News for December 2009

Unity – a poem

By Cleo V. Swarat

I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there,
The clay they used was a young child’s mind
And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher:
the tools she used were books and music and art;
One was a parent
With a guiding hand and gentle loving heart.

And when at last their work was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had worked into the child
Could never be sold or bought!

And each agreed she would have failed
if she had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
and behind the teacher stood the home!

I would like to thank all the teachers and parents at MNS for being such a wonderful support and introduction to school as a parent and child. Coda, Jenner and I appreciate all the time, effort, love, listening, and learning shared with us. We as a family have had some intense moments both good and bad over the last 18 plus months and these moments would have been much harder without the family we have at MNS. We are moving into a new journey in our lives and we are excited about the new adventures to come, but sad to be leaving MNS. Thank you for everything.

Heather, Kevin, Coda and Jenner

Edited: December 30th, 2009

Peach Bath Salts Recipe

submitted by Priscilla Paras-Huerta

12 tall jelly (12-ounce) canning jars with lid and rings
    or you could use plastic gift bags and ties (which would yield more gifts)
2 cartons Epsom salts, 4 pound (approximately 16 cups)
4 lbs sea salt or kosher salt (approximately 6 cups)
twice 1⁄4 tsp. glycerin
12 drops peach essential oil
12 drops orange food color
cardstock (for gift tags)

Instructions

  1. Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.
  2. Empty one carton Epsom salts into large mixing bowl or batter bowl. Add 3 cups sea salt, stir well. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon glycerin and 6 to 8 drops essential oil. Mix well.
  3. In second large mixing bowl, empty other carton of Epsom Salts, and add 3 cups sea salt. Stir well. Add 1/4 teaspoon glycerin, 6 to 8 drops essential oil, and food color. Stir until completely blended. Color should be even.
  4. Holding canning jars at an angle, layer salts in jars, alternating white and colored mixtures.
  5. Seal each jar using lids and rings.
  6. Print appropriate amount of copies of gift tags. Cut gift tags apart and attach to jars with ribbon.

Edited: December 23rd, 2009

Bean Soup in a Jar Recipe

submitted by Priscilla Paras-Huerta

The season of giving is upon us again (my how 2009 has gone by so fast). Instead of running around trying to find the perfect gift for friends and family, I have started an annual tradition of giving homemade gifts in a jar. There are many recipes on the internet, but I would like to share two of my best received ones. This allows me to spend time with the kids and make unique presents to share.

Healthy Eating,
Priscilla Paras-Huerta
Nutritionist


12 wide-mouth pint (2-cup) canning jars with lid and rings

14 lb assorted dried peas, beans and lentils, at least 8 different varieties
    Choose from pink beans, black beans, baby lima beans, navy beans,
    black beans, lentils, red lentils, black eyed peas, pinto beans, great
    white northern beans, split peas, small red beans, white beans

12 beef or vegetable bouillon cubes (OK to use low sodium)

12 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.
  2. Layer beans in jars. Add 1/4-cup of each type of bean to the jars, layering the beans. Choose the most colorful bean for the bottom layers of the jar. Add eight 1/4-cup layers to each jar.
  3. Place 1 bay leaf and one bouillon cube on top of the beans in each jar.
  4. Seal each jar using lids and rings.
  5. Print appropriate amount of copies of gift tags. Cut gift tags apart and attach to jars with ribbon.

Gift tags to include these instructions:

  1. Set aside bouillon cube and bay leaf.  Rinse and sort beans in a large pot. Add 6-8 cups of hot water. Bring to a rapid boil, and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain soak water and rinse beans.
  2. Place beans in a large pot. Add 6 cups water, 1 can (14 oz.) chopped tomatoes in juice, bay leaf, and bouillon cube.
  3. Simmer gently until beans are tender, about 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Edited: December 22nd, 2009

Duties of Elected Officers

The Secretary Shall:

  1. Attend all Board meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Take roll at Business meetings. Record the minutes of the Business Meetings. Type and post business meeting minutes within seven (7) days. Copies of these minutes are to be distributed to members not in attendance at business meetings and to all Board members.
  3. Take roll and record minutes of the Board meetings. Type, post and distribute minutes prior to the next Board Meeting. Copies of these minutes are to be given to the President, Director and all other Board members not in attendance.
  4. Be responsible for all correspondence, except Fundraising correspondence.
  5. Prepare the election ballot for Board positions.
  6. Maintain Board and Business meeting minutes in the Secretary’s book.
  7. Act as Parliamentarian and keep a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order on hand for reference.
  8. Be responsible for the annual review of the Constitution, By-Laws and handbook with the assistance of the President, Director, Parent Education Chairperson and Admissions Coordinator.

