december 2016 from the director joan harrison · 1900 cochran road pittsburgh, pa 15220 ... we will...

1900CochranRoadPittsburgh,PA15220mushroomfamily.orgmflcdirector@hotmail.com412-531-1225DECEMBER2016

…………………………………………………JAN.TUITIONDUENOW-DEC.1Setuponlinebill-paywithyourbank…andhaveitdoneforyou!First-halffundraisingfeedueDec.12.…………………………………………………Barnes&NobleBookFairFundraiser–Dec.2In-store,caféandonline!Seelastpagefordetails.………………………………………………PenguinsPackage(andothers!)RaffleticketsalesDec.5-9100%tofundraisingfee.Seelastpage.……………………………………………….Dec.13-14-PlayItForward“Stuff-a-Truck”atMushroom…………………………………………………MFLCBoardMeeting–Dec.14…………………………………………………FosterLoveProjectdonationsdueDec.15………………………………………………..WinterBreakDec.21-31Dec.20isthelastday;classesresumeJan.3.…………………………………………………NoClassJan.16MartinLutherKingJr.Day………………………………………………..In-HouseRegistrationfor2017-18schoolyearstartsJan.23………………………………………………..OutsidePlay–Wewillgooutsideifit’s25+degreesandnorain.Pleasebesureyourkidsarepreparedwithlabeledcold-weathergear.………………………………………………ProperShoes–Pleasebesureyourchildhasproperplayshoes(closedtoewithaback),especiallyonmovementday.………………………………………………EnrichmentClassesand“Munchin’Lunchin’”ContactMs.Melissaatmelissa.oprison@gmail.com.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::WaystoHelpMFLC-Youcaring.com/mushroom-family-learning-center-smile.amazon.com-UnitedWayagency#is885339.-GiantEagleApplesfortheStudentsprogram#is5245.-SaveTysonProjectA+labels.

FromtheDirector~JoanHarrisonAsthefirstpartoftheschoolyearends,wearereflectingonthetimewespentwithfamiliesduringconferences.Itwasatimetohavemeaningfulconnections,tocelebratesuccessanddiscusshopesforthefuture.Wethankallfamiliesfortakingtimeoutoftheirschedulestoparticipateintheseimportantmeetings.ThankyoutoallwhoattendedourThanksgivingfeasts.Itwassuchaspecialtimeforsharingandgiving.Thechildrenreallyrealizedtheideathattheschoolismuchlargerthantheclassroomtheyattend.Thankyoutoalltheparentvolunteerswhocameinbeforeandonthedayofthefeasttohelpthechildrenprepareforthecelebration. Thankyoutoallthemagnificentteacherswhoweresuchahugepartofthefeast,frominvitationsanddecorationstofoodpreparationandpreparingyourchildrenfortheentertainment.Thisissuchadedicatedstaffwhocaresomuchforyourchildrenandlovethemeveryday.Igivethankseachandeverydaytoworkwithsuchawesomewomen.Ican’tbelieveDecemberisalreadyhere,bringingusto2017rightaroundthecorner.ThisisashortmonthsincewewillcloseforWinterBreakDecember21–January2.WewillresumeclassesonJan.3,2017.Thisallowsanicebreakforourteacherstorejuvenateandthechildrentohavequalitytimewiththeirfamilies.Theholidayseasonisatimetoenjoyfamilyandfriends,practicetraditionsandcreatememories.Itisatimetoreflectonwhatisimportantinourlives.Eachfamilyhasitsownwayofcelebratingduringthisseason.Luckily,theholidaysprovideplentyofopportunitiesforallofustobepositiverolemodelsforourchildren–showingthemthatwehaveconsiderationforothersofdifferentreligious,racial,andeconomicbackgrounds.Remember:childrenlearnbywatching.Seeingustreatingotherswithrespect,aswellasbeinggenerouswithourtimeandtalents,will“goalongway”towardteachingthemrealvalues.Thismonth,weatpreschoolwillbefocusingonholidaytraditionsandaboutsharingwithothers.Asweenterintothewinterseasonandcoldmonthsahead,ourparkinglotandwalkwaysmaybeslippery.Walkingslowlyandwearingweather-appropriateshoesmayhelppreventafall.Pleaseholdontoyourchildrenandwatchthemcarefullyasyouenterandexittheschool.WeatMFLCwouldliketothankyounotonlyforchoosingourprogram,butalsoforthetrust,supportandlovesharedwithallofus.Onbehalfofthestaff,Iwishallofourfamiliesawonderfulholidayseason.Happy2017,andtaketimetoplay!Thankyouforsharingyourchildrenwithus.Weareallsoexcitedandenergizedforaterrificyearahead.Reminder: Always make sure that your child does not run through the halls, open or linger by a door, and does not leave the building unescorted. Children must never enter or leave a classroom without a parent/guardian. In general, please be respectful, as we share space with Beth El. Let’s work together to keep our children courteous and safe!

