Apple Tree Montessori

Sept.Oct.2011 6 3 0 1 S . W . 1 6 0 T H Av e . Davie, FL 33331

Welcome Back Students

Upcoming Events!
September:
12th 15th Fundraiser with Charleston Wraps will begin. Extracurricular Meeting (Extra-Curricular Info.) 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Meeting) Babysitting $2 per child First Aid & CPR Class 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
(Sign up in the office, $13)

Principals Corner
Dear Parents: Another fantastic year is underway! We have several new teachers and assistants on board, all of whom are enthusiastic and ready to work with your children. We are all here for your children and will work hard with you towards their continued success!! Please note, PTO is by committee, and if you would like to participate in any of the committees, please contact Ms. Breen. Thank you for your cooperation, support and dedication to the Montessori Educational System. Ms. S Levine

17th 26th 27th

5th & Middle School Open House 6:30-7:30 p.m. Elementary School Open House (K-4th) 6:30-7:30 p.m.

October:
6th 10th 13th Preschool Open House 6:30-7:30 p.m. Closed/ Columbus Day PTO Juice Blends 3:00-7:00

17th -21st
20th 22nd

Book Fair
Picture Day (see details inside) School Beautification Saturday from 8:00-1:00 (Detailed information to follow in October) International Day (During the school day) Early Release 12:00/ Teacher Planning (Aftercare provided)

28th 31st

Visit www. atmontessori.com to register and receive email updates regarding school activities. Also, this year the website has been updated to include: school holidays, hurricane updates (when needed) school closings, PTO events and communications, pictures, and additional information for those new to the school. Refer to the calendar for upcoming events.

Extracurricular Meeting
On Thursday, September 15th, we will be holding the first meeting of the school year. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. For those who are interested in signing your child up for extra-curricular activities, this is the day to mark on your calendars. Remember that classes fill up quickly! Babysitting will be available at a cost of $2.00 per child. Please see the list of the activities on the last page of the newsletter.

New Extra Curricular Clubs

Gymnastics, Pre-k Cooking
This year we continue offering the same great clubs such as Art, Chess, Debate, Drama, Journalism, Science, Spanish, Swimming and Yoga. Dont forget to sign up at the first Extracurricular meeting on September 15th, at 6:30 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE: K-4th Grade

On Tuesday, September 27th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. we will be having Open House for parents to come and visit their childrens teachers and classrooms. Parents will be able to view their childs work as teachers present the curriculum for the year. We ask that only parents attend due to limited space.

Charleston Wraps Fundraiser Sponsored by Apple Tree PTO

The purpose of the fundraiser will be to continue supporting our science lab, as well as some cultural enrichment programs. In addition, part of the funds raised will be used for the creation of a school garden, that will include planting boxes of herb gardens, vegetables, butterflies, fruits, etc. The fundraiser will start on Monday, Sept 12th. Each child will bring an envelope home with all the information on how to purchase items. Please return them by Sept. 27th. Thank you for supporting our school!

International Festival
Friday, October 28th the students at Apple tree will be participating in an International Festival throughout the school. Each class has selected a country for which they will plan a presentation to all fellow students. on that day . More information will be provided by each teacher as we get closer to the date.

OPEN HOUSE:
5th-Middle School
On Monday, September 26th from 6:307:30 p.m. we will be having Open House for parents to come and visit their childrens teachers and classrooms. Parents will be able to view their childs work as teachers present the curriculum for the year.

Preschool Parents,
Do not forget to fill out the Contact Information Forms given by your childs teacher. It is valuable personal information about your child so that teachers can get to know your child better. Also, remember that if you are planning on celebrating your childs birthday at school, we encourage you to bring one the following for each child in the class: mini cupcakes with no icing, muffins, and/or cookies. Please NO juice, goodie bags, hats or any decorations.

Preschool Shown Tell

This year we will be having Show and Tell every Monday .Your child may bring a book or object related to the months science topic . Also, we would like to encourage children to tell about the item they bring in. Parents may send in a short writing on the topic chosen for Shown Tell.

