PreK Press
September 5 - September 20
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We have all had a wonderful start to the school year and it has been fun to watch friendships blossom and routines begin to be established as the children settle into the busy life of a PreKer. They continue to learn about their classmates and their teachers while spending time together exploring the classroom, the playground, and the campus. We are keenly aware that children adjust differently to new situations and environments so please don't be too concerned if your child does not yet feel quite settled. Time is on our side!
The children have been busy investigating their classroom and doing such things as:
*Painting at the easel
*Playing in the dramatic play area
*Using watercolors and dot paints
*Making a cooperation collage
*Making their own collage
*Using the sand table
*Drawing self-portraits
*Playing with playdoh
*Listening to stories
*Singing and dancing
*Building with several kinds of blocks
*Exploring a wide variety of manipulatives
There is always a great deal to see, do, learn, try, explore, experiment, and have fun with!
Parents are welcome to come into the classroom throughout the year to see the variety of projects and activities that are either in progress or completed. Currently, self-portraits (which will be sent home at the end of the year), primary color easel paintings, “coloring inside the lines” papers, and our class "cooperation collage" are all being displayed along with watercolor paintings in the hallway. In the weeks ahead we will be spending time learning about colors so be on the lookout for some color related activities and your child’s own color book!
The children have had the opportunity to meet most of their co-curricular teachers and have either begun or will soon be starting these classes in the next week or two.
Mrs. Lariviere - STEAM
Senorita Balchunas - Spanish
Mrs. Wepler - Music
Coach Wallack - Physical Education
Mr. Robertson - Library
HERE ARE LOTS OF TIDBITS FOR YOU TO READ!
(in no particular order)
HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS: We are just beginning to introduce your children to the Handwriting Without Tears program. (HWT for short.) Through this program your children will be exposed to several important concepts including a correct pencil grip, direction following, color recognition, directionality, letter formation (“Where do you start your letters? At the top.”), and object identification. If you have any questions please ask.
PARENT CONFERENCES: Friday, October 19th is the first Parent Conference Day of the year and I look forward to this opportunity to talk with you about your children. There are no classes for students that day but Owl's Nest care will be available starting at 8:00 AM during your conference time by advance registration. Please refer to the Owl’s Nest link on the TCS website for additional information regarding this option. Also be on the lookout for the PreK Conference sign-up sheet which will be posted just outside our classroom door. In addition to October 19th, there will be alternative time slots available If it is more convenient for you to meet on a different day. If you have scheduling issues, just ask!
NO SCHOOL: For planning purposes, please note that TCS will be closed on Monday. October 8th, Friday, Oct. 19th and Thursday, Nov. 1st.
ARRIVAL TIME: Classrooms open daily at 8:00 A.M. and arrival is between 8:00 and 8:15. Families requiring care prior to that time are welcome to bring the children to the Owl’s Nest Before School program located in Ms. Kiely’s Kindergarten class in the Clark House. Children who arrive at TCS after 8:15 will be marked as tardy and will need to be signed in at The Farmhouse before coming to class.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: We were pleased that so many of you were able to join us last Thursday for Back To School Night. Hopefully you found it to be a great evening that provided opportunities for community building, school wide information gathering, and classroom specifics.
PICK UP: For safety reasons we need to know about all changes to your child's regular dismissal schedule and we need to have the correct information in case your child asks. Please notify teachers in writing if someone different will be picking your child up, if they will be leaving at a different time, or if you need to alter their regular dismissal plans. Pencil and paper are available on the table by our class door.
PIZZA: Children who are signed up for pizza should also bring their lunchbox to school with some type of snack, drink, fruit or dessert. They do get hungry during the day, sometimes don’t feel like eating pizza, and usually need something else in addition to the pizza. If you have not yet signed your child up and wish to do so, you will find the form online on the TCS website.
SNEAKERS/SHOES: For both safety and comfort reasons, sneakers and closed-toe shoes are best for PreKers. It is very important that your child wear sneakers for gym every Tuesday.
