Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Dear Parents

I want to wish you and your children a wonderful holiday season and to thank you for this past year.

It is a pleasure to work with you and your wonderful children.

When I see their lovely faces come in in the morning, I see their inner light shine and feel grateful to know them and spend time with them.

thank you for attending the Lantern walk in the rain and for your patience with wet clothes this winter.

I look forward to see you all back in January.

with much love

Maayan

On Monday, December 15, 2014 4:18 PM, Maayan <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Ok my mistake 

We will meet at oak hill park on Wednesday not Thursday 4:45

Maayan 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 14, 2014, at 5:53 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear parents

We will meet next Thursday 12/17 at 4:45 at oak hill park in Petaluma for our lantern walk. We will have some warm cider and then we will begin our lantern walk.

We will walk up towards the stone labyrinth and can walk the labyrinth or walk around it.

Once we light our lanterns and start our walk you can join me in a song.

It will be the same song we sang last year:

I walk outside with my lantern,

My lantern is walking with me.

Above the stars are shining bright,

Down here on earth shine we

2x  So shine my light in the darkest night

      La bimba La bmba La boom

It is an easy song and we repeat it over and over and will not be hard to learn.

You may invite family members, all are welcome to join. It is a special event for me, celebrating the light that shines in all of us, and units us.

I like celebrating our lantern walk as part of the holiday season, it reminds me of what is important at this time, kindness and love for one another.

with love

Maayan

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Ok my mistake 

We will meet at oak hill park on Wednesday not Thursday 4:45

Maayan 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 14, 2014, at 5:53 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear parents

We will meet next Thursday 12/17 at 4:45 at oak hill park in Petaluma for our lantern walk. We will have some warm cider and then we will begin our lantern walk.

We will walk up towards the stone labyrinth and can walk the labyrinth or walk around it.

Once we light our lanterns and start our walk you can join me in a song.

It will be the same song we sang last year:

I walk outside with my lantern,

My lantern is walking with me.

Above the stars are shining bright,

Down here on earth shine we

2x  So shine my light in the darkest night

      La bimba La bmba La boom

It is an easy song and we repeat it over and over and will not be hard to learn.

You may invite family members, all are welcome to join. It is a special event for me, celebrating the light that shines in all of us, and units us.

I like celebrating our lantern walk as part of the holiday season, it reminds me of what is important at this time, kindness and love for one another.

with love

Maayan

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Dear parents

We will meet next Thursday 12/17 at 4:45 at oak hill park in Petaluma for our lantern walk. We will have some warm cider and then we will begin our lantern walk.

We will walk up towards the stone labyrinth and can walk the labyrinth or walk around it.

Once we light our lanterns and start our walk you can join me in a song.

It will be the same song we sang last year:

I walk outside with my lantern,

My lantern is walking with me.

Above the stars are shining bright,

Down here on earth shine we

2x  So shine my light in the darkest night

      La bimba La bmba La boom

It is an easy song and we repeat it over and over and will not be hard to learn.

You may invite family members, all are welcome to join. It is a special event for me, celebrating the light that shines in all of us, and units us.

I like celebrating our lantern walk as part of the holiday season, it reminds me of what is important at this time, kindness and love for one another.

with love

Maayan

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Hi all

It seems we will cancel tomorrow's lantern walk and hopefully get together next week. I will let you know weather depending. 

I look forward to See some of you in the morning 

Maayan 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 8, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Maayan <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is rain!

If it is very wet we will postpone the lantern walk to Monday 12/15 same place and time.

I will keep you posted.

Best

Maayan 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 3, 2014, at 7:20 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

the yard is very wet!!!

you might need to use the front door to drop off if you do not have boots on but better not to change the children's rhythm and wear boots to the back door.

we will have to be patient and try and do a quick good bye to accommodate the logistics of rain gear in small space

see you later

maayan

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is rain!

If it is very wet we will postpone the lantern walk to Monday 12/15 same place and time.

I will keep you posted.

