Friendship Family Newsletter
Andrea Simmons, Principal & Kristen Trahan, Asst Principal
October 17, 2017
We hope this newsletter finds you well! We have been busy at TFS, as our students are deep into investigations on different topics they are interested in. To support this, teachers are providing learning opportunities related to the theme, such as changes in the fall, oceans/marine life, the human body, dinosaurs, jungle animals, and the solar system. Many teachers have scheduled field trips and special visitors to help get kids excited about the theme; therefore, many times field trips are not a "culminating activity" as they traditionally might be, but function as part of the learning throughout the inquiry cycle. Please visit our website (www.thefriendshipschool.org), float over "About TFS," then click "Academics" for more information on inquiry-based learning, including our transdisciplinary themes and inquiry cycle. If you have a way to provide support to your child's classroom regarding their inquiry theme, please contact the teacher - we love having families come in and share!
Thank you to all of our families who filled out the NAEYC survey, either hard copy or online. Your efforts helped us reach our goal needed to move forward with NAEYC accreditation. We are excited to continue in the accreditation process and to involve families as much as possible.
As always, please contact your child's teacher or us with any questions or things you wish to share as successes due to your child's experiences here at The Friendship School.
In partnership,
Mrs. Simmons & Mrs. Trahan
Ms. Zdanys's students inquired about pumpkins and gourds.
Mr. Stevenson's and Mrs. Terracciano's classes at "Owl Prowl!"
Ms. Hubbard's students inquire about fall changes.
Important Information:
- Our new music teacher, Persephone Marien, began this week! She's having a wonderful time getting to know your children, settling into classroom routines in music, and planning instruction through inquiry. Please stop by and say hello to Ms. Marien at the beginning and end of the school day!
- We had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new playground on Friday, October 6. LEARN's Executive Director, Dr. Eileen Howley, led the event among much excitement from both students and staff. Students have been playing on the new playground, provided by Childscapes, since Tuesday, October 10.
- Thank you to all of the families who attended "Back to School Night" (TFS Open House). It was so wonderful to see so many families visiting the classrooms and unified arts spaces. We are always happy to welcome you into our school, especially during times when we can feature our exciting programming!
- If you are picking up your child from school, please remember to hand the dismissal card directly to the classroom teacher. If you need to pick up your child early, please make sure you have sent a note, email, or called prior to 3:00. If your child has a regular appointment to attend (for example, physical therapy appointments at a medical office), please speak with Andrea or Kristen to make arrangements to ensure your child is dismissed on time as needed.
- We have an early dismissal (12:30) on Wednesday, 10/25 for teacher professional learning. Staff members will be working on NAEYC accreditation and completing CPR/First Aid certification. There is no school on November 7 (Regional Professional Development day).
- Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for November 10. There is no school in observance of Veterans' Day, but you are welcome to bring your child to TFS for your conference. You may have the child join the conference, or join one of our unified arts teacher facilitated activities (learning centers in physical education, music, art, library). If you are unable to attend conferences on this day, please contact your child's teacher to make alternate arrangements. Scheduling a conference is essential for detailed updates of your child's progress. This is also a time for you to share wonders or concerns about your child.
- Online tuition payment is up and running successfully! This is only for pre-kindergarten children residing outside of New London. Visit our website for more information - float over "Resources," then click "Tuition Information" for a link to the MySchoolBucks website.
- School picture days are November 1, 2, and 3. Your child's teacher will be in touch regarding which date their class is assigned. We are happy to partner with Frausini Photography again this year!
- Please make sure to review our attendance policy. Teachers have sent home this section of the handbook for your reference.
- We will be supplying hard copies of the family handbook to those who have requested. The revised handbook is in process, with necessary adjustments due to NAEYC accreditation needs, and will be online and printed this week.
- TFS has just been approved to host a Crafter & Artisan Fair on Saturday, November 18. This fair will help us raise much needed funding for inquiry-based learning and field trips. If you are interested in renting a table, please contact our school secretary, Robin Campbell (rcampbell@thefriendshipschool.org or extension 7129) and she will provide additional information.
- Friendly reminder: If you are providing meals or snacks from home, please ensure they are healthy. Some alternatives to chip products, cookies, and other sweets are bananas or any fruit, yogurt, applesauce, cheese slices, granola, crackers with hummus, and plain/lightly flavored popcorn. Please also ensure that the foods are not choking hazards (half or quarter grapes, slice carrots lengthwise). This helps keep kids safe and also aligns with NAEYC accreditation standards.
- Additionally, any food brought into school must meet our wellness guidelines (candy, cookies, cake, cupcakes, sweets, soda, chip products, etc are not permitted. As we come upon the time of year that we sometimes come together and celebrate, please remember these policies before purchasing food for the classroom.
- Finally, thank you to the family members who have volunteered to assist at recess, participate in the FFO (Friendship Family Organization), provide coffee to our faculty for our Wednesday morning meetings, and all of the other ways you have been supportive to our school. Thank you, thank you!
The Friendship School
Email: asimmons@thefriendshipschool.org
Website: www.thefriendshipschool.org
Location: 24 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT, United States
Phone: 860-447-4049
Facebook: facebook.com/thefriendshipschoolct