{"id":1079,"date":"2016-03-31T20:37:25","date_gmt":"2016-03-31T20:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qpps.ca\/newsletter\/?p=1079"},"modified":"2016-03-31T20:37:25","modified_gmt":"2016-03-31T20:37:25","slug":"april-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qpps.ca\/newsletter\/april-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"sobriety-clipart-4i9xBjjAT\"<\/a><\/p>\n

From the President<\/h2>\n

Welcome Spring!\u00a0 I\u2019m so pleased to see the flowers blossoming, the sun shining, and smiles all around. Once again I get to start off this month with some \u201csunshine and roses\u201d.\u00a0 First and foremost, a very warm welcome to Teacher Lynda (read a little further on for more about her!).\u00a0 We are so pleased to have Lynda join the 3s and look forward to getting to know her more over the coming months.\u00a0And welcome to all our new and returning families joining in September!\u00a0We\u2019ll see you soon at the Coffee Party in April.<\/p>\n

A few thank you\u2019s as well \u2013 firstly to Artisan Landscaping for donating sand for our outdoor sandbox and to all the parents who arrived in the rain to move the sand!\u00a0 Next to Kelly, from the 3-year old afternoon class, for offering to take over as Class Rep for the remainder of the year.\u00a0 We will sorely miss Tasha and her family as they begin their new adventure elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Contacting your Executive Members<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of our goal of improving communications, we have created generic email addresses for our executive members.\u00a0\u00a0 This will allow an easier transition from year to year, as the same email address will be used and old emails can be saved and reviewed by the next person in the position.\u00a0 This also reduces the need for people to use their personal email addresses when contacting businesses outside the preschool.\u00a0\u00a0 The addresses all follow the same format, such as\u00a0qpps.orientation@gmail.com<\/a>.\u00a0 Full list of addresses will be circulated in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Your Feedback Please!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also in the coming weeks, members will be requested to provide feedback about their preschool experiences this year.\u00a0 The preschool does two surveys annually \u2013 a general survey focused on preschool operations (enrolment, orientation, etc) and a classroom survey focused on in class experience.\u00a0 Last year we designed new surveys that can be used each year in order to provide data that can be tracked and compared over time.\u00a0 When you see these surveys in your inbox \u2013 please take a few moments to provide us with your thoughts.<\/p>\n

BC Gaming Grant<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are thrilled to announce the preschool has once again received a BC Gaming Grant!\u00a0 This grant money must go towards preschool operations (unlike the New Westminster Gaming Grant that must be used for a capital project), as is often used for additional classroom supplies, and other purchases directly relating to our kids\u2019 classroom experience.\u00a0 A BIG thank you to Kimberly Grant for doing a second year as our grant writing, and to everyone else who help compile the necessary reports.<\/p>\n

50th Celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n

The organizing committee for the 50th Anniversary Celebration is thrilled to say that the planning in going excellent!\u00a0\u00a0 Get ready to be entertained the Juno Nominated artist Gina Lina, jump to your heart\u2019s content in the bouncy castle and on the trampoline, meet a princess or two, and play carnival games for kiddos of all ages\u00a0. \u00a0Check out her fabulous Youtube video in this newsletter for a little taste of what’s to come. Please keep getting the word out to all your friends and family who may have been at the preschool \u2013 we are looking forward to celebrating 50 Years of Play together!<\/p>\n

\"MC900436222\"<\/a>A New Job for Next Year?<\/h2>\n

Fancy a change? We’ll be electing new executive members at the May general meeting, and have a number of vacancies that we hope you will give some consideration too. Most of the executive positions follow the school year, like President, Vice President, Class Representative, Fund Raising Coordinator and Special Events Coordinator. A few of the executive positions follow the calendar year, like Treasurer and Enrollment Coordinator. If you have interest in helping lead the operation of the preschool, we hope you consider seeking election for any one of the vacancies we have. If you’d like to learn more, please contact Jeff Arason at jeff.arason@gmail.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"lynda\"<\/a>Welcome Lynda!<\/h2>\n

Want to learn a little about our new teacher? Here is her bio:<\/p>\n

Lynda Joshi is a fully licensed Early Childhood Educator with certification as an Infant Toddler Educator as well as a Special Needs Educator.\u00a0She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Care and Education at Capilano University.<\/p>\n

Lynda has over 15 years of experience teaching and providing care and support to children and their families, most recently working for the Burnaby School District in a variety of programs including StrongStart.\u00a0 She has also been an active community volunteer with several child and family focused organizations such as Canuck Place Children\u2019s Hospice and BC Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n

Lynda believes that all children are intelligent, creative, capable and unique in their own light.\u00a0 With this in mind, she strives to provide a classroom environment that sparks a love of learning, inspires imagination and provokes children\u2019s thinking while building upon their interests.\u00a0 She considers play an essential part of how young children learn and fully embraces a play based learning environment.\u00a0 She loves learning alongside children and finds it a great joy to witness their ongoing curiosity and innate sense of wonder.\u00a0 What she loves about engaging with children in her role as teacher is the endless possibilities in learning.\u00a0\u00a0 She enjoys creating spaces for children to be themselves, discover their passions and foster meaningful relationships.<\/p>\n

Lynda lives in New Westminster with her three children.\u00a0 Her interests include yoga, meditation, literature, fashion, film and fitness.\u00a0 She loves getting out into nature as well as enjoying great food.<\/p>\n

\"download\"<\/a>Upcoming Fundraising Opportunities<\/h2>\n

There are only TWO opportunities left this year to help raise funds for QPPS (and score some sweet stuff for your family in the process \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

April 22<\/strong> – orders due<\/div>\n
Cineplex movie tickets – general admission tickets (good for 18 months – 2 years)<\/strong><\/div>\n
$9 each<\/div>\n
Click here to access the form<\/a><\/div>\n
Movie tickets will be ready for pick up at the May meeting on May 3.<\/div>\n

May 20<\/strong> – orders due
\nAdams Meat pies<\/strong>
\nOrder forms will go out in the second week of May – so watch your inbox.
\nMeat pies will be ready for pick up at the June meeting on June 7.<\/p>\n

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Welcome to Kindergarten!<\/h2>\n

For those of you with children that are entering Kindergarten in September 2016, please watch out for “Welcome to Kindergarten” dates at the school you have registered your child at. These usually happen in May or early June. This information will be emailed\/mailed to you by your new school. We encourage you to attend with your child, as it is a great step to preparing them (and yourself!) for September.<\/p>\n

\"5Ws-signs\"<\/a>Attending QPPS Next Year?<\/h2>\n

Welcome to Queen\u2019s Park Preschool all new and returning duty parents! You and your child are about to enter a wonderful period of learning and growing together at Queen\u2019s Park Parent Participation preschool.<\/p>\n

All new duty parents, new duty parents that are being added to current families, and those who have not been duty parents since the 2010\/2011 school year are required to fulfill 10 hours of orientation. These orientation hours are required for our licensing and are as follows:<\/p>\n