Large list of songs about school (from Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_school
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Importance of Organic produce
My Potato Project; The Importance of "Organic"
A child's experiment turns into a lesson on the toxins in our food supply.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exBEFCiWyW0
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
2011 Moving on Ceremony
Friday June 10, 2011
We had a wonderful celebration at the Co-Op Friday, our end of year moving-on ceremony. It is the time each year where our oldest children (some of whom have spent as many as three years with us, or even longer, if their older siblings had attended prior to them, in which case, the graduating kids we may have known even before their mother became pregnant). Because of these kiddos especially, I usually avoid saying the word "goodbye" rather I choose to say "Until next time" or "Until we meet again." Truth is, many of these children whom are soooooo connected to us and whom we have hugged and comforted many times over, will move on through life, never looking back, which I totally understand, after all, it's only preschool for goodness sakes.
Something though that has been occurring these past few years has been to reconnect with many of them through Facebook, now that they are teenagers, and/or even young adults now. For instance, even my own two boys, whom are both alumni from San Anselmo Cooperative Preschool too, are already ages 22 and 19. When my older son had begun in 1991, I had just given birth to my younger one, so he was one of those kiddos who has an even deeper connection with the place, having already been comfortable there even before his very first official day of school, nearly three years later.
Anyhow, back to this year's moving-on ceremony. We have many traditions which have continued through the years, and each year, due to the various parents involved in the planning, there is a uniqueness of it's own anyways. This year, for the first time, one of our moving on girls, who's father composes music for a living, surprised us by joining in a duet with her father, singing a song which seriously brought tears to all three of us teacher's eyes, as well as most of the people in the audience. Although we usually get choked up every year (because no matter what, there is sadness in knowing that these kiddos may grow up and soon forget the times you spent comforting them when they missed their moms, or kissed their boo boo's, or helped them through a difficult moment with another child, or listened to their dreams and stories, or the wonder you saw in their eyes as they made a magical discovery from an activity you prepared, or the special moments where their laughter was absolutely contagious and happy times were shared. But this year, the moment the father/daughter duo broke into the song, we couldn't hold back. We were absolutely touched beyond words.
Soon afterwards, more of our amazingly talented musician parents began singing a song, especially written about our school, through the eyes of their experiences and let me tell you that one got us howling because some of the lyrics were soooo true, yet almost too true to have to read in black and white like that. But that is the point, it's all part of being part of such a community of families, whom are actually experiencing these things for themselves on days they are acting as the co-oping parent/teacher's (unlike many preschools, where parents drop off their children and then pick them up without having spent any time in the school when all the action is actually occurring, so they don't feel quite as connected with the experience, which I, personally, couldn't imagine choosing, what so ever). I'll post a link to the lyrics of this funny co-op graduation day song later so you can see what I'm trying to say here.
But the absolutely BIGGEST TEAR JERKER occurred when one of the songs sung was one we sing often with the children that goes:
We had a wonderful celebration at the Co-Op Friday, our end of year moving-on ceremony. It is the time each year where our oldest children (some of whom have spent as many as three years with us, or even longer, if their older siblings had attended prior to them, in which case, the graduating kids we may have known even before their mother became pregnant). Because of these kiddos especially, I usually avoid saying the word "goodbye" rather I choose to say "Until next time" or "Until we meet again." Truth is, many of these children whom are soooooo connected to us and whom we have hugged and comforted many times over, will move on through life, never looking back, which I totally understand, after all, it's only preschool for goodness sakes.
Something though that has been occurring these past few years has been to reconnect with many of them through Facebook, now that they are teenagers, and/or even young adults now. For instance, even my own two boys, whom are both alumni from San Anselmo Cooperative Preschool too, are already ages 22 and 19. When my older son had begun in 1991, I had just given birth to my younger one, so he was one of those kiddos who has an even deeper connection with the place, having already been comfortable there even before his very first official day of school, nearly three years later.
