Halloween

Good morning!

We had a delicious day last Friday. We had our breakfast and climbed aboard the bus early and left for Boonville and the nursing home we visit there. The residents just loved the visit. We sang and sang and sang, and the children were so animated; it was adorable. The songs were precious and the delivery could not have been better.

Our costumes were delightful - lots of fairy princesses and Spidermen; a football player, a zooologist, a cheerleader, a zombie, and dozens of other wonderful make believe characters. It's always so much fun when parents get involved and help a child with a costume.

The party was fun. It was short, as it should have been. This is a time for kids not adults. It's important for the children to have lots of time to trick or treat when they get home. Having them in costume and something in their stomachs is important.

All our teachers dresssed up and so did some of the parents. The kids loved it. Five children, however, had no accompanying adult at the party. Two children were in tears because nobody was there for them. Teachers are very concerned about the failure of these families to appear at the party. Party days are part of our curriculum. In a culture of "reduction" for suitable children's activities, it's important to salvage what we can and include a party once a month to exercise celebrations and make the child the focus of the day. These parties are 45 minutes long. Is that too much time to spend on a child? Feedback is appreciated.

This month, our focus is on the big Thanksgiving play. Children will be given lines to learn and costumes will be provided. We will practice the play two hours a day. The play is on Firday, November 21 at 3:00.

The play allows us to learn about the life of early Americans and the Native Americans who came together to share what they had. Plays are great fun and the kids learn to cooperate with one another in whole new way. It's a great learning experience.

This week out theme is Pilgrims. Please ask your children what they have learned about Pilgrims!