Hello, I trust that you have had a great
couple of weeks since we were all together. Those who were able to attend the
field trip...a special thanks for making it such a great experience. I trust
you all had a good day with friends and/or family. I have several items that
need your close attention...please read carefully!
**IF you have a 2 year old, we are asking you to
have them in the red group/room from now on. In the past, this was the age
category used, but we went to 1 1/2 yrs last year, as there weren't many in
the orange group category. This year there are a large number of kids (too
many) in the orange group, and the leaders of this group are actually using this
time with the orange group to create a preschool-type experience with a little
more structure. Therefore we are going to go back to the 2 yr olds and under
included in the red group, having their own playtime and space. This may mean
that we will need additional helpers in the red group. Please be aware of this
if you are the floater position or a mom who just stays around even if you are
signed up for a specific age ground. Thanks for your help in making this
change.
The preschoolers will be using
washable finger paint this week, so don't wear favorite clothes...just in case!
;)
*The parking lot at EFree is
being resurfaced this week and maybe require some creative
parking. Just be aware that you may have to look around for places to
park.
1) This requires a VERY fast response from
you. This event was just recently made known to me...and if there are enough
people interested in this special Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium (formally known
as "Underwater World") experience at the Mall of America, we could charter a
bus. It would be a first come, first served, (all ages welcome) for the 55
passengers of the coach bus...at the cost of $11-$12 per person. We would go on
Monday, October 7th....leaving at 8:00am from Willmar, arriving at the Mall of
America at 10:30, leaving the Mall of America at 3:30pm and returning home at
6:00pm. This gives plenty of time for the Aquarium, some shopping, rides,
lunch, etc. As always, you can always go on your own anytime during the week.
If there is some interest among GRACE families, but not enough to fill the seats
of the bus, we will open the bus to other extended family and/or homeschooling
friends. You will need to sign up with a deposit of $12 per person (refundable
only if we can't fill the bus, and consequently, won't be going) THIS Thursday
at GRACE or mailed to me by Tuesday, October 1st.
*This isn't necessarily an
"organized" field trip, just a GRACE promotion of a great homeschool
week opportunity, with possible transportation provided.
*I can always get more Qdoba cards, if you would
like to suppliment your costs to go. :)
Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium · October 7 – 11
(Mall of America)
Homeschool
students and families are invited to join us October 7 – 11 for Homeschool
Week. General Aquarium admission for homeschool students and families will
be offered at a reduced rate and available during standard open hours
with a copy of
a valid reporting form. Learning stations will be available daily between 10
a.m. – 2 p.m. and discounted behind-the-scenes tours will be offered
at select
times. Admission: $5+tax per person; wristband is valid all day (10 a.m.
– 7:00
p.m.)
2) Remember to fill out the questions for Anna and return them to her, as she will be highlighting families in the upcoming newsletters.
3) Please bring your footballs again to
be used during Phy Ed. Remember....everyone needs to have tennis shoes on for
phy ed class. Moms, too! :)
4) If you didn't have your family's photo
taken last week for the photo directory, please don't leave until you do! :
) We hope to have it printed by the first week of October.
5) Rosa Gunderson has created a "GRACE"
blogsite and she is excited to introduce it to you. She has already put in
several hours to get it up and running and has already entered a few posts.
Check it out and see how it might be a form of communication that you enjoy
using. PLEASE remember, it is intended to be an internal blog...only for
current GRACE members. We are trying to protect everyone's names, personal
info, etc., and keeping it for GRACE families will help in that endeavor.
Please feel free to use it, contribute to it and encourage one another with
scripture, prayer requests/praises, curriculum insights, household helps,
good book reviews, etc.
6) Don't
forget, this Saturday is our Annual Fall Family night...rescheduled from
the 14th due to the weekend of rain that blessed our land!
7) Check the email attachment for
this week's and next week's schedule of helping moms,
8) Send any classifed ads (GRACE family run business, give
away, for sale, for loan, needed, etc.) to Anna by Tuesday evening/EARLY
Wednesday morning. Let's really use this aspect of the newsletter to bless each
other.
9) I am making final contacts for information regarding the
optional field trip to Granite Falls on October 3rd. This would include
the Fagan WWII Museum (look on the website for more info) and the Yellow
Medicine Historical Museum (focus on Indian history). We would plan a picnic
together between the two sites at a nearby park/playground. Transportation
would be independent. We would give a "group donation" to the Museum...not the
$10 per person suggested, based on how many attend. Most likely $2-$3 per
person.
10) There was a considerable amount of interest for a monthly
mom's night out. There was no clear day of the week that was best for a
majority and there was interest in both meeting in Willmar, as well as in
people's homes. So, beginning in October, I will be scheduling the next three
months of "Mom's Night Out" gatherings. I figured this month felt full enough
with getting everything started and the field trip...that we'd enjoy an evening
together all the more in October.
11) There are 3 DVDs left over from last spring's celebration night. They
are $5 each. They include the musical aspect of the program, as well as the
slide show highlights. First come, first served. Let me know right away
