The appreciations offered by teachers and students at the end of the year offer a huge window into what makes FSP special. Kids and adults have an uncanny ability to put their finger on what is special about each unique individual - -the affirmations are not at all generic or about external qualities but instead capture a flicker of specialness in each person. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and be seen and is one we should probably bring more intentionally into other parts of our lives.
A friend recently suggested the book 5 Love Languages for Children which helps parents determine how their kids most easily receive love (the book argues we're better at giving messages of love in the style we receive them in but can end up with unintentional missed messages if our child (or partner) speaks a "different language". There is a little quiz on this web page - might be fun on a boring summer day...
I'd be curious how any of you bring in affirmations in daily life or in ceremonial or ritual ways with your family and if you think the idea that we speak "love languages" makes sense?
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Reminder : Food For Teachers
Just a reminder -- please consider bringing in a food item (or drink) for the teacher's appreciation lunch on Monday and Tuesday. You can bring in a dish that will keep on Friday (label it and put it in big fridge by Nicole's room or in that area) or bring in a contribution on Monday or Tuesday.
Also, notes of appreciation are very welcome !
No purchased gifts if you can resist - trying to maintain a culture of simplicity in these nutty times...
Also, notes of appreciation are very welcome !
No purchased gifts if you can resist - trying to maintain a culture of simplicity in these nutty times...
Portland Public Library Book Sale
The Friends Book Sale is right around the corner! Get ready for the largest book sale in the Friends of Portland Public Library's history. Join us for our Sneak Preview for Members (join at the door) next Thursday from 5-8 PM to get first selection of the sale items. This is one Book Sale you don't want to miss!
The 2012 Book Sale takes place at Catherine McAuley High School:
Thursday, June 14
Sneak Preview from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Friends of PPL Members only - join today!
Friday, June 15
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 16
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 17
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The 2012 Book Sale takes place at Catherine McAuley High School:
Thursday, June 14
Sneak Preview from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Friends of PPL Members only - join today!
Friday, June 15
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 16
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 17
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
FSPPA 2012-2013
All Parents Welcome to this reflection and planning meeting!
Just a last reminder that we are convening today at Rose's house (email Kim for directions) - -bring your own lunch if you want some socializing time, at noonish, otherwise please be prepared to begin promptly at 1pm!
FSPPA Agenda 6/4/12
1:00 – 1:30--> Opening silence; Circle, reflect on experiences this year and insights from survey (our own ++ / -- about the year)
1:30 – 1:50 --> Respond to proposal for FSPPA structure 2012-2013
1:50 - 1:55--> BREAK
1:55 - 2:15 --> Review & revise Point Parent & Clerk responsibilities
2:15– 2:30--> Filling in names
2:30 – 2:40 --> Next steps / how do we get greater "buy-in" , communicate to all parents, etc ?
2:40 - 2:45 --> Next Meeting Time (would this group be willing to meet 1x more, with new point parents for info sharing, etc...? ) - likely we will not get to everything :)
2:45 - 2:55 --> Appreciations for each other / Closing Silence
2:55 - Race across bridge for children :)
Just a last reminder that we are convening today at Rose's house (email Kim for directions) - -bring your own lunch if you want some socializing time, at noonish, otherwise please be prepared to begin promptly at 1pm!
FSPPA Agenda 6/4/12
1:00 – 1:30--> Opening silence; Circle, reflect on experiences this year and insights from survey (our own ++ / -- about the year)
1:30 – 1:50 --> Respond to proposal for FSPPA structure 2012-2013
1:50 - 1:55--> BREAK
1:55 - 2:15 --> Review & revise Point Parent & Clerk responsibilities
2:15– 2:30--> Filling in names
2:30 – 2:40 --> Next steps / how do we get greater "buy-in" , communicate to all parents, etc ?
2:40 - 2:45 --> Next Meeting Time (would this group be willing to meet 1x more, with new point parents for info sharing, etc...? ) - likely we will not get to everything :)
2:45 - 2:55 --> Appreciations for each other / Closing Silence
2:55 - Race across bridge for children :)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Summer Reading
Looking for new book ideas for summer?
Many links to reading lists are above, under the tab : Posts & Booklists.
A lot of library's are using the Collaborative Summer Library Program Dream Big : Read! Get a reading list and more here.
A new blog, Books For Tweens, helps find good reads for the 8 -12 set.
Bankstreet Best Children's Books of the Year. Katie's Alma Mater publishes carefully considered lists.
Guys Read offers book recommendations for boys who have absorbed the awful cultural idea that reading is not masculine... (I don't think this is how they phrase their project :)). The Amelia Bloomer Project offers great lists of feminist children's books.
American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults 2012 & Notable Children's Books
Specific Issues are nicely addressed via Books That Heal Kids
On Saturday July 14th you can find Maine authors at Books In Boothbay
Older kids might enjoy their own GoodReads account... a social networking site for sharing book ideas...
