“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
William Shakespeare
Hi Parents and Friends!
What a busy, energetic, composed and clever week we had! It’s QUILT madness as the children understand that a “Quilt is a Blanket made with Love”. The literacy room is overflowing with colorful patches that the children have made, and Xiao Jie is bustling around trying to keep up with the magnitude of patches that each child is producing everyday: our goal is 16 patches per child. It’s great fun and we love it!
Some thoughts and important things to mention this week:
1. Picture Day: May 14th, Monday.
Please send your child to school on this day looking their shiny best for their School Photos. You will have the option to buy a package of photos from Photographer Gena Falzon. We will send you the order form on Monday May 7th. There will also be a makeup day the following week for absent children.
As per tradition, the children will paint their own abstract backgrounds which will be taken home towards the end of May. We would love some parent assistance on Photo Day! Let us know if you can lend a hand!
2. Yoghurt!
We love making yoghurt and we love the children eating and making so much of our probiotic masterpiece at the center. Even better, we are really pleased that 100% of the profits go towards supporting needy animals in Shanghai.
IF you have a standing order that you would like to make every week, then please email Maggie Lin at: maggie.lin@hotmail.com and we will ENSURE that your yoghurt is ready for pick up on either Tuesday, Thursday or both days!
3. Send-ins!
We are still missing some stories about your child’s name so please send them in. They are being displayed with the children’s names at the center, and they will be placed on the back of the canvas before they are sent home.
Also…we are collecting swim clothes for swimming season. Still a bit chilly, but by the middle of May, we should be well into our beautiful weather.
4. May 9th Field Trip to the Botanical Garden.
Just to give you the head’s up that we will have a big day on May 9th, Wednesday as we head to Puxi to spend the day at the Botanical Garden. The tulips will be in full bloom, the rain forest is a blast to play in, and it will be a lovely day to spread our blankets for a picnic. We would love to have you join us!
5. Social Development
We are continuing to work on “Standing up for ourselves” when others make us feel badly and we will stay with it this week, focusing more on how “an eye for an eye” or you “punch me so I punch you” thinking is inappropriate for young children. Conflicts can be resolved in alternative ways; while maintaining the integrity and self-respect of the child.
6. In the News. SUGAR.
This blurb comes from Denny Barnes (Mason B’s Dad) and although we couldn’t access the video without a VPN, the article is really interesting and informative. Thanks Denny for thinking of the children’s health in an age when sugar is everywhere……….
Coke, cake, cookies and candy … are these harmless indulgences that all children should enjoy?
“Is Sugar Toxic?” is the title of an article from New York Times. They interview Dr. Robert Lustig a “specialist on pediatric hormone disorders and the leading expert in childhood obesity at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?pagewanted=all
With over two million hits at YouTube, Dr. Lustig’s dense 90 minute lecture on the ill effects of excessive sugar titled “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” has gone viral. In China, you will need a VPN or proxy server to view this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
Different parents will make different decisions, but all should be familiar with the latest medical science on this issue.
Here is to another GREAT week as we watch the sunflowers in our garden grow.
Warmly,
The Wonder Center Team
Upcoming Events:
April 27…Family Fun Day and TREASURE HUNT! On this day, we will also be taking home our Project work.
April 30, May 1, 2 May Holiday – No School
May 9th Field Trip to Botanical Garden
May 14th Picture Day
May 17 & 18 Parent Conferences
June 7th Summer Party Parents Welcome
June 8th Graduation and Last Day of School 2012