The Treasurer Shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Pay all bills that the Association owes. Maintain and monitor spreadsheet of financial transactions, is custodian and record keeper for those areas.
  3. Give all account reports to the Accountant/Bookkeeper by the 25th of the month.
  4. Review the monthly bank statement for the purchasing bank account and see the deposits are made in a timely fashion.
  5. Keep insurance policies and all records of payment in an orderly manner.
  6. Be immediate contact with the Bookkeeper. Notify Bookkeeper of all financial deposits.
  7. Be responsible for the Financial Committee. Arrange meetings of the Committee and Bookkeeper in order to prepare the budget for the coming year. Post the proposed budget at least two (2) weeks prior to the March business meeting.
  8. Oversee the duties of the Fundraising, Financial Clerk and Purchasing positions. Be custodian and oversee record keeping of all financial transactions.
  9. Assist an outside auditor when necessary or when required by government agencies.

The Special Events Coordinator shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Coordinate with Special Events Committee and Director to organize and publicize parties and events.
  3. Work with Class Liaisons to organize class events and teacher appreciation activities.
  4. Be responsible for t-shirt sales twice a year.
  5. Organize and oversee planning of the end of the year picnic.
  6. Compile and publish school calendar at start of the school year.

The Maintenance Officer shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Be responsible for Maintenance of the building, play area and outdoor equipment. Meet with Director to assess jobs and maintenance needs prior to work party.
  3. Be responsible for scheduling Maintenance work parties. Remind members of upcoming work parties.
  4. Keep records to ensure that families have attended and completed their maintenance obligation.
  5. Keep track of work party parent sign-in and return to Director. Provide Admissions Coordinator and Financial Clerk with work party participation information. Be responsible for purchasing of materials necessary for the maintenance work parties. Submit receipts for expenditures and supplies purchased to the Treasurer by the 25th of the month.
  6. Oversee duties of support positions: Maintenance Assistant, Gardener, Recycler/Composter, Recycler/Composter Assistant, Riding Equipment Maintenance and Sanitation Engineer.

The Housekeeping Officer shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Be responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order of the building, indoor equipment and supplies.
  3. Be responsible for scheduling Housekeeping work parties. Remind members of upcoming work parties.
  4. Keep track of work party parent sign-in and return to Director. Provide Admissions Coordinator and Financial Clerk with work party participation information. Be responsible for purchasing of materials necessary for the maintenance work parties. Submit receipts for expenditures and supplies purchased to the Treasurer by the 25th of the month.
  5. Appoint parents to be responsible for the care of the school animals year round.
  6. Be responsible for having the carpets cleaned three (3) times per year.
  1. After school has let out for summer.
  2. Mid-year and when needed at the discretion of the housekeeping officer.
  1. Be responsible for having the linoleum waxed one (1) time per year, before the summer program.

The Publicity Officer shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Be responsible for the internal and external public relations relating to the school.
  3. Be responsible for the monthly newsletter and annual alumni newsletter.
  4. Arrange publicity in publications and at events where the school can advertise.

The Fundraising Officer shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Maintain a list of fundraising ideas and a complete record of all fundraising activities undertaken by the Association.
  3. Organize and coordinate all fundraising functions and follow them through.
  4. Be responsible for the Fundraising committee
  5. Provide members’ fundraising obligation information to the Treasurer, Admissions Coordinator, Bookkeeper. Submit receipts and breakdown of supply expenditures for fundraising events.

The Purchasing Chairperson shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Purchase all food and non-educational supplies and be responsible for monthly inventory.
  3. Be responsible for monthly inventory and purchase of lunch and snack food.
  4. Report expenditures by budget category to Treasurer each month.
  5. Submit receipts and a monthly breakdown of supply expenditures by budget category to the Treasurer by the 245th of the month.
  6. Be responsible to the Treasurer. If in charge of purchasing account, reconcile checkbook and turn it in to the bookkeeper prior to the 25th of the month.

The San Mateo Council of Parent Participatory Nursery Schools Representative Shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Be a representative to the SMCPPNS, acting as the association’s representative to the San Mateo Council.
  3. Serve in the office required by the Council and report on services from the Council.
  4. Be excused from both housekeeping and maintenance for attending all SMCPPNS meetings.

The Webmaster Officer shall:

  1. Attend all Board Meetings, Business Meetings and special meetings called by the President.
  2. Design, generate, revise and maintain the website, blog and online calender and keep it updated and in good working order.
  3. Post newsletter items, other news and and other articles the board deems necessary on the blog and link to it from the website if necessary.
  4. Reply to user comments about website.
  5. Examine and increase traffic through site and maintain good SEO (search engine optimization)

Edited: December 21st, 2009

From Teacher Megan’s and Teacher Norma’s Class

2009 is coming to a quick end. Where has the time gone? 

In the classroom we are doing many fun and great things. The children have been learning the calendar and counting the days of the week. With the weather changing on us we have been spending many days indoors jumping and dancing. They really seem to enjoy those days indoors.

December is one of our favorite months. We enjoy it so much because it is the time when all the family can come together to give thanks for everything good that has happened in the year. It is a time when we give to others.

Teacher Norma and I want to thank you for all your help in and out of the classroom. 

We wish you all Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad y Prospero 2009!

Teacher Megan and Teacher Norma

Edited: December 21st, 2009