Artist of the month: Debbie Allen- is an American actress, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She currently teaches young dancers. In 2001, Allen fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California. Allen's academy offers a comprehensive curriculum for boys and girls ages four to eighteen in all the major dance techniques including Classical Ballet, Modern, African, jazz, and Hip-Hop. In addition special workshops are held for concentration in the Peking Opera, Martial Arts dance techniques, Flamenco, Salsa, and Tap.

Word of the month: Cooperation - assistance or willingness to assist

Theme of the month: Different Shoe Day (May 14, 2010)

Teacher of the Month: Erin Carr

Favorites:

Color: Brown

Book: Sense and Sensibility

Movie: Braveheart

Animal: Her English Bulldog "Shakespeare"

Say hello to Ms. Erin in the Baby Dragons purple class. Ms. Erin was born in Brooklyn New York and moved to Staten Island when she was 7 years old. As a child Erin was quite the athlete and was always playing (soccer, tennis, basketball and softball). She was always a really "good kid" and in fact says that she remembers that she was always the kid that every parent would say was the kids that everyone was happy to be around.

Erin has her Masters in "Education" and has been working with children for over 10 years.  She has a deep connection with making a difference in the communities around her. She says that Camelot has been challenging for her in so many different ways. It has given her new opportunities to show and exercise her multiple skills. She has learned so much more about herself. The program has boosted her confidence and is a huge change from the harsh schools settings that she was accustomed to in New York. She says that this school is refreshing and upbeat. She is very happy to be here and hopes to continue to learn from this experience each and every day.

IMPORTANT DATES

May 5, 2010:  Parent Appreciation Day

Time to get out the Margarita mix! (Just Kidding) but seriously WE LOVE OUR PARENTS! And because of this we will be serving up hot coffee and pan dulce (sweet bread) from (8-9am on the play yard) in celebration of all the wonderful mommies and daddies in our CK family.  Arrive early and enjoy! CHEERS TO YOU!

May 6, 2010: Pilates Group Work outs for CK Parents (Every Thursday 9:30-10:30am)

Summer is almost here and we're here to help you get that fabulous "After Baby Body" back into shape. Our awesome momma Kelly Tourgeman (owner of The Pilates Body) has offered Camelot Parents a 15% discount on her package pricing. Please sign up on the back gate or speak with Renae for more information. We will be starting our first class this Thursday 6^th.

May 6, 2010: Mother's Day "TIME OUT" at the Body Bar on Sunset (6-8:30p)

After our first Pilates workout - You're invited to the Body Bar Spa from 6-8:30pm for an evening of relaxation.   Heather (Tristan's mommy) is closing her Spa this night for our CK families to receive VIP mini treatments.  Complimentary wine, Art of Tea and finger foods will be served.   Please call to book your appointments directly with The Body Bar to ensure you have a reservation for treatments.  If you just want to relax with wine and nibbles the more the merrier. Mom's Day Gift Certificates and specials are available. Please visit our website for more information at www.bodybarspa.com. Mention you're a CK parent and receive 25% off regular treatments now through May 31^st.

Body Bar Spa

3037 Sunset Blvd (just North of Parkman)

323-663-1533

 May 13, 2010: St. Francis Drill Team (1:30-2p) is coming to CK -  

We will be hosting a drill team performance from the Saint Francis girl's drill team in the month of May.  We are very excited!  If you would like to come watch please arrive early. 

May 14, 2010: Parents Night Out

Please RSVP for this wonderful night out to ensure we order enough Pizza!!!

May 14, 2010: Different Shoe Day!  

In addition to all the monthly activities and events that Camelot already has, we are starting new "Themes Days". This month's theme is wearing 2 different shoes on our feet.  Parents, kids & teachers are invited to take part and join the fun!

May 17, 2010: Staff Appreciation Week -

Yay! "The week" has finally arrived!!!  The week where parents can show just how much they appreciate our wonderful teachers & staff and all the things that makes Camelot such a gem!  Parents can sign up to bring coffee and pastries in the morning and "potluck" lunch/drinks for our staff for the week.  We are asking our classroom parents to please share our tradition with the newer families regarding our "special gifts" which are hand-made and heartfelt and show your teachers just how much they mean to you.   Please sign up at the back gate.

May 24, 2010: Enrichment Ends

May 31: Memorial Day - Camelot Closed

May 31 - June 11: Enrichment Make-up Weeks 1 & 2

NEWS

Exciting Promotions at CK - Classroom Department Teachers -

It's so rewarding to see how far we have grown in the past two years and due to our expansion we have decided to appoint "Classroom Department Teachers".  This will continue to improve our classroom management and consistency between classrooms.  Our Department teachers will be responsible for sharing information with fellow teachers within their class group and each other, as well as making sure that curriculum is implemented properly throughout the year. We have selected three amazing teachers who we feel can share their knowledge and education with fellow teachers and set good standards and share responsibility with their peers.