43years!

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FromtheBoardPresident~ErinBetlerLongago,peoplefoundawaytolightthedarkness.Theybuiltfirestokeepwarmandcooktheirfood.Tohelpthemseeatnight,theylearnedtomakecandlesandlanterns.Lightwassoimportantintheirlivesthattheycametouseitinholidaycelebrations.Ineachoftheseholidays,lightplaysasignificantrole,markingandbrighteningspecialdays.CelebrationsofLightnowcircletheyearandtheglobe.Thecontemporaryholidayseasonoffersussomanywaystoaddlighttothedarkness:sparklingstringsoflightsadornhomesandbusinesses,shinywrappingpapersenvelopepresents,fireplacescracklewithblazinglightandwarmth,andglitterypreschoolcraftprojectsandornamentsshimmerthroughoutourhomes.Howfortunatewearetoenjoyavibrantpreschoolcommunitythatisbrightenedbyyourchildren’ssunnysmilesandtwinklingeyeseverydaythroughouttheyear.Withanewyearapproaching,wecanlookforwardtoaradiant2017withsomuchgratitudethatourMushroomcommunityisstrongandthriving.WearegratefulforthesupportandparticipationofallourteachersandfamiliesinourMushroomfamily.YouarethelightthatkeepsMushroomglowingandgrowing.Ourpreschoolistrulyaplacewhereglimmersoflightradiateonadailybasis.Thechildrenaretrulyallourlights.Asyouaddyourownlighttoyourhomeandstartthecountdowntogiftgiving,pleaseconsiderparticipatinginthismonth’sMFLCraffleticketfundraiser.TicketsaleswilltakeplaceDecember5-9.Lookforprizedetailsinthisnewsletter.Giveticketstoyoursignificantother,grandparents,orafriend.(Agifttoyou:100%oftheticketpricegoestowardyourfundraisingfee.)Pleasealsoconsiderbeingthesourceofsomeoneelse’slightbydonatingtoandparticipatinginourPlayItForwardgentlyusedtoydriveonDecember13and14.Yourdonationswillhelpotherswhomayneedarayoflightduringthehustleandbustleofholidayfestivities.

Ihopeyouenjoythelightoftheseason.AllmybestwishestoyouandyourfamilyforluminousholidaycelebrationsandabrilliantNewYear!

LittleSprouts–KelseyItisofteneasytogetoverwhelmedbytheday-to-daytasksassociatedwiththeholidaysandthenegativethingsyoumayhearandseeinthemedia.Sometimesitisourchildrenwhoremindusthatweneedtoslowdownandrememberthesimplicityoflife.Thismonth’sactivitiesincludedwaterexploration,songsandstoriesaboutThanksgiving,andpaintandPlay-dohfun.WatchingourSproutsinteractsowellwithoneanother:sharing,laughing,exploring,andsimplygetting

School delay/cancellation

MFLC will follow Mt. Lebanon School District

decisions during inclement weather: When

MTLSD is delayed, MFLC will be delayed; when MTLSD is canceled, MFLC will be

canceled. Delayed start time will be 10 a.m. for morning

classes which will dismiss at regular time; afternoon classes will begin on schedule. Please check local TV and cable

stations, email blasts and the school answering machine

when in doubt.

