ODNS will open it’s door to all prospective families this Saturday, February 23rd from 11am to 1pm.  Please come visit with the teachers, play, and register for the coming year.  Further information and forms can be accessed here or by contacting registrar, Barb Howe, at 645-8532. Hope you’ll join us! 

Open Door Nursery School will host an open house for prospective families on Tuesday, January 29th at 7pm.  A short presentation will be followed by an opportunity to speak with teachers and register for the coming school year.  Childcare will be available. Registration for the 2008-2009 school year is currently open to all families.  Further information and forms can be accessed here or by contacting registrar, Barb Howe, at 645-8532. 

If you know any families looking for a preschool in the coming year, please send them our way!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!  We are looking forward to seeing all of the children back in the classroom. Here are a couple of important reminders as we start back this week.

Drop Off 

As a reminder our drop off procedure will change starting this week.  You should have received the note describing this change in drop off procedures just before the holidays. The note mentioned drop off times for 9:00, this procedure will be the same for the 1:00 drop off. Just to remind you of some important points:
-Parents will need to take their child out of the carseats.
-Please have backpacks/bags close by.
-Notes/messages for the teacher could be pinned to the outside of your child’s bag/backpack.
If it becomes congested please start a second loop by going around the parking lot to the west which would flow into the main loop(aka loop #1). Cars can NOT wait on second street.
I think this will be a bit confusing at first and we may have to do some adjustments to the plan, but let’s give it a try and see how it goes. Thanks for being flexible!

Registration

Registration for the 08-09 school year will be open to the public starting this week.  If you have a returning student or student sibling please turn your registration form and fee ASAP to assure your spot for upcoming school year.  Please contact Sue Anderson at 952-652-2937 with questions. 

Registration is open for 2008-2009 returning students and siblings.  Please help us assure that your student has a spot for the next school year by contacting Sue Anderson at (952)652-2937 or returning your registration form and fee to the school.  We hope to accommodate all returning students before registration is open to the public.  Thank you!

Don’t forget to pick up your Butter Braids today from 11:30-6!!!

Just a reminder that tonight, November 6 is our parent and kid night for the 3day classes. This is such a great evening! A chance for you to see what your child is doing while they are at school, as well as have a fun evening with your child. It begins at 6:00, with clean-up beginning at 6:45. We hope to see you and your child there!
 
Wednesday night we will be heading off to Chicago for the National Early Childhood conference. The last time we were able to attend was when it was held in Chicago seven years ago. We came away with some really exciting ideas (in fact, this is where Sue first was introduced to Dodge Nature Center,a pre-school environmental program, whicih helped to guide our program). We have seen the schedule of offerings and are excited about all the environmental ideas and other class offerings that sound amazing. I’ll talk about some of the ideas we came away with next week. Remember, there will be no school on Thursday of Friday.

Open Door and it’s program with St. Olaf were featured in a wonderful article in the Sunday, October 28th, South Metro Section of the Star Tribune. 

A preschool in Northfield is coupling environmental lessons with trips to the grassy prairie to learn firsthand.

By Emily Johns, Star Tribune 

Katie Handler’s face lights up as she sees the salamander. She rustles through the grass to pick it up.

The 4-year-olds shriek and beg to touch it.

“I can’t let everyone hold it,” says Handler, an environmental studies student at St. Olaf College in Northfield. “Do you want to know why?”Why?” they yell.

“Because they have very sensitive skin, and they need to have water on their skin,” she says. “And our hands are kind of dry, and we have oils on our hands, so if a lot of people hold him, his skin can get kind of hurt.”

In addition to the article a video of the field trip can also be seen from the link above.  Please check it out!!!

We are so pleased to be able to offer this opportunity. Remember, we still have openings in our afternoon sessions. If you hear of anyone who might be interested, please have them contact us at the school.

The visit to St. Olaf for the 2 day a.m. class  has been postponed due to weather conditions.  The new date will be forthcoming.  Please check back here or look for a note in the take home box tomorrow.  The 2 day a.m. class will meet as scheduled for preschool at the regular location on Thursday, October 18th. 

Thank you for your understanding!

On Tuesday, October 9th, the children in the 3am class visited St Olaf and the prairie. Under the guidance of St Olaf student Kate Handler the children  identified plants, viewed various habitats, walked through the prairie like pheasants AND in general, had a wonderful time. My only regret is that we have not taken advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity earlier! The parents who were able to help were invaluable (as well as treated to a great morning!) The other classes well be heading up to St Olaf this coming week. Be sure to let your child’s teacher know if you can accompany your child. It’s a fantastic learning experience which would not be possible without your assistance. Many thanks! -Barb

It’s Butter Braid time again and you should have received your order forms.  If not (or if you lose yours) you can print one off using the .pdf file below. I hope that you all had a chance to sample these delicious pastries during pick-up this week.  The order forms are due October 22nd and Butter Braids will be delivered November 7th.  Please remember to collect money when taking orders, checks can be made payable to Open Door Nursery School.  ODNS alumni love these so make sure and let them know about the sale. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to call:

Mary Poole - 507.650.9406

Katie Arnold - 507.401.1831

Butter Braid Order Form