The Capitol School

Thank you to all of the parents and families who participated in our Holiday party! It was so much fun because of you. Thank you to Mr. Michael Jacobson (Annabelle’s grandfather) for visiting the class and talking to us about Hanukkah.

In our classroom this month:

Welcome!
We have three interns joining our classroom this month. Two exchange students from Taiwan and Ms. Rachel Terry, of the UA gymnastics team. We also have a new student Jake joining our class this month.

Thank you!
Our beautiful new room  is courtesy of Mr. Kenny Lee (Maggie’s grandfather). He GAVE us our beautiful new floors over the winter break and he did an amazing job. If you need any flooring please consider contacting Russell S. Lee Flooring at 205-345-1735.

Asia
This month our class will study Asian culture, geography, and language. We will also discuss Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact he still has on our lives. Are you familiar with Asian culture? Do you have a wonderful book about Martin Luther King Jr.? Consider sharing these items with our class, please.

Important Dates
Jan 13-16 MLK Holiday, there will be NO SCHOOL
Birthdays: Daphne (4th), Serena (10th), Richard (11th), and Jaela (18th)

Peace be with you.
“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education: all plitics can do is keep up from war.” – Maria Montessori (1870-1952)

This month in the classroom: We are focusing on winter holidays around the world and the meaning of “peace.” We will study famous peacemakers throughout time and discover how to be a peaceful person. Each child will define what peace means to them and realize how empowering and respectful past peacemakers have been.

Our class party will be December 16th at 9:00 AM. Parent volunteers are needed. Please sign up for a job next to the sign in sheet. Each child is expected to bring a wrapped book costing between $10-$20 to exchange at the party.

If you are able to attend, here are some options to consider:
1. Bake 26 gingerbread cookies
2. Make icing for the cookies
3. Bring cookie decorations
4. Read a holiday book to the children
5. Assist with craft
6. Assist with book exchange
7. Assist with clean-up
8. Bring a healthy snack
9. Sing a holiday song

December is a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about holidays around the world. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Saint Nicholas Day, Winter Solstice, etc. Does your family celebrate any special holidays? Consider telling the class about it!

Important Nov. dates to remember:

Nov. 7th – Antonia’s birthday
Nov. 17th – Thanksgiving Luncheon
Nov. 18th – Preschool Feast (students only please)
Nov 21-25 – Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 29th – Gavin’s birthday

Welcome to our new student Mazen! Last month we reviewed bones, organs, and blood! The children enjoyed our human body unit. They organized the organs in a human body, listened to their hearts, and tried to name all 206 of their bones. We also learned about South America and the names of the countries in that continent.

This month, we will be studying early American culture. This will include colonization, early transportation, Native American viewpoints, English viewpoints, and the hardships on both cultures during this time.

A few reminders (please read the handbook if you have questions):
1. Children must be able to tie their own shoes, if tie shoes are to be worn at school.
2. School closes at 5:30. Please pick up your child before school closes. If you would like to talk to one of the teachers, please arrive 10 min early.
3. As it states on the preschool handbook, children will go outside during the winter weather. Please dress your child accordingly.

Each year, the students bring one item from home to share and help make a meal. This meal will be Nov. 18th during lunchtime. Look for a note in your child’s bag late next week.

Please make sure and attend the Capitol School Luncheon on Nov 17th. It is at The Country Club of Tuscaloosa from 11:30-1:30 PM. lease remember nap time is from 12:50-1:10 PM. We ask that you not ring the bell or knock on the door during this time. Please wait until nap time is over before you bring your child back. thank you for your kind consideration.

Date: October 31st, 2011

Time: 3:30-5:30
Location: Capitol Park

Donate $20 tax free to the Capitol School Foundation and receive a 5X7 print and digital image on disc. Accepting cash and checks.

The Capitol School PTA Spirit Night – TONIGHT!

Come eat dinner with us at the university mall Chick-fil-A from 5Pm -8PM tonight, October 18, 2011. Proceeds go to support our library at the Capitol School.