Anyhow, back to this year's moving-on ceremony. We have many traditions which have continued through the years, and each year, due to the various parents involved in the planning, there is a uniqueness of it's own anyways. This year, for the first time, one of our moving on girls, who's father composes music for a living, surprised us by joining in a duet with her father, singing a song which seriously brought tears to all three of us teacher's eyes, as well as most of the people in the audience. Although we usually get choked up every year (because no matter what, there is sadness in knowing that these kiddos may grow up and soon forget the times you spent comforting them when they missed their moms, or kissed their boo boo's, or helped them through a difficult moment with another child, or listened to their dreams and stories, or the wonder you saw in their eyes as they made a magical discovery from an activity you prepared, or the special moments where their laughter was absolutely contagious and happy times were shared. But this year, the moment the father/daughter duo broke into the song, we couldn't hold back. We were absolutely touched beyond words.
Soon afterwards, more of our amazingly talented musician parents began singing a song, especially written about our school, through the eyes of their experiences and let me tell you that one got us howling because some of the lyrics were soooo true, yet almost too true to have to read in black and white like that. But that is the point, it's all part of being part of such a community of families, whom are actually experiencing these things for themselves on days they are acting as the co-oping parent/teacher's (unlike many preschools, where parents drop off their children and then pick them up without having spent any time in the school when all the action is actually occurring, so they don't feel quite as connected with the experience, which I, personally, couldn't imagine choosing, what so ever). I'll post a link to the lyrics of this funny co-op graduation day song later so you can see what I'm trying to say here.
But the absolutely BIGGEST TEAR JERKER occurred when one of the songs sung was one we sing often with the children that goes:
"I love my mommy, I love my mommy, yes it's true, yes it's true, and she loves me too, and she loves me too, yes she does…. yes she does"
"I love my daddy, I love my daddy, yes it's true, yes its' true, and he loves me too, and he loves me too, yes he does, yes he does."The words can continue like this for quite some time as you can imagine, when the children are involved in who to include such as grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives, pets, Yoda, etc. But on this particular day, for me, it was especially meaningful because I had the gift of both of my own parents there to join in the festivities. It was one of their first stops on their way towards Canada, in their RV. They have come to this ceremony one other time and seemed to enjoy it so much that they hope to make it a tradition from now on. I'll get into the rest of my visit with them in the following posts, but back to my reason for bringing them up on this particular day. Can you imagine the words being sung, as I'm gazing right at my mother during I Love my mommy….. and she loves me too…..? Then, I Love my daddy……. and he loves me too, etc. Here is where the tears were flowing but luckily these ones were pure tears of joyful love that they were actually there for real for me to sing it to them. Pure heaven is all I have to say. It was such a perfect day, too, couldn't have asked for better weather (which believe it or not, we were actually concerned about for the first time in all my years working there, because just one week before, we were still experiencing the rainy season. Spring nearly didn't occur at all with all the endless rain. So once again, I am grateful for a glorious June morning at San Anselmo Co-Op.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
John Hunter - World Peace and other 4th Grade Achievements
The World Peace Game and other 4th Grade Achievements Trailer
http://www.rosaliafilms.com/trailer.htm
TedTalk with Inspiring Educator John Hunter on the World Peace Game
TedTalk with Inspiring Educator John Hunter on the World Peace Game
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Few shots of me Cruising on my Quads
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| Now this is the way to cruise San Anselmo |
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| I Love my Skates after all these years!!! |
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| 2011 09 26 San Anselmo Country Fair Day |
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| Rainbow Skating Teacher |
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| Fairfax Festival Parade holding Tyler's hand and carrying Minna |
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| Cruisin' on my skates with Tyler holding one hand and Lucas holding the other |
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| Oops, I gracefully tumbled to the ground on my skates. |
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| Talkin' to the little girl who I tripped over. UGH!! |
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| But luckily, I'm still smiling. Fairfax ROCKS!! |
Friday, April 15, 2011
Agricultural Institute of Marin seeks Zero Waste Volunteers
We are so blessed to have such dedicated environmental stewards who understand the value of educating the public about how to properly dispose of their waste while working towards a zero waste goal. RIGHT ON MARIN!!!