Best

Maayan 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 3, 2014, at 7:20 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

the yard is very wet!!!

you might need to use the front door to drop off if you do not have boots on but better not to change the children's rhythm and wear boots to the back door.

we will have to be patient and try and do a quick good bye to accommodate the logistics of rain gear in small space

see you later

maayan

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Dear Parents

the yard is very wet!!!

you might need to use the front door to drop off if you do not have boots on but better not to change the children's rhythm and wear boots to the back door.

we will have to be patient and try and do a quick good bye to accommodate the logistics of rain gear in small space

see you later

maayan

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: Open Arms Newsletter

Reminder date for the  lantern walk 12/11 @ 5:00pm 

Oak hill park petaluma 
See you then

Maayan  

On Dec 2, 2014, at 7:01 AM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Open Arms Newsletter

Dear Parents

Our lantern walk is just a week away, on Thursday evening at 5:00pm at Oak Hill park in Petaluma.

The children worked hard on their lovely lanterns and we are singing our lantern song in preparation for the walk.

(we will meet even if it is drizzling but if it is hard rain we will have to postpone)

The lantern walk is a wonderful celebration of each of us inner light, how unique and different we all are yet we share a bright light that connects us to each other.

We will walk together with our lit lanterns on a path lit with luminaries, singing a song together.

I believe it is a lovely way to start the holiday season.

We do not celebrate one particular holiday at play garden but the common thread in many holidays at this time of the year, which is the light at the darkest time of year.

One tradition I do love is lighting a candle each week leading to the holiday break to celebrate the mineral kingdom, plant kingdom, animal kingdom and finally one for Humanity.

We will make candles in the next few weeks for the children to take home.

Please look at our holiday calendar on the website so you are aware of the breaks we take during the school year.

I look forward to the coming weeks with all the fun crafts and stories I share with the children.

I have one request, after pick up, though I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome, if your children still would like to play together please do so at the park or at your home. When they play here while I have children getting ready for nap the noise creates a distraction.

Thank you for the time Barb and I spend with your children.

Best

Maayan

Re: open Arms Newsletter

Hello everyone,

If you would like to help support Brooke, Tim, Kaira and Luna Arielle during their first weeks together, please sign up to bring a meal at https://mealtrain.com/rg4gw. Thanks!

Emily

On Wed, Nov 5, 2014 at 9:33 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Congratulations to kaira and her family on the birth of her Baby sister!

At this time of year it is nice to start the day inside. A short goodbye at the back door and the children immediately go into play and work. We play a short game as we come in before we go to play and work. Chopping, baking bread for lunch or snack and setting the table. If you need some time outside with your child you are welcome to a short turn on the swing or visit to the bees and animals but a short goodbye is working well for the whole group.

Their play is wonderful, they are acting out what they experience in their lives and that is exactly what they should do as healthy learning for their development. they are also playing well with one another and invite friends to join.

After story and snack we spend much time outside from 10:30 to 11:45.

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween weekend. here at school we made little pumpkins and I told the story of a mouse a spider a worm and two fire flies that all gather together one by one in a cozy pumpkin home to keep out of the rain and fall wind.

The friends in the story invite each other to join and say: everyone is welcome.

After telling the story for a week we acted it out as a play.

I hope you can all come to the lantern walk on December 11 at Oakhill park in Petaluma.

Many cultures celebrate the light within us at the darkest time of the year and it is a lovely way to honor each person unique self.

we will make lanterns at school to carry as we walk and sing our song together.

we will have another parent evening in January. thank you to Charlie's parents for hosting the last one!

I wish us all  a good week.

maayan

Re: open Arms Newsletter

Dear Parents

one of the children has Hand foot and mouth. it is a mild virus usually comes as a rash and sores in the mouth. Another one of the childhood viruses kids often get when young.

maayan

 

On Wednesday, November 5, 2014 9:33 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

Congratulations to kaira and her family on the birth of her Baby sister!

At this time of year it is nice to start the day inside. A short goodbye at the back door and the children immediately go into play and work. We play a short game as we come in before we go to play and work. Chopping, baking bread for lunch or snack and setting the table. If you need some time outside with your child you are welcome to a short turn on the swing or visit to the bees and animals but a short goodbye is working well for the whole group.

Their play is wonderful, they are acting out what they experience in their lives and that is exactly what they should do as healthy learning for their development. they are also playing well with one another and invite friends to join.

After story and snack we spend much time outside from 10:30 to 11:45.

