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(MY E-MAIL FOR SHARING YOUR IDEAS: stormie@preschoolbystormie.com)

First of all, personally, I like monthly newsletters rather than weekly ones, and I feel that the shorter they are, the better, say no more than two pages tops (at least, for a half day program).

One suggestion: At the beginning of the school year, provide yourself with a small notebook to keep close at hand that is just for newsletter items.  Otherwise ( if you're like me), you're sure to forget something.  Here's a list of topics that could be put into newsletters (there are more notes of interest to come as I remember them or find them in my files).

Here's a sample newsletter I created from a "pretend" school for 3 & 4 year olds (names and dates are fictitious).  Its makeup is a combination of two of my favorite newsletters from past schools where I've worked.  As I've mentioned before, I like simplicity:
 

PRESCHOOL NEWS  
OCTOBER 1999

DIRECTOR'S NOTESMISS DURAN Well, September is nearly gone but we head into October with lots of new friends.  Our Halloween party this year will be on October 29th.  See your child's classroom for details and sign-up sheets.  We'd like to thank Eileen Fergusen, Amy Hendricks, Susan Jones, and Alice Cline for volunteering to be our "Classroom Parents" this year.  Please let them know of your interest in helping with parties throughout the school year -- the first one being our Halloween party.  Also, let me again invite you to take turns going with us on Wednesdays, the day we walk next door to visit the Elderly Daycare.  This is such a rewarding experience for both young and old.  REMINDERS:  --Please have your child wear shoes rather than sandals to school as they're safer footwear for the playground.  --Don't forget to regularly visit the Parent Bulletin Board outside your child's classroom  --Remember, "Show-N-Tell" is every Friday!     3 YR OLD CLASSROOM NOTESBLUEBIRDS ROOM: MRS. JONES & MISS ALANRED ROBINS ROOM: MISS SMITH & MISS STEWART  This month we will be doing lots of fun Halloween activities like "sponge paint" pumpkins, and Fall things like "tissue paper" leaves.  And we'll continue working on our self-help skills from September.  To find out what else we have planned for October, see our parent bulletin board.  As you plan your child's costume for the Halloween party, please don't buy scary masks as 3 yr olds are often afraid of them.  Choose friendly characters instead (like Casper, the ghost, for example). If you want to assist with the classroom party, contact Eileen Fergusen (phone number) or Amy Hendricks (phone number).  We will be celebrating these October birthdays: Bluebirds: Brittni Alan (12th), Alex James (15th); Red Robins: Jenna Jones (4th), Mary Lane (20th), Johnny Ames (21st).

4 YR OLD CLASSROOM NOTESHAPPY SUNBEAMS ROOM: MRS. HOWARD & MRS. TODDSMILING RAINDROPS ROOM: MRS. DYAR & MISS AINGE Our first month together was one of learning new rules and making new friends.  One of the children's favorite things to do at circle time has been to sing about "Katalina."  You can find out more about her on our parent bulletin board.  We'd like to thank Joshua's father (Alan Krier) for the Geo Board he made for our classroom.  The children enjoy it tremendously.  This month our main themes will be Fall, Halloween, the community helper theme of Firefighters, and much more (see our parent bulletin board).  By the way, don't forget, we need all permission slips for our firestation field trip by October 5th.  Oh, we also still need 6 more large brown grocery bags for our upcoming November projects.  Happy October Birthday to Alex Anderson (13th), Shauna Mallory (17th), and Joey Hayes (30th)!  We'll be doing lots of celebrating this month.  Featured website of the month:Child and Familyhttp://www.cfc-efc.ca/menu/eng011.htm   Featured book of the month:Chores Without Warsby Lynn Lott & Riki Intner   Kitchen Sorting Activity: Take all your silverware from the drawer, mix it up, then let your child sort it.  A CHILD MAY NOT INHERIT HIS PARENTS' TALENTS, BUT HE WILL ABSORB THEIR VALUES!Author Unknown

From Michelle in Michigan: Here's what I do with my newsletter: When the children have done really cute or artistic artwork, I snag it for my file.  Then when I do my newsletter I reduce the artwork to fit whatever space I'm filling.  I try to use a different child every week and put their names with their picture.  They love it.
Sue "B" from Jersey: One thing I do is print it newspaper style with columns and headlines -- this way it doesn't seem like so much to read and they can scan headings for their interest
From Donna King: Each month I keep a copy of that month's newsletter and add it to a binder with all my newsletters from the past year or so.  I find that it's an easy way of referring back to last year's activities and themes.  I can just flip back and see what we did last year!
From Rosa M. Tilley in West Virginia (Mom first, teacher second):
I have blank calendars that I fill in at the beginning of the month that list teaching concepts, themes, parent meeting dates, policy council dates, parties, field trips, screenings, and other important dates.  I send them home with parents on a monthly basis and encourage them to hang them somewhere to be seen easily and often.  I've had parents tell me they rely on them.
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Reminder from Stormie: If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards."  Click here to check them out.