BIGThanksto…- Hollie DeLuca (Dominic, KToo; Lydia, 3s), for organizing and all who attended the Chick-fil-A spirit night, which netted $105! - Erin Betler (Sylvie, 3s) and Kate Gigliotti-Gordon (Lazlo, 3s; Rowan, Pre-K) for their work to finish our sandbox cover and trolley painting. - Kelly Lotter (Evan, 4s) for donating empty yogurt, applesauce and fruit cups for classroom crafts. - All the homeroom parents, family members, teachers and students who worked so hard to make our feasts so delightful!

[ Parents’ Corner ] Geletko family (Vivienne, 3/4s) Our family is new to MFLC! We love the safe, happy and encouraging environment provided by the school. As first-time preschool parents, we had a lot of anxiety sending our daughter, Vivienne, with food allergies to an environment without our supervision. We have received not only a warm reception and reassuring safety measures from the school, but also our lovely classmates in the 3/4s class! When Vivienne was diagnosed with food allergies at nine months old, we immediately educated ourselves on how to keep her safe. Our home became peanut and egg free, we learned how to cook (and eventually bake) without her allergens, and we navigated how to eat at restaurants and gatherings with family and friends. We take great pride in our efforts to teach Vivienne how to stay safe and to advocate for herself. We encourage you to talk with your children about the seriousness of food allergies and to teach them the importance of respecting their friends’ medical needs. You can start with reminding them to always wash their hands after eating, to keep snacks to themselves and not to mock or bully an affected child. Remember – a child with food allergies is kept safe by a network of family, friends and parents who work together. Thank you for being part of our network!

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alongisalessonforusgrown-ups.Aswecontinuethroughthisholidayseason,let’stakeamomenttorememberourchildrenandspendsometimewiththemkeepingitsimple.AngelaScwhindtwrites,“Whilewetrytoteachourchildrenallaboutlife,ourchildrenteachuswhatlifeisallabout.”

EarlyLearners–Amy,Sheila,andMarleneThemonthofDecembercanbealotoffun.Whetheryourfamilycelebratesvariousholidaysornot,thetimeleadingupto January1 ,NewYear’sDay,holdsmanyactivities,events,andsightstosee.Youmaywanttotakeasleighridedowntown,drivearoundandlookatsomeprettylights,orgotositonthatspecialsomeone’slapatthemall.Manyfriendsandfamiliesandevenemployershavepartiesandget-togethers,whichmaybechild-friendlyornot.Theremaybefancynewclothestowear,too! Duringthisbusytimeofyear,it’simportanttorememberthatthesethingsthatcanbesofunforusasadultscanactuallybequitestressfulforourchildren.Childrenreallyliketoknowwhattoexpect,andgivingthemaroutineaccomplishesthat.Evenifyourchildsays,“Nonap!Nonap!”itstillservesasamilestoneinhisday.Thespecialoutingsthatyouplan,whilelotsoffun,mightinterferewiththatschedule.Andthatworkpartymightbeanadults-onlyeventattheWilliamPennHotel,whichrequiresababysitter.Therearealsosensoryconcerns.Mallsandstoresareloudplaces.Waitinginlonglinesisfrustratingforallofus!Newsweatersandtaffetadressescanbeitchyorhot.Partiesandfamilydinnershavelotsofpeopleandmaybenewfaces.Lightdisplayscanbebackedupwhichrequireswaitinginlinewhilestuckinacarseat!Doesthismeanthatfamiliesshouldn’tplantodotheseexcitingthings?Ofcoursenot!Justbeawarethatthingsmaynotgoaccordingtoplan.Youmightnotgettheperfectphoto,oryourchildmightputherhandsonherearswhenyouhearthespecialmusic.Theitchysweatermighthavetocomeofftorevealtheboringonesieunderneath.Yourchildmightnotparticipateinthepageantafterall.Andguesswhat?It’sallfine.:)Everyotherfamilyintheworldhasexperiencedthesamethingatonetimeoranother(oreven10times!).Watchyourchildforclues,anddon'tbeafraidtothrowinthetowel.SometimesthingsweseeonTVoronlinesetusuptobedisappointed.Yes,therearefamiliesouttherewhomanagetogetpictureseveryyearwiththesamerockinghorseorwitheveryonestandinginfrontofthetreeGreat-Grandpaplantedyearsago.Butoneyear,youmightforgettotakeit,

