The Trinity Times Newsletter- APRIL 2011

LETTER FROM SUE

Dear Parents,

I am thrilled to announce the launch of our new TCNS blog!  The blog is the creative brain-child of Trinity mom Marla Smith, and I hope it will allow TCNS families to feel a stronger connection to the school and their child’s experience.   A visit to the blog will allow parents to access newsletters, the TCNS e-news, and flyers.  Teachers may post classroom updates.  We can share song lyrics, recipes….There is so much potential!  And as an added bonus, we can earn money from the advertisers on the blog!  Simply go to http://tcns1024.blogspot.com/ and sign up to receive email alerts when the blog is updated.  Thank you, Marla!!!

Mark your calendars now for a very special event that will kick off our philanthropy project REACH OUT AND READ.  On April 14, Clifford the Big Red Dog will be here to help me read stories!  Come see Clifford and bring some new or gently used books to donate to a local organization dedicated to creating libraries in Chicago area schools that serve under-privileged children.  Support a worthwhile cause while you teach your children the joys of giving to others!  If you are unable to make it to our kick-off event  we hope you will still donate to our book drive.  There will be drop boxes in each classroom until May 1. 

Don’t put away those calendars yet!  Ladies, we hope you join us on April 7th at the Full Bloomed Lotus to hear local author, Annie Burnside,  discuss her book, Soul to Soul Parenting.  Just $15 buys you admission to the event, which includes wine, soda, appetizers, and desserts.

Finally…  many of you expressed an interest in the column I wrote about the lecture  on Positivity.   No one questions the benefits of a positive frame of mind…. so the fundamental question is how do we get there.  In response,  I’d like to share a Cherokee legend the speaker shared with us.

An old Cherokee grandfather told his grandson that there is a war between two wolves that rages inside all of us… one wolf is filled with hatred, greed, ignorance, intolerance and anger…. The other wolf is filled with hope, patience, kindness, generosity and compassion. The grandson looked up and asked his grandfather… which one wins? The one you feed.

Love,

Sue

News from Ready-TWO-Grow
Byrd Rhyne, Betsy Segal & Laurie James

March was all about music and transportation!  The children got rocking and rolling by painting paper towel rolls to create their own rain sticks. They added foil and beans to make that cool rain sound. The kids loved shaking them back and forth and were thrilled with the fact that they had made the instrument themselves!  During circle time, we introduced rhythm sticks and enjoyed making music with them. We tapped them fast, slow, loud and even very soft – although the kids liked loud and fast the best!  They had a great time using them to an old favorite song, “Walk Old Joe!”

At our free play table we took out transportation stamps. It was the first time all the boys wanted to do some stamping!

We also “drove” small cars through orange paint and then “drove” the same cars over green paper to make cool designs. During circle time, we read the beloved children’s story “The Little Engine That Could.”  We then had the children work together to create the train and all the wonderful things it was carrying over the mountain to the boys and girls on the other side!  They loved the project, for it was recreating the story and working together to get the job done.

The children are really having a good time with one another. We found all the boys one day at the kitchen table ordering lunch from two very competent waitresses who served everything they wanted with a smile!  We have been getting outside more often and love the warmer weather, for that means the kids get to play in the sandbox!  It is a favorite spot for everyone.

Our dictation this month was asking the question: What do you know about trucks?  The children’s responses were really interesting. The kids are also starting to realize that through dictation, their words are recorded on paper, and hence become a book. This creates a sense of permanence for them. For one non-verbal child, this exercise was liberating and intoxicating - the words just started to flow!

Thank you all for taking time out of your busy day to meet with us to discuss your child. We love talking to you about your child’s development and progress. It was so gratifying to share with you all the sweet things your children do!  We are having a wonderful year and it will keep on getting better as spring arrives.
-Miss Byrd, Miss Betsy & Miss Laurie

News from the Tots!
Betsy Segal, Kathy Stein & Joyce Ladin

March lived up to its name!  We were marching and moving as we focused on music and transportation.  We made shakers and proudly used them as we formed our own parade.  We got out the rhythm sticks and enjoyed making music with them.  We can tap them fast, slow, loud and even very soft – although the kids like loud and fast the best!

Green was the color of the month, and we had lots of fun discovering how to create green.  We put yellow and blue marbles in a drum (coffee can) and shook the can to create some lively music and a very unique piece of art, as well as the color green!  We also “drove” small cars through white paint and then “drove” the same cars over green paper.

Speaking of the playground, the warmer weather has allowed us to go outside again and the kids rediscovered the sandbox – which they love! 

Kathy and I are so thrilled with the growth we are seeing in every child.  They are enjoying each other’s company and prefer to be near each other.  In fact, they often travel as a pack, from one activity to another; going from the playdough table, to the kitchen and so on together.  What a pleasure for us to be a part of this class!

