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MARCH NEWS

A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK:   Hello Spring!  As the earth starts to change and we begin to see warm sunshine, big marshmallow clouds and and birds chirping, the children are enjoying going outside and experiencing all this.  March is full of wonderful activities, from celebrating Reading Across America to seeing if the children will be able to catch a “leprechaun” and get some gold this year in the traps they are making for St. Patrick’s Day.  Spring is also a wonderful time for the children to explore outside with learning all about nature, we also we will celebration the most famous Eric Carle book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, by learning about the life cycle of a caterpillar and having a fun potluck by eating some of the items of food from the story.

March Around the World- During  the month of March all the classes will travel around the world  visiting places such as India, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, and so much more!  Make sure to ask your child about what countries he/she has been learning about, as they will visit other classrooms in the school too, also take a moment and look at the art that the families created around their culture in the hallway!

Priority Registration-This month all eligible families, our priority registration program for the 2025-2026 school year will kick off on Monday, March 3rd and continue through Friday, March 24th.  We will be sending reminders via our Links 2 Home communication tool to ensure you secure your child’s spot for the coming school year and take advantage of the priority re-enrollment registration discount.  Stay tuned for more information. We are already planning great things for the 2025-2026 school year.

 

Have a wonderful Month

Robin Kemmer

Principal

 


Dates to Remember

March 2nd                                                      Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

March 2nd-7th                                               Read Across America

March 4th                                                       National Pancake Day

March 5th                                                       Geraldine Cobb’s Birthday

March 7th                                                       Professional Development Day *SCHOOL CLOSED*

March  9th                                                      Daylight Saving Begins

March 10th                                                    Harriett Tubman’s Birthday

March 14th                                                    Holi Day

March 14th                                                    National Preschooler Day * KIDS DRESS AS THEIR TEACHER *

March 17th                                                    Leprechaun Day

March 19th                                                    First Day of Spring

March 20th                                                   Mary Ellen Mark’s Birthday

March 24th                                                   Matilda Joslyn Gage’s Birthday

March 31st                                                     National Crayon Day

 


 

Countdown to Kindergarten: Tips to Ensure Your Child is Ready

 

Kindergarten is coming up fast, and we know you want your child to feel confident and ready for this exciting next step. To help, we spoke with Jodi Schreck, the Executive Vice President of our Education Team. With 35 years of experience in early childhood education, K-12, special education, and education leadership, she’s the perfect person to give us some kindergarten readiness tips.

Hi, Jodi! What are some academic skills families can help their child develop to prepare for kindergarten?

Great question! First, help your child work on basic skills like counting, recognizing shapes, and knowing their letters and sounds. You can use everyday items like toys or snacks to practice shapes, colors, and counting. Reading together is one of the best ways to boost literacy. Ask questions during and after the story to help your child understand it better, and let them ask you questions too. Singing the alphabet is a fun way to practice sequencing letters, and make sure your child can write their name. Don’t forget fine motor skills—teach your child how to hold a pencil and scissors correctly.

 

Do social skills play a role in kindergarten success?

Absolutely! Social skills are huge when it comes to kindergarten readiness. How your child interacts with others will influence classroom success. Encourage skills like sharing, taking turns, following directions, and expressing feelings in healthy ways. Role-playing can be a great tool for teaching emotional awareness, like helping your child label their feelings or understand how others are feeling, especially if there is a conflict. Reading books together or just talking about everyday situations helps too. Playdates and group activities give your child a chance to practice these skills in real life.

 

This is all great advice. What are some other kindergarten preparation tips you can share with us?

  • Encourage independence – Have your child start doing things like dressing themselves and taking care of their belongings. It’s a great confidence booster!
  • Teach your child how to put things away correctly and stay organized.
  • Play games like ‘Simon Says’ or ‘Red Light, Green Light.’ They’re great for practicing following directions and staying focused.
  • Practice conversation skills – teach your child how to listen, ask questions, and take turns when speaking.
  • Set up a daily routine with regular wake-up times, meals, and bedtimes to help your child adjust to the school day’s structure.

Adding these to your kindergarten readiness checklist will make sure your child is building important skills while still having fun!

Thanks, Jodi! Any final thoughts?

I have to say that preschool is an awesome way to help your child get ready for kindergarten. It introduces them to classroom routines, gives them a chance to interact with other kids, and teaches early literacy concepts. These experiences will make the transition to kindergarten much smoother and can ease any worries your child might have about starting school.

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