Bubbles Galore

The Friday 1s class with Ms. Gloria is all about their bubbles. Blowing bubbles is a great activity that appeals to kids of all ages. It stops them in their tracks - which is a rare occurrence by all means! Blow bubbles for an infant as they sit in their bouncy seat or lay on their back and watch their eyes follow the bubbles around the room. Your toddler or preschooler can practice their eye/hand coordination by catching the bubbles with their hands or stomping them out with their feet. It is a no fail activity that is an easy mesmerizer no matter where you are. Bubbles are a great indoor activity at bath time and outdoors they are great for a windy day. On a cold day, see if your little one can blow frozen bubbles!

If you are up for it, here is a homemade recipe for bubbles:

1/8 cup liquid dishwashing soap

1 gallons water

1/2 tablespoon glycerin, available at any drugstore (optional)

Mix together gently and you have what it takes to make bubbles. You can make a bubble wand from a pipe cleaner that has been wrapped around a pencil or a stick. Voilà!

Here are a few other fun activities for your toddler (Since we are always looking for something to entertain the ever-mobile 1+ year old!) :

Use chocolate pudding as finger paint on wax paper (so you don't have to worry about them licking it!)

Cut out different shapes and have them stick them to a piece of contact paper

Let them paint their pumpkin instead of attempting the jack-o-lantern (easier for you and more hands-on for them!)

Spring Registration Information

SPRING REGISTRATION for current families begins on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1. The Spring Semester runs from January 23 through May 25, 2012.

To hold your current class spot, print the attached registration form, and mail it WITH YOUR SPRING TUITION ($245), to Kate Sinclair, 233 Grindall Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 30, 2011. If you do not submit your form by November 30, your spot could be given to another family. YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR FORM BY MAIL. FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL, IN PERSON, OR THROUGH CLASSROOM FOLDERS.

To change your class, ACT FAST. Change requests are granted based on availability, and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis as indicated on your post-mark. Print the attached registration form, indicate the new class you would like, and mail it with your Spring tuition check ($245) to Kate Sinclair at 233 Grindall Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. The sooner receive your application, the better your chances will be of getting your requested new class. You will be notified by mid-December if we are able to accommodate the change.

It would be helpful to our budget for you to print the attached registration form at home. We will provide some extra forms in the classroom in one of the wall pockets by the bulletin board, if printing at home is not possible.

It is JHTC's policy that all registration forms and tuition be mailed via US Mail. Applications and tuition cannot be dropped off in the classroom. JHTC will not be held responsible for registration forms and tuition left in the classroom.

If you have any questions, please contact VP of Registration, Kate Sinclair, at 443-449-5068, or at kch3d2002@yahoo.com

Spring registration opens to new families on December 1. Please spread the word about JHTC to your friends and families.

Fall Field Trip

This year's fall field trip was to the North Run Farm in Greenspring Valley. It was a dreary and rainy day but fun was had by all who came! The children got to ride on a tractor ride, pick pumpkins for a pumpkin patch, visit with the farm animals, and play in the corn maze. Thanks to Meg and Laura for organizing!

Tis the season to cook. Or at least dream to - what with all our free time, right? What with different gatherings for Halloween, Thanks Giving and then the holidays in December, I thought I would give out a secret that my friend Christine gave to me: a delicious, easy recipe to bring to parties that tastes like it took far longer to cook than it does:

Here's the "recipe" for the artichoke dip. Sorry that I'm not more specific - I swear that I "wing it" every time I make it! Soften 1-2 blocks of cream cheese (depending on how much you want to make - I just eyeball it!)

Add 1-2 jars of marinated artichokes - chopped and mostly drained - I save some of the marinade and add that to the cream cheese - Mix together

Add garlic powder (maybe 1 tsp)

Add salt to taste

Add 1/2 tsp white pepper

Add 1/2 bag (1 cup or so) of shredded cheese - italian or four cheese mix or cheddar

Microwave or bake until melty

Add remaining shredded cheese on top and continue to nuke or bake until bubbly

Dig in - pita chips, tostitos, bread or veggies are good with this

Bumper Ban

They're designed to be cute and comfortable, but crib bumpers can pose a deadly danger to babies, according to state health officials.
The head of Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says it's time to ban the sale of bumpers to save babies from potential suffocation. Experts say they can't justify keeping a product on the market that can gravely endanger a child, especially when they say they can't find any clear benefits to justify the risk. Bumpers are included with many nursery bedding sets and are billed as padding that can protect babies from bumping their heads or getting limbs caught in crib slats. Medical officials say the concern comes from the bumpers' potential to restrict a baby's airflow, which can cause suffocation. You can learn more about the proposed ban here:

http://www.wbaltv.com/video/29325587/detail.html

State officials are asking for public comment before they make a final decision on the ban, which would take effect in 2013. You can weigh in on the DHMH website: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/news/crib/cribbumpers.html

from Kerry Rice

Fall Field Trip!

Please join JHTC at

North Run Farm on Thursday, October 13!

Enjoy tons of fun including farm animals, hayrides, corn mazes and the best pumpkin patch around town!

The field trip will begin at 9:30 but please arrive by 9:15 to check in.

Please view the attachment for more info and the permission slip. There are also permission slips in the plastic bin labeled field trips on the wall in the back of the classroom.

All forms and money are due Monday, October 10.

www.rodgersfarms.com <http://www.rodgersfarm.com/> for more details.