Mountain Mail: 9/1/19
Dear Families,
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
I hope you are all honoring the spirit of the occasion by not working - and feeling a sense of solidarity :)
BEACH DAY 2019
It certainly seems from reports of our gathering last Wednesday that we have a wonderful engaged parent collective. I know for sure from spending time at the beach with your children that they have a great sense of fun and play and fell seamlessly into a group dynamic that was a delight to see.
Looking forward to many more circles as the year progresses!
GRATITUDE
Thank you Anne and Vincent Lombardo for opening your home and, as always, being such gracious and generous hosts. Though I am at the beach with the students and don’t get to be part of the festivities I heard wonderful reports; it would seem that a good time was had by all. I hope you enjoyed meeting each other - and for those of you who couldn’t make it, I know there will be many more occasions for us to come together.
Much gratitude is also reserved for the hardworking crew that showed up and rolled up their sleeves on Thursday. It was a typical overly hot day here in Woodland Hills but they were contagiously cheerful and willing! Many, many thanks - you know who you are!!
It was also such a pleasure to see new and burgeoning relationships amongst the students there to help. The bond and ease was palpable. My personal gratitude for the opportunity to witness their openness and kindness, I know there will be many more moments as the year unfolds to learn from, and be grateful for, the honesty and transparency of your children.
The 4th is now just around the corner and we are gearing up for all that our first days of school will bring.
Here is some information to get us all off to a great start. Remember to get into the habit of thoroughly reading all the MMs. You’ll be lost without them!!
Arrival and Pick Up
Gate opens at 8:00am - Morning circle begins at 8:15am. Pick up at 3:30pm
Our main gate is on Oxnard Street. Drop off and pick up happens here.
Please be cautious when driving in the parking lot. Awareness is the key when children are accessing cars.
New policy this school year. We will open our gate on Oxnard Street only between the hours of 8:00 and 8:30 for drop off and 3:15 and 4:00 for pick up. The gate will be locked all other times. If you need to access campus other than these hours, please come to the gate at the Shoup Avenue parking lot. This gate is also kept locked but we are available to open it for you throughout the day.
First day of school Liz will be in the parking lot to collect forms and answer questions 8:00 - 8:30am.
Please remember, bring all completed forms with you on the first morning. Emergency packets need to be compiled before we take your child out and about on Thursday.
Here are the forms for easy access:
Emergency Notification and Medical Form
Rights and Responsibilities 2019
Transfer of Records - new students only
Carpool - Starts Monday 9th.
Please formalize and confirm your spot with Liz on the Wednesday when you drop off your forms.
Many parents like to take their children to school for these first days. However, if no carpool for the first three days is an issue for you, please let us know.
Topanga: Carpool will Meet at Pine Tree Circle outside Waterlily. Carpool departs at 7:50am sharp.
Valley: Carpool, if sufficient interest. Pick up locations and times to be decided.
Lunch Program
We will NOT be serving a hot lunch for the first three days of school. Please make sure your child brings a good lunch from home, snacks and their full water bottle.
Lunch program will begin on Monday 9th and lunch cards can be purchased from the office: 10 meals = $100. Cards will be kept at school and punched as used.
Summer RequireMent
There are children who have still not submitted reviews to the Summer Reading Blog. Please give them a nudge!
Summer Booklist and Requirements
Materials List
Students should not bring any of their school supplies until Monday 9th . Payment for Homework Planners and Sit Spot Journals can be made either on the first day or at the Parent Orientation meeting on the 10th.
First Three Days
These first three days of school are spent getting to know each other and our environment. This is an important time as we set the tone for the school year and get the children comfortable with each other, their teachers and our program.
Wednesday
We will be on campus all day. Scavenger hunt, map making, teacher interviews and portraits and lots of other good fun! Pick up at 3:30pm.
Thursday
We will be exploring some of our often frequented haunts in Topanga and Woodland Hills. We will end our day at Warner Ranch Park, Woodland Hills.
Please pick your child up at Warner Ranch Park, at the corner of Califa and Owensmouth at 3:30pm. Califa runs between Topanga Canyon Blvd and Canoga. Owensmouth runs parallel and between them.
Students will purchase their TAP cards ready to ride the Metro the next day, If your child has one have them bring it with them. Each student needs $5 so that they can load their card.
Friday
We head out to experience the delights of LA's public transport system and explore downtown LA.
Drop off is early at Warner Ranch Park at 8:00am (Thursday is a good trial run!) We take the Metro from the transit center on Owensmouth. The early start is necessary in order to make our connections in time.
Students may bring money (max $20) to buy lunch - or they can bring their own packed lunch. They will not be allowed to spend money on anything other than lunch.
Pick up is at Warner Ranch Park at 4:00pm. (Extend time is needed in order to make our day).
Please make sure your child has a full water bottle, good footwear, light weight clothing, sunscreen/hat etc.
Peace ~ Joy