News from the TERRIFIC THREE’s
Carol DeGraff, Sue Gaertner, Luanne Hampton, 

Byrd Ryne & Betsy Segal

The children loved making their own pizza during our nutrition unit.  With chef hats and all, they rolled their dough, put sauce and ingredients on top, and the teachers baked them.  Their pizzas were "YUMMY!!”  The unit culminated with a trip to the Trinity Restaurant.  They drove their cars, were greeted by the headwaiter and ordered from the menu (cheese, raisins, carrots and trail mix).  With napkins on laps, they were served and enjoyed their meal.  They even paid before they left.  It truly was "delicious" fun!

Everyone was a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  The children had great fun finding clues left by a leprechaun.  They were led throughout the building and finally ended up in the sandbox to discover the gold coins the leprechaun had left for them.

We enjoyed seeing everyone at Parent-Teacher conferences.  It's a joy to talk to you about your amazing children!

We are in the midst of our drama unit.  The children acted out the story of “The Three Bears” and “Caps for Sale.”  They are quite good in their rolls!  We will finish with “The Gigantic Turnip.”

During the month of April, we will have fun discussing a HUGE topic: Dinosaurs! We know we have many dinosaur experts who will be able to share their knowledge and learn some new information about dinosaurs.  We will learn the meaning of the words “most,” “least,” “less” and “equal,” while we answer the question: "What is your favorite dinosaur?"

We hope to have a visit from the Easter Bunny!  We never know what surprises he might leave.

Happy Spring to everyone!!
along with the pita and matzo bread.  We are looking forward to studying more "food that makes your body grow" with many opportunities for hands-on scientific observations.

During the month of March we look forward to our conferences with you and the opportunity to share our observations about your child's growth.  The dates are March 17th and 18th and sign up sheets will be available soon.

 

News from the FABULOUS FOUR’s
Happy Baird, Ginny Lezama & Luanne Hampton

The weather in March was definitely dreary. I think Gavin summed it up best. One day his dad was driving him to school and Gavin remarked, “It’s raining. It’s wet. We’re not going to play outside today, and physically, I’m cold!”

On to April! With the weather getting warmer, a trip to Chicago and a little culture sounds appealing.  Avoid the traffic and crowded trains.  Trinity’s Art Institute will be opening at the end of the month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.   Sorry, we are closed on weekends.  Please come and browse all the still lifes, Monets, Picassos and Matisses.  The children are the artists and docents.  Feel free to ask them about the styles of paintings and about the artists’ interesting lives.

We’ve traveled through outer-space! Did you think all your child knew about space was what they learned from Buzz Lightyear? We imagine you were amazed by conversations about space travel and the planets as we delved into exploring our solar system.

We’ll also be jetting off to Africa, China, Mexico and Russia as we explore their cultures through food, music, dance, art and stories.  In Russia, we’ll listen to Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.”  We’ll learn the various instruments representing the story’s characters.  We’ll have fun illustrating and acting out the story.  The triumphant finale will be our march to the zoo with the wolf captured!

In China, we’ll travel to the misty high mountains to find the elusive giant pandas.

In Africa, we’ll dance to the sounds of Central and South African music and read the story “Galimoto” by Karen Lynn Williams.  Galimoto is a toy that a child makes from wires.  We also will make our own Galimotos.

Now we truly need a siesta.  Then off to Mexico.  Before leaving there, we’ll have a fiesta with chips and guacamole (with lots of garlic!)

In addition to all of that, we will fit in our Beauty/Barber Shop Day, our Western Day, and our Magic Day.  Sadly the school year is short on days but happily, it’s long on fun!
-Happy, Ginny and Luanne

KINDERGARTEN Enrichment
Valerie Dashiell, Joyce Ladin, 

Byrd Rhyne & Laurie James

From the Desk of Miss Byrd
We are really flying through the alphabet!  I can’t believe how far along we already are!  We started “R” week with a Reading Rally!  Ms. Laurie and I each picked three of our favorite books, and the kids cuddled with their favorite pillow or stuffed animal. We also made an edible creation with Rice cakes, Raisins and Raspberry jam!

“S” week found us learning about Solubility with Mrs. Dashiell! We mixed many potions together and learned how some solutions, when mixed together, mix well and are Soluble. And we learned how some solutions do not like to mix and are not soluble.  A big thank you to Mrs. Dashiell!

Before break, we had  “T” week!  We learned all about Turtles on Tuesday! I even brought in my little mini red-eared sliders to hold!  We made a mural with each child choosing a turtle they wanted to draw.  On Tiger Friday, Ms. Laurie read poetry to the class about the beautifully striped creatures!

The time goes so fast with this group, because they are so smart, inquisitive, positive and funny!  We really enjoy spending these afternoons with them!
- Ms. Byrd & Ms. Laurie

From the Desk of Mrs. Dashiell  
We are very happy to welcome back our KE children and loved hearing their adventures during Spring Break. Elise, Caroline, Kelly, Ryan, and Shane were in Florida. Ella took a cruise to Mexico. Eleanor was skiing in Montana, and Frankie was skiing in Michigan.  Natalie, Lydia, Brenden, Ashton, and Charlie had fun with family and friends, going to the Shedd Aquarium, the zoo, a water park, a birthday party with a White Sox mascot, the Cubs-Pirates baseball game, and “Grandma’s house!”

