February News 

From the Directors Desk

Before we move into the month of February, lets acknowledge that January puts us on the course of change.  One of the changes we have made are uniforms.  We feel that it will give us a sense of belonging, it will help us identify the employee as a member of the staff, and it will show that we are representing our company and it's standards.  We feel that it establishes an atmosphere of professionalism and it also projects a unified image.  We hope that you appreciate, like and welcome the change.  We also have new teachers that have joined our team, Gina Brandt (Fox Teacher),  Racheal Deitchler (Butterfly Teacher), and Patricia Olayiwola (Duckie Teacher).  Please stop by and say hello and make them feel welcome.  I know that it is hard sometimes when you're seeing new faces from time to time but just know we have you and your kids best interest at heart and we are trying not to just settle but to get the best teachers and nothing less.  We ask that you continue to be patient and to continue to grow with us at Arena.  Also, a few parents have asked questions about volunteering some of your time here at Arena.  We would like to say that we welcome the opportunity to work with you with open arms.  We realize and recognize that volunteering and offering your time, energy, and skills of ones own free will is a positive force in childcare.  It is an honor tous and we thank you fo asking.  Please see Ms. Doris with any questions.  We would also like to say to parents when you refer at least three families to our center, you will receive a gift card for $20 to show our appreciation.  Our first family to receive a gift card is Diana Jubor (mother of Gideon Wilson/Duckie Room).  "No good deed ever goes unnoticed."

Ms. Doris

From the Office of Antonio Smith

Last month I accepted membership to the Core Planning Team with the City of Brooklyn Park.  They are very similar to us here at Arena Early Learning Center.  Our initial task was to participate in a 3 day strategic planning session which produced core values, a mission statement, strategies, strategic ovjectives and strategic delimiters.  These drafts will serve as a guide to develop a plan that creates an intended future for the Brooklyn Park community.  Arena serves the Brooklyn Park and neighboring communities.  Arena's intended future is derived from our mission and vision statement... "Enhancing Learning Readiness.  By holding this simple statement as our vision we are able to create andimplement a curriculum thatprepares toddlers for preschool; prepares preschoolers for kindergarten; and enhances school-agers academic experience by contributing to youth development in art, reading, math, music, and science."  Using that as our guide we as a group found it necessary to become NAEYC accredited by 2015.  This month Arena Early Learning Center is serving our community by volunteering in a program that will work the concession stands at Target Field, the new home of the MN Twins.  If you would like to learn more about Arena's mission, our progress towards accreditation or if you are interested in volunteering with us on 2/10/10 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, please stop by my office or call me at 763-971-8100.

Thank you for your interest. Go Arena!

Mr. Antonio- President

Caterpillars

Welcome toour smaller Infant Room!  This month we have been working on Black History, Hibernation, and Colors.  We had fun exploring and feeling what it is like to finger paint and see ourselves in the mirror.  The Caterpillars have also been enjoying learning to crawl and roll.  We have listened tp story books, variety of music and puppets.  It's been a pleasure working with our Caterpillar class, and we look forward to seeing the children learn and grow.

Thank you!

Ms. Jackie and Ms. Angie

Butterflies

Welcome to the Butterfly Room!

We would like to welcome the new Teacher in Butterfly room, Ms. Rachael!  The Butterflies are happy to be working on our monthly theme and exploring different textures.  Also, we have had fun listening to a variety of music and learning new songs.  The Butterflies have been enjoying painting, rolling and catching the ball, and having fun dancing with our friends.  Have a great month!

Thank you!

Butterfly Staff

Foxes

Dear Fox Families,

Hello and Happy February!  My name is Gina Brandt and i am the new Fox Teacher.  I attended University of MN-Duluth and received a degree in Elementary Education.  I also have my teaching license, I recently finished student teaching, and I also was a Nanny over the summer. From my experience in student teaching, I decided that I wanted to work with children before they begin Kindergarten.  I think it is very important for children to have a strong foundation when they begin school, because they will then be more likely to strive in school throughout the rest of their education.  I am very excited to work with the Toddler age group and help them in both educational and social aspects of life.  I believe in having a very well managed classroom and looking forward to working towards these things with the children.  Also, I would like to tell Parents how strongly I feel about Parent-Teacher communication.  Please inform myself or Ms. Doris of anything that may have happened to your child outside of school that could affect their behavior in the classroom.  During the month of February, we will be learning about Black History Month, Valentines Day, Transportation,  and the five seasons. We will try to read books and do fun projects on each subject. I've only been with Arena for a week and I love it, the children, their families and the staff.  I have met many of you and look forward to meeting more of you!  Thank you in advance and I'm excited to continue working with you and your children.

Thank you!

Ms. Gina

Duckies

Welcome Parents!  We would like togive a warm welcome to the new Duckie teacher, Patricia Olayiwola, we look foward to having her with us!  We have been busy working on learning new songs, and also learned a new game to better learn our colors.  The game is called, "Hi 5."  Have the children make different colored handprints (marker, crayon, paint, etc...), then ask them to "Hi 5" a certain color handprint.  We are also working on our shapes, manners, please and thank you's, andhow to show nice touches to our friends.  Exercising is also a big part of our daily activities!  Other themese this month include; Black History, Valentines Day, Transportation, and our Five senses.  It's been a great pleasure teaching our Duckies!

Thank you!

Ms. Patrose and Ms. Shellice

Froggies

Dear Parents,

My name is Phuong Quach, I was previously Arena's Fox Teacher and now have moved to the Froggie room as of 1/25/10.  I am glad to see my old children who were in the Fox room with me before and now in the Froggie room.  My plan for the first 2 weeks is to focus on setting up the room following the accreditation program and guiding the children in rules and good routines.  Our themes this month are Black History, Valentines Day, Transportation and the Five Senses.  Everyday, we break up into 2 groups for learning our alphabet and doing art.  Through art, children also can learn about shapes, colors, numbers and the alphabet. We will make an art book for every child and send them home in 2 weeks!  At this age they are curious about the world around them and we need to teach them how to express feelings, needs, and opinions in difficult situations and conflicts, without harming themselves, others or property.  Potty time is also important in our learning program because from 3 to 4 yrs old, children need to be reminded to go potty.  The Froggie room is a wonderful place and the children are so precious.  I will try my best to help them develop their learning skills and their social emotional practices. 

Thank you!

Ms. Phuong

Polar Bears

Dear Parents,

The children in the Polar Bear room enjoyed singing and dancing to this month's themes and playing a variety of educational games like Math Bingo.  The children also created beautiful beginner Math books and Letter/Site word books in January.  Now in February, Polar Bears will learn about Black History month with readings of African American Poetry, making friendship necklaces, and making a role model collage and other Social Studies, hands-on, activities.  For Math, the children will continue with the beginner addition, site word games, and similar alphabet writing activities for February.  Have a great month!

Ms. Heather and Ms. Ana

Tigers

Greetings Parents,

For the month of February we will be learning about Black History, Valentines Day, Transportation and our Five Senses.  We have been working on our writing skills.  The children have been good about reading for 15-20 minutes each day and doing their homework daily.  I am glad that the children have all been learning and using their Charlie Brown codes to sign in and out on their own.

Thank you!

Ms. Angelia, Ms. Kathy and Mr. Henry