Zero Waste Education Volunteers:
Agricultural Institute of Marin is thrilled to be launching a new recycling and composting program at the Thursday and Sunday morning Marin Farmers Markets. We need a dedicated team of volunteers to help educate farmers market shoppers about how to use the new system correctly and to encourage recycling. Volunteers will manage three “recycling” stations at the Thursday and Sunday markets from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Volunteers are to explain the various bins and what goes in each and help the customers when needed get their waste/recyclables and compostables into the correct bin.
Additional Volunteering Opportunities
AIM is looking for local food enthusiasts interested in volunteering at our farmers markets. Opportunities abound and your energy will play a pivotal role in building vibrant local food communities. Below are brief descriptions of the volunteer positions available at our seven markets.
Culinary Programs Volunteer
Help with AIM's culinary education programs such as chef demonstrations, market tastings, and the new Eat Local 101 hub. (Sunday Civic Center only)
Information Booth Volunteer
Help set up, manage, and take down Information Booth at your local market. Answer questions, sell merchandise, and promote AIM programs and events. (All Markets)
Photography Volunteer
Take photographs in support of AIM programs, events, displays, website and marketing/media efforts. (All Markets)
Special Events Volunteer
Assist AIM staff in coordinating Special Events and Fundraising Event programs in support of AIM's mission.
http://www.agriculturalinstitute.org/index/volunteers#
If you are interested in becoming a AIM volunteer, please fill out an application.
Submit your application and direct any questions to
Leah Smith:
Phone: 415.472.6100
Fax: 415.472.6104
Greener Farmers Markets through the Agricultural Institute of Marin:
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday morning meeting in San Francisco
Today is Saturday January 22, 2011.
Bright and early this morning, I awoke with the sun, giving myself enough time to 'catch up' with email's and online group conversations that I've been putting off. Also took some time to skim through the CCPPNS By-laws (and re-organize my binder AGAIN), in preparation for the 10am Northern Area Board (NAB) meeting in San Francisco, which I'm proud to say, I actually arrived to on time for a change. The meeting was at a parent cooperative preschool called Laurel Hill Nursery School. The best part about attending these monthly meetings is getting to visit other preschools and check out what they are up to. I almost always have my camera on hand to capture things I especially like.
Bright and early this morning, I awoke with the sun, giving myself enough time to 'catch up' with email's and online group conversations that I've been putting off. Also took some time to skim through the CCPPNS By-laws (and re-organize my binder AGAIN), in preparation for the 10am Northern Area Board (NAB) meeting in San Francisco, which I'm proud to say, I actually arrived to on time for a change. The meeting was at a parent cooperative preschool called Laurel Hill Nursery School. The best part about attending these monthly meetings is getting to visit other preschools and check out what they are up to. I almost always have my camera on hand to capture things I especially like.
Laurel Hill Nursery School Co-Operative
Creative outdoor garden at Laurel Hill Nursery School.
Wonderful use of a typical San Francisco hillside yard.
Cool cement slide at Laurel Hill Nursery School in San Francisco.
Great use of an otherwise unusable hillside yard space.
Outdoor mosaic to potentially place in the garden
at Laurel Hill Nursery School in San Francisco.
Lovely project idea. Water scene with seaweed plants made from scrap fabrics.
Next month we don't have a NAB (northern area board) meeting scheduled and the meeting in March won't be at any of Northern California preschool as it typically is because we will be having the meeting prior to our teacher/director appreciation luncheon at Jack's restaurant in Pleasant Hill. Then, the meeting after that will be our JAB meeting (Joint area board) during convention April 1-3, 2011 (which will be here before I know it). Getting super excited about our upcoming early childhood convention themed: Children, Nature, Play. Should be amazing.
