lot of work done at the Equinox Garden Party on Saturday! Many thanks to the families of Eva, Kadin, Casey, Damian, Kiran and Kagan, Sierra, Max, Fiona, Haven, Greely, Phoebe and Helen, Henry, Molly, Grace, Robin and Megan, Giano, Asher, Olivia, Isabella and Annalise! Wow! We trimmed and tidied, added a terrace to the hill, cleaned up pathways and steps, filled holes in our driveway and parking lot, planted irises at the Alto St. entrance and cleared the entrance to the Sprout house where we will add river rock for those bare feet of summer. We expect to add a simple drip system to sustain our crops through the summer, as well. We couldn’t do it without you!

DATES TO LOOK OUT FOR:

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 10:00- SAPLINGS VISIT THE MUSEUM OF INDIAN ARTS in conjunction with their social studies curriculum.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1-APRIL FOOLS DAY-Watch out for some trickery!

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 3:15-4:30-SPRING FAIR PLANNING MEETING-Didn’t make it last week? Our committees are shaping up, and we will need lots of support for this big event. Drop by or offer your assistance by contacting Stephanie or Aaron at ap@apfineart.com. This is a great time to fulfill your obligation of service hours for the year and to spend some time in community with other Dragonfly parents. One of the  easiest ways to participate if you are on a tight schedule is to solicit donations for our silent auction from businesses and organizations you patronize. I will send a donation solicitation and thank you out in a separate email to follow, and paper copies are available in your classroom. We already have donations from the Children’s Museum, the Casa Solana Pool, Agua Fria Nursery and others! Be creative…something for everyone is a wonderful guideline. Items and services of $25 value and up. CHILDCARE PROVIDED AT NO COST DURING THIS MEETING. PLEASE RSVP TO STEPHANIE (reply to this email). Thank you for all your time and energy!

FRIDAY, APRIL 2-SCHOOL IN SESSION (PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED)

TUESDAY, APRIL 6- SEEDS VISIT POLICE SUBSTATION #4- As we continue to explore the idea of neighborhood, the Seeds will walk to the police station on Alameda for a tour and visit with Officer Pratt and his police dog, Casey.

Posted in What's New on March 28th, 2010 | Comments Off

Weekly Update 3-20-10

Dear Families,

Thanks to all of you for committing to your re-enrollment choice for next year; we are excited to see so many of our students returning to continue their education at Dragonfly School and wish the best to those of you who have chosen otherwise.

If your family has not yet fulfilled your nine hours of annual service in support of Dragonfly as specified in our parent manual, now is an important time to pick an event or service to commit to. There are many service opportunities to choose from in order to decide which will best fit with your schedule and resources. Participation from our families is an integral part to keeping our school running smoothly. Thanks to the many of you who have volunteered time in our classrooms, on our board or committees and with field trips and events! Your help is invaluable!


Our Equinox Garden Work Party is a way to enjoy activities similar to the real learning children accomplish each day here at Dragonfly…getting dirty, paying close attention to our natural environment and utilizing our resources to create beauty, learning and food for ourselves and others. From carpentry work to plant pruning to moving soil, there is a project here for every age, skill level and job preference. We will work together as a team and share a delicious potluck lunch on Saturday, March 27 from 10AM to 1PM. If this time doesn’t fit in with your schedule, there are many tasks which may be accomplished independently or with a small group at another time. Teachers are also always happy to have your help during classroom time, as well, since  garden work with young children is best supported by more adult assistance and direction.

Our annual Spring Fair will take place on Saturday, May 8. This is an incredibly fun, family-oriented affair which affords something for our larger community while also raising funds to support our school. We will need your help to make this event a great success. Planning committees are forming now –help organizing volunteers, food concessions, auction solicitations, entertainment and games/activities booths is essential. Our next planning meeting will take place at 3:30 on Thursday, March 25. Childcare will be provided. Please attend! We are also currently seeking financial support outside of our school community to make this event an even bigger and better occasion.

Another simple and very helpful way to participate is to offer and/or solicit donations for our silent auction. We are looking for items and services with a $25 value or higher. Think creatively and ask for donations from businesses you frequent. Massages, art, household items,jewelry, restaurant or retail gift certificates, children’s items and entertainment are only a few of the items that have sold well in the past. Items may be lightly used if in great condition. Many businesses are happy to give knowing they are helping our school and will receive a tax-deduction for their donation. We will also be running a used book booth, plant sale and offering small used toys as game prizes and would appreciate any donations of items you may have hanging around.

