June 26, 2007
(above left: Daesun Reaves (DJ) and Celisa Thompson water the newly planted flowers)
(above right: Anne Greashaber helps DJ decide where to plant)
We would like to thank our volunteers who came to Perry to help set-up a garden with the children! Despite temperatures in the 90’s, the ladies made the garden a fantastic success!
The Saturday prior, we also had volunteers help
prep the garden by weeding and laying out the boxes. Also, thanks to those who contributed financially for the purchase of the dirt and plants.
A special thanks to Sally Preston, our board member, who organized this volunteer group:
Helen Baker
Pam Briegel
Cindy Bylsma
Debbie Peters
Karen Elliott
Debbie Fitch
Lucinda Fleckenstein
Lois Gannon
Anne Greashaber
Kathy Kibbie
Sue Meyer
Pam Pasley
Sally Preston
Jan Weaver
According to Miss Kristine from the Purple Room, the children loved planting the garden. “We had to think of a very creative way for us to get the water to the gardens today. We gave the children small watering cans for them to use, and we refilled the cans with water, then had the children carry them to the garden area,” said Miss Kristine.
In The Week Ahead...
Fourth of July!
July 4th, 2007
NO SCHOOL! HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th!
July 5th, 2007
School Re-Opens
Why I Love Perry Reason Of The Week!
Field Trips! (My first Perry field trip!)
When I arrived at Perry on a sweltering day last week, I was not prepared for what I had in store for me.
I went into my office, hooked up the laptop, and went through my daily to-do list when Miss Renee appeared at the door.
"We're going to Dairy Queen today if you want to come with our class!" She informed me her class was short a chaperon, and that I would be a big help.
I practically yelled my response to her request. "OOO! Ice cream! Yes! When should I be down at your classroom?"
By the time the children were done eating and lined up to walk to the bus stop (directly in front of our building,) I was more than ready to get my ice cream treat. Every child I saw, I enthusiastically shouted, "I can't wait for the ice cream!"
Anywhere but a preschool, I would have received disapproving looks for shouting this, but the children smiled and proceeded to tell me what kind they were going to get.
"Sarah! I'm getting mixed!" proclaimed Olivia. Other children smiled and laughed as they sensed my excitement.
Then, the hand-holding began. You wouldn't think much of the "buddy-system" in terms of getting it coordinated, but believe me it was anything but simple.
With Olivia latched onto my hand, and three others trying to hold my hand, there just weren't enough hands of mine to hold. They held each others, but problems arose when a child decided her partners hands were too sweaty.
Sitting on the lawn in front of the school, all eyes were down the road. The children eagerly waited (sometimes patiently, sometimes not) to catch a glimpse of the bus.
Believe me I was anything but miserable sitting in the hot sun waiting for the bus. Someone decided it would be a good idea to style my hair, so... the braids (more like knots) began showing up on my head. At one point, someone took off my flip-flops (to "paint" my toe nails,) the chain hanging off my belt was being played with, and there must have been 4 pairs of little hands "braiding" and "cutting" my hair.
Although it sometimes hurt ("O.k., you just have to remember that I'm not a Barbie."), I wouldn't trade that moment for the world. It was more fun than I have had in awhile. The affection the children show to adults is truly amazing. Their innocent hearts are something to be admired.
We boarded the bus as quickly as possible, took our seats, and off the bus went.
Dairy Queen was fun! The children were happy to get into the air-conditioned room, and the teachers were glad to finally get the children seated at tables.
The chocolate ran out, which caused some disappointment from the little customers, but it was quickly fixed once they had their first bit of vanilla ice-cream. All sorrow seemed to disappear.
The children came back happy as can be (and hyper,) as the teachers were preparing the children for a nap.
My first field trip is something I will never forget! It gave me a new perspective on Perry, and an insight into the little personalities of all the children.
For days the teachers who went on the trip with me thanked me. It seems silly for me to be thanked, when the trip meant so much to me. I would like to thank the teachers for all they do, and for engaging their students at every field trip and everyday in the classroom.
I have a new-found appreciation for parents and children alike. I was exhausted when I returned... and I was only gone for about an hour!