Friday, January 21, 2011
State Licensing Surprise visit today!!!
Working in a preschool, we always have worry about the possibility of a surprise, unannounced visit from State Licensing (the guard dogs from the California Department of Social Services Community Care licensing division). They literally spend several hours poking and prodding through your files, emergency kits, snack shelves, etc, etc, looking for something to write the school up on (which is usually the way they earn their money). Being a parent-cooperative since 1947, we've made it so that everyone has responsibilities, which pretty much cover's each of the licensing requirements, such as making sure the weeky menu is posted, or that allergies are posted (as well as all their required poster's), etc, etc. With each parent holding specific jobs, we always cross our fingers once licensing arrives (once every 2 or 3 years) in hopes that everyone has done their job and is on top of it today especially. Unfortunately we never know until the end of the visit, when we have to read her printed report and sign it.
a lot of trust which takes place Licensing is sort of like the health department for food places or osha for places where safety might be of concern, and also like the board of equalization for hair salon's.
Well, yesterday, Friday, just before coming in to work earlier than usual so that our Director could follow up with a dentist appointment, I arrive at work and am informed of our lovely guest. She was pretty cool, considering she is the one feared by all. She literally goes to many school per day and try's to make sure everyone's operating by their rules and the children are safe, etc. etc.
Well pretty much every single time licensing has come in it coincidentally happens when I'm there, so I've gotten better at these nerve racking visits by keeping my eyes and ears alert and making sure everyone is nice and safe.
Feeling the pressure as she types up her report was quite stressful due to the uncertain anticipation of the potential outcome, but I'm proud to say that our amazing school is 100% compliant, and that my friends, is a major relief...... indeed waaaaaaaay good news. Whoo hoo!!!
a lot of trust which takes place Licensing is sort of like the health department for food places or osha for places where safety might be of concern, and also like the board of equalization for hair salon's.
Well, yesterday, Friday, just before coming in to work earlier than usual so that our Director could follow up with a dentist appointment, I arrive at work and am informed of our lovely guest. She was pretty cool, considering she is the one feared by all. She literally goes to many school per day and try's to make sure everyone's operating by their rules and the children are safe, etc. etc.
Well pretty much every single time licensing has come in it coincidentally happens when I'm there, so I've gotten better at these nerve racking visits by keeping my eyes and ears alert and making sure everyone is nice and safe.
Feeling the pressure as she types up her report was quite stressful due to the uncertain anticipation of the potential outcome, but I'm proud to say that our amazing school is 100% compliant, and that my friends, is a major relief...... indeed waaaaaaaay good news. Whoo hoo!!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
First Blog
Well, here it goes, My very first blog about a day in the life of me, Chantal, a skating preschool teacher living in San Anselmo, California. Which just so happens to be the perfect place to begin....
This Monday morning, I awoke and began getting ready for a new work week, then put on my old school quad roller skates and headed down the lane.
The path along the side of my home was still a bit moist from all the rain we've been having but once I got to the street, I knew it was dry enough not to worry about slipping, so I continued on. Even though I probably would have arrived on time, by noon, I called to let them know that I was almost there. One of the parents answered and when I told her that I'd be there any moment, she asked "why?" then she continued by reminding me that there was no school today because of Martin Luther King Day and that she had only stopped by for a moment to do something real quick.
Well you can imagine the incredibly freeing feeling I now gained when I realized I now had the rest of the afternoon off. Wow!!! Way cool. So I immediately flipped around and rolled back towards home with an enormous smile on my face. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job and not a day goes by where I don't smile. The children in my care are absolutely precious and I'm sure in time, you'll see why I feel this way. Some of the things they say are seriously wrong, but the innocence behind their words allow them to get away with it. I'm sure I'll be sharing plenty of their words with you in future blogs so I'll spare you with examples right now because I still want to tell you about the rest of my Monday off.
