19 more days!

That's right! 19 more days until the holiday break!!! I can already see sugar plums dancing in the children's eyes!
 December 7, next Friday, is the next half day. Make sure to let us know you're coming and it's never too early to give the $20 for the half day to Valerie!December 6th is picture day, and even though it had nothing to do with Empire, just the Ella Baker School, we still wanted to remind you.
 A lot of great things are happening at Empire in the next month, so be sure to check out the December newsletter coming out this Friday and next Monday to stay on top of any upcoming events, or check in here anytime!

FEAST!

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH MMMMMMMMAAAAANNNN!
 Yea, I'm talkin' bout the feast. There is an alternate schedule posted for today so everyone has a chance to eat food and be merry! Be sure to look for it on the message board next to the security desk. Or, just call!

Almost there...

Don't forget about the feast tomorrow!!!! Please feel to bring some juice or something, we'd really appreiciate it!
 No school or after school Thursday the 22nd or Friday the 23rd, we will not be running program on those days, sorry!
 The next half day is December 7, it's not for a couple weeks, but just in case you have your calendar handy!

Ballet, Cold Weather, Thanksgiving Feast, and Schedule Changes

 The parent teacher conferences on still going, so please please call if you're confused about where the kids are, and don't forget to check the message board by the security desk for any room changes, and there will be!!!
 It's cold, so we are trying our hardest to keep track of all your child's belongings. We would love it if gloves,scarves, and hats are marked on the tags with your child's name, we would be more than happy to do it ourselves, but only with your permisson!
 Thanksgiving feast!!!! I love food, I love making food, and I love sharing food with the people I care about, you guys!
 Tuesday November 20, we are having an Empire feast! The schedule will be a little different so we can all enjoy food together. We would love it if you donated some food and/or drink to our party! I'll be making chili (turkey), and I should mention that this chili is awesome,and Jackie was talking about picking up some roasted chickens.......so much fun!
 Let us know what you'd like to bring!

UPDATE!

Bad news guys! The weather is not looking good at all for this afternoon/evening, we are going to have to cancel swim.
 I know, we will work on trying to get make up days set up, but for the moment, we have to cancel swim because it will get really bad outside, really soon.
 I am very sorry, but please feel free to call or email your questions/concerns and we are more than happy to work with you!
 Your child's sagety is our biggest concern, and it just wouldn't be safe to go swimming today downtown.
 So sorry!

Back to Swim!

Hey guys! Swim is back on track!
 It's also pretty cold out, we heard there might be snow tonight! Yikes...after all we've been through, I don't know if I'm ready for snow on top of all of this. But, whatever comes our way, I'm sure we can pull though!
 We're extending the deadline for payments of this month (November) until the 15th so everyone has a little extra time.
 I hope you are all staying strong and aren't we glad to be back school? I know I am!

Rumor has it.....

Sooooooo, did you catch Bloomberg's conference? Yeah....no school tomorrow or Friday. I mean, I'm a big fan of snow days and all, but this is pushing it!!!
 Again, I hope you are all safe and if you don't have power, you are more than welcome to come to my place to chill. I'll see you all Monday!!!!

WHOA!

That was crazy!! I hope all of you guys are ok and were prepared as much as one can be in a hurricane! I've dealt with a lot of storms growing up in WV ( the hamlet I was raised in was right by the Potomac and the Mountains) but now that I live in the city the damage is unimaginable.
 As you know, the subways,buses,Amtrak, and schools are closed tomorrow too..... yikes!! The clean up may take a while, but if we all help out and stick together(like New Yorkers always do) then we can pull through this!!!!
 Feel free to call or email with any questions, I know that I'm going to stay home until it's a little safer outside with my blanket and keep the weather channel website on for the rest of the day. Hopefully we'll be able to go back to school tomorrow....but who knows!
 I know my family back home got hit pretty hard and I wish more than anything to not be stuck here in Queens, but to be in WV with the people I love to make sure they're safe. I hope all of you are doing the same. Stay safe and we'll see you soon!

Rain or not to rain?

 It's a little sprinkly today, but not too bad. We'll stick to the schedule, but be sure to check the message board by the security desk for any rainy day changes in case our guys can't play outside.

NEW SCHEDULE STARTS NOW!

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE! Sorry, I get excited about change.......yes, new schedule, today, right now, please check it out!You can find the schedule posted on the message board by the security desk, the door leading to the basement, the second fl message board, and the 3rd fl!
 Group Leaders will be passing it out today along with a little newsletter!

Lua is sick!

