What have we been doing this month? Happy New Year and welcome back , a special welcome to our

1. NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2012 Thank You… What have we been doing this month? Happy New Year and welcome back, a special welcome to our new starters who are settling in well. We have all been busy playing, learning and making friendships. Look out for the spiders we have been making as part of our mini beasts theme, we have also been painting mini beast pictures and role playing vets. To celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon we will have the opportunity to taste some Chinese food, make a Chinese dragon and a red money pocket. Thank you to our outgoing Committee Members for all their support and hard work over the past year (many have stayed on!) and welcome new Committee Members: Chairperson: Robert Branford – Emilia’s Dad Vice Chair: Andy Donnelly Treasurer: Emma Stevenson – Lilia’s Mum Joint Secretary: Helen Branford – Hanna’s Mum and Melanie Langley – Lottie’s Mum Committee Members: Caroline Partington – Thomas’s Mum, HanneleMacNaughton, Lisa Holroyd – Jared and Violet’s Mum, Lisa Parvaz – Eshan’s Mum. Staff and Committee Member photos are in the cloakroom. You are invited to the next Committee Meeting on Wednesday 1st February, 7pm at Sowood Pre-School. “Parent Mail” to reduce the amount of paper and ink we use please provide your email address for our existing mailing list (50% have already joined) to receive newsletters, invoices and other information via email. Information will still be available on the notice board and for those who request paper copies. Fundraising and Donations From Monday 6th–Friday 10th February we will behaving a fundraising bring and buy bun sale. Please support us by baking some buns and buying some treats on sale. We rely on your support as a charity to raise much needed funds. Our Christmas Sing-a-long was wonderful, the children showcased festive songs, complete with actions and the costumeswere fabulous. Did you spot the photo in The HalifaxEvening Courier on 19th December? The £200 raised will go towards buying new resources for children. Many thanks to all those who attended andhelped out, the children really appreciated your applause. Last term we raised £34 for Children in Need by wearing spots or pyjamas and making a donation. We would like to say a special thank you to Mr & Mrs Dennis & Ann Clegg(our Pre-School Leader Jo Whiteley’s Mum and Dad) who asked for charity donations instead of gifts for their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations on celebrating a fantastic50 years together! This month... Pre-School Uniform Orders will be placed at the end of January, April and September. Order forms and a colour brochure are available in the main hall at the start of each day. If you would like to place an order please return a form with payment to Karen. Look out for the Parent/carer questionnaire feedback and responses in book bags. Reminders Children are provided with a selection of healthy snacks during morning and afternoon sessions, as a registered charity and to keep costs down please can we kindly remind parents/carers to bring a healthy snack item on the first session your child attends each week. Please check your child’s book bags at the end of each day for information/notices and collect your child’s belongings, prior to picking your child up promptly at 3pm. Full 2012-2013 holiday dates are on our website www.sowoodpreschool.org Close Re-open Friday 10th February Monday 20th February Friday 30th March Monday 16th April Our website home page and The Pulse radio station will be updated by 8am if we are closed due to severe weather conditions. Sowood Toddler Group would like to welcome you to stay and play on Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am in term time, we are a small friendly group for babies and toddlers, £2 per child including snack time, 50p for each additional child (free under 6 months), the first visit is free.