orsomeonemightbemissing.Orthetreecouldneedtobechoppeddown!That’sOK.TheimportantthingisthatyourfamilyhasagreattimetogetherdoingwhateverisjustrightforYOU!Tohelpfosterthatroutineandpromoteasenseofsecurityforyourchildren,wewillbehavingclassasusualwithourfamiliarscheduleandtoys.Wewillcontinuetogooutsideastheweatherpermits,sodon’tforgettoputallthosecoatsandbootsandhatsandmittensinthatbigbag!Haveawonderfulmonth,andwelookforwardtosharing2017withyourchildrenandyou!

Threes–Jamie,Debbie,andAprilThedefinitionofrandomis“donewithoutaconsciousdecision.”Whentheword“random”isaddedtothesayingRandomActsofKindness,thedefinitionisgivenawholenewmeaning.Canyouimagineaworldwherekindnesswasnotathought-outplan?Aworldwherekindnesswasthefirstthoughtinourmindswhenmeetingsomeonewithdifferentbackgroundsorbeliefs?Imagineaworldwhereweteachourchildrentobefriendswitheveryoneandtoalwayshelpeachother.ICANimaginethisasIobservethenaturaltendenciesofourthree-year-oldstudents.Inourclassroom,wefocusonpositiveinteractions,helpingourpartnersandusingkindwordstogetourmessageheard.Welearnthatcommunicatingwithpositiveactionsiseasiertounderstandthanharshwords.Wecreateanenvironmentwherehelpingothersbecomessecondnature.And,itisawonderfulplacetobe.Thethree-year-oldsclasstookonthetaskofcompleting10RandomActsofKindnessinthemonthofNovember.Theprojectsweresimple,yetwhenweworkedasateamtheimpactonotherswasmagical…1.Wecollected65itemsoffoodfortheKosherFoodBankandSHIM.Theseitemseasilyhelpedfeedfamiliesinneed.2.Wecollected$100inchange,whichwastradedinfora$100giftcardtoGiantEagle.ThisgiftcardwasusedtofeedafewfamiliesduringtheThanksgivingholiday.

Foster Love Project ♥ Items for Foster Love Project bags are due Dec. 15!

☃ ☃ ☃ DressforSuccess!Nowthattheweatherisgettingcolder,werequestthatyousendyourchildreninappropriateoutdoorclothing:warmcoat,hat,mittens,snowpants,andbootswhennecessary.Itemsshouldbelabeledandplacedinthechild’sbag.Thechildrengooutsideeveryday,weatherpermitting–norainandatemperatureof25degreesorabove.Pleasebesureyourkidsalsohaveproperplayshoes,especiallyonmovementday.Thankyou!