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween weekend. here at school we made little pumpkins and I told the story of a mouse a spider a worm and two fire flies that all gather together one by one in a cozy pumpkin home to keep out of the rain and fall wind.

The friends in the story invite each other to join and say: everyone is welcome.

After telling the story for a week we acted it out as a play.

I hope you can all come to the lantern walk on December 11 at Oakhill park in Petaluma.

Many cultures celebrate the light within us at the darkest time of the year and it is a lovely way to honor each person unique self.

we will make lanterns at school to carry as we walk and sing our song together.

we will have another parent evening in January. thank you to Charlie's parents for hosting the last one!

I wish us all  a good week.

maayan

open Arms Newsletter

Dear Parents

Congratulations to kaira and her family on the birth of her Baby sister!

At this time of year it is nice to start the day inside. A short goodbye at the back door and the children immediately go into play and work. We play a short game as we come in before we go to play and work. Chopping, baking bread for lunch or snack and setting the table. If you need some time outside with your child you are welcome to a short turn on the swing or visit to the bees and animals but a short goodbye is working well for the whole group.

Their play is wonderful, they are acting out what they experience in their lives and that is exactly what they should do as healthy learning for their development. they are also playing well with one another and invite friends to join.

After story and snack we spend much time outside from 10:30 to 11:45.

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween weekend. here at school we made little pumpkins and I told the story of a mouse a spider a worm and two fire flies that all gather together one by one in a cozy pumpkin home to keep out of the rain and fall wind.

The friends in the story invite each other to join and say: everyone is welcome.

After telling the story for a week we acted it out as a play.

I hope you can all come to the lantern walk on December 11 at Oakhill park in Petaluma.

Many cultures celebrate the light within us at the darkest time of the year and it is a lovely way to honor each person unique self.

we will make lanterns at school to carry as we walk and sing our song together.

we will have another parent evening in January. thank you to Charlie's parents for hosting the last one!

I wish us all  a good week.

maayan

Re: Picnic thursday and lantren walk

oh and we are also closed Monday next week.

maayan

On Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:33 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

We are going to have the parent evening tomorrow at Charlie's home 407 Fair st Petaluma.

it is a parent night only, no children, I hope you can all come.

we will finish the pumpkins the children wet felted in the fall picnic and talk about the 4 lower senses, mostly the sense of touch, and other parenting questions and concerns parents may have.

We will have our lantern walk in December on Thursday the 11th at walnut park. I do hope you can all come. I am sorry for changing the date again but I want as many families to attend as possible. Grandparents and other family are welcome.

I will send more info about it later but if you want more information now please ask.

remember it is a short week for us we are open Monday Tuesday Wednesday this week.

Happy Halloween

Maayan

On Wednesday, October 15, 2014 1:50 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

we will have our fall picnic this Thursday from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

we will share food and have 3 crafts to do together.

please bring plates cups and utensils for your family.

our lantern walk will be on 11/13 at oak hill park.

more about this later.

In the mornings, after drop-off, I would like to come in and tell our morning story at 8:45 so please drop off before hand.

if you are late please wait for the curtain to be opened to come in to avoid disruption, and drop-off quickly, it is disruptive to the other children when parents stay a long time at drop off.

The last parent evening was successful and many of you wanted to have more such meetings. Heather and Paul Charlie's parents have offered to host.

out next meeting will be on October 27 7:00pm to 8:30pm at their home 407 fair St. Petaluma ca 94952. the topic will be: foundation for healthy development of young children, the 4 lower senses.

and much time for conversation like we did last time.

please rsvp so I know how many parents to expect.

see you Thursday

maayan

Re: Picnic thursday and lantren walk

Dear Parents

We are going to have the parent evening tomorrow at Charlie's home 407 Fair st Petaluma.

it is a parent night only, no children, I hope you can all come.

we will finish the pumpkins the children wet felted in the fall picnic and talk about the 4 lower senses, mostly the sense of touch, and other parenting questions and concerns parents may have.

We will have our lantern walk in December on Thursday the 11th at walnut park. I do hope you can all come. I am sorry for changing the date again but I want as many families to attend as possible. Grandparents and other family are welcome.