HOT LUNCH is available on a weekly or monthly basis. Orders must be placed by Friday morning of the week prior. Menus are in the office. If you choose to pack a lunch, please be aware of the school policies: NO SODA, NO CANDY, & LIMIT LUNCHABLES (Lunchables, in general are high in sodium and fat!) Remember that balanced, healthy meals are the fuel that keep your childs engine running smoothly!! FRIDAYS at Apple Tree are Pizza Days! Bring $5/ Elem. & middle; $4/ Preschool & toddlers for pizza (included in hot lunch), drink and dessert.

First Aid and CPR training will be offered at school on Saturday, September 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost is $13.00. Come and sign up in the office.

Hurricane Notice

During hurricane season, please visit the schools website. Also, please note that if Broward County Public Schools are closed, we will be closed. However, once a storm passes and the school has electricity, water, and the roads are clear, the school will open for regular hours.

SCHOOL PICTURES Individual photos will be taken the morning of Thursday, October, 20th. Please remember that your child should wear school uniform. Kindergarten & 8th grade pictures will be in cap & gown. Please send in your order form with payment on or before October, 19th.
Elementary Birthday Celebrations
Remember that if you are planning on celebrating your childs birthday at the school, we encourage you to bring one of the following for each child in the class: mini cupcakes with no icing, muffins, and/or cookies. Please NO juice, goodie bags, hats or any decorations.

Car Pool Protocol

The car pool lane is a service we provide to assist in drop off & pick up. Please observe the following guidelines: School opens at 7:15 a.m. A.M. car pool lane drop-off is from 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Dismissal is as follows: Preschool Part-Time: 11:50 -12:00 noon Preschool Full-Time: 2:30 pm Kindergarten/ 1st & 2nd Grade: 2:45 pm 3rd, 4th ,& 5th Grades: 3:00 pm 6th, 7th, 8th Grades: 3:10 pm Please do not get out of your car! A teacher will take your child to you or from you. Preschool Parents display your childs name on the dashboard. Have car seat on sidewalk side. Please pull your car all the way to the front of the line. Please if you have business in the office, you must park in the parking lot. Please do not attempt to have a conversation with your childs teacher during car pool. Even a short talk can cause a big backup. Please drive slowly through the parking areas. Those are OUR children out there !!! Please drop your child off on the sidewalk. Do not drop them at the crosswalk! Parents should not go to the classrooms without checking in with the office. Elementary and Middle school children will walk and carry their belongings to the classroom by themselves. Only Middle School students may go through the side central gate. If you are earlier than your pick up time, please go to the parking lot, wait until it is your childs dismissal time, then precede to carpool line.

We want to welcome the following new staff members: Rebecca Mata Assistant Teacher Red Room Maria Miranda Teacher in Kindergarten Room Luky Hadler Assistant in 4th Grade Erika Kendall Assistant in 5th Grade Shany Palant - Teacher in Blue Room Elena Guzman Teacher in Middle School Nicole Warren Teacher in Middle School

Important Notice to Parents Any medicine MUST come to the office and is kept in the office. This is for the safety of not just your child, but others as well. A yellow permission to dispense form must be filled out and turned in with the medication in the front office.

Come See Your Child At Work

Parent Classroom Visitation will begin in Mid-October. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the office offering two days per week for observation (contact teachers directly for grades 5th and Middle School for observation times). Visitation is available throughout the year (except in December and May). Due to limited space, you may visit up to three times a year, allow two months between visits. The class time on sign up sheets varies, so be sure to confirm. Please be aware that if your pre-school child gets very upset when you leave, you will be asked to take him/her with you!! Note to New Parents: If you have any questions about classroom visitation, please come by the office for more details.

Policies Late Pick Up

Extended care for your child is available on a monthly basis until 4, 5 or 6 p.m.. The hourly rate of $4.00/child can be paid immediately or it will be on your account. After 6:00 pm the late fee is $5.00 per 5 minutes This should be paid in cash to the Aftercare Staff. Homework room or Extended Care until 4 p.m. is $60 per month, Extended Care until 5 p.m. is $80,and Extended Care until 6:00 p.m. is $100 per month. If your child is enrolled in the Extended care, the Homework room is already included.