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3.WecollectedenoughitemstomaketwoFOSTERLOVEPROJECTbackpackstohelpchildrentransitionintoafostercaresystem.4.Wemadebeautifulcardstocheerupamanwhowassickinthehospital.5.Wemadedeliciouscupcakesandhand-deliveredthemtothewonderfulteachersatMushroomFamilyLearningCenter.6.Weopenedourclassroomdoorsandinvitedournewfriendstoplaywithourtoys.7.Weplayednicelywiththetwo-year-oldstudents,treatingthemwithkindnessasweshowedthemaroundourroom.8.Wesaid“please”and“thankyou”duringsnack.9.Wecheeredonourclassmateswhentheyparticipatedinatalentshow.10.Wegaveourfriendsahugwhentheyweresad.Sharingkindnesswithotherscanbecompletedinmanydifferentforms.Ifweteachourchildrenatayoungagetohelpothers,thehopeisthattheypayitforwardtotheirownchildrensomeday.Givingisalwaysbetterthanreceiving.OurchallengeforyouistocompleteoneRandomActofKindnessduringthemonthofDecember.ItcanbeanunconsciousdecisiononedayatTargetasyouseeanelderlypersonstrugglingwhilecarryingoutherpackages.Youcouldgiveastrangerahugwhenyouseeheisdistressed.Youcouldpayfortheperson’scoffeeinthelinebehindyouatStarbucks.Finally,youcouldjustsayhellotosomeonewhowalkspastyouonthestreet.Letmeknowifyoucompleteakindactthatisespeciallyinspiringtoyou.Together,MushroomFamiliescanchangetheworld,onekindactatatime.

Three/Fours–Liz,MelissaandJamieNovemberisagreattimetofocusonbeingthankfulforwhatwehave.Weendeavoredtobemindfulthroughoutthemonthofthemanywonderfulpeople,things,andexperiencesthatenrichourlives.Although“thankful”maybe

anewwordforanabstractconcept,itisreallyjustputtinganameonwhatthechildrennaturallyfeel.Inthatspiritofgratitude,wesetaboutplanningourbiggestsharingprojectofthemonth:aFeasttosharewithourfamilies.Ourthemeforthemonthwas“Feast:Family,Friends,Food,andFun.”Weexploredideassuchashealthyfood,manners,celebration,sharing,cooperation,andgratitude.Nowthatthechildrenareaccustomedtotheirteachers,friends,andclassroom,wewerereadytoventureouttoexploreourlargerschoolcommunity.Wefoundmanyopportunitiestoengagewiththeotherclassesandteachers.WepracticedsongswithMissMarilyn’sandMissCara’sclasses.Comingtogetherforrehearsalsmayhaveaddedahecticnotetoourdays,butthesenseofcommunitythisexperiencecreatedwaswellworththeeffort.WepracticedbeingwelcominghostswhenweinvitedMissMarilyn’sclasstojoinusforsnacktime.Itwasalotoffunlearningaboutthebigkids!OnWelcomeWednesdays,weopenedtheclassroomdoorstocreateonebig,multi-agelearningexperiencewhenwecombinedwithMissCara’sclass.Itwasgreattoseethechildrenmakingnewfriendsandtakingadvantageoftwiceasmanylearningexperiences.WhetherwecelebrateThanksgivingoranotherholiday,weallhavetraditionsthatbringustogethertogivethanksforwhatwehaveinourlives.Sometimesthepreparationsseemdaunting.Shopping,planning,cleaning,decorating,traveling,cooking,cleaningsomemore,havingguests,visiting—allofthesecanfeellikechoresifweletthem.Seeingtheseexperiencesthroughthechildren’seyesaswemadeourwaythroughthemonthhelpedmeseetheminanewlight.Thedelightontheirfacesmadethereasonforthecelebrationandtheworthofoureffortsclear.Asadults,wehavegonethroughtheprocessofgettingreadyforaholidaymanytimes.Forthechildren,thismayhavebeentheirfirstexperienceofentertainingfriendsandfamily.Thefoodweprepared,thedecorationswemade,andtheentertainmentweprovidedwerethechildren’sgiftstoyou,offeredinthespiritofgenerosityandgratitude.WehopeyouenjoyedourlittleFeast!Nextmonthwewilltrytomakeourclassroomalow-keyrespitefromtheexcitementoftheholidayseason.Ourthemewillbe“Colors,LightsandShapesoftheSeason.”

