October 2015 BECS Newsletter
Celebrating 30+ years of setting
imaginations free!
Upcoming Events
A note about Halloween:
This can be a scary time of
year for young children and
some families do not
celebrate this holiday. At
school, we celebrate the
seasons. Children are not
expected to come to school
in costumes. They can dress
up at school any day.
Oct. 1 & 2
Grandparents and Special Friends Day. (Please see
your child’s teachers in regards to times and activities.)
Oct. 13
PTO Meeting - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. This month’s meeting
will be our school’s annual safety presentation.
Oct. 19
All Day Kindergarten at BECS
Oct. 29
All Day Kindergarten at BECS and Harvest Celebration
Day. (See PTO News on Page 3 for more information
on our Harvest Celebration.)
From the Director
Joe Coffey
Outdoor time…
[email protected]
At Burbank Early Childhood School we encourage children to extend the curriculum of the classroom
to the outside. We have flower gardens, veggie gardens, sandboxes, climbers, bike paths, and more.
This is an important time for children to exercise, develop motor skills (both large and fine) and to
participate in any social interactions. The goals we have for outdoor play are based in experience and
research. The rules that we establish are grounded in safety and logic. One goal of using the outdoor
space is to encourage creative play, risk-taking and learning. Before we stop a child from using
equipment in a new or different way we will stop to think about if the child is in danger or is putting
others in danger. We will consider if there is danger of the equipment being damaged. If the answer is
no, we will allow the play to continue. Below are a few of our general outdoor rules.
We will be consistent with classroom rules regarding wheeled toys. Our school does NOT provide
helmets but you are welcome to bring one from home. Swings, climbers and the slides provide
opportunities that challenge children’s motor skills. Our rules will be consistent but will encourage
those challenges and safe risk-taking. Our sandboxes are agents to most children. Like many things in
preschool, they are messy and beautiful. Our rules for the sandbox are centered around keeping sand
out of people’s eyes and mouths. Mixing water with the sand is very messy but great fun and a terrific
science experience. We will go outside if it is warmer than 20 degrees (including the wind chill factor).
October 2015 BECS Newsletter
Celebrating 30 years of setting
imaginations free!
Health Position
Grandparents and
Special Friends Day
Nut Free
Our school has hired a part-time nurse to temporarily fill our open
health position. Please join us in welcoming Betty Giammar to our
school. Betty is an RN who retired from the district but has stayed on in
several different capacities over the years. One way in which she has
always been connected to BECS is by providing on-going training for
our staff. We are thrilled to have Betty with us while we continue to work
with the district to find a permanent professional to fill the position. To
reach Betty’s office, please dial 614-487-5158 ext. 1270.
October 1st and 2nd are Burbank’s annual Grandparents and Special
Friends Days. One these days, please allow your children to invite their
grandparents or some other adult who is special in their life to come to
their classrooms. Please see your child’s teachers for arrival times.
When parents or others are bringing food into the school, we ask that they
remember that our school is officially NUT FREE. Please do not send any
foods containing any type of nuts to school. If you are having trouble
finding substitutes for peanut butter, please speak to your child’s teachers
or stop by the office.
Getting to know us…
Amy Tomasko
Room 101
Amy joined BECS in 1994 and became a Lead Teacher in 1996 after receiving her
degree from CSCC in Early Childhood Education with a Pre-K teaching license.
Originally from Illinois, Amy moved here with her husband, David, in 1993. They
have lived in many places including Australia and together enjoy a passion for
traveling. Rescue dogs are also very important to them and they have anywhere
from 2 to 4 dogs at a time included in their family. Amy considers creating a
nurturing and respectful classroom environment with ample opportunities for
children to communicate and explore among the most meaningful of her roles at
Cathy Nicoloulias
Room 101
Cathy joined BECS in 2004. She holds a CDA credential. Cathy is a member of
NAEYC, OAEYC, The Council for Professional Recognition, and MOPS. Cathy’s
family consists of her husband and four children. Cathy volunteers at the Greek
school at Orthodox Cathedral, where her children attend(ed). She enjoys reading
and running, having completed her first marathon in 2007! Cathy considers
helping children to complete tasks, encouraging discussions and understanding
how children interpret their environment to be among the most meaningful of her
roles at BECS. Burbank is proud to have Cathy as part of our school family.