What did I end up doing with all this newfound time today anyways, you may wonder? Well, I came home, collected the mail (nothing too exciting however) and wheeled back the garbage can which had sadly been left out front since Thursday's collection day (at least someone had already brought back the recycling container- lol). Came up the steps (on my skates), and didn't even bother removing them right away but instead, unlocked the door and came inside (startling my son Forest in the process, whom was just getting ready to leave for a hike (his college courses begin next week so he's still enjoying the final week of freedom that he's had the pleasure of having for the past couple months).
Anyhow, still wearing my skates, I got motivated to clear a path through my other son Nathan's room because sadly it was cluttered unnecessarily. Threw all the clothes on his bed, moved a couple of other items and dug out the vacuum cleaner. Next thing you know I'm on a roll, (literally since I was still on skates- ha ha) and start vacuuming like a mad woman. I even went so far as to tidy up all the random cables in the way and tucked them away real neat and tidy under the carpeting. I must say I'm way impressed at the burst of productive energy that came forth (a rare thing for me).
Soon, my husband George arrived home for lunch, very surprised and happy to find me at home. Another pleasant surprise resulting from my forgotten day off. After hanging out with him for a brief moment, he had to go back to work, so I decided to get my things prepared for the Quality of Life meeting I would need to attend later, so I booted up the computer and printed out the agenda and the minutes from last meeting, as well as the town newsletter's from December and January (because we hadn't met in December due to the holiday's). Then, as you can imagine, once I was on the computer, I multi-tasked and tried to read through my emails, respond to people, explore links I was sent and of course got completely sidetracked, as most of the day slipped past me.
Next thing you know my family slowly begins trickling in and a few minutes later, it's time for me to get ready to for the meeting. Arrived a few moments before 7pm, and visited with two of the other commissioners, Woody and Kevin. The other three were a few moments late, but eventually everyone showed up.... Sita, then Quinne and a friend, followed by our beloved outgoing mayor, Barbara.
The meeting was filled with discussions on things like our BYOB (bring your own bag) poster that our commission agreed to endorse, posting these posters in merchant windows as a friendly reminder for people to stop using single-use plastic bags and of course precious paper bags. The QOL commission has in the past also endorsed things like encouraging people to make wiser choices when shopping, by avoiding plastic items as much as possible, especially plastic beverage bottles like water, and to start using eco-friendly reusable bottles instead.
We also discussed LED lightbulbs and whether we felt important enough a product to endorse. We all realized that none of us knew enough about the pros and cons to make a decision but would research this further by the next meeting. Smart meters were also a big topic on the agenda. We learned that one of the main things people oppose about them is the fact that they are wireless, so we agreed that instead of refusing them altogether, nor demanding folks be allowed to opt out, we decided we'd write a letter to the PUC (public utilities commission) requesting they offer an wired/vs wireless option, which we feel just may satisfy both sides of the coin.
Furthermore, we elected Quinne as the Vice Chair commissioner. I think she'll be perfect for the job. We also talked about the letter we wrote to the town council about free parking for electric cars, and QOL openings, now that Matt has been accepted to the town's Planning Commission. The Chairman, Woody, asked if anyone was interested in writing up some type of proposal for something we could possibly do for the upcoming earth day in April. So, naturally I stepped up. OMG, Uggg, what was I thinking? As if I don't have plenty of other stuff to do before our ccppns convention on April 1-3 (more about all that later).
For now, that is about all I've got to say as it is nearly midnight already. Boy it was a lovely day but it sure went fast. Not surprised though, every day seems to go that way, the older I get. So ciao for now until blog number two. I must admit, I'm not 100% sure how this will go. Part of me wants to write about me. Another part wants to write about my work and another about all my volunteering. I suppose by writing about me, it will inevitably include all of those things anyways, so I guess me it is. Hence the name "Through Skater Chantals Eyes."
Thanks for reading a little about my world. Blessings to you today and always.
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