Fours–LizandMelissa Icouldwriteaboutallthegreatactivitieswedidrelatedtoourthemeof“Feast:Family,Friends,Food,andFun!”Icouldtellyouaboutthebookswereadandtheartprojectswecreatedandtheteacher-facilitatedactivitieswecompleted.IfIdid,though,youwouldjustbewaitingtogettothegoodpart.Thatisexactlywhatthisgroupdoeseverydayaswemakeourwaythroughthestructuredpartsoftheday.

à ParkingLotSafetyRemindersn Driveslowlyandcarefully,especiallywhenbacking

out,andbeobservantofthecarsandpeoplearoundyou.

n Stayalertandkeepkidsclosetoyoufromtheclassroomtoyourcar.

n Parkingisnotpermittedinfrontoralongthesideoftheschool.

n Pleasenotethatthereisonlyonehandicappedspaceallottedclosetotheschoolbuilding,andalsoobservetheothersnearBethEl’scommunityentrance.

n Don’tleaveotherchildrenunattendedinyourvehicleorinthelot.

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WebegineachdaywithTableTime.Thechildrenarefreetochoosefromaselectionoftable-basedactivities,suchasrespondingtoajournalprompt,creatingwithartmaterials,playingastructuredgame,manipulatingplaydough,competingpuzzles,beadingnecklaces,andpracticingcuttingskills.Thecommonthemesarefinemotorskillsandpre-academicconcepts.AfterTableTime,wecometogetherontherugforGathering.Wereviewthequestionoftheday,readastory,sharenews,playgames,andhavegreatdiscussions.Icantellyou,though,thatnomatterhowengagedthechildrenareintheseopeningactivities,theytrulycometolifethemomentIannouncethatitistimeforfreeplay!Inaroomfulloffour-year-olds,playtimeisseriousbusiness.Theyareactivelyengagedincreatingtheirownlearningoneverylevel.Thislittlegrouphasbecomeaverytight-knitcommunity,andtheytendtosticktogetherthroughouttheday.Theirfavoritespotistheblockarea,buttheywilloftenmovetogetherasagrouptothedramaticplayarea,readingcorner,mathtable,or,occasionally,backtothetablestoexploretheartproject.Theyareindustriousinpursuingtheirvisionsandtestingtheirideas.Wecanseethegreataffectiontheyhaveforeachotherandthepleasuretheytakeineachother’scompany.However,asignificantpartoftheirdaysarespentinconflict.Howwillwesharethesematerials?Whoseideaisthebest?Whogetstotakethelead?Whowillsittogether?Howcanwecoexistpeacefullyinthesamespacewhensomeofuswanttoplayquietlyandotherswanttomoveourbodiesboldlyandloudly?Thesearethequestionsthatariseagainandagainindifferentways.Thisistruenotjustforourgroup,butforeverygroupoffour-year-oldsIhaveknown.Youmightaskyourselfwhytheyconsiderthistobethefunpart.People’sfeelingsgethurt.Theyoftendon’tgetexactlywhattheywant.Frustrationanddisappointmentarealwayswaitingjustaroundthecorner.Whydon’ttheyalljustgoplaybythemselves,orchoosetoreturntoastructuredactivity?Perhapstheyarediscoveringthatthebenefitsofbeingpartofarespectfulcommunityareabsolutelyworththediscomfortofworkingtogetalong.Theyarediscoveringthat,iftheylistentoeachotherandrespecteachother,theyhaveaccesstosomethinggreaterthanthemselves.Ifyoureallylisten,youmightfindthatyourfriendhasagreatidea!Ifyoutakesomeoneelse’sperspective,youmightlearnhowwonderfulitfeelstoletsomeonehavewhathe/shereallywants,especiallyifhavingitdidn’tmattersomuchtoyou.Ifyoumaketheefforttoexpressyourfeelingsandneedshonestly,youmightdiscoverhowdeeplysatisfyingitistobetrulyheardandunderstoodbysomeonewhocares,evenifyoustilldon’tgettohaveexactlywhatyouwant.Thisistheworkwedoeveryday.

