The Garden:

We would like to invite all of our parents to visit the vegetable gardens.  There is a children’s garden at each school. Colin has been planting seeds with the children and placing them under grow lights in the classroom.  The children have been watching their seeds sprout and grow.  Many of the children in all of the classes have been helping the teachers to transplant their seedlings out in the gardens.  They also helped us plant leeks; carrots, beets, corn, flowers, radishes, beans, peas and we have volunteer potatoes sprouting.  The big kids have done a lot of hard work prepping the ground and weeding all year long.  I will be placing pictures on the web-site for everyone to view.  Please take a minute to walk your child into the gardens and enjoy the small pleasures in life.  See how many plants you can identify together.  Help teach your children to “slow” down and take a minute to just share their world.  We encourage you to do this in the classrooms as well.  See what your child is so excited about in their world of learning.
         DO NOT LET THESE MOMENTS JUST PASS YOU BY!!!!!!  

Tea Parties in the Garden:  

We would like to invite you to bring a drink and a treat for you and your child when the weather warms up and have a “tea party” in the garden when you pick your child up from school.  

Local Gardening News:

We highly recommend that you join the Bloedel Reserve on the Island and take your children for walks.  It is a world class garden and should not be missed.  It is so beautiful in the spring and right now there are baby ducklings and you can even view the pair of Swans.  The reserve has one of the most beautiful walking pathways in the Pacific Northwest.  There are two incredible walking bridges for the kids to enjoy and concerts are held for children in the spring and summer.  I HIGHLY recommend you become a member.  It only costs $55 for an individual yearly pass and you can take 3 guests each time for free.  It is the best spot on the island to take your out of town guests.  I am actively involved with the local farmers and educators to create more curriculums for gardening in the local schools.  I will keep you posted on what’s happening.  I am attending a meeting this Thursday night at the Bainbridge Island Winery and Suyematsu’s farm to meet with other educators involved with the program.  You are welcome to join me if you have an interest in what we are doing.

Pony Day:

Our annual Pony Day will be next Thursday, May 21st.  A wonderful gentleman brings in his beautiful ponies and dresses up the children in bright red cowboy and girl outfits and takes their pictures.  The children love this event.  They each get a pony ride and a wonderful picture.  You can buy the picture if you like it, but you are not obligated.

Graduation and Year End Picnic:

Graduation Day is June 4th at 11am.  This is for all of the students graduating into Kindergarten.  We will have a big potluck with fun and games for all of the children.  Families are welcome.  Please bring a potluck dish for 15-20 people.  The graduation will be at 11am sharp.  We will order graduation hats, diplomas and flowers.  Each graduate will walk down the aisle and they will have a “hat toss” at the end of the ceremony.  Children do not need to bring a lunch that day unless they have allergies and do not eat the food at our facility.

Montessori Training:

Alison, Ashley C., and Emilia are taking the Montessori training.  They are really enjoying the course.  They have brought so much to the classrooms and are looking forward to using everything they have learned in the coming year.  Emilia is incubating chickens in her classroom.  We anxiously await their arrival.

June Tuition and Summer Camp:

If your child attends for the half day program, our last day of school will be June 12th.  You tuition remains the same.  Some months are longer and some are shorter, we calculate the tuition into 10 equal payments.  School will start next fall September 2nd.  Big kids that will be attending HCM will start here full time June 15th.  We will calculate your tuition for June accordingly.  Summer Camp starts June 29th.  We are looking forward to a wonderful summer.


Sunscreen and Water Bottles:

As the weather begins to warm up, please have your child bring in sunscreen and water bottles.  Please dress your child for the chilly weather in the morning and help them layer appropriately for the afternoon sun.

Fun Week:

The last week of school, June 8th-12th, we will have our annual fun week.  
Monday-hat day……Tuesday-pajama day……Wednesday-costume day
Thursday-green day………Friday-Teddy Bear Picnic day.

Thank you for such a great year.  We have really enjoyed all of our families this year and are looking forward to all of the new families that will be joining us next year.

With much love and appreciation,

Janice and Staff