Extracurricular Activities Begin October 3rd!

Sign up for extracurricular activities on September 15th at the Extracurricular meeting, later sign-up sheets will be in the main office. All fees are monthly, and are due with tuition by the 5 th of the month, except Piano, Sports & Yogayou may pay the Teachers directly or leave money in the office.

DANCE, SWIMMING AND SPORTS

DANCE classes incorporate the fundamentals of creative movement, hip-hop/jazz and ballet technique. Dance instructor Meredith Dreyfuss
is an experienced teacher and performer; classes will be held on Monday, time varies according to age. Cost $60/month 4 lessons

SWIMMING with Ms Bernandety will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays; registration forms are in the office. Time vary according to
age and ability. Swimming is based on eight lessons, twice a week for $96.

SPORTS with Ms. Nuzzi *Friday Preschool & Kinder from 2:453:30 pm; 1st grade6th from 3:304:30pm.Cost $52/month YOGA
with Ms. Nuzzi * Thursday 2nd 8th grade from 3:10 4:00 pm . Cost $52/month *Fees are to be paid Ms Nuzzi or write checks to cash (you may leave payments in the front office).

CLUBS
Cost per month based on four meetings once a week is $52.
BEGINNING ART CLUB with Ms. Garofalo, Preschool Thursday or Friday, 3:003:50; Kindergarten on Wednesday at 3:00-4:00 ART CLUB
The ever-popular art club will again be taught by Mrs. Sharon Lettera...sign up quickly!! 4th grade-Middle; Monday, at 3:20 4:30 pm & 1st, 2nd & 3rd; Tuesday, 3:20 4:30 pm BEGINNING SPANISH CLUB with Ms. Torres, KindergartenMonday 3:00-3:50 pm; Preschool-Wednesday at 3:00-3:50 pm

ADVANCED SPANISH CLUB (1st gradeMiddle) with Mrs. Ruiz will be offered on Monday at 3:10-4:00 pm COOKING CLUB with Ms. Catalina will be on Tuesday at 3:15-4:30 pm 1st&2nd grades; and Friday Pre-K & Kinder 2:45-3:30 pm SCIENCE CLUB with Ms. Kaufmann will be on Friday; Kindergarten & 1st at 3:00 pm-3:45 pm; 2nd & 3rd & 4th at 3:45-4:45 pm DEBATE CLUB with Ms. Tabon will be on Tuesday; 3rd grade & up at 3:25 pm - 4:30 pm CHESS CLUB with Mr. N. Levine & Ms. Kaufmann will be offered Tuesday, Kindergarten & up at 3:15 pm4:15 pm DRAMA CLUB with Mr. N. Levine will be offered on Thursday, 2nd grade & up at 3:15 pm-4:15 pm MATH & LOGICAL THINKING CLUB with Ms. Ali & Ms. Pearl from 3:15 pm4:15pm on Thursday 1st - 5th grade YEARBOOK with Ms. Warren will be offered on Thursday from 3:15-4:30, for all Middle School students **GYMNASTICS with Ms.Marcella will be held on Wednesday, Pre-K 2:45 pm-3:30 pm and K2nd 3:30pm4:30 pm PILATES/YOGA for Preschoolers with Ms.Olga will be every Thursday 3:10 pm4:00pm

MUSIC
PIANO will be offered Monday through Thursday by Ms. Barbara Magaldo for students in Kindergarten and up.
The fee is $100/month/4Half hour lessons. Please write checks to Barbara Magaldo or to cash (you may leave payments in the front office). There will be an additional fee for books. ** New Clubs for school year 2011-2012
~Writing Matters also offers a class of Creative Writing for students 2nd-8th grades every Monday here at Apple Tree . The class is not part of the extracurricular classes offered by Apple Tree. For more information on class time and pricing, please contact them at (954) 895-2090.~