Inthismonthofgratitude,Iamespeciallygratefulforourlittlecommunityoflearners.Theyarestilllearninghowtogetalongwithothers.Astheirteachers,MelissaandIcanshowthemspecificskillsformanagingtheirfeelingsandworkingtogether.Wecanhelpthemkeeptheprocessofnegotiationmovingforwardinwaysthatrespecteveryone’sfeelingsandrights.Wecanhelpthemfindthewordstheymightnotknowtoexpressthemselves.Butwebenefitfromtheexperienceatleastasmuchasthechildrendo.Wearetouchedbytheirwillingnesstostayconnected,respectful,andpresentinthemidstofconflictanddifficultfeelings.Wearemovedbytheirempathyforeachother.Andweareinspiredbytheircourageinspeakingtheirminds.Mostofall,theygiveushopeforthefuture.Inthewordsofmyfavoritepreschoolblogger,TeacherTom,“Ifourgoaliswell-adjusted,‘successful’citizens,weknowwhatweneedtodo.Intheearlyyears,itisn’taboutreadingormath.It’snotaboutlearningtositindesksorfillingoutworksheetsorqueuingupforthisorthat.Ifwearereallycommittedtoourchildrenwewillrecognizethattheirfuturesarenotdependentuponanyofthatstuff,butratherthisreallyhard,messy,emotionalworkwedoeverydayasweplaywithourfellowcitizens.”OurthemeforDecemberwillbe“Colors,Lights,andShapesoftheSeason.”Wewishyouajoyful,peacefulholidayseason.

Enrichment classes are available for those 4 and older on Mondays and/or Fridays each month; $15 per class. Contact Ms. Melissa at melissa.oprison@gmail.com. Days and Themes This Month… MONDAYS with Ms. Sheila Dec. 5: Read a story and take old, tired crayons and melt them into brand new ones! Dec. 12: After reading our snow story, make a snow creature out of “shredded” snow! Dec 19: Read camping and hiking stories and make trail mix to take home and share! FRIDAY with Ms. Marilyn Dec. 2 – A story and a gingerbread boy/girl bake and decorate!

Signupforenrichmentand/or“Munchin’Lunchin”!Supervisedlunchtimeis$8perdayforstudents3+.Enrichmentclassesare$15perclassforstudents4+availableonMondaysandFridays.ContactMs.Melissaatmelissa.oprison@gmail.com!

Does your child want to have more fun at Mushroom??!!

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Pre-K–Cara,Jane,MarleneandMelanieAsIwokeuponThanksgivingmorning,instantlythelyricspoppedintomyhead,“IfeelbetterwhenI’mdancing!”IcouldinstantlypicturedancingwithallofthechildrenonTuesdayforourfamilyandfriends.Ienvisionedthelooksofjoyandfeltmyheartfeelfull.Ipicturedthechildrenearlierinthemonthbakingourbutternutsquashmuffinsandblackbeanbrownies.Thechildrenworkedsohardoncreatingallofthewonderfuldecorationsthroughouttheclassroomandhowwonderfulitwastoseehowproudandexcitedtheyweretosharetheirclassroomcommunitywiththeirfamilies.Eachchildhadhis/herownuniquespecialpartofourHarvestCelebrationthatwasevidencedasIcaughttheirsmiles,excitementandjoythroughouttheday.Yourchildrenaresospecialtous.Yourfamilyissospecialtous.Thankyou.Iwouldliketoshareagainaquotefrom“TeachingtheCurriculumofGenerosity”becauseitcontinuestospeakvolumestowhatisimportantandwhatwearetryingto“unlock”…“Ifsomeonewastoaskaboutourlong-termhopesforourchildren,we’dprobablymentioncharactertraitslikethoughtfulness,passionandgenerosity.Thesequalitiesareeducationgoalsforthewholechild.Almostacenturyago,activistEmmaGoldmanhadthistosay:‘Noonehasyettorealizethewealthofsympathy,andthekindnessandgenerosityhiddeninthesoulofachild.Theeffortofeverytrueeducationshouldbetounlockthattreasure.’”OurMushroomcommunityisricherbecauseoftherelationshipsandgenerosityofspiritcreatedbetweenthechildren,teachersandfamilies.Melanie,Jane,MarleneandIcontinuetobehumbledandsothankfultobeapartofyourchild’scommunity.Sotruly,thankyou.

