Tuesday, August 31, 2010

What to Bring To Helping Hands Family School:

What to Bring To Helping Hands Family School:

  • Inside shoes
  • a change of clothes (two sets)
  • photo of your child AND a photo of your family
  • rest time helpers (blanket, pillow, snugly or doll, pacifier
  • diapers or pull ups (if used) and one package of wipes
  • sunscreen if desired (clearly labeled please)
  • hat (if desired)
  • LUNCH ~ please let me know when you arrive if you have something that needs to go in the fridge

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Wednesdays Welcome Mallory

I am very happy to share that Mallory Banks Harden will be joining our Family School as an assistant teacher every Wednesday.  For those of you who have not met Mallory below is a brief introduction to this wonderful person.   
      A native of Belfast, Mallory Banks Harnden has strong ties to her community.  After graduating with honors from Bowdoin College in 2008 with a BA in English and a minor in Teaching, Mallory returned to her hometown and joined Jennifer Howard in the Toddler Program at Cornerspring Montessori School.  While she had worked with students in a variety of settings, including after-school programs, public school classrooms, summer art programs, and team sports, as well as with different age groups ranging from toddler to teen, Mallory found working with young children to be her greatest passion.  Her favorite parts of the day were exploring nature, sharing stories, and creating works of art.  She also had so much fun teaching yoga!
Outside of Helping Hands and her work with children, Mallory works at Sutherland Conservation & Consulting – an architectural preservation firm out of Augusta.  Mallory is a writer and artist.  She is especially interested in documenting the architectural and social history of Maine.  She loves to walk through the woods on her family’s farmland with her beagles, and to spend time with her new husband and their families.  Thank you for welcoming Mallory to the Helping Hands community!

Something Interesting...

I came across this article and website:  Maria Montessori.com and thought I would share it with all of you.  Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Yeah! For Families~

I am so happy all of you came to our first Open House! 
Thank you for bringing snacks and all the smiles.  The rain held off and our new playground felt the love from all the little ones exploring and enjoying!
Here's a photo of Rosabella taking a turn on the big slide. (Thank you for sharing Danielle and Justin!)


I hope your family enjoyed your time here as much as we enjoyed you visiting.
If you have not yet recieved your handbook or contract information please let me know as soon as possible, thanks!
With love and in PEACE,
Jennifer

Sunday, August 22, 2010

OPEN HOUSE

Helping Hands Family School will be having their first OPEN HOUSE Monday August 23rd
from 3:30 to 5:30.  All enrolled families are welcomed and encouraged to attend.  Should you be unable to make this event, please speak with Jennifer and arrange a time that you and your child can stop by and visit, before the start of school. 

OPEN HOUSE is an opportunity for everyone to meet one another, see the shared space and ask any questions you may have.  It's a time for the children to meet their teachers and classmates and to see their classrooms and playground. The Marshall family has offered to prepare veggies from their farm to share at Open House.  If you would like to bring snacks to share please let me know via phone or email.

While some materials have yet to arrive, most everything is in place and ready to be seen, played with and enjoyed!  My work this weekend is to organize the materials that have arrived and make this already beautiful space all that I've dreamed it would be. 
I am so excited and I hope all of you are also.

When you arrive Monday, you will be given a Family Folder that will contain an information sheet, a 'suggested items to bring to school' list, a photo release form, a brief parent survey and short list of what information I still need from you to complete your child's folder.  Please bring your signed contract with the $25 enrollment fee with you, Jenn will collect these and copies will be made so that this document can be added to your child's folder. 

It is my hope, once I figure out exactly how to do so, that I will be able to post the school calendar and handbook, here on this blog in PDF format so you can access the information you may need when you need it. 
Thank you for your patience~
Looking forward to Monday,
Jennifer Howard

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Building a Community

As we begin this new adventure together, I am reminded of a poster I saw once from Syracuse Cultural Workers. 
How to Build Community
TURN OFF YOUR TV
LEAVE YOUR HOUSE
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
GREET PEOPLE
LOOK UP WHEN YOU'RE WALKING
SIT ON YOUR STOOP
PLANT FLOWERS
USE YOUR LIBRARY
PLAY TOGETHER
BUY FROM LOCAL MERCHANTS
SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE
HELP A LOST DOG
TAKE CHILDREN TO THE PARK
HONOR ELDERS
SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS
FIX IT EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T BREAK IT
HAVE POT LUCKS
GARDEN TOGETHER
PICK UP LITTER
READ STORIES ALOUD
DANCE IN THE STREET
TALK TO THE MAIL CARRIER
LISTEN TO THE BIRDS
PUT UP A SWING
HELP CARRY SOMETHING HEAVY
BARTER FOR YOUR GOODS
START A TRADITION
ASK A QUESTION
HIRE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR ODD JOBS
ORGANIZE A BLOCK PARTY
BAKE EXTRA AND SHARE
ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT
OPEN YOUR SHADES
SING TOGETHER
SHARE YOUR SKILLS
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
TURN UP THE MUSIC
TURN DOWN THE MUSIC
LISTEN BEFORE YOU REACT TO ANGER
MEDIATE A CONFLICT
SEEK TO UNDERSTAND
LEARN FROM NEW AND UNCOMFORTABLE ANGLES
KNOW THAT NO ONE IS SILENT THOUGH MANY ARE NOT HEARD
AND WORK TO CHANGE THIS
I really appreciate how it simply says 'community' (rather than 'a' community). 
Community is after all a noun, and used as it is here, (to me anyway) it's a feeling.
I adore the feeling community brings.  And I am very aware that a community can not be forced.
I was first drawn to this poster because of the bright colors and the rays of sunshine peeking out between the letters at the top of the image.  I think the artist who created it must have lived in or been part of a vibrant community!  

I'm so blessed to be too. 

~Jennifer


      

Monday, August 9, 2010

Our New Playground

Yesterday was our first Family Help Day here at Helping Hands Family School! On a beautiful summer Sunday, many folks gave up their day to help assemble a new cedar works play structure. There were several times throughout the morning that I found myself tearing up. The outpouring of kindness and generosity just amazed me!

While the parents built, what my four year old son would later call, "The BEST playground ever!", the children and I painted future coat hooks, read story books, some even napped, while all enjoyed the snacks and running about in the sunshine.

All of the children were very patient as the play structure was constructed. And as the last nails were being banged in and the final screws turned, the children flocked to the play structure, giggling and shouting with excitement!
I looked around the beautiful yard and saw smiles on everyone's faces.
It was just perfect.
It was one of the best days I've known. Families working together to build something they know that not only their own children, but many children in the years to come, will LOVE and learn on together.
Thank you one and all, for your time and energy.
~Jennifer

Welcome

I thought a blog would be a wonderful way to communicate with families about our school. I will use this on-line space to share about Helping Hands Family School, the activities we do here, the events we share, as well as other important information such as upcoming holidays or special celebrations and local happenings that may be of interest to families with young children.
This blog is intended to serve the families of Helping Hands Family School.
For more information about Montessori home schooling or parenting tips, please visit Montessori Mama.
Can't wait to share with all of you about our new school!
In loving PEACE,
Jennifer