2-6 December News

December 2010
Heath Extended Day

2-6 Newsletter

Holiday Spoon are now on Sale!

We are so proud of all the hard work, creativity and imagination that the 2-6 kids put into decorating spoons for Project Bread’s Holiday Spoons Project.  Project Bread is an anti-hunger organization with a mission to end hunger in Massachusetts.  Each spoon costs $2.00 and all the money raised will be donated to Project Bread to help raise awareness and help feed hungry families.  Please see a 2-6 teacher if your family would like to buy a spoon!  Heath Extended Day would like to make sure each and every family has a warm meal and place to spend the holidays.  Please see Noelle should your family need help with providing a meal or any other essential item during this holiday season.  As always, your name and situation will be kept to our high confidential standards.



Building relationships, self esteem and confidence

The kids participated in two meaningful group activities this month.  The first, a compliment game where kids sat in a circle and were each given three chocolate tokens.  Taking turns, each child had to give away one of their tokens to another child that they chose while giving a compliment or acknowledging a good deed that the other child did for him/her. We observed tokens being given for: “being a good friend and sticking up for me,” “for including me when I was alone,” “for being helpful,” “for helping me when I fell down.” Knowing they were able to keep and eat the tokens after the game was over, some chose to give up more of their tokens so they could compliment another person in the group even if that meant having less for themselves, “it doesn’t matter how many you have left,” one child pointed out. The second meaningful activity the kids took part in was an activity in which a teacher gave ten statements beginning with the statement. “I am somebody who…” Kids were challenged to think of themselves s and step to a designated spot in the room depending on if they agreed, disagreed or were neutral with the statement based on their own experiences.  Some statements were, I am somebody who: has teased another person using hurtful words,  is comfortable telling another person to stop if I see them teasing someone else, is comfortable making my own decisions even if they are different than my friends, who will try to make sure my words and actions won’t hurt anybody. The kids were really able to reflect on their own and others experiences.  These two activities seemed to successfully build relationships with one another as well as allow children to gain self esteem and confidence with sharing their thoughts and ideas.



Holidays Around the World

During the month of December, the 2-6 kids will be learning about different December holidays celebrated around.  They will learn the history of each holiday, take part in a traditional game or activity and make a recipe that is enjoyed at the holiday.  If your family has a special December holiday that you celebrate in your homes, we would love to teach the kids about as part of this unit!



Horizons for Homeless Children

HEDP is donating needed supplies to Horizons for Homeless Children during this holiday season.  The children decorated donation boxes for art supplies, books, and computer equipment/gently used electronics!  If you would like to donate, donation boxes will be located daily if the cafeteria, k-1 HEDP classroom and 2-6 HEDP classroom.  We will be collecting donations through Friday December 17th


Horizons for Homeless Children was founded in 1988 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to serving young homeless children and their families.

Horizons for Homeless Children touches the lives of more than 2,700 young homeless children each week in Massachusetts through Playspaces (educational and recreational spaces) in shelters and 175 children through its three Community Children's Centers, Boston's only comprehensive, full-time early education and childcare centers specifically for young homeless children.  In addition to direct service, we advocate on behalf of young homeless children and their families with policy makers and provide training and technical assistance to related service providers. 


Horizons for Homeless Children is supported primarily by charitable gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. Every gift helps! For more information please feel free to contact Scott at www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org



Art and Craft Supplies

Paint (watercolor, school paint, and finger paint, all in larger sizes), paintbrushes, paint daubers and large sized crayons and markers  glitter, craft sticks, pompoms, colored pipe cleaners, feathers, buttons, gallon and regular size glue bottles, Crayola Model Magic Clay, Play-Doh and rolling pins, cookie cutters, stencils, wiggle eyes, paper (easel, finger paint, construction, shiny, tissue paper, contact paper, poster board, butcher roll paper , preschool lined). Large rolls of paper and paper rack

Stickers, Magnetic letters and shapes,Felt board and story pieces .Child safe scissors - round edge, plastic

Waterproof smocks, Water based stamp pads with stamps

Tape: masking tape, colored tape, scotch tape

Dry erase markers, Ballpoint pens

Books

Multi-Cultural, Diverse family types, Children/adults with diverse abilities, Books without words, Spanish books

Spanish/English books, Board books, Books with grandparents Big Books for group story times, Books on tape.

Computer Equipment / Electronics--New or Gently Used

Laminating film rolls, CD/Tape Players (shock proof if possible)

Cordless electric drills, Digital camera, used cell phones. Events, News and Reminders




Monday, December 6th: Building Architecture Meeting in the Heath Auditorium at 7:00.  Dinner and childcare will be provided to HEDP families.  Dinner will be served from 6:15-7:00.  Please RSVP to Noelle.



Thursday, December 9th: Meet the Principal Finalist at Heath from 7:45-8:45.  Dinner and childcare will be provided to HEDP families.  Dinner will be served from 7:00-7:45.  Please RSVP  to Noelle.



Thursday, December 9th: Early Release Day Field Trip: Ice Skating at Frog Pond.  Please return permission slips no later than Wednesday December 8th.  Space is limited!  Helmets are required for this trip.



Thursday, December 23rd: Early Release Day: Pizza and Movie Day. No lunch is served in school.  Heath Extended Day will provide pizza for lunch as a gift!  We will close at 4:45pm on Thursday December 23rd due to the Heath school 12:00pm dismissal.



Ice Skating

Ice Skating at the Reilly Memorial Rink in Cleveland Circle will begin on Wednesday January 12th and will continue weekly on Wednesdays until March 16th.  Children must bring their own skates and helmet for this trip.  Skates are as little as $25.00 at Dicks Sporting Goods $20.00 at Toys R Us and $18.00 at Amazon! Please look for notices regarding this special opportunity for Brookline Extended Day Programs



Kid's Corner  Let’s hear what they have to say!

“I like Trippin Out because you get to go to new places that I have never been before and we get really good snacks.” 6th grader



“I enjoy coming to Extended Day and socializing with the teachers and playing games like speedball.” 6th grader



“I enjoy coming to Extended Day because it is a fun environment!”  5th grader



“Extended Day has fun field trips on half days.” 5th grader



“I like when we make food because it is a special snack.  I liked the apple crisp.” 5th grader



“I like  going to Extended Day because when it is close to a holiday you can do special parties for it.” 3rd grader



“Extended Day is cool because they have really fun games.” 2nd grader

The 2-6 teachers would like to wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year!