Welcome Spring!
Spring is here in full force. We are seeing a lot of runny noses and watery eyes. Please make sure that your child’s symptoms are allergy related and not something more before sending them to school.
A Look Back at March
We had a busy 3 days of Spring Photos. They are available for you to view in the front office.
As always, Pizza Friday was a hit. Thank you to everyone who came in to lend a hand.
Our Saint Patrick’s Day Parties were a hit! Leprechauns and green goodies were everywhere. We even almost caught ourselves Mr. Leprechaun…I think. Thank you families for your participation with our traps and parties. We loved seeing the creativity that you each displayed.
The children really enjoyed our visit with Mr. Frazier. He came to our school on 3/13 and played his bagpipes for the children. He also talked to them about the traditional clothing that he was wearing and we even marched in a parade.
Thank you for all of your support with our Book Fair. We were able to get several new books for the teachers as well as the library.
Another HUGE thank you for your participation in our St. Judes Trike-a-Thon. Due to your generous donations, we are able to donate $1,090 to this worthwhile cause.
Looking at April
Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on Friday, April 10th. Please make sure that you sign up with your child’s teacher for a time that is convenient for you. Due to the fact that it is sometimes necessary to share sensitive information regarding your child’s progress during this time, we respectfully remind you that children are not permitted to attend conferences.
Pizza Friday will take place on Friday, April 17th. If you would like to assist with this event, please see your child’s teacher. If you have not already signed your child up for this event, please see someone at the front desk for assistance.
We will be hosting a Free Dress Day on Friday, April 17th to raise money for Autism Awareness. If you would like to participate, please have your child wear his/her favorite outfit to school on this day and donate your $5.00 at the front desk.
April 13th-17th is the Week of the Young Child. We will be hosting a variety of events during this week to celebrate children and maybe even the child in all of us. More information on specific events will be available as the date draws closer.
April 22nd is Earth Day. We will celebrate this day with a school-wide ladybug release at 10:00 am. If you would like to join us, please let your child’s teacher know.
Our annual Art Festival will be held on Friday, April 24th, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Please join us for an evening, where you will receive a pasta dinner and have the opportunity to see all of the original art pieces that the children have been working on. We will even have a snow cone truck and balloon artist available. The cost will be $40.00 for a family of up to four people, plus $10.00 for each additional person in your party. This cost includes a pasta dinner and snow cones, plus your child’s 11×14 canvas and the opportunity for your child to receive his/her balloon creation. Tickets will go on sale soon. Don’t miss out!
Our school is undergoing NCA Reaccreditation. We will have visitors on our campus on April 29th and 30th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Looking Ahead to May
The close of the school year is quickly approaching. Just a few quick dates to note:
Friday, May 8th-Mom’s with Muffins will be held from 8:15-9:00 am. Please plan to join us. Friday, May 8th-Pizza Friday Monday, May 4th-Friday, May 8th-Teacher Appreciation Week Monday, May 25th-School is closed for Memorial Day Friday, May 29th-Pre-Kindergarten, Pre-K 2 and Kindergarten Graduations.
A 1, 2, 3 Recipe
I came across this recipe for an easy, quick single serving cake that is delicious and fun to make. Try it at home with your child.
1. Mix one box of angel food cake mix with one box of any flavor cake mix that you enjoy. 2. Once they are mixed well, add 3 Tablespoons of the cake mixture and 2 Tablespoons of water and mix well. 3. Microwave for 1 minute and ENJOY!!!
I like to add other ingredients to mine before microwaving, such as peanut butter or chocolate chips.
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.
Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.
Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: Our teachers provide natural objects, such as leaves, pinecones and flowers for the children to see and touch. We help children associate words with the concrete objects they represent.
At-home activity: Allow your child to experience different textured fruits, such as an orange, watermelon and cantaloupe. Talk about what he sees, smells, tastes and feels.
Recommended reading: Colors from Nature from PlayBac Publishing and The Earth Book by Todd Parr
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to understand interdependencies in nature. For instance, they learn that ladybugs feed on insects that are harmful to gardens, trees and shrubs. On Earth Day, many of our students have the opportunity to release ladybugs to help local gardens.
At-home activity: Take a walk outdoors with your child and play a game of “I Spy.” Ask him point out objects found in the springtime, for example a red flower, a blue bird or a colorful butterfly.
Recommended reading: Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & David T. Wenzel and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
In the classroom: As our Intermediates gain a greater understanding and appreciation for how living things grow, the class may adopt a pet such as a fish or bunny. Students develop math, science and language skills by measuring the pet’s food, observing the pet’s behavior and habitat, and learning new vocabulary. Research shows that when children have the opportunity to care for animals, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in gentle ways with people also.
At-home activity: Create a small garden and allow your child to help you plant and water seeds, either outdoors or indoors. Ask him to predict what the plant will look like by drawing pictures in his journal. Check the plant regularly so he can observe and measure changes in growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for the plant.
Recommended reading: Our Earth by Anne Rockwell and the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out!” by Shel Silverstein
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to reuse recyclable materials in fun and unconventional ways. For instance, our students use cardboard boxes to create a castle, milk jug lids