LIBRARY BOOKS: Friday is Library day for PreKers and they will begin visiting the library and checking books out tomorrow - September 20th. When children are finished with their books they can be returned to class at any time during the week. Please put them in the blue basket located on the table above the snack baskets just outside the classroom.
TCS PHOTO DAY: TCS Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2nd. Additional information will be sent home in the near future.
DRESS DOWN DAYS: Occasionally during the school year we have "dress down” and “spirit wear” days. On “dress down” days children may wear jeans, T-shirts, and other clothes that are not part of our normal daily dress code. (No costumes, however.) On “spirit wear” days children are invited to wear “Country School” clothing. Please make sure that while their dress may be more casual in nature, it remains appropriate for all school activities.
LABELED SNACK BAGS, WATER BOTTLES & LUNCH BOXES: We have snack time daily (usually at 9:30) and it is designed to give children the chance to enjoy a small snack. One or two items is sufficient. All food items, snack bags, or containers, along with water bottles, should be clearly labeled and your child should put them in the correct baskets in the hallway upon arrival. (No lunch boxes for snack please and send only one water bottle per child. We are happy to refill them as needed.) All lunch boxes (also clearly labeled) should be put on the shelf above their coat/backpack hooks. We will be working all year to develop your child’s self-help skills, independence, and environmental awareness. Therefore we ask that you make sure all packed food items can be easily opened by your child or that they require only minimal teacher assistance. In addition, the use of reusable containers is strongly encouraged as we work to help our environment and decrease the amount of plastic and trash in the classroom. Thank You!
EXTRA CLOTHES: Thank you to all who brought in an extra set of clothes for your child that will be left here at school. For those who have not yet provided us with a set, please do so as soon as possible.
READING BUDDIES: The PreKers and Fourth Grade Reading Buddies met on the first Friday of school as a group and enjoyed listening to a story together. Last Friday they got together again and met their smaller, individual Reading Buddy groups. We will continue to get together with them on most Fridays throughout the year, and will keep you posted on our activities. For your convenience the names of the Reading Buddies in your childs’ group are attached to this newsletter.
MANILA ENVELOPES: On most alternating weeks (starting today) we will be sending home notices and newsletters from school in your child's manila envelope. PLEASE RETURN THE EMPTY ENVELOPE TO THE CLASSROOM THE FOLLOWING DAY, as we will be using the same envelope all year. (Manila envelopes and library books go in the same blue basket located on the table above the snack baskets just outside the classroom.)
RESTING IN PreK: For those children that stay through the afternoon, if your child sleeps on any given day we will let you know. As of right now we have many more” resters” than sleepers!
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: TCS continues to collect Box Tops for Education. If you are interested in contributing, the container is next to the water bottle basket. Your participation is appreciated!
PreK BLOG: Please be sure to visit our PreK blog for weekly photos and updates. You can access it by going to the TCS website, click on About Us, Faculty and Staff, and then the link on the bottom of Ms. Hard and Mrs. Halsey’s individual bio.
HEALTH FORMS: Please turn in all health forms to Mrs. Fucci as soon as possible!
PLANNING AHEAD: Here are a few important dates to put on your calendar:
Friday, Sept. 21st - PTA sponsored Outdoor Movie Night
Wednesday, Oct. 2nd - TCS Picture Day
Monday, Oct. 8th - No School
Friday, Oct. 19th - Parent Conferences
Saturday, Oct. 28th - PTA sponsored Fall Festival
Sunday, Oct. 28th - TCS Open House
Wednesday, Oct. 31st - Annual TCS Halloween Parade 8:30 AM
Thursday, Nov. 1st - No School for students - Professional Development
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PreK CLASS RULES: Our class rules poster is now finished and hanging in the classroom. Come in to see it if you would like. A few of you have expressed interest in knowing what our class rules are so that you can reference them and use the same vocabulary at home. Here they are:
- Be kind.
- Stay safe indoors and outdoors.
- Take care of our belongings.
- Have fun.
- Try your best.
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Here’s to a great year!
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