February 2012 Newsletter

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This winter has sure been mild with moderate temperatures and very little snow.  Hope that remains the case.  This is the second on-line newsletter that we are doing.  I would like to hear any comments you might have.

February is going to be a very busy month!  Let me start with a reminder about our illness exclusion policy.  Children with temperatures, throwing up or diarrhea and communicable diseases (pink eye is a good example), cannot return to daycare until they have been on medication for at least 24 hours, are temperature free or have stopped throwing up and having diarrhea for 24 hours.  Your truthfulness and cooperation is expected; as without it, the children will just continue to keep re-infecting each other.  Along these lines, it is really helpful if you would call us when your child will not be attending!

Parents please remember to check the parent cubbies up front for important information, and check your child's cubbies for their papers.  They are very proud of their work and always want to share it with you.

Many of you like to bring in baked goods for your child's birthday.  Please be reminded that state law prohibits us from accepting any home baked goods.  We appreciate your kind thoughts, but expect your understanding and cooperation with this policy. Any baked goods brought in must be store bought and contain ingredient information.  You can understand that we have children at CDC with food allergies. Your cooperation with this policy will be appreciated.

In going through the children's files, I have noticed a lot of incomplete immunization and contact information.  Will you all please stop by the front desk and review this with me.  If I do not have complete immunization information, I will ask you to have your doctor's office fax it directly to me.  Our fax number at the daycare is 402 592-7332.  Also, all parents who have children with food allergies need to get me a doctor's note stating such.  It is a requirement of the state food program.  These letter can be faxed to the number above.

February is National Dental Month.  We will be speaking to your children about good dental hygiene, and how important it is for them to brush their teeth.  Please stress this at home as well.

The color of the month is pink, and we will be learning the letters Q, R and S; as well at the numbers 13, 14 and 15.

The CDC Valentine's Party will be held on Tuesday, February 14th.  This party will  be only for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.  Included in this newsletter is a list of our infant, toddler and preschool groups.  Please find the group that your child is in, and actually address your Valentine's to everyone on that list.  We will also charge your account $3.50 the week of February 17th to cover the cost of the party.  Therefore, you are only responsible for bringing cards.

Wednesday, February 22nd is Wacky Wednesday.  Have your child dress in wacky clothes, such as mismatched socks, off season clothing, silly hats, inside out clothing or backwards clothing.  It will be a fun day for all.

Color songs and songs of the season are included below for your use in singing with your child.

Your child is participating in HALO, an alcohol, tobacco and other drug use prevention program.  Recent activities have focused on the following concept:

Recognize, label and express the feelings, "angry" and "scared"

Children need to know that everyone feels mad and scared sometimes.  They need to be able to talk about these feelings with someone they trust.  They need to know safe ways to express their feelings that do not hurt themselves or others.  The message your child heard during HALO was, "I feel." Here are some ways that you can support this message at home:

 

  • Teach your child to recognize feelings.  Strong feelings can be very uncomfortable, but they are still important messages about our situation.  Ignoring or denying feelings like anger can make more  problems.
  • Clearly separate feelings from actions.  Anger is a feeling.  Hitting is an action.  Accept the feeling and teach appropriate actions.  "I know you are mad at me.  You may stomp your foot.  You may not hit me."
  • Respect your child's fears.  Say, "I understand that you are scared, but monsters are not real."  Do not say, "There is nothing to be afraid of."
  • Comfort your child when he or she is mad, scared or sad.  Responding to a need will not spoil a child.
  • Read books about feelings.  Workers in the children's sections of the library can help you make good choices.
  • Say you are mad or sad when you are feeling that way.
  • Never use fear to control a child.  Do not threaten with the Boogey Man or any other monster.
  • Help children to feel safe and comfortable in any situation before leaving.  Do not sneak off when he/she is distracted.  Say you are leaving and will return at a specific time.  Then do it.  Be trustworthy.
  • Allow or even encourage attachment to a stuffed animal or blanket.  Your child will give it up gradually on his/her own as he/she gets older.
I came across the articleb elow, and thought it would give us all some food for thought.
It's About Time

Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning with $86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you didn't use during the day.  What would you do?  Draw out every penny every day, of course.
Well, everyone has such a bank.  Its name is Time.
Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds.  Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you've neglected to invest to good purpose.  It carries no balance.  It allows no overdraft.  Each day it opens a new account for you.  Each night it burns the records of the day.  If you fail to use the day's deposit, the loss is yours.  There is no going back, and there is no drawing against "tomorrow".
There is never "not enough" time or "too much" time.  There is exactly the same amout of time in every day - and it's our decision how to spend it.
For 2012, let's resolve to make the most of all 86,400 seconds - every day!

In closing, here is a short poem about Valentine's Day.
VALENTINE'S DAY
If I could be the postman
For just one single time,
I'd choose to carry Valentines
So lovely and so fine.
I would not mind the heavy load,
Or mind my tired feet.
If I could scatter happiness
All up and down the street!

 



Valentine's Day Songs

Here is a Valentine (Sung to "You are my Sunshine")

Here is a valentine, a great big valentine,

I made it special just for you.

It's red and lacy with lots of kisses.

It's for you "cause you're my friend.

 

Big Red Hearts (Sung to "Frere Jacques")

Big red hearts, big red hearts,

Made with lace, made with lace.

Sent with love and kisses,

Sent with love and kisses

To our friends, to our friends.

 

The Groundhog's Shadow (sung to "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Will the groundhog see his shadow,

His shadow, his shadow?

Will the groundhog see his shadow

On this Groundhog Day?

Look this way and that way

And this way and that way,

For it he sees his shadow,

Then winter will stay.

Alternate ending:

For if there is no shadow

Then spring is on the way.

 

I Love Pink (Sung to "Three Blind Mice")

I love pink.  I love pink

That's what I think.  That's what I think.

I love this color so much I could shout

About a pink piglet and this tiny snout

Or pink bubble gum that I cna't do without.

I love pink.

 

Be a Friend (Sunk to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Be, be be a friend

To everyone at school.

We learn, we play, we try each day

To follow every rule!

Be, be, be a friend

To everyone at school.

We're kind, we're nice, we'll say it twice,

We follow every rule!

 

Wash Your Hands (Sung to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Wash, wash, wash your hands,

Wash the germs away!

Watch the suds go down the drain

So germs do not stay!

 

Oh, My Darlin' Valentine (Sung to "Clementine")

February is a short month,

28 days or 29.

In the middle is a love day.

Won't you be my valentine?

Oh, my darlin', oh, my darlin'

Oh, my darlin' valentine!

In the middle is a love day,

Won't you be my valentine?