I will send more info about it later but if you want more information now please ask.

remember it is a short week for us we are open Monday Tuesday Wednesday this week.

Happy Halloween

Maayan

On Wednesday, October 15, 2014 1:50 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

we will have our fall picnic this Thursday from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

we will share food and have 3 crafts to do together.

please bring plates cups and utensils for your family.

our lantern walk will be on 11/13 at oak hill park.

more about this later.

In the mornings, after drop-off, I would like to come in and tell our morning story at 8:45 so please drop off before hand.

if you are late please wait for the curtain to be opened to come in to avoid disruption, and drop-off quickly, it is disruptive to the other children when parents stay a long time at drop off.

The last parent evening was successful and many of you wanted to have more such meetings. Heather and Paul Charlie's parents have offered to host.

out next meeting will be on October 27 7:00pm to 8:30pm at their home 407 fair St. Petaluma ca 94952. the topic will be: foundation for healthy development of young children, the 4 lower senses.

and much time for conversation like we did last time.

please rsvp so I know how many parents to expect.

see you Thursday

maayan

Re: Picnic thursday and lantren walk

Dear Parents

please rsvp to the parent night next Monday at the Foreman's (Charlie's home) so we know who to expect.

also 3 families are not going to make the lantern walk date I picked so I would like to move it to Saturday evening on 11/8?

please rsvp to that as well so I know if we should change that date.

best

maayan

On Wednesday, October 15, 2014 1:50 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear Parents

we will have our fall picnic this Thursday from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

we will share food and have 3 crafts to do together.

please bring plates cups and utensils for your family.

our lantern walk will be on 11/13 at oak hill park.

more about this later.

In the mornings, after drop-off, I would like to come in and tell our morning story at 8:45 so please drop off before hand.

if you are late please wait for the curtain to be opened to come in to avoid disruption, and drop-off quickly, it is disruptive to the other children when parents stay a long time at drop off.

The last parent evening was successful and many of you wanted to have more such meetings. Heather and Paul Charlie's parents have offered to host.

out next meeting will be on October 27 7:00pm to 8:30pm at their home 407 fair St. Petaluma ca 94952. the topic will be: foundation for healthy development of young children, the 4 lower senses.

and much time for conversation like we did last time.

please rsvp so I know how many parents to expect.

see you Thursday

maayan

Re: Recipe from today's picnic

Thank you Alexis! Those were so delicious as were all the wonderful dishes that people brought. I'd also love to get the recipe for the small stuffed potatoes. Not sure who brought those? :-)

Maayan, thank you for organizing a special time together. The setting was beautiful and the crafts were really lovely. We appreciate all you do! 

Dana 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 16, 2014, at 1:51 PM, Alexis Tejeda <alexisltejeda@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all! I apologize in advance for sending this out to everyone, but I thought it would be the easiest way to get the recipe for the coconut apricot balls out to those who had asked. 

1 cup dried apricots

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 TBS maple syrup

1 TBS meted coconut oil

Pour all ingredients into a food processor and pulse it all together. Roll into balls and place on a plate. Freeze for an hour, then store in the refrigerator. 

It was great to see everyone today! 

Take care,

Alexis

Recipe from today's picnic

Hello all! I apologize in advance for sending this out to everyone, but I thought it would be the easiest way to get the recipe for the coconut apricot balls out to those who had asked. 

1 cup dried apricots

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 TBS maple syrup

1 TBS meted coconut oil

Pour all ingredients into a food processor and pulse it all together. Roll into balls and place on a plate. Freeze for an hour, then store in the refrigerator. 

It was great to see everyone today! 

Take care,

Alexis

Picnic thursday and lantren walk

Dear Parents

we will have our fall picnic this Thursday from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

we will share food and have 3 crafts to do together.

please bring plates cups and utensils for your family.

our lantern walk will be on 11/13 at oak hill park.

more about this later.

In the mornings, after drop-off, I would like to come in and tell our morning story at 8:45 so please drop off before hand.

if you are late please wait for the curtain to be opened to come in to avoid disruption, and drop-off quickly, it is disruptive to the other children when parents stay a long time at drop off.

