News / Nunn Road / 2018 / July 2018

During the past few weeks, there was an outbreak of the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Penang. Although the children at Nunn Road were not affected, we took some precautions for extra protection. Up till today, children wash their hands with soap upon their arrival at Nania. Teachers then check their temperatures. We will also cancel the pool day in August.

In response to the fast spread of HFMD, we decided to celebrate our Lantern Festival earlier than planned. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. I was so glad that almost all the children attended that festival. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

The class was already in the festive mood a few days before the festival. Children were busy making small paper lanterns to decorate our garden.

On that morning, children made dango, a Japanese desert that was served as snack during our festival. I hope you enjoyed it. When we saw some dark clouds appearing in the sky, children started to sing “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day……..” and we prayed for good weather in the evening. Our wish came true because the weather was just nice.

The children also helped to hang the small paper lanterns in the garden. The garden became alive with the colourful lanterns and that set the festive mood. After the lunch, children helped to tie plastic bags on chair legs to protect them from damage.

Before the children went home to take their rest, a girl told me she just couldn’t wait for the Lantern Festival. I could feel how eager she and her friends were for the event.

I was so glad that all the children came on time in the evening. Although some of the small children were too shy to perform in front of the big crowd, they did sing and dance with us in the classroom. The big children stood up confidently as they recited the Hokkien poem. It was great to see many parents also participated in the Bon Dance.

After snack time, children’s handmade lanterns were lit up with candles. Some children noticed that the moon started to “come out” by then. Soon they also found some stars. They walk happily as the darkness was illuminated by light from the lanterns, the moon and the stars I hope that you and your family enjoyed the evening as I did.

In Nania, the children experience the rhythm of the year through our festival celebrations. Some of the festivals are celebrated with children in the kindergarten. However, family members are invited for other festivals. The next such festival is the Harvest Festival. Although the festival will be on 5^th October (Friday), we have started to rehearse the songs and recite the poems already in the class during our “Ring Time”. This is because there are many public holidays and birthday celebrations in September.

I would also like to invite all of you to attend the Parent-Teacher Evening Meeting for the English Class on 7^th September (Friday). Please come by 7pm as we will like to start at 7.15pm and end promptly by 9.00pm. We hope you can make arrangement for someone to babysit your little ones as we want to have adult discussions during the night.

We will share issues related to child development and classroom experience. I will also give a brief insight into the activities that we do with the big children during their afternoon literacy hour. On the other hand, let’s take this opportunity to meet each other and get acquainted.

The term break is just around the corner, I wish all the children happy holidays. I hope they will have a wonderful time with you during their holidays.

Corn Harvesting

Tanabata Day