It's Going To Be Totally Cheesy

Remember when you were in college and your RA would lure you to boring safety meetings (about how you shouldn't burn incense or use a hotplate or let sketchy dudes into the dorm), with the promise of free pizza? Well, the Sunflower Parents' Association is trotting out that time-honored tradition of luring you with carbs by hosting a FREE PIZZA NIGHT next Thursday, Sept 5th at 5:30pm. We're hoping it still works, now that you're a bill-paying grown-up.

Totally casual. Totally free. Way more fun than dinner at a restaurant. There's a playground! You can bring wine! There's a 99% chance you won't have the worst-behaved child!

We'll briefly go over a few of our upcoming events and programs, but mostly we'll enjoy getting to know each other.

Sign-up sheets at all school entrances. Hope to see you there!

-Brooke

P.S. This event was originally scheduled for Tue Sept 3rd, but it was decided by the school to push it back a few days because some folks are coming back late from Labor Day, there's a Sunflower softball game, etc... Sincerely hope this doesn't cause confusion for anyone. 

A Growing Sunflower

Fellow Parents -

You may have heard the exciting news that Sunflower is expanding, and has opened a new building for its infant programs at 1960 S 10th St W.  As the fastest-growing segments of the Sunflower Montessori population, the Pollen and Seeds programs needed a larger space to play and grow.

This new building has the same home-like atmosphere as the other buildings in the Sunflower family. There are learning areas for tiny babies, crawling babies and toddlers. In the new space, there's room for separate science and language centers, a group eating area, a cozy nap space and lots of opportunities for pretend play.

The Sprouts, Sunflowers and Elementary kids will remain on 6th St.  

If you have any questions or concerns as your little ones transition to the new building, feel free to contact Katie and Correy.

Here's hoping that our littlest students love this bright and roomy new space as much as we do!

Mix. Mingle. Caffeinate.

Hey parents -

After you drop your kids off next Tuesday the 27th, how about heading over to Caffe Dolce on Brooks for a hot cup of coffee? Melodie has put together a casual, drop-in meet n' greet event, and Caffe Dolce has graciously agreed to provide 50% off drip coffee to Sunflower parents on that morning from 8:30-10:30am. Come say hello, meet some of your fellow parents (and Parents' Association members) and talk about how overjoyed/saddened/elated/reflective/psyched as heck you are that your kiddo is starting another year of school.

-Brooke

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner (Or Bowling, Or Haircut, or...)

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Splash Bash. Here are the winners of the Silent Auction items (apologies if I've misspelled your name) -

Socks from Hide & Sole:

Christina Bremer

Gourmet Coffee Coupons from Caffe Dolce

Tony Cate

Custom Cape from Ella Finn

Megan Ashton

Buffalo Wild Wings Sauce Sampler & $50 Gift Card

Claude Sammoury

$30 Silk Road Gift Card

Colin Stephens

$60 Red Robin Gift Card

Brooke Burbach

Dinner For Two To Caffe Dolce

Kathleen Sevilla

Tony Cate

Colin Stephens

$50 Boomswagger Gift Card

Brooke Burbach

Plants From Marchie's Nursery

Jenny Passucio

Wine Lover's Basket

Tony Cate

Birthday Party At Bitterroot Gymnastics

Megan Ashton-Dye

$30 Bowling At Five Valleys Bowl

Brooke Burbach

Weekend In Wallace, Idaho

Holder Nevins

Family Photo Session

Holder Nevins

If your name is listed, you can get with Katie to make your payment and claim your prize.

Thanks again to all the local retailers who donated such great gifts!

-Brooke

Just Three Days Away

The Splash Bash is just three days away, but there's still time to RSVP and reserve your spot. Thanks to all of the families who have signed up either at school or online; remember, you can pay Katie in advance, or you can pay when you arrive at the event.