At the end of March, our class traveled to France, where we climbed the Eiffel Tower, visited castles, and collaged the French flag. We sang “Alouette,” learning the French words for our facial and body parts, and feasted on French baguettes with butter and jam. Bon  Appetite! In April, we flew to Germany, where we danced a German clapping song, drew beautiful pictures of the castles on the Rhine River and had a traditional treat of Pfeffenüsse.

Our next trip will be to Scotland. We will dance the Schottische, draw Scotsmen in their kilts and bagpipes and taste Scottish shortbread! We will end our travels in Israel in time for Passover and Easter.  We will dance to “Mi Jachol Lasmim” and sing “Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” draw pictures of the Easter bunny bringing baskets to our homes, swim in the Dead Sea, and eat matzo and bunny bread.

In science, we continued our experiments on polymers. A stretchy balloon has millions of them! We twisted a wood skewer into one end of a blown-up balloon and out the other end without it popping to create a balloon kabob!

On Tuesday, May 10th, we are planning a trip to Wagner Farm. Would you like to join us for fun and a picnic lunch? We will need four parents for this special day, but all are welcome. We will meet at the farm at 9:15 am until 12 noon. Wagner Farm is one block north of Lake Street at 1510 Wagner Road in Glenview. Email details will follow from Frankie’s mom, Christine.

More magical than any castle or adventure are your children. Their wonder, imagination and love of learning are an absolute delight. Thank you.
-Mrs. Dashiell & Mrs. Ladin

**Kindergarten**
Enrichment Update 

Information and Applications for KE will be distributed via the Cubbie    Express as soon as the district completes the AM / PM lottery.  Watch for yours!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

One of my favorite experiences that I auction is “Director for the Day.”  I never know what to expect!  This year the winning Directors were Jamie Koplow, Robbie Levine and Noah Shapo.  Noah reported to his mother that being the director is “exhausting!”  Thank you, Noah, for noticing how hard I work! 
At the end of the day I asked Robbie and Jamie if they would like to be teachers.  Robbie, stood a little taller, and responded, “You mean Directors!  Yes, I would like to be a Director!”  Then I turned to Jamie and asked him.  He politely responded, “Not really. I’d rather be a show salesman!”

The CHAIR’s Corner
By Katie Colvin

Hello Trinity Families:
As my tenure as Chair of the Parent Advisory Board draws to a close, I have reflected on my years as a Board member.  In my family’s first year at Trinity, I was a Room Parent for the 3 PM Class.  It was an “easy” way to get to know the other parents, a great excuse to plan social events and a nice way to get to know the “ins and outs” of what was going on at Trinity.  An added bonus was getting to meet other people at the Board Meetings every month – I got to know many wonderful Trinity women whose children were not the same ages as mine.

I then “graduated” to Board Secretary and held that position for two years.  This role kept me sharp – I had to pay attention at meetings and take the minutes.  I was, however, well-educated on all of the exciting events and happenings in all of the classes as well as the School in general.  But again, my favorite part was getting to know the other Board Members and having some scheduled “social time.”
The past two years on the Trinity Board were spent as Vice Chair and Chair of the Parent Advisory Board – again, two very rewarding positions which allowed me to contribute on a more direct level and learn more about the inner workings of Trinity.  These roles also gave me the privilege to work more closely with our beloved Director, Sue Gaertner.

I was fortunate enough to either play hooky from work or schedule my day off so that I could attend Board Meetings.  I did this, because it was important to me to “give back” to the school that was helping my children thrive – and selfishly, to spend time with wonderful Trinity parents.

I encourage you to join the Board, every position is significant and adds value.  You will gain a sense of accomplishment, contribution, and you’ll meet some very nice friends along the way!
-Katie

April 7 -- Ladies Workshop Soul to Soul Parenting
April 13—Parent Advisory Board Meeting
April 14 — Reach out & Read Kick-Off with Clifford
April 22—No School – Good Friday

HOST AN EXCHANGE STUDENT!

Consider hosting an exchange student from Spain this summer!

June 28 - July 26

Learn about another culture, share meals, traditions

Students have English classes and planned activities 9-5 on weekdays

Nationally accredited program: The Center for Cultural Interchange

Call Darryl Newman, a Trinity dad, at 773.504.2446 for more info 

or email: darrylpablo2011@yahoo.com

Gracias!

TCNS Helping Hands
Director:
Sue Gaertner
sue@trinitywilmette.org
Professional Staff:
Happy Baird
Sarah Condry
Valerie Dashiell
Carol DeGraff
Luanne Hampton
Laurie James
Joyce Ladin
Ginny Lezama
Byrd Rhyne
Betsy Segal
Kathy Stein
Parent Board Chair:
Katie Colvin