Chick-fil-A at University Mall
1701 McFarland Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

We will have a Halloween parade on Monday, October 31st at 9:00 AM. We are asking children who wish to participate to come to school wearing their costume over their clothes. We will begin our walk around the playground track at 9:00 and walk around 2-3 times. This will give the children an opportunity to show off their costumes and to look at their friends.

Parents are invited to watch the parade. After the parade, we ask that you help your child change into regular school clothes before we have our special Halloween snack. Please remember that after the parade, we need to get back to our regular school day, so please help your child change and leave as soon as possible.  This will help us calm the children down after all of the excitement. If you are unable to attend, we will assist your child in removing their costume. Please remember that your child’s costume may get dirty or be torn, although we will try our best to keep this from happening.

We are looking forward to a fun celebration and hope that you can come to our parade!

The Capitol School’s PTA Thanksgiving Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM at the Country Club of Tuscaloosa located at 3700 Sixth St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

The menu will include turkey and cornbread dressing with cranberry sauce, whole kernel corn, green beans, sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, bread, pumpkin pie, and twa, sweet tea, water and coffee for beverage choices.

An individual pre-plated salad and pumpkin pie with beverages will be available to order. This choice will not include the thanksgiving luncheon buffet menu items.

Adults & upper school students: $17.95
Elementary school students: $7.95
Preschool Student: $4.95
Individual pre-plated choice : $9.95.

This fall, we have enjoyed all types of crafts and activities! We made applesauce and apple totes to celebrate the beginning of the season.

Important Dates to remember:

Oct. 4-7 Parent/Teacher Conferences
Oct. 24-28 Fall Break
Oct. 31 Halloween Party @ 9:00 AM
Oct. 31 Class Pictures in Capitol Park from 2:30-5:30 PM
This month we will study the human body and South America. Last month we learned to identify the planet, continent, country, and state in which we live. We also made our won applesauce, and celebrated the first day of fall by making apple totes. Several grandparents came to read to us and the children were proud to introduce them to the class!

Thank you to Amber Smith, our craft mother! She bought and organized our apple totes for the class.

Our Halloween party will be October 31st, at 9:00 AM. Children should come dressed in their costumes and bring clothes to change into after our parade. Parents are welcome to watch!
Conferences are scheduled during the school day this year. Each one will take 30 minutes. Please arrive on time or call the office if you are unable to make your scheduled time.

On October 31st, you will have the option to bring your child to the park to have their picture taken either with costume or without. Pictures in the park are from 2:30-5:3 PM.

If you would please send a show and tell having to do with our unit-study, this month we are studying the human body, we would appreciate having the chance to explore these items with the class!

Dear Parents,
I am so sorry to report that one of our Preschoolers who attends only in the afternoons
has been diagnosed with Meningitis. The child is already in the hospital and tests are being
conducted to see if it is viral or bacteria. Here are questions from the CDC website:

Q: What is meningitis?
A: Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. People sometimes
refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing
whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the
treatment differ depending on the cause. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and clears up without
specific treatment. Hib vaccine is now given to all children as part of their routine immunizations. This
vaccine has reduced the number of cases of Hib infection and the number of related meningitis cases.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?
A: High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. These
symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort
looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness.
Viral Meningitis Questions

Q: What is viral meningitis?
A: Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes ("meninges") that cover the brain and spinal cord. Viral infections
are the most common cause of meningitis; bacterial infections are the second most common cause.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of viral meningitis?
A: Symptoms can appear quickly or they can also take several days to appear, usually after a cold or
runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, or other signs of infection show up. Symptoms nay include: fever,
irritability, poor-eating, hard to awaken.
Bacterial Meningitis Questions

Q: How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
A: Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor
immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal
fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap. Identification of the type of bacteria responsible is important
for selection of correct antibiotics.

Q: Is bacterial meningitis contagious?
A: Yes, some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria can mainly be spread from person
to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. This can occur through coughing,
kissing, and sneezing. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things
like the common cold or the flu. Also, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing
the air where a person with meningitis has been.

MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED AS SOON AS WE HAVE THE TEST RESULTS!

Barbara Roundtree