Baby Dragons - Miss Natalie

Little Dragons - Miss Gaby

Big Dragons - Miss Tracy

SUMMER SERENADE:  June 25^th - 6-10PM

The most fun-tastic event of the year is almost here!  BUT - WE NEED YOUR HELP!  We need parents to canvass the 'hood' for raffle prizes which will be won during the course of the evening.  Instead of a silent auction the committee has decided to do a raffle where everyone that enters can win the prizes we collect "ALL NIGHT LONG"!!  We already have an incredible "Cynthia Vincent shopping spree" gift certificates for Mae's moms restaurant, Chiropractic treatments, Body Bar spa certificates...you get the drift.  .  I'm sure you know a local business that needs a boost in advertising...so please start asking friends, neighbors and local businesses that you know.  The more you guys collect the more you guys can win.  Cynthia (Theanna's mom) and Carrie (the twins mom) are in charge of the raffle so please let them know what donations you have ASAP!!!

Drum Roll - Whoever sells the most "Raffle Tickets" wins FREE TUITION for July.   

This year we will be asking ALL parents to sell "raffle tickets" for our summer serenade. People who purchase tickets do not have to be present to win prizes. The parent who sells the most raffle tickets for this event will receive

FREE TUITION

for one full month at Camelot!!!!  If you are a "Big Dragon" and graduating in June you can pass this prize onto a "friend".  So hit the pavement - ask your friends, visit your neighbors and co-workers and start selling!!!  The more times they enter the more chances they have of winning.  

Haiku's

During the month of April Camelot had a fun team building project with the staff. Out of this exercise came a lot of great ideas and inspiring Haiku's that the teachers wrote. We have posted them on our website.  Please take a moment to check them out.

School Suggestions Box -

We love your input and feedback and are creating a box for it. Our new suggestion Box will be located in the living room on the coffee table. Please feel free to drop a note whenever you have any suggestions.

Fall Registration Reminder -

Just a reminder for families returning for the 2010/2011 September school year to please have you $ 250 registration check in no later than May 1, 2010. Also remember to please update all new personal information (i.e., new phone numbers and family contacts as well as signing our new 2011 admissions agreement).

EZ Care Reminders

Sign in/out -

Just a reminder to please sign in/out on a daily basis (this is required by computer and manual sign out with full signature). When signing in/out please remember to push the word DONE when finished.  This will ensure that your entry was accepted. Signing in/out is a requirement by the Department of Social Services and failing to do so will result in a $10 fine per occurrence. Sherilyn is in the office and always very helpful if you have any questions about this procedure. There is also an automatic $10 late pick up fee that is implemented when a child has not been signed out after the 15 minute grace period.  No exceptions. 

Billing/Statements -

We finally have our new billing system operational.  It will generate a statement on the 1st of every month that shows what is due.  It will reflect any late pick up fees, FSO (Failed Sign In/Out) fees and any payments made the previous month.  You can always access this information via your pin code in the main office in the EZ Care system.

Tired of getting your payments in late and having a $25 late fee?

Automatic payment is finally here!!  If interested in starting simply submit a voided check and your tuition will then be automatically deducted on the 1^st of each month.

Camelot 2009/10 Yearbook:

We are so excited to have the wonderful Mylissa Grieve (Georgie's mommy) taking on the fabulous yearbook this year. We still need more photos for the yearbook so please submit all scanned photos onto a disk into Ms. Loni no later than May 28, 2010. You will also be able to pre-order your yearbook in June and pick up the yearbook during the summertime. More info coming soon!

Eric Poppelton Photography Exhibit-

During the months of May & June we will be showcasing Eric Poppelton (Cortez's Daddy) artwork in the foyer.   His photos will be for sale at a discounted rate for CK families.  Eric will also be donating one of his pieces to our Summer Serenade Raffle. 

Upcoming Schedule Changes at Camelot Kids:

Starting in the 2010/2011 school year Camelot will be changing the schools daily schedule. We have met with so many wonderful new families that are in need of preschool care and have come to the decision that we will be reformatting our daily schedules to accommodate the ever growing need for preschools in the area. Listed below are the new schedule change/times that will go into effect in the fall 2010/2011 school year:  Please note that these changes are for new families enrolling in the Fall and do not affect anyone's current schedule.

Morning Program: 8a-1p

Afternoon Program: 1-5p

All day program: 8-5p or 6pm for extended care.

Thank you:

Thank you to Tom Perkins (Audrey's Daddy) for coming in and speaking with the children about the new Big Dragon's classroom that he helped us design.

Thank you to Amber & Sean f (Kelty's mommy & daddy) or the incredible architectural presentation and art instillation that they helped create with all the children.