Happy New Year!  2008 went out with a BANG!!  We hope everyone survived the big snow storm over the holidays.  It was a beautiful sight, but I think everyone was relieved when it finally melted.  The new web-site should be up and running by the time you read this.  Kelvin Hughes Productions has done a magnificent job of creating a very “user friendly” site.  You can tour the site at www.hazelcreekmontessori.com and tell us what you think.  We would love your feed back.  The site allows for you to download all of our documents, communicate with one another, share e-mail addresses, read the most recent newsletter and see the latest pictures of the children in the classroom and during special events. The movie Kelvin made about the school for the past year and a half is also on the site. We can make copies of the movie on a CD if you would like one.  We will post a sign up sheet for you to order one, the cost will be minimal. Enjoy!

Curriculum for January:  Sharon’s class will be studying China.  All new materials have been purchased, and we are fortunate to have clients who are from China that are willing to contribute their knowledge and resources.

Colin’s class will be studying Dinosaurs.  There is so much material for our dinosaur study, the kids love the activities.

Alison’s class will be studying Marine Science.  This is one of the favorites and ties in beautifully with our surroundings.

Each class will rotate their studies for the next three months.  We will also be talking about Martin Luther King and the presidential inauguration during the month of January.

Christmas in the Country was a huge success.  We had over 2000 people attending and the vendors sold more than last year.  Hazel Creek makes a small percentage and we use the proceeds to pay for our annual staff party.  The staff party was a lot of fun and fortunately right before the big storm.  The Santa pictures were a big hit and the musicians were wonderful.  Thank you for attending the concert given by the children and for participating in this treasured Island event.  CD’s are available for the children’s concert, sign up in the lobby to receive one.

Staff Thank You:  We want to give a special thanks to all of the parents who gave gifts, well wishes and appreciation to the teachers at HCM.  We adore our families and can’t say enough about how wonderful it is to be appreciated by such caring parents.  We are blessed to “feel” the love from the parents of the children that we care for.   As you know, it makes such a difference.  

Mexico:  Janice and Ollie will be traveling to Mexico for the first week in January.  We like collecting artifacts and items from Mexico to bring back to the classrooms for the children’s studies. WE’ll see what we can find this year.  We will travel  to Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area.  Our daughters lived there for a few years and we love returning to see many of their old friends.

Pedersen Christmas and Hanukah:  We have loved all of the cards and pictures everyone has sent.  I am still getting ours put together, but wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Happy New Year.  Our whole family was here for a “White Christmas.”  This year we celebrated Ollie’s family traditions, both a Norwegian Christmas and the Jewish celebration of Hanukah.  We spent a lot of time cooking, watching our grand daughter and sledding until we all had whip-lash.  It was the best holiday we’ve ever spent together, the snow really added a special touch.

New Families at Hazel Creek:  We have several new families attending HCM this month.  Many of the children have been enrolled since last summer but have recently moved here.  I’d like to welcome everyone and tell you that you are in for a big treat in meeting all of the fine families we have enrolled at our school.  Please feel free to ask questions and let us know what we can do to make you feel right at home.

Thank you one and all for participating in our program and for being our extended family.  We love each and every one of you and wish all of you a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Love,

Janice, Ollie and Staff