The last parent evening was successful and many of you wanted to have more such meetings. Heather and Paul Charlie's parents have offered to host.

out next meeting will be on October 27 7:00pm to 8:30pm at their home 407 fair St. Petaluma ca 94952. the topic will be: foundation for healthy development of young children, the 4 lower senses.

and much time for conversation like we did last time.

please rsvp so I know how many parents to expect.

see you Thursday

maayan

Potluck next thursday 10/16

Dear Parents

Our fall potluck is next Thursday at 11:00 to 12:30.

We will share some lunch together and have 2 small simple activities to make with the children.

We have collected sunflower seeds from the garden and will fill little bags with some to take home and plant in the spring. we will also fill little bags with lavender that was collected in the garden to take home and enjoy the fragrance.

A note about supervision, when we are all together in a large group, I am here to help, but each parent is responsible for their child, please be mindful of that on Thursday or at pick up times.

Please bring plates and utensils from home to the potluck lunch.

I look forward to Thursday

Warmly

Maayan

Re: open arms

Dear Parents

Thank you to all the parents who came to the parent evening, I hope the rest can join us next time.

We had good conversation, I hope we can continue to support one another in this important and challenging parenting work!

One thing I want to make sure is that you all feel welcome and not judged.The t.v. and media talk or the gun play or even the how and when to offer choices to the children, are hard topics, and every family has their own way, the most important thing is to see how it impacts our children and decide from watching their behavior what the right approach is for each child.

I have strong feelings about some topics mainly the media, from observing the children play, but don't want anyone to feel that there is a t.v. police here.

With much thanks to you for bringing your children here.

Warmly

Maayan

On Monday, September 29, 2014 2:24 PM, Michael Schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear parents 

I look forward to our parents evening tomorrow at 7pm.

Also this Thursday nellie and barb will be here and Friday we are closed as I am out of town till Sunday.

Please look at the school year calendar for the days we are closed.

Best

Maayan 

On Sep 4, 2014, at 7:03 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear parents

Just a reminder that we will not get together this Saturday, as I previously wrote in the last e mail, instead we will have a parent night here on Tuesday 9/30 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

Our fall picnic/pot luck, will be held here at 11:00 on Thursday 10/16.

More details about the picnic later, but please let me know if you can come to either event.

The topic for the parent evening will be the challenges we have raising our children. I hope we can talk of some of the challenges we have as parents and also come up with some ways to help. I feel we can support each other and help one another so even if you are not feeling particular challenged at the moment your experience can help someone else. I learned a lot from everyone who came to the last parent evening. we will also experience water color painting, an activity the children do here at school.

Have a good weekend

I look forward to see some of you in the morning and next week

warmly

Maayan

Re: open arms

Dear parents 

I look forward to our parents evening tomorrow at 7pm.

Also this Thursday nellie and barb will be here and Friday we are closed as I am out of town till Sunday.

Please look at the school year calendar for the days we are closed.

Best

Maayan 

On Sep 4, 2014, at 7:03 PM, michael schoeman <schoeman@att.net> wrote:

Dear parents

Just a reminder that we will not get together this Saturday, as I previously wrote in the last e mail, instead we will have a parent night here on Tuesday 9/30 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

Our fall picnic/pot luck, will be held here at 11:00 on Thursday 10/16.

More details about the picnic later, but please let me know if you can come to either event.

The topic for the parent evening will be the challenges we have raising our children. I hope we can talk of some of the challenges we have as parents and also come up with some ways to help. I feel we can support each other and help one another so even if you are not feeling particular challenged at the moment your experience can help someone else. I learned a lot from everyone who came to the last parent evening. we will also experience water color painting, an activity the children do here at school.

Have a good weekend

I look forward to see some of you in the morning and next week

warmly

Maayan

Ihsan's Birthday Dance Party This Saturday 2-4pm!

Hello Dear Friends!

Ihsan turned four on Monday and he has been very excited for weeks now about having a dance party with his friends. We didn't nail down final plans until this afternoon so I apologize for the late notice. We sincerely hope you can make it!

Here's the plan:

At 2pm this Saturday (yes, tomorrow), all our sweet little bears and bunnies gather at Dance Underground, 215 North Water St. (below the Thai Issan restaurant). Tutus or pretty dresses are encouraged but not required (Ihsan loves them!)...whatever makes your little one feel happy and ready to dance. The kids all have a fabulous time playing around on the dance floor.

