Dear Panda Two Families,
It’s official: The dog days of summer are over – school is back in session, Labor Day is next week, and while temperatures outdoors are holding steady, some of the leaves on the trees in the high country have already begun to change color. My, my, how time flies! I hope everyone enjoyed their summer. Welcome fall!
Classroom Updates
Two teachers, Ms. Cassie and Ms. Elena, will be returning to the Panda Room this month! Both will return to Panda One on Tuesday, September 7th. Ms. Maddie will then join Ms. Becka in Panda Two.
Ms. Becka will be out of the classroom beginning Friday, September 10th and will return Wednesday, September 15th.
Mask Mandates
Last month Boulder County Public Health issued Public Health Order 2021-07 requiring facial coverings for all individuals aged two years and older regardless of vaccination status. The order requires mask wearing “while indoors at any childcare center or childcare facility, regardless of licensing status”. This means that, with the exception of mealtimes and naptime, children in the Panda Rooms are required to wear face masks while indoors. In an effort to comply with this most recent order, we kindly ask that you please provide at least two face masks per day for your child to wear at school. Thank you! Your support on this matter is greatly appreciated.
Reminders
– September wipes are due. Please provide a package of 200 wipes or more for the month ahead. Thank you!
– Next week is a short week, as Sunset Academy will be closed on Monday, September 6th in observance of Labor Day. I hope you all enjoy a fun and safe three-day weekend!
– Sunset Academy will be closing early, at 4:00PM, on Friday, September 10th for staff training. Please make arrangements for your child(ren) to be picked up early that day, as our staff will not be available after 4:00PM. Thank you in advance.
– Splash Days have concluded for the season. See you next summer for more fun in the sun!
Children’s Cubbies
We kindly ask that you please ensure that there is at least one full change of clothing (more if your child is potty training) available every day for your child to change into in the event of an accident. We do our very best to keep the children clean and dry, but accidents do happen.
Recap
August is always a month for bugs, and this year was no exception. From roly polys, caterpillars, beetles, and butterflies, to wasps, grasshoppers, spiders, and worms – we saw them all – and while we were able to catch a few and place them in our bug jar so the children could view them safely and more closely, we opted to steer clear of the others. Our class learned that some insects have more legs than others, some insects have wings and can fly, some insects may bite while others may sting, and that grasshoppers give Ms. Becka the heebie-jeebies. J Our class was also able to examine a baby garter snake that had made its way from the garden to the playground. We are looking forward to what the great outdoors have in store for us this month!
September Curriculum Themes
Week 1: Shadows and Light
Week 2: My Family*
Week 3: Fall
Week 4: Community Helpers
*Please bring in at least one family photo for us to display in the classroom – photos of extended family and pets are welcome (and encouraged) too.
STEM Theme
Veterinary Clinic
Transitions
There was a lot of movement in the Panda Two Classroom last month. We congratulated Kaia and RJ as they graduated to Ms. Romina’s Polar Bear Classroom, and in their place we welcomed Cairo, Violet, Sebastian, and Charlie from Panda One. The forward momentum will likely continue this month, as we welcome Ms. Cassie and Ms. Elena back to the Panda One Room, and Ms. Maddie joins Ms. Becka in Panda Two.
Farewells
Our friends Joseph and Edy left Sunset Academy last month, and while we thoroughly enjoyed our time together, we can’t help but feel excitement for them as they begin new chapters of their lives. We wish them both the very best in their future endeavors, and hope our paths will cross again someday.
Important Dates
09/06: Closed in observance of Labor Day
09/07: Ms. Cassie returns to Panda One
09/10: Early closure at 4:00PM for staff training
09/10-09/14: Ms. Becka will be out of the classroom
Last but not least, your feedback is important to me. To those of you who have written notes, sent emails, messaged through ProCare, and/or called the center to speak with me directly: Thank you! I appreciate you making the time to do so. These are strange times, and I know that folks are busy, but I believe it is important for us to stay in touch, even though we may not be able to do so in-person. So please, keep reaching out and following up, and I will do my best to make myself available whenever is most convenient for you.
Until next month, take care!
Sincerely,
Ms. Becka
Lead Teacher, Panda Two