DATES TO LOOK OUT FOR:

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 3:30-4:30- SPRING FAIR PLANNING MEETING: Childcare provided with RSVP to Stephanie. Just one hour of your time could help this event get rolling towards success. Please come and see what you can do to help. Speak with Aaron Payne, our board president if you have great ideas or a bit of time to lend.
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 10-1:RE-SCHEDULED!!!-EQUINOX GARDEN WORK PARTY-Save the date to come enjoy time in our gardens accomplishing some spring preparation as well as good company and one of the best potlucks around. No experience necessary, just the willingness to participate.We need straw bales to rebuild the compost bins and for mulch. We are hoping that some families will sponsor a bale or two to make it easier for us to get the garden in shape. Each bale costs $5.00. Please let Nancy or Stephanie know, or drop a check in the blue tuition envelope on the office door or your bales at the gate between the garden and the parking lot. If you have your own gloves and/or basic gardening tools, write your name on them and bring them along with a dish to share. Thanks for all that you do!

THURSDAY, MARCH 25: RE-SCHEDULED!!! CRAZY HAIR AND HAT DAY-Dig out that funny old hat or use every barrette in the house. Want to make your hair pink or stick up into points? This is the day!

SATURDAY, MAY 8- ANNUAL SPRING FAIR-We need your help now to get this event up and running! Please contact Aaron Payne at ap@apfineart.com with your input.

Thank you for your constant attention and support!

Stephanie Smith
Preschool Director
Dragonfly School
(505)995-9869
stephanie@dragonflyschool.com



Posted in What's New on March 20th, 2010 | Comments Off

Weekly Update 3-7-10

Dear Families,

We hope that you enjoy a wonderful spring break with your children. We expect everyone to return next week with fresh energy to focus on learning and community.

Please take some time during the break to review and complete your paperwork for RE-ENROLLMENT. It is critical that we receive your WRITTEN DETERMINATION (either to return next year to Dragonfly or not) by TUESDAY, MARCH 16, even if you have let us know verbally of your intentions. If you do not return this paperwork, your deposit becomes forfeit. I have attached the re-enrollment form along with a 2010 tuition contract for your convenience. Thanks to those of you who have already stated your choice!

It is also time to enroll your three or four-year-old for our preschool summer sessions. Spaces are limited and will fill quickly, as we have many new families eager to start attending Dragonfly during the summer. Your tuition contract (attached) and a $200 deposit hold your child’s space.

The recipe for healthy Rice Krispie treats that classes made last week follows:   Mix 1/2 c. peanut butter, 1/2 c. agave nectar (or maple syrup or honey) and
1 tsp vanilla until it’s homogenous.  Add 11/2 to 2c. brown rice krispies.  Pat into a greased 9×9 pan and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes or until brown around the edges. Cool. Cut and enjoy.

LOST: Navy blue snowpants (plain looking, Gap brand, size 4/5 years). Stella Fried’s name will be on them someplace. Please be sure you did not take them home with you by mistake!


FOUND: Set of four keys with fish-shaped and other beads. Reclaim from the office door.

DATES TO LOOK OUT FOR:

MONDAY, MARCH 8-FRIDAY,MARCH 12-NO SCHOOL. SPRING BREAK

TUESDAY, MARCH 16- RE-ENROLLMENT COMMITMENTS DUE. Thanks for those who have already returned their paperwork. Please do not miss this important date! The use of your deposit to hold your space for next year or to pay your May tuition is contingent on your timeliness. You must decide one way or the other by MARCH 16, or your deposit is forfeit. We have extended this date from March 1 to allow families more time to consider their decisions.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 6-8PM-BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. All are invited to attend. Childcare provided with RSVP to Stephanie.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 10-1-EQUINOX GARDEN WORK PARTY (Bad weather reschedule date MARCH 27)-Save the date to come enjoy time in our gardens accomplishing some spring preparation as well as good company and one of the best potlucks around. No experience necessary, just the willingness to participate.We need straw bales to rebuild the compost bins and for mulch. We are hoping that some families will sponsor a bale or two to make it easier for us to get the garden in shape. Each bale costs $5.00. Please let Nancy or Stephanie know, or drop a check in the blue tuition envelope on the office door or your bales at the gate between the garden and the parking lot. If you have your own gloves and/or basic gardening tools, write your name on them and bring them along with a dish to share. Thanks for all that you do!

THURSDAY, MARCH 25-CRAZY HAIR AND HAT DAY


Posted in What's New on March 7th, 2010 | Comments Off

Preschool Summer Camp by the Week

Please contact stephanie@dragonflyschool.com for information and registration for our 5-week-long summer session for three and four-year-olds or to register your child week-by-week.

Session Two (Five week session): July 12- August 13

4-days per week for all five weeks  $800

5-days per week for all five weeks  $950

Weekly

4-days per week  $180/week

5-days per week  $215/week

Posted in Announcements on March 6th, 2010 | Comments Off