We will have myself, Rebekah, our dear friend Alexandra, and all three of my older daughters to help us hold space for the children to express their highest potential (and to gently keep them from being too rough or rowdy). Parents are welcome but not required to stay with their children.

We're not planning to feed them sweets. We might come up with some non-sugary treat of some kind. We plan to encourage Ihsan to celebrate hobbit-style and make nice presents for his friends. Please do not feel obligated to bring presents; we have more than enough things and your presence is your greatest gift. Thank you!

We will gently wrap things up by 4pm so families can segue into dinner time.

Big love!

~Day (Ihsan's Dad)

open arms

Dear parents

Just a reminder that we will not get together this Saturday, as I previously wrote in the last e mail, instead we will have a parent night here on Tuesday 9/30 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

Our fall picnic/pot luck, will be held here at 11:00 on Thursday 10/16.

More details about the picnic later, but please let me know if you can come to either event.

The topic for the parent evening will be the challenges we have raising our children. I hope we can talk of some of the challenges we have as parents and also come up with some ways to help. I feel we can support each other and help one another so even if you are not feeling particular challenged at the moment your experience can help someone else. I learned a lot from everyone who came to the last parent evening. we will also experience water color painting, an activity the children do here at school.

Have a good weekend

I look forward to see some of you in the morning and next week

warmly

Maayan

Open Arms Newsletter 8/26/14

Dear Parents     8/26/14

The first 3 days of the school year were very successful; the children are renewing their friendships and meeting new friends. Thanks to everyone for the well planned and fast goodbyes in morning drop off, it has helped the first few days of transitioning back to school be smooth for most children.

We will not have a parent evening on Saturday the 6^th, we will have a harvest picnic instead, with the children, on a Thursday in October at 11. This will be a fun get together for all of us to meet each other and new families, similar to the picnic at the end of the year in May.

I will find another evening for a parent evening here at my home and let you know soon. And In November we will celebrate our evening lantern walk again at the park, more on that in another e mail.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about our day, your child or anything else. Open communication between myself and parents has always worked in the children's favor since we both love the children and spend much time with them.

Please remember to pay for august as September invoices will be e mailed out soon. There is a once a yearly $50.00 material fee for supplies, due in September as well.

I am looking forward to see the rest of the children in the coming weeks and want to remind us that it takes time for some children and adults to create strong friendships with other children and with teachers, especially now that some of their friends moved to kindergarten. One of the most important pieces of preschool is the process of learning to create theses friendships.

The story I am telling the children this week is about little fawn who is sitting under some trees on a patch of dry soft grass. A Robin red breast fly down to see him and asks: little fawn, little fawn are you lost and all alone? And little fawn says:  no, mother said to quietly wait, she will come back and will not be late. And so more animals gather and ask the same question and each time Fawn answers the same.  Bear comes yawning from his den, squirrel is looking for nuts for winter, Rabbit and lamb come too. They all gather round fawn who begins to wonder when is mother going to come back, and did she really say that?.

Robin sings Fawn a song:    

Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. 

The circle is round it has no end, that how long I want to be your friend.

Bear tells Fawn a story, squirrel shares his nut and lamb keeps him warm and cozy.

Then mother comes back and gives fawn a kiss, and if things have not changed she always comes back when she makes a promise, (Mother stands for a loving parent).

I hope this story can help the children, during these first days of school remember that parents come back and give validation to their emotions. Next week we will try and act it as a play.

Thanks again for bringing the children here

best

Maayan

Summer and Fall

Dear Parents

We have Had a lovely Summer together with play, crafts and our wonderful hikes twice a week.

The children are very strong and able to hike well together.

On the hikes and at our Playgarden the children play was very imaginative and rich, I was so happy to see that.

As you well know we are taking a break and will return on Thursday 8/21.

Those who will return in August will receive a bill for August, please mail a check or drop it off here at my mail box.

I have attached some pictures from our summer together. Unfortunately I lost some when I had some problem with my phone. I am sorry but the memories of our wonderful time together will last a lifetime.

