SPCNS Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences with your child’s teacher are scheduled for

Friday October 19

 

Please check with your child’s teacher for the time of your scheduled conference. 

Please remember that there is no school for children on this day.  Babysitting will be offered in the “Marks Room” while you attend your child’s conference. 

Conferences will be held in the following rooms:

o   Mrs. Vallejo    -          Nazareth Room (Big Room)

o   Mrs. Crossett -         Jericho Room

o   Mrs. Jones     -          Jerusalem Room

o   Mrs. Kozy       -          Bethlehem Room

o   Mrs. Hall         -          Stamy Conference Room

o   Mrs. Gianakas -          Library

Pittsburgh Public Schools Magnet and CTE Program Information Fair

The Pittsburgh Public School District will be hosting a fair for families whose children will be entering Kindergarten in 2013.  Please plan on attending this fair to gain more information about how the Magnet program works and when you can apply.

Magnet Fair:   Saturday, October 6, 2012, 9AM-3PM at Pittsburgh Obama (In the Peabody Facility)
Magnet Applications:   Due by December 14, 2012 at 5 PM

Magnet Schools Open House Dates and Times:
Allegheny K-5                      Please contact school at (412) 323-4100
Carmalt PreK-8                     Every Wednesday at 10:30AM
Dilworth PreK-5                   Tuesday, October 16, 2012 6-7:30 PM
Fulton PreK-5                       Saturday October 6, 2012, 4-6PM
Liberty K-5                           Weekly Tours: Call (412) 622-8450 to schedule
Linden K-5                            October 23 & 25, 2012, 10-11:30 AM
Montessori PreK-8                Tuesday October 9, 2012 6:30 PM
Phillips K-5                           Please contact the school at (412)488-5190

Visit the PPS website at www.k12.pa.us/magnet or call the Magnet Hotline at (412) 622-3991 for more information.

SPCNS October Calendar

Key to academic success?

Very interesting article on the New York Times Magazine regarding the importance of play based learning.  Keep this in mind when you are feeling pressured to get out the flash cards and start quizzing your children to prove their high level of intelligence...  Have fun reading the article.


http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/simon-says-dont-use-flashcards/

Parents' Night

 

When:     Tuesday October 2, 2012

Time:      7:00 p.m.
 
Place:      Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School
 
What:      An important parents’ only meeting with your child’s teacher, the Director and  
                members of the Board of Trustees. Teachers will discuss curriculum and learning 
                goals and important information for your child’s success in preschool.

                A representative from the Pittsburgh Public Schools will be available to provide 
                information and answer questions regarding Kindergarten registration for city
                residents.

 Schedule:
               7:00 - 7:15    Parish Hall (all parents)
               7:20 - 8:00    Your child's classroom
               8:05 - 8:30    Refreshment, fellowship and Pittsburgh Public School Information in 
                                    the Parish Hall

•  Mrs. Christman’s classes will meet in the Jerusalem Room by the school’s office

•  We regret that we cannot offer babysitting for this event

Back to School Ice Cream Social

SPCNS Fun

Spring is quite a special part of the year, and this is no exception at Nursery School.  Over the past few weeks the children have been engaging in some amazing activities.  Want to take a look?

The Big Room (Mrs. Crossett's and Mrs. Vallejo's classes) and Mrs. Kozy's class have been learning all about volcanoes.  The children in the big room made volcanoes out of clay, while the children in Mrs. Kozy's class used styrofoam bowls which they meticulously decorated.  Once their volcanoes were ready, they used vinegar and baking soda to make them explode with lava.  Take a look at the eruptions in progress...

In the meantime, Mrs. Halls class learned about a newly discovered dinosaur with wings.  The children used clay to sculpt the body of their dinosaurs and meticulously decorated them with colorful feathers.  Take a peek...

 
Mrs. Gianakas' children spent some time showing off their toilet paper roll creations.  Take a look at their amazing creativity.

Mrs. Callaway's class focused on learning all about the letter "W".  They received a visit from Mrs. Berg and her warms.  The children helped her in building a warm composting bin with a bed of wet newspapers and some tasty treats of weeds and coffee grounds.