A fun new addition to this year's bash will be a silent auction featuring items donated by some very generous local merchants. Items collected so far include:

A $30 Gift Card to The Silk Road

A $50 Gift Card and a Bottled Sauce Sampler from Buffalo Wild Wings

Rose Bushes from Marchie's Nursery

A Collection of Smartwool Socks from Hide & Sole

A Box of Books from Barnes & Noble

A Free Child's Birthday Party ($125 Value) from Bitterroot Gymnastics

$30 in Free Bowling From Five Valleys Bowl

$60 in Gift Cards to Red Robin

A Weekend Away In Wallace, Idaho (Priceless!) from Katie & Jeremy Watterson

A Mystery Item from Caffe Dolce!

We've had several parents offer to donate their crying toddlers or sassy teenagers, but we're going to have to pass.  However, if you or your business would like to donate an item before Friday, let me know!

A huge round of applause for these local merchants - and remember them next time you're out eating or shopping. Be sure to tell them Sunflower sent you.

See you Friday!

-Brooke

The Home Stretch

Against all odds, Sunflower Montessori's softball team has made it to the playoffs. Ranked first in our league with the greatest number of runs scored, we play our first playoff game tomorrow:

7:15pm

Wednesday August 7th

Fort Missoula, Field 5.

The bases are loaded with Sunflower teachers and parents, and the picnic area is packed with Sunflower kiddos. It'll be a fun night, so if you have time, please drop by and cheer the home team onward to victory.

-Brooke

Wrapping Up Summer

Do you ever feel like all of Missoula is trying to cram an entire year's worth of social events into July and August? Holy smokes, I'm worn out. Based on the number of birthday parties I've attended this summer, it seems Sunflower parents consider Halloween to be a romantic holiday.

Now, a few news items you might find of interest:

1. GONE FISHING - The Sunflowers and the Elementary classes are going fishing this week for their weekly field trip (Elementary tomorrow, Sunflowers on Thursday). If you have a child's-size fishing rod, please send it along. As a back-up, you could teach your child how to do some Hillbilly Handfishin.*

2. FIELD TRIP CHANGE - This is the last week of swim classes. Next Tuesday, Sunflowers will go on a "Dino Dig" in Sacajawea Park, working on basic map skills and searching for fossils. Elementary kids will go to B&C Club as planned. We were unable to reschedule the Missoulian trip that was rained out last week; if your child is disappointed, maybe you could explain that print media is on the decline yadda yadda rise of the internet.**

3. SPLASH BASH UPDATES - The sign-up sheet will be posted at all three schools this afternoon. You can read the full flyer here, and you can also RSVP online here. 

We still need a few volunteers who could arrive at the picnic pavilion around 4pm to help with decorations and food set-up. The job of Beer Taster has already been claimed - I wish I'd thought of it first. If you have an extra hour to spare, we'd love to have you. Send us an e-mail. 

We're also moving forward with putting together a silent auction and raffle. If you own or work for a business that could donate an item, we'd be forever grateful. Let me know, and I can send you a letter to pass along at your workplace that details how we can promote your business at the event.



As always, the most current school schedule, including all field trips and events, can be found on the (downloadable) Google calendar - look for the calendar icon at the top right of this blog, or if you're feeling lazy, click here.

-Brooke

* This is obviously a joke, and poles will be provided. Unless of course your child CAN catch a fish with his/her bare hands, in which case your parenting skills should be applauded.

** If you work at the newspaper, I apologize.

RSVP to the Splash Bash

To benefit all the families who aren't attending the current school session and won't be dropping by school to sign up for the SPLASH BASH, we're taking our RSVPs online.

We're accepting payment for the Splash Park wristbands, taco buffet and beer cups at the event, but it will help our catering committee plan how much food to prepare if you'll take a moment to RSVP. (Your replies will be sent to the Parent Assn for counting, and will not appear on this blog). 

Feel free to invite your family and friends - the more, the merrier (and the more money raised for Sunflower). 

Please be sure to scroll down and click "Done" when you've answered all 3 questions.

Thanks!