I would like to continue the hike days on Fridays in the fall, weather permitting. it is lovely to experience the changing seasons in the same place out in nature. Those of you that are signed up for Fridays please let me know what you think about it.

I will send you all a confirmation of the days your child is enrolled in the fall, before we get back on 8/21.

Have a great rest of your summer.

With Much Love

Maayan

Re: open arms news letter 5/13/14

Dear Parents

I want to thank you and the children for the love, attention and gifts for my birthday.

I felt very cared for, just spending the day with the children was a wonderful way to spend my birthday.

you were all very generous and kind.

Please remember our end of year picnic on Thursday may 29th at 11am here.

It is a pot luck lunch so please bring something to share and plates and utensil for yourself.

I will tell the children a story followed by a small gift and the children who move to kindergarten will receive the end of year book. All the rest may order one from me they are about $30, yes they get more and more expensive every year. I will place the order in the next 2 days so please let me know soon.

I will have a copy for us to keep here that the children can look at.

I attached some reading material if you would like to look at. (one attachment two links)

http://movingtolearn.ca/2014/ten-more-reasons-why-handheld-devices-should-be-banned-for-children-under-the-age-of-12

http://movingtolearn.ca/2014/ten-steps-to-successfully-unplug-children-from-technology

With much gratitude and Love

Maayan

  

Open Arms newsletter

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break and celebration last week.

Here at Playgarden we have sung spring songs and planted seeds in the garden, we baked bunny bread last week, and I told them how I saw so many hares coming out of the ground in the meadows now that spring is here.

The children are playing with water and can finally take off their shoes when the weather permits, they love the feeling of their feet in the sand and grass.

Our new play house is a great addition as well.

Thanks to Neko's family for the new swing, wheel barrow and digger also wonderful additions to inspire the children's play.

I would like to welcome Neko to our play garden he will start this week.

Our beloved rabbit Mr. Buttons passed away while on break. I did all I could to help him with the vets help but he was too sick.

I told the children a story and it seemed to help. In the story, however, Pippin, our little bunny, takes on the responsibility of looking after the garden and sitting still for the children to pet him. This might take some work as he is not as patient as Mr. Buttons was. But he promised Mr. Buttons (in the story) to do his best.

This week I am telling the story of Briar Rose. It is a Grim fairytale. I chose to tell this story because this year we have a lot of older children that are going to kindergarten. Usually these stories are told in kindergarten but this group really needs the challenge. Another reason I chose to tell the story is because many of the children watched the movie Frozen. They have been acting it out and singing the theme songs over and over as is very common after watching a movie. The children try and process and retell the story in order to understand it. When the story comes in a form of a movie though it leaves a great impression since at this age they learn through creating images and are developing their imagination. Hence why we suggest as little media as possible.

The story of Briar Rose, when told close to the original form, is full of symbolism and messages about childhood and growing up to maturity. Theses are not messages the children perceive consciously but are told to as "soul food". As an example, when the princess pricks her finger at age 15, and falls asleep only to wake when the prince comes, it speaks of the letting go of early childhood and taking on the transformation to adulthood. The princess and prince marry and live contented together can be seen as the unity of the masculine and feminine in each of us at maturity.

Please remember our end of the year picnic here on May 22 at 11:00 here at playgarden. Please bring something to share, it is a pot luck.
Also I will be making photo books with pictures of the children.

Those that are moving to kindergarten will receive one as a present; however, the rest can buy it at cost price. I will let you know the price before I order.

If you object to have your child's picture in the book please let me know. I use Shutterfly to create the books.

Happy Spring.

Warmly,

Maayan

open arms news letter

Dear Parents:

As most of you saw, we have one baby goat (kid) and one lamb to care for for a few weeks.

Their bleating can be heard throughout the yard.  It is a new experience for all of us.

They still drink from a bottle 3 times a day and the children have watched me feed them.

The children are very careful and kind to the new babies.  It is wonderful to see. 

Please remember to come to the parent evening next Thursday at 7:30 here at Play Garden.

I would like to have our end of year picnic here at 11:30 on May 22.  It is a pot luck, so bring a dish to share and your own plates and utensils.

