October Garden News

Look outside in the children’s garden and you can see the work the gardening committee has just done. On October 7^th four families worked together to reorient the planting boxes so that they receive more sun, and to allow for larger gatherings in the garden (so we can better share planting, playing, singing, stories with the children in the garden space…). We’ve also planted seeds, as well as seedling plants that children started during the past few weeks.

A successful summer harvest of tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and eggplant, and a few carrots and beans provided fresh delicious veggies for snacktime several times per week this summer. Now we are eagerly looking forward to our winter garden. We still have sweet pepper plants growing, and we’ve planted strawberries, two kinds of peas, two kinds of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, beets, kohlrabi and radishes. We hope some of them grow well and allow the children many more opportunities to experience the excitement—and delicious taste—of home-grown food. We will continue to plant seeds in seedling trays with the children every 1-2 weeks, providing more plants for the garden, as well as a very visible experiment in what happens when you plant seeds in soil and add water and sun.

If you coop—please compost! We moved the composter so that it is very convenient—just outside the garden door. Composting is like magic—all non-animal food waste (and dried leaves, woodchips, and other plant waste) is transformed into dark black crumbly earth with which we can replenish the soil. If you don’t know how to compost—just check out the “how to” signs in the kitchen. Take a couple of kids with you to dump the scraps. Slide open the door at the bottom and look at what is going on in there. Children can certainly learn to set aside the compostable scraps from their own food, particularly if adults model it for them.

When you are at the school—ask your kids to show you the garden. In addition to plants, you may find some interesting insects out there too. Also, check out the concrete slabs with children’s handprints—they were students of ICNS in the 1970s!

-Emma Johnson

Dream Dinners

The Dream Dinners fundraiser took place last Tuesday, but don’t worry if you missed it. If you visit Dream Dinners any time in October and tell them that you are there for the ICNS’ fundraiser, they will still donate some of the proceeds from your visit to our school.

My Dream Dinners experience was better than I imagined. First, I had a fabulous time with the other ICNS parents. Second, the three dinners that my family has eaten so far have been absolutely delicious. Finally, the meals were easy to prepare and the best part is that I didn’t have to prep the food or clean up after myself.

Thank you Isa Sabey for organizing this event and introducing me to Dream Dinners. I plan to return very soon.

-Stephanie Palomo Schmidt

Picture Day Reminder

Please remember that Thursday, October 18th (tomorrow) and Friday, October 19th are picture days at ICNS.

-Stephanie Palomo Schmidt

SDFD Visits ICNS!

A friendly crew of San Diego firefighters brought their fire engine to ICNS on Friday. It was quite an exciting day for our students, teachers, and parents.

Miss Sylvia directs students and parents.

Engine 35 turns the corner.

ICNS students take it all in.

The very tall firefighter models his gear.

Miss Connie tries on a fire fighter’s jacket.

Reuben and Nathan enjoy the inside of the fire engine.

-Stephanie Palomo Schmidt

Free Vacuum Filters

Since we have upgraded our vacuum cleaner (to one that works!) we have some leftover filters that someone from ICNS may be able to use. If you would like any of these items, please drop a note in the maintenance coordinator's box at school (outside Ms. Connie's door), and Chris will get back to you or place the filter in your child's cubby.

1 Kenmore Exhaust Replacement Filter HEPA Media

3 Vacuum Cleaner Belts (B-70) for Hoover Dial-A-Matic, GE Model U-8, or Kenmore Upright

3 Kenmore Electrostatic Champer Replacement Filter for Canister Vacuums

1 Vacuum Cleaner Bag, style F &G for Eureka Upright

Also please remember to check the vacuum bag when you are co-oping and change it as needed.

Thanks!

Christina (Julian's mom)

LA JOLLA FIRE DEPARTMENT TO VISIT ICNS

Dear Parents,

The La Jolla Fire Department will visit ICNS on Friday, October 12, 2007 at 9:30-10:30 a.m. All children are invited to attend.

If your child does not attend school on Friday mornings, you may bring your child to school to see the firefighters and their fire truck-but you must stay at school with your child.
I hope everyone will be able to attend.

Connie Justice

October Tuition Reminder

Tuition reminders have been printed and will be placed in each student's folder by the end of the week. For future reference, tuition is due on the first of each month and considered late by the fifth. Please make your check payable to ICNS and place it in the tuition folder location outside the director's office.

Thank you!

Stephanie Palomo Schmidt