October 2009 Archives

Pictures are up on the website--please remember--DO NOT order online! Use the paper order form because we get a school discount. 

http://www.miekleyphotography.com/

If your photos were on Tuesday you will have one user name and password and Wednesday photos will have a different one.

I will email the user name and password to each family. If I don't have your email you will receive a printed letter with the passwords.

Feel free to email me so I can send it electronically if you aren't on the email list already.

I have always been (covertly of course) a bit of a tree hugging hippie at heart. I am also vexed by having inherited my parents sense of frugality. I just stumbled across an article by a guy called the Green Cheapskate--now why didn't I think of that? [I SO could write that stuff!!] 

Preschool types like myself, particularly when used to tight non-profit budgets and church stewardship mentalities know how to re-employ all types of objects two or three times prior to their landing in a landfill. Just ask Ms. Liz in the Education department and she can give you a thousand examples. She and I are challenged to not accept more good reusable items than we need. We are definitely out of storage space.

So, as a challenge, see how much you can keep out of the trash this month. Good Will, The Kitchen, The Missouri Hotel, Etc. and many other local groups would love all of your quality give aways. Simplifying your home and life will be a nice lift for your spirits.

Here is the link to the Green Cheapskate's article on how to make good use of your holiday pumpkins:

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/living-green/articledg.aspx?cp-documentid=22305001&GT1=32001

There is no additional H1N1 news to date but I will be posting info on school pictures soon.

We do have a confirmed case of H1N1 at preschool.

I immediately called the Health Department and their recommendations are to continue what we are doing with cleaning and disinfecting. They recommend handwashing and watching for signs of illness.

 Children with SYMPTOMS should not be at school. Please don't bring them in if they have vomiting, diarrhea, fever or other excludable symptoms. They suggest we warn parents especially about consulting a doctor for your child's cough.

Children must be totally and completely symptom free for 24 hours before they may return to school.

Tomorrow I will post some Health Department websites for you. For now consult the Sneezing 101 blog posted earlier in the month. There is additional info on the preschool bulletin board.

We will "clean, clean, clean" to quote the licensing rep I consulted with. Mr. McCormick will be setting off a germ bomb just after closing to eliminate the airborn nasties.

If your child appears to be ill upon arrival we will take their temperature before you are allowed to leave them. If we call you that they have become ill during the day you need to arrive quickly to take them home. Please be sure you have backup family or friends to pick your child up if you are detained.

We will keep you posted... 

Right now children may be experiencing some scary things in the world around them with Halloween decorations popping up. Some children investigate scary things on their own initiative to learn about their world and how to deal with what is unknown. They may be fascinated with sharks, monsters, dinosaurs, or other "scary" play ventures. Trying things on in play helps them to determine what they think about these ideas and to experiment with handling uncertainty and fear.

I just saw the film Where the Wild Things Are  which deals with this issue. Max creates scary fantasy to deal with his angry and uncertain reality. I carefully observed young children in the theater to see how they would react. Several asked to leave even though they didn't seem outwardly upset. Some moments were fairly intense, either with sadness, anger or aggression. It made me tear up. There were also a couple of spots that I thought would be fairly scary to a young child. The emotional content and message or meaning of the movie was far too abstract for a young child. Due to this and the powerful aggression in their fighting I would not recommend taking younger children (under eight or ten) to this. One boy of about three or four years of age said it was boring. The good emotional content was clearly over his head.

The fighting scenes are very aggressive as they push and hit each other hard with dirt clods and sticks. One monster is injured profoundly. They push each other very forcefully and angrily. I am waiting to see children bring this into their playground play. This is the aspect of the movie I most expect to see imitated. In one online comment I read viewer said her daughter bit her for the first time after seeing Max bite his mother in the film. While I loved this film as an adult viewer, I think the purpose of exploring anger and tantrums is better served by snuggling your child on your lap and reading and discussing the book.

As you head into Halloween or off to the movies remember that you should pay attention to a child's reaction to these things. If they are hesitant don't push. Have them talk things through before deciding to participate in any activities. Our fall festival on the 25^th is one less scary option.

Growing children need a growing faith to help them understand and deal with what is scary and unknown. Knowing God's love is the security every soul seeks. Introduce them to faith at home and through the many opportunities here at church through children's ministry and Grow To Know.

My email from Ideal Bite today (10-14) had tips for organic candy to hand out.

Ideal Bite (daily@tips.idealbite.com)

http://www.schweitzerumc.org/building/

Here are the proposed plans to expand the campus at Schweitzer. The first phase would directly impact children's ministry in creating a completely contained children's area which would prevent access by anyone not approved to be in the children's area.

Nursery check-in would be contained to one area manned by an attendant and/or an electronic, secure check-in.

We are excited at Grow To Know to be able to share this space for several reasons. We could have a secure lock down in emergencies, check in/sign in would be less prone to human error, so our record keeping could be streamlined and more accurate, we could prevent unapproved visitors from entering the area, there could be no confusion regarding approved contacts for child pick up, and there would be an expansion of available space for classrooms, administration and storage. (Much needed!)

So click the link and check it out. Comment here with your questions.

Most important of all:

SCHWEITZER MEMBERS you need to come to the Church Council meeting to vote on this proposal on Sunday the 11th at 2:00.

Sneezing 101- show this to your children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXgRvdq7fg

We have had more than one case so I thought I would put a bit of info on the blog for you. This is usually known as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease because blisters may appear in these areas (and others) the symptoms may be cold-like with sore throat, they may have pain,vomiting and diarrhea, conjunctivitis or in rare cases more severe symptoms such as myopericarditis (heart issues) or aseptic meningitis.

Usually we see fever and the lesions on the hands and throat. They will be pretty miserable for a couple of days.

Here is a quote from the communicable disease book we use as a guide:

Exclude [children] during the acute stage of illnes or until child is able to participate in routine activities. Then follow good handwashing and hygiene practices.

...this infection is self-limited, mild, and in most instances asymptomatic with no serious health effects following...

If your child has it be aware that it can be spread through any body fluids, mucus, or fecal matter.

We are doing extra cleaning and disinfecting and will keep you posted if there is additional information to share.

Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases: A Guide for School Administrators, Nurses, Teachers and Child Care Providers. July 2005

From Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Remember morning classes: Blue, Raspberry and Burgundy Rooms--no school Friday!

Full time kiddos- we'll see you as usual.