Letter to Yellow Rose

Here is the most recent letter form Ms Sarah from Bryce's Kindergarten.


Dear Yellow Rose Families,

Master teacher and mentor, Barbara Klocek offered me a wealth of tips, tricks and wonderful ideas. Some of her suggestions have been put into place as early as today and some will bear fruit in the future. She mentored our whole early childhood faculty sharing gems and wisdom from her 30 year career at the Sacramento Waldorf School. New impulses based on real wisdom and experience filled our lead teachers meeting today. I feel so blessed to work in a school that values and invests in mentoring it's faculty no matter where they are in their careers. Muchas gracias Summerfield. Te quiero!

(Our unique bilingual kindergarten was appreciated, by the way.)

Valentines day is approaching. We will have a class celebration on February 14th. Please provide materials for your child to make a paper VALENTINE to put in our special mailbox. Each child needs only to bring ONE beautiful valentine. We will all take turns reaching into the box to choose our surprise card. Include YOUR CHILD'S name on the valentine she/he makes. ONLY YOUR CHILD'S name and all the other decorations or drawn on doodads and glittering adornments. The valentine should be no larger than an 8x11 sheet of printing paper. Please don't include candy or glued on toys. Materials for this art project could include: construction paper, origami paper, sequins, glitter, cloth, ribbon, lace, pictures cut out from seed and flower catalogs or gardening magazines, paintings or other artwork your child has made, wax paper, kite paper, tissue paper, card stock, crayons, pastels.... etc. Avoid mega-media images like those generated by: Disney etc.

Valentine's day is a special celebration of love and friendship in kindergarten. We talk about our deep and lasting friendships and how we've known each other for soooo long. Children sometimes pick up on the grown up romantic stream of valentines day and that's fine. We might say, "Yes mommies and daddies love each other." Then we steer the conversation and mood back to friendship. Our culture has romanticized, sexualized and materialized this little festival. We can elevate it by bringing a mood of loving care and appreciation for others. A past kindergarten father took this challenge up and started the tradition of bringing home a found (not purchased) flower for each family member and a special dessert for after the family meal. To remember how sweet and beautiful his family was to him.

Blessings on your families,

Love, Ms. Sarah

p.s. For some children, ONE valentine is not enough. Children may make cards for Ms. Fawn and Ms. Sarah too, only if they wish. If your child wants to make many cards for friends, wonderful. JUST MAIL THEM TO THE HOME ADDRESS OF THE FRIENDS please. Love and thanks.