Happy spring

Maayan

open arms newsletter

Dear parents,

The garden is beginning to bloom and there are birds and bugs to hear and see in the garden. Butterflies and bees are busy waking up from winter's sleep and working in the garden.

The children are very active and with the time change this week we are spending more time outside.

We ate morning snack on the grass, picnic style, yesterday and continued to play outside immediately after.

One of our songs at circle time reflects what we see around us in nature every day:

Spring is coming, Spring is coming

Birdies building their nests.

Weave together straw and feather,

each one doing their best.

Another verse we say:

A caterpillar crawled to the top of the tree

I think I will take a nap said he.

So under a leaf he began to creep,

to spin his cocoon and fall fast asleep.

He slept and he slept all winter long,

until spring came along one day and said:

Wake up wake up sleepy head

Wake up wake up and get out of bed.

So he opened his eyes that sunshiny day,

and lo! he was a butterfly and flew away.

We crawl on the floor like caterpillars and then fall asleep only to wake up at spring time and fly like a butterfly and then repeat it again.

The crawling movements and then laying still are very healing for the children. It is also important to know how to fly around without bumping into friends and then calming down and becoming a caterpillar again.

Here are some dates to remember:

April 3rd Parent evening here at 7:30 (Parents only, please rsvp if you are coming unless you already did).

April 7th to 11th we are closed for spring break.

Coming up in May is our end of the school year picnic.

Enjoy the wonderful weather

Warmly

Maayan

open arms parent evening

Dear Parents

I had scheduled a parent evening here on march 20th not knowing that my son's class has their play performance then.

I would like to reschedule it to April 3 at 7:30 pm at my home.

The topic is finger play, songs, rhythm  and reading readiness. I would like to teach some of the children's favorite songs and speak about the importance of it.

It is also a great opportunity to meet other parents in our school comunity.

Please let me know if you can make it.

Best

Maayan

Gordon Neufeld Talks

Dear Parents

This is the updated information for Gordon Neufeld talks

How to Keep Children Safe in a Wounding World"

Wednesday, March 5th, 2014. 7-9pm. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. Santa Rosa, CA

https://neufeldsonoma2014.eventbrite.com

"Heart Matters: What To Do With a Child's Feelings"

Thursday, March 6th. 7-9pm. Unity in Marin. Novato, CA.

http://neufeldheartmatters.eventbrite.com

"Making Sense of Aggression & Defiance in Children"

A Two-Day Professional Training (open to all)

Friday-Saturday, March 7th & 8th, 2014. 9am-4pm. Unity in Marin. Novato, CA.

https://neufeldtraining2014.eventbrite.com

Best

maayan

Valentine's Day

Dear Parents

Happy valentines day to everyone!

I hope you can all enjoy the hearts the children made, some worked very hard on sewing the lavender pouches.

We collected the lavender in the fall of last year here in the garden.

It is important to me to craft with the children things that make sense, are practical and fun. Sewing the heart and the pouches is a great fine motor skill activity, the lavender is from our garden and they were part of collecting it.

This week I am telling the children a story about a prince that is looking for the best valentine gift to give his friend the princess.

The king and queen agree that only a heart will do.

So he goes looking for a heart.

First he stops at the jewelers but when he pays for a heart and walks out with it, it is not so shiny anymore and he does not think that a heart he paid for is the right present. He returns it and walks on past a bakery.

There he sees a cake shaped as a heart. He asks to buy it but the baker gives it to him. However as he carries it out it feels heavier and heavier to carry and he thinks that a heavy heart is not the right gift so he returns it to the baker.

He walks on until he comes to a man selling birds. He sees the most beautiful birds and they sing beautiful songs. But one song is the sweetest and he asks the man about it. He finds out that it belongs to a blind white dove. The dove is singing because her heart is happy. He asks to buy the dove but the saller gives it to him because he is willing to take care of a blind bird.

The princess loves the bird and declares that it is the best valentine she got.

Together they sit in the sun listening to her song.

The children like this simple story, we will act it out as a play on Friday and when we get back from our break.

We will be closed next week and back on Monday 2/24.

Thank you to all that have returned paperwork. Just a reminder that the summer weeks we are open are filling up as a first come first serve and I would need a deposit for the weeks your children are attending school.( in the summer ).

Have a great week

best

Maayan