October 2015 BECS Newsletter
Celebrating 30 years of setting
imaginations free!
PTO News
October’s*already*shaping*up*to*be*another*busy*month*for*the*Burbank*PTO!**Some*of*
the*highlights*include:*
Books%Galore!
As*a*result*of*our*successful*PTO*membership*drive*earlier*this*school*year,*the*PTO*will*be*purchasing*a*
total*of*46*new*hardcover*books*to*be*distributed*throughout*Burbank’s*classrooms.*Outdoor%Playground%
Addi6ons
This*month,*the*PTO*is*purchasing*a*permanent,*outdoor*basketball*hoop*for*our*younger*students,*along*
with*small*brooms*for*the*children*to*team*up*and*sweep*up*sandbox*sand.*Refrigerator%Dona6on
A*refrigerator*was*generously*donated*to*replace*the*one*currently*located*in*the*second*floor*climbing*
room.*
Upcoming%Events:%Save%the%Date!%
October%PTO%Mee6ng:%October%13
This*month,*we*will*be*hosGng*the*Safety*MeeGng*in*lieu*of*our*regularly*scheduled*PTO*meeGng.*The*Safety*
MeeGng*will*be*held*in*the*BECS*first*floor*conference*room*from*5:30*PM*–*6:30*PM.*
Square%1%Art%Fundraiser%(Artwork%Due%October%14)
For*the*past*several*years,*Burbank*has*partnered*with*the*Square*1*Art*Company*for*a*highly*successful*
fundraiser*in*support*of*Burbank’s*PTO.*Together*with*their*teachers,*your*children*will*create*beauGful*
works*of*art*that*Square*1*Art*then*transfers*onto*high*quality*mugs,*pillows,*etc.*These*items*will*be*
available*for*purchase*just*in*Gme*for*the*holidays.*In*addiGon,*Square*1*extends*the*invitaGon*to*other*liUle*
arGsts*in*your*family*who*may*not*currently*aUend*Burbank.*If*you*are*interested*in*having*any*of*your*other*
children*create*a*work*of*art,*please*email*Corrinn*Ekker*at*[email protected].*All*artwork*from*home*must*
be*completed*and*turned*into*your*Burbank*classroom*teacher*by*Wednesday,*October*14.*For*more*
informaGon*on*Square*1*Art,*you*can*check*out*their*website*at*www.square1art.com.**They*also*provide*
lots*of*project*ideas*if*you*need*some*inspiraGon!*%%
Harvest%Celebra6on:%October%29R30
This*year’s*event*will*feature*an*apple*cider*press,*harvest*songs*and*dancing*by*Bloom*Music*&*Movement,*
storytelling*by*the*BECS*teachers*and*a*gourd*painGng*craY.*Each*classroom*will*have*the*opportunity*to*
visit*all*(4)*staGons*between*9*AM*–*1*PM*during*the*two]day*celebraGon.
Elec6on%Day%Bake%Sale:%November%3%(No%school)
We’re*looking*for*volunteers*to*help*staff*the*table*and*donate*baked*goods*for*this*annual*event.*If*you*are*
interested*in*parGcipaGng,*please*contact*us*at*[email protected].
Barnes%&%Noble%Book%Fair:%December%4R6
20%*of*the*sales*proceeds*from*books*purchased*during*this*Gme*will*be*converted*into*free*books*for*
Burbank!
If*you*have*quesGons*or*would*like*to*join*our*great*volunteer*group,*please*contact*us*at*
[email protected].*
Respecbully*submiUed*by*your*PTO*officers:
Courtney*Clark,*Suzanne*Miller,*Chris*Burleson*and*ChrisGn*McNeil*
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