Our Capoeira teach is sick today! Please send "feel good" vibes so she's better for next week! Ballet is on and will finish up around 4:30pm, please pick up your child at rm114.
 Don't forget next week is the start of the new schedule!! Group leaders will pass out schedules tomorrow along with a newsletter for each group!

Probably rain.....

Heyhey, wow, yesterday was beautiful! Did anyone go apple picking? Decide on your Halloween costume yet?
 It looks like we won't be so lucky today, it's pretty icky out and weather.com said t-storms this afternoon. But no worries! A rainy day schedule will be posted on the message board by the security desk, the basement door, the second floor message board and 3rd floor staircase.
 If it indeed rains, please please check the schedules posted, or call!
Bridget (540)336-0684

Thank Gophers It's Friday!

I love Fridays when the sun is out!Be sure to check the schedule for any extra changes, but everything should be groovy!
 I do know that the Kindergarten will have snack in the basement.

Sun!

 The sun is out, great! That means more fun and hopefully if everyone gets their homework done, more outside time! Please be sure to check the message board by the security desk and the door leading to the basement in case the kids want to enjoy the nice weather a little longer.
 Today is another ballet class with Alvin Ailey. Last week was really fun and I can't wait for this one. The class begins at 3:30pm ( we pick up at 3 and change for ballet) and ends at 4:30. If you'd like to come watch the class please let Valerie or I know first. It's hard for our teacher to run a successful class when our dancers can't focus! We want you to come and see what we're up to, but please let us know first.

Sprinkles, but not rain and science class

A little sprinkle is just what this humid weather needs. We'll still be outside, but no groups will go to the playground, they'll stick to the alley space.
 The other change is that Prek will have Yoga first today in rm318 and 1st grade will have yoga at 3:30.
 Hey! Eric our art teacher needs clear plastic bottles for tomorrow's science class!! Please send your child with a clear plastic bottle tomorrow!!
 This Thursday is a PTA meeting and Empire is happy to help out by providing some peeps we know who are awesome at babysitting to chill with your kids while the meeting is going on!

Another beautiful day!

No! I'm serious! I love the rain! If it gets bad out, and it probably will, there will be a rainy day schedule posted around the building, or just call ahead if you need to figure out where everyone is!
call me or Valerie!
Bridget (540)336-0684
Valerie (347)563-5264

New classes starting this week!!

Today, Fencing! Wednesday, Swimming! At 3pm, I,Bridget, pick up all the swimming students, we get dressed on the second floor, and then off to the pool! We get back from the pool around 5:45-6pm (depending on traffic). Please pick up swim students in the basement, or right by the front door! Make sure to sign out with the consoler who is travelling with them,Suhiala.
 Thursday is the first day of Ballet! If you haven't already signed up, you should, it's gunna be great.
 Thursday is also a FREE TRIAL day for TADA! Yes, we need more kids to join in on the fun, at 3:30pm-5pm there will be a trial (FREE) class for the TADA! to get you hooked! If you've already paid for TADA! you're child will come to the trial class,too.
 And to top off this fun filled week, it's our first half day this FRIDAY!Oct.5,2012. It's only $20 11:30am-3pm. If you've already paid for the month ($240) then 3-6pm is covered, you just need to tell Valerie and pay before Friday morning.
 Thanks!!

Oh Fridays!

 It's a bit rainy out, so there is a back up rainy day schedule if it looks too icky to go outside......but if the rain stays away for 3 hours, the Friday schedule will stay the same.
 Be sure to check out the schedule on the first floor by the security desk.
I hope you have a great weekend!!

Yoga!

Yoga today! Don't forget it's the last day of the book fair and there's no holidays programming tomorrow, September 26th.
 Everyone should be on the same page today, but always check the message board on the first floor by the security desk for any last minute changes (i.e. everyone finishes homework early so they decide to go out 15-20 min)
 Fencing was awesome yesterday! I can't wait until the next class!

Fencing, BALLET,and Wednesday

Fencing starts today! Hooray! If your child is taking our fencing class, a separate schedule shall be posted up to help you find your child. Fencing class takes place 3:30-4:30. At 3pm, we pick your child up with their age group and eat snack, HOORAY! Then,at 3:30pm we travel to the basement for class. If you'd like tp pick up your child as soon as class is over (which is recommended by us) feel free to come down to the basement at 4:30pm.
 YES BALLET APPLICATIONS ARE IN!!!!!!! Alvin Ailey is joining us for another year of dance! Applications are available now! The dance class starts October 4 and goes until December 13th. It's a great class so please sign up today!
 A reminder!!!!
We don't run holiday programming this Wednesday September 26th. Sorry! But we do run program on Columbus day,October 8.