K-Too–MarilynTheholidayseasonisanexcitingtimeforchildren.Atfive,childrenbegintomakesenseoftimeandtraditionsthroughtheirownexperience.K-Tooisuniquelysuitedtoprovideanenvironmentforthemtoexplorethehistoryandlessonsofcelebrationsweseeallovertheworldandhereathome.InNovember,K-Toohadfunwiththegeography,maps,andarchitectureofPittsburgh.ForThanksgiving,wecreatedaplaythatdramatizedthecooperationbetweencolonialofficerGeorgeWashingtonandSenecatribechiefGuyasuta,inspiredbythesculptureofthemonMt.Washingtoncalled“PointofView.”ThetwomenmetattheconfluenceoftheAllegheny,Monongahela,andOhioriversinNovember1753tonegotiatewiththeFrenchonbuildingfortsonthepoint.Thechildrenlovedmakingcostumes,props,andscenery,whichfilledouttheirunderstandingof16thcenturygeo-politics,technology,andculturaldifferences.InDecember,wewillcontinueourjourneyaswelearnaboutworldholidaysandculturethroughimaginativeandcreativeexploration.

Mushroom Wish List ~ ~ ~ ~

◊ Emptyyogurt,applesauce,fruitcupsforcraftuse

◊ LittleTykesequipment(slides,climbers,houses,picnictables,etc.)

◊ Toylawnmowers◊ Clothes:underwear,socks,pants,

tops◊ Dress-upclothes/costumesyourchild

mayhaveoutgrown

✎Nothing in my bag todayAuthorUnknown

TodayIdidmathandscience,Itoastedbread,Ihalvedandquartered.Icounted,measured,usedmyeyes,andears,andhead.Iaddedandsubtractedontheway;Iusedthemagnet,blocks,andmemorytray.Ilearnedaboutarainbowandhowtoweigh.Sopleasedon’tsay,“Anythinginyourbagtoday?”Yousee,IamsharingasIplay.IlearnedtolistenandspeakclearlywhenItalk,towaitmyturn,andwheninsidetowalk;toputmythoughtsintoaphrase,toguideacrayonthroughamaze.Tosignmynameandwriteitdown,todoitwithasmileandnotafrown.Toputmypaintingbrushaway.Sopleasedon’tsay,“What,nothinginyourbagtoday?”I’velearnedaboutasnailandworm,rememberedhowtotakemyturn.Ihelpedafriendwhenhewasstuck,learnedthatwaterrollsoffaduck.Ilookedatwordsfromlefttoright,agreedtodiffernottofight.Sopleasedon’tsay,“Didyouonlyplaytoday?”

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Don’t Forget Mushroom When You’re Shopping!

smile.amazon.com✔ ChooseMushroomasyourcharityonsmile.amazon.comandaportionofyourpurchasesbenefitourschool!GiantEagle’sApplesfortheStudents✔ Thisistheeasiestwaytodonatetoourschool!Ifyouhaven’tregisteredanddesignatedMushroomasthebeneficiaryofyourpurchases,it’seasy:• Signintogianteagle.comorcreatean

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andenterthecodeoftheschoolthatyou’dliketoreceivepoints(5245forMushroom!).Youcanalsoregistertoearnpointsformorethanoneschool.