Many links to reading lists are above, under the tab : Posts & Booklists.
A lot of library's are using the Collaborative Summer Library Program Dream Big : Read! Get a reading list and more here.
A new blog, Books For Tweens, helps find good reads for the 8 -12 set.
Bankstreet Best Children's Books of the Year. Katie's Alma Mater publishes carefully considered lists.
Guys Read offers book recommendations for boys who have absorbed the awful cultural idea that reading is not masculine... (I don't think this is how they phrase their project :)). The Amelia Bloomer Project offers great lists of feminist children's books.
American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults 2012 & Notable Children's Books
Specific Issues are nicely addressed via Books That Heal Kids
On Saturday July 14th you can find Maine authors at Books In Boothbay
Older kids might enjoy their own GoodReads account... a social networking site for sharing book ideas...
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Rio Action - 350.org
Blue Gold
On Friday June 8, 2012 (7 - 9:30pm), we’ll be uniting to tell the U.S. negotiators to get Wall Street out of Rio. We’re sending a message: -We want a truly green economy, not a green-washed economy. -We want an economy that supports communities, not multinational corporations. And we want an economy that upholds our common resources like water as a public trust, not a commodity, and recognizes the human right to water. Maine Food & Water Watch and 350.org Maine will be co-hosting a film screening of Blue Gold : World Water Wars and an action afterwards to engage Mainers in our Rio+20 work.MORE INFO HERE
Think Tank- 533 Congress StPortland, ME 04101
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Horseshoe Crabs
It is Horseshoe Crab season in Maine - here are two upcoming fun events for families:
June 10th @ Thomas Point Beach, 3-5pm
and June 15th 8:30 -10:30am at 179 Foreside Rd, Cumberland sponsored by the Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
LOCATION: CCLT’S PAYSON PROPERTY 179 FORESIDE ROAD, CUMBERLAND FORESIDE
PLEASE RSVP TO: PENNY ASHERMAN - 807.8532 OR EMAIL: pennyash@maine.rr.com
June 10th @ Thomas Point Beach, 3-5pm
Horseshoe Crabs Are Coming Ashore!
The Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust and Marine
Educator Carol Steingart Invite You To Join Us FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH 2012 8:30-10:30AM.
Learn all the fun and interesting facts about the secret lives of these
“living fossils” in this hands-on and kid-friendly event as the
horseshoe crabs come ashore on the Cumberland Foreside. For the past 445
million years, horseshoe crabs have come up from the depths of the
ocean mid-May to mid-June to lay their green eggs on sandy beaches along
the Atlantic Coast. Come witness this unique and interesting event!
Please note that horseshoe crabs are completely harmless; they don’t
pinch, sting or bite.FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
LOCATION: CCLT’S PAYSON PROPERTY 179 FORESIDE ROAD, CUMBERLAND FORESIDE
PLEASE RSVP TO: PENNY ASHERMAN - 807.8532 OR EMAIL: pennyash@maine.rr.com
Friday, June 1, 2012
This Sunday Night
June 3, 2012, 7 pm, at University of New England, Portland campus, Taylor Mali, poet, performer and poetry slam winner will be reading. His poem "What Teachers Make," went viral on YouTube a while ago and with the release of the poem in book form, it's sure to start turning up again. Proceeds from the show go to help the Cobscook Community Learning Center. Also reading are Gary Lawless and Elizabeth Peavey. You can get ticket here.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
What Parents Do... (among other things) - EDITED
In preparation for the parents reflection & planning meeting on June 5th (1 - 3, talk to your point parent for directions and details!) I'm trying to create a list of genuine and quasi "traditions" -- please consider using comments to share your thoughts on what should be added, deleted or changed! These are NOT school sponsored events (like potlucks and plays) but instead are parent initiated events.
Would it help to have a sense of classroom based traditions/parent involvement expectations too?
Monthly/Variable : Parent Forums, Chaperoning Field Trips, Movie Nights, Assemblies
Summer - Playdates & Parties
Families Invited : garden club, stories by the garden, camp
August - Class based parties, back to school picnic/meet the teacher
September : Curriculum Night, 7/8 camping trip, possible OC fall trip
Parents Invited : Potluck & Contradance
October : Wolfe's Neck Trip (largely 2nd grade and younger) & Teacher Appreciation Lunch on
In-Service Days; Parenting for Peace, Outing Club Harvest Dinner
November : Close Buy
December : Hat Sale (not this year), Middle School Dance, Winter Solstice (8th & preschool)
January : Middle School started weekly skating, sometimes
Parents Invited to Winter Concert and Potluck
February : Love Swap, Lasagna Sale (8th grade)
March : Auction (heavily parent dependent), Teacher Appreciation Lunch
Parents invited : 7/8 play and dessert potluck
April :
May : New Family Reception, Parenting for Peace, 8th grade trip
Families invited : Grandfriends Day
June : Teacher Appreciation Lunches
Any ideas for raising $, raising fun, raising the roof?
Would it help to have a sense of classroom based traditions/parent involvement expectations too?
Monthly/Variable : Parent Forums, Chaperoning Field Trips, Movie Nights, Assemblies
Summer - Playdates & Parties
Families Invited : garden club, stories by the garden, camp
August - Class based parties, back to school picnic/meet the teacher
September : Curriculum Night, 7/8 camping trip, possible OC fall trip
Parents Invited : Potluck & Contradance
October : Wolfe's Neck Trip (largely 2nd grade and younger) & Teacher Appreciation Lunch on
In-Service Days; Parenting for Peace, Outing Club Harvest Dinner
November : Close Buy
December : Hat Sale (not this year), Middle School Dance, Winter Solstice (8th & preschool)
January : Middle School started weekly skating, sometimes
Parents Invited to Winter Concert and Potluck
February : Love Swap, Lasagna Sale (8th grade)
March : Auction (heavily parent dependent), Teacher Appreciation Lunch
Parents invited : 7/8 play and dessert potluck
April :
May : New Family Reception, Parenting for Peace, 8th grade trip
Families invited : Grandfriends Day
June : Teacher Appreciation Lunches
Any ideas for raising $, raising fun, raising the roof?
From Campaign for a Commercial Free Child
CCFC is one of my very favorite organizations - this book review comes from them -- I wonder if there are tips for our spaces?
Book Review: Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play
We all know how important it is for children to play outdoors. And we also know that huge numbers of children are deprived of that experience. That’s why Mike Lanza’s new book Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play is so important. It provides blueprints for neighborhoods working together to encourage children’s outdoor play and to create safe spaces to enable it. In addition to step-by-step solutions for families and communities, Lanza highlights inspirational stories from communities in the United States and Canada that have transformed themselves into neighborhoods that encourage the kind of independent outdoor play that many of us remember from our childhoods.
Lanza explores new trends in urban and suburban design—walkable communities, common space, co-housing, and back yard “playscapes.” He describes neighborhoods where the ingenuity and commitment of a few individuals have transformed blocks into thriving communities that support children’s outdoor play—and he provides step-by-step instructions to help others make similar transformations. He gives hints for prospective homebuyers in how to identify a neighborhood that supports or can support children’s play. And he gives suggestions for creating “kid hangouts” in existing neighborhoods.
Playborhood is a wonderfully practical and inspiring guide to transforming neighborhoods into play spaces. One caveat: It’s troubling to us that Lanza urges parents to buy cell phones for kids as young as nine in order to make parents feel more comfortable about their being outside unsupervised. That’s the same argument marketers were making years ago as they began pushing cell phones on ever-younger children—feeding into parents’ fears to sell them on phones for children. And given all his other great suggestions and the huge amount of time children spend with screen technologies, advocating for cell phones for young kids seems, at best, superfluous. The media and marketing industries are already doing a phenomenal job of convincing parents their young kids need phones—they don’t need help from someone whose primary commitment is to outdoor play.
Book Review: Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play
We all know how important it is for children to play outdoors. And we also know that huge numbers of children are deprived of that experience. That’s why Mike Lanza’s new book Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play is so important. It provides blueprints for neighborhoods working together to encourage children’s outdoor play and to create safe spaces to enable it. In addition to step-by-step solutions for families and communities, Lanza highlights inspirational stories from communities in the United States and Canada that have transformed themselves into neighborhoods that encourage the kind of independent outdoor play that many of us remember from our childhoods.
Lanza explores new trends in urban and suburban design—walkable communities, common space, co-housing, and back yard “playscapes.” He describes neighborhoods where the ingenuity and commitment of a few individuals have transformed blocks into thriving communities that support children’s outdoor play—and he provides step-by-step instructions to help others make similar transformations. He gives hints for prospective homebuyers in how to identify a neighborhood that supports or can support children’s play. And he gives suggestions for creating “kid hangouts” in existing neighborhoods.
Playborhood is a wonderfully practical and inspiring guide to transforming neighborhoods into play spaces. One caveat: It’s troubling to us that Lanza urges parents to buy cell phones for kids as young as nine in order to make parents feel more comfortable about their being outside unsupervised. That’s the same argument marketers were making years ago as they began pushing cell phones on ever-younger children—feeding into parents’ fears to sell them on phones for children. And given all his other great suggestions and the huge amount of time children spend with screen technologies, advocating for cell phones for young kids seems, at best, superfluous. The media and marketing industries are already doing a phenomenal job of convincing parents their young kids need phones—they don’t need help from someone whose primary commitment is to outdoor play.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)