Kazoo School

E-News   May 9, 2008

Preschool News
By Hjordis Snider and Jamie Marshall

The countdown is three more days until our chickens eggs hatch! We attempted to test egg fertility this week by making a hole in a shoe box with the diameter of about 25% the size of the egg. We set the egg on this hole and placed a flashlight under the box so the egg was illuminated. Due to the contents of the egg, the light was unable to pass through it uniformly, which indicates an embryo is present!

Our caterpillars have entered the pupal stage as they have all climbed to the top of the cups and are hanging upside down. In one or two days they will curl up and harden into chrysalides. Then in another week they will become beautiful Painted Lady butterflies!

The preschoolers are spending a lot of time on their Nature Cafe preparations. They are writing poems on elements in nature and are also creating pieces of artwork that represent their elements. They will share these and other poems and songs on nature at the cafe on May 22nd and 23rd .

One of our favorite songs is titled "The Kleinstuck Woods". The very first class of Kazoo School Preschool actually wrote the words of the song four years ago as we hiked in Kleinstuck woods! It is dedicated to : Aiden's sister - Jordan Beebe, Gabbie's brother - Alex Chinigo, Charlie's sister - Maddie Hinkley, Bowen's sister - Cami Kittredge, Sam's brother - Gus Magnell, Simone's sister - Grace Marshall, Lydia's sister - Joslyn Miller and Primary student - Alex Vonhof. We know our many guests will enjoy hearing it at our program!

Kindergarten News
By Whitney Ihrman-Holmes

We can’t believe that May is already here! The month will prove to be a busy one. We will be involved in many special projects, events and activities. The students enjoyed performing their skit Bark George for the school and are working on a new one as we speak. The students are very proud of a special Mother’s Day gift that they designed and created. I am sure that the Moms will be thrilled. The Kindergarteners are also excited about learning to tell time and are even able to write down the time. Our unit on maps led nicely into a study of world geography which pealed an interest in flags. We made fractional flags with our big buddies and made United States and family flags as well. The children are curious about their own state and are doing some research at school and at home to share with the group; did you know that Michigan (Battle Creek) produces more cereal than anywhere else in the world? We will spend more time outside and in the woods now that the weather has “broken”. Some activities in Klienstuck will include adopting, sketching and writing about trees and taking part in some Native American games. Happy spring!

Primary News
By Misty Penney

Our class learned the real meaning of "If at first you don't succeed, try, and try again." We wanted to make a model of the Earth that we could use to label the continents and oceans. We completed the first step of paper mache on our giant Earth. We came to school the next day, anxious to add a second layer of paper mache... and found that our balloon had popped! We started over with a new balloon. We came in the next day... it had popped! So we got creative. We started over using a beach ball. Now this was a little smaller than we had hoped for, but it would work. We completed both layers of paper mache and began the painting. Part of the ball deflated and our paper mache cracked and flattened! Instead of getting upset, we brainstormed ways to fix it. We decided to make the flat part into the bottom of the Earth. Now it can sit on a table and not roll off! I think that was an important lesson for the children to learn. Things do not always go as planned. We worked hard, made the necessary accommodations, and ended up with a beautiful model of the Earth! The children are becoming experts on the oceans and continents!

We have a classroom full of poets! The children have been hard at work writing several different types of poems. When I can get them to agree that we have enough poems, we will be compiling them into a class poetry book. Each child will be able to take a copy of the book home.

The children are also working very hard on their Authors Tea books. The Tea will be on Wednesday, June 4th at the Kalamazoo Library. Mark the date on your calendar, and start talking to your children about what they want to wear! We will be dressing in our nicest clothing.

Please join us Monday, May 12th at 6:30 for the Kazoo School Annual Meeting. Child care will be provided. RSVP to Kristi Betts at if you are planning to attend and will need child care.

Reminders:

• GIRLS ON THE RUN: Mark your calendar May 22, 2008 for the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run Wonder Girl 5k at Western Michigan University. The run will begin at 6:30 p.m. – and you won’t want to miss it. The run is open to the community. Please check out the website: www.girlsontherunkazoo.org for additional information.
• Please apply or provide sunscreen and bug spray for your children as they will be outdoors and in Kleinstuck now that the weather is warmer.
• We would love to see you at the following Kleinstuck events:
        Native flower planting (Sunday) - May 11 at 3 pm.
        Contact Janice Russo at with questions.
• Recess Volunteers are needed for Tuesdays and Thursdays – please help us with this important supervision.
• All are welcome to attend our weekly Friday assemblies. Stop by for drop-off and stick around to see the program, it’s a great way for parents to meet.
• Please turn in your enrollment contracts for next fall
• The Fourth Annual Kazoo School Golf Outing is coming! MARK JUNE 14TH ON YOUR CALENDAR RIGHT NOW!! We need you to put this on your calendar now, so you can bring a team, be a hole sponsor, or donate goods or services. If you are planning to enter a four-person team, be a sponsor or donate something to the outing, now is the time to send in your paperwork. June 14th is the big day! Play starts at 8:00 a.m. at Binder Park Golf Course. Cost is $75, which includes 18 holes, cart and lunch. Plan on bringing extra cash for all of the “specials” we have planned at the different holes; chances to win big!

Sponsors and those donating goods or services should turn those in by May 16th. This will be one of the most enjoyable golf outings you’ve ever attended! If you haven’t been in one yet, this will definitely be the most enjoyable one you’ve ever done! Proceeds will benefit the Kazoo School. So please sign up now, and get your friends to sign up as well! Attached are entry forms and sponsor information.

Retail Certificate News: Last day for SCRIP purchases to apply to your Kazoo School 2007-08 profit obligation is the last day of school, Friday, 13 June 2008.

SCRIP will be available for purchase during the summer months. Orders must be emailed to . Phone orders or walk-in orders cannot be accepted. Please check your child’s Friday folder or the Kazoo School website: kazooschool.org (support Kazoo School: SCRIP/Summer Sales) for sales dates.

EFT (electronic Funds Transfer) transactions make purchasing SCRIP a breeze!!! No need for checks or cash. See Phillip Heasley in the business office for auto-withdrawal forms.