Shadyside Presbyterian Church's Vacation Bible School

 
Babylon: Daniel's Courage in Captivity
Details
Shadyside Presbyterian Church
Monday through Friday
June 18-June 22
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Celebratory Banquet Friday, June 22, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Download Registration Form (PDF)
Purpose
To create a Christian community and devote our time to fun, Bible study, love, and service.
Overview
“Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity” – Join us in Babylon, where we’ll explore what life was like for Daniel and his family and friends, who were captives in a strange land. Children will: learn fun songs to help them remember Daniel; craft cool projects, like toys Daniel might have enjoyed; laugh as they play Bible games; visit with Daniel; and have some interesting snacks. Plus, children will meet lots of new friends!
Who Can Attend
Participants should be 4-years-old through students who have completed second grade. Older students are needed to apply to serve as junior and senior counselors. Applications will be available through the Christian Education office.
Families who are not members of Shadyside Presbyterian Church are encouraged to participate. Our VBS curriculum, provided by Group Publishing's Holy Land Adventure series, is non-denominational Christian. Other traditions enrich our understanding of ourselves.
Tuition
$40 per child, or $60 per family, for the week; financial aid is available. Class size will be limited to 15 students, and we likely will have two groups of 4-5 year-olds. The total enrollment is limited to 60 students (4 groups of 15).
Wear Comfortable Clothes
The children will play outdoors, if possible, or indoors daily. They should dress for relaxed games and playground play. They also will be enjoying some messy crafts.
Lunch
Each child should bring a lunch daily. We will store lunches in the church refrigerator.
Friday Night Banquet
On Friday evening, June 22, the last day of VBS, we will celebrate our week together with a potluck supper. Each family should sign up to bring a main dish, vegetable, or salad and bread. After dinner, the children will present a program of songs and skits they have prepared during the week.
Daily Offering
We will collect a daily offering for Shadyside’s children’s mission in Guatemala. You and your child should decide what best suits your family for this kind of disciplined giving. We also will collect an offering on Friday evening at the potluck supper.
Bible Texts for the Week
Children and adults will leave the city of Babylon knowing:
• When things change ... God is with you. Hebrews 13:5
• When you need help ... God is with you. Psalm 46:1
• When you're afraid ... God is with you. Isaiah 41:10
• When you're lonely ... God is with you. Matthew 28:20
• When you're thankful ... God is with you. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Compact Discs
Each family will receive a CD of our music. Parents can learn and enjoy these songs with us.
Typical Schedule 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Each age group will rotate among activity centers. Below is a sample schedule for the day.
9:00 Arrival/free play
9:15 Opening
9:35 Bible Activities & Drama
10:10 Music
10:45 Snack
11:00 Crafts
11:35 Outside Recreation
12:10 Closing
12:20 Lunch
Volunteer opportunities for 3rd-12th grade graduates and adults
Junior and Senior Counselors
If you are too old to enroll in VBS, we need you. Please apply as junior and senior counselors on the application (download here). You will work -- and play -- under the direction of church staff and adult volunteers. You will have special training as well as your own time together daily. Getting to know our counselors is always the children’s favorite part of Vacation Bible School.
Parent Participation
Parent and other adult volunteers are always essential to:
• prepare craft materials and decor in advance of VBS
• lead a craft or storytelling activity center daily (or on specific days during the week)
• help with arrival time from 8:45-9:15 a.m.
• provide snack one morning
• set up for Friday’s supper
• help with registration on Monday morning
We need your help whether you have only one hour or a whole week to give. Please share as much time as you can.
Questions or concerns?
Ellen L. Allston
412.682.4300, ext. 119
eallston@shadysidepres.org

Big Room Happennings...

Save the date!

Big Room moms,

Please plan to join us for

 muffins and tea on

Friday, May 11 at 11:30. 

Letter from the Board of Trustees regarding Parking issues

 
March 21, 2012

Hello Parents and Caregivers of SPCNS kids!

During the first semester of this school year we had several automobile “incidents” while dropping off, and picking up students. At the January Board meeting we accepted the offers of Linda Leach (Parent/Trustee) and Mala Mason (Parent) - who volunteered to look into this troubling traffic situation. (Thanks Ladies!)

We spent time talking to Mary Lang, Church staff and parents, and observing traffic on Amberson Ave. We also looked into methods to avoid further incidents and improve the safety of our Church and School.

Our observations found the following problems:

1. There are many aggressive drivers coming from Fifth Avenue, turning onto Amberson during the   morning rush hour/drop off time. With the staggered pick up times for 2 year olds, lunch bunch kids, and Wonderful Wednesdays-pick up times were much less hectic.

2. There are back ups in the circular drive when folks unload their cars before parking.

3. There is limited space in the circular drive due to the staff parking lot being full, and Church staff needing to use circular drive spots.

4. There are families who are un-loading kids on the street side of their cars, and crossing mid block instead of at the corner.

5. Amberson Ave. is dangerous simply due to the fact that the street allows for parking on both sides, and there is not enough street width remaining for two cars to pass.

6. Parking is also an issue on Sundays, and our Elders and Staff have decided to park on Fifth Ave (which is allowed on Sundays) to create more parking around the building.
Without going into too much detail, we spoke to the Traffic and Engineering Dept. of the City regarding crosswalks, additional stop signs, other signage, school zone designation, or speed bumps. None of these options were viable options for us. Therefore, we had to come up with our own plan.

Our solutions:
After speaking with parents and church staff, we have come up with an option to reduce traffic congestion on the Amberson side of our building.

Beginning April 10th, after Spring break is over, the Westminster Place entrance will be open for drop off from 8:50-9:15 am. Parking at the yellow curb will be permitted during this time. Sara Berg will be at the entrance to greet our families! Folks may proceed through our atrium and down the stairs to the Nursery School entrance where Mrs. Lang will continue to greet our kids. Families with strollers may easily access the Nursery School via the ramp at the Westminster Place entrance and inside the atrium. As you reach the receptionist desk at the other side of the atrium there is an elevator to the right to further accommodate stroller traffic. The elevator comes down right in the middle of the preschool hallway.

Our wonderful teachers have also helped us to alleviate some of the congestion around the circular driveway by freeing up parking spaces in the church’s staff parking lot and parking on the streets surrounding the school.

We all hope these changes will add an additional measure of safety for all of us. Please keep us informed of any other incidents, or speak with any Board Member or Mary with any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Your Board of Trustees