School has started!  The first week of school went very well and by the end of the week the students, teachers and parents had gotten into the routine. All-in-all it was a very smooth start to the school year.

The Principals and staff at Clifty Creek and Taylorsville elementary have been very welcoming to our staff and students.  We have been very thankful to have the cooperation of the school staff as we have worked through new procedures for busing, breakfast and lunch with our little ones.

It has been amazing how quickly the four-year olds have figured out the busing and car line procedures, lunch, recess and classroom routines.  The teachers are settling into their classrooms and already getting to know the children, their interests, expectations and challenges.  The classes are a good mix of the general population. 

The Busy Bees staff is doing a fabulous job.  Cathy King, the Director, has been spending most of her time in the classrooms assisting the teachers and children.  She has also been interviewing staff as we are still looking for one Teaching Assistant (Taylorsville) and 1 ½ Family School Partners.  Interviews are currently taking place and we hope to have people in these positions soon.

The Teachers are doing a great job as they get to know the children and learn the Reggio teaching methodology.  In addition to Cathy King, our staff currently consists of:

·         Taylorsville - Teachers: Hollie O'Connor and Megan Bozell

Assistant Teachers: Cheryl Lopez, Jennifer Tekulve and Ainsley  Fleetwood

·         Clifty Creek - Teachers:  Sharon Newton and Gina Egloff;

 Assistant Teachers: Bonnie Grizzle, Raina Jones, Toni Perry and Lauren Greathouse

·         Kate Garrity, Social Worker, has also been helping in the classrooms and meeting with children and parents.

In a typical day the children have circle time, participate in centers (Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science and Art), explore and work on projects, eat lunch (in the classroom with the teachers), rest, play outside, and have music and movement time.  Most of their day is spent in hands-on, creative play which is where the majority of the learning takes place.  The teachers are challenged with incorporating the Indiana Standards into the activities taking place in the classroom.  The children are very engaged, energetic and having lots of fun!

We are also very happy to let you know that we are working on more community connections for the program.  A group of students studying early childhood at IUPUC will be working in our classrooms and assisting with parent academy and family nights.  In addition, we have a few High School students who have approached us and would like to do their Senior Projects with the Busy Bees Academy.   We are so excited to have a number of people who are willing, able and excited to assist us with this program.   Along those same lines, we have reserved a booth at both the 2010 Youth Summit hosted by BCSC and the Youth Advocacy Community Coalition as well as a booth at the Drive-In Movie Family Event sponsored by the Council for Youth Development.  Both events will provide good outreach and exposure for Busy Bees Academy within our community.

Thanks again for your support and know that even in one short week we have seen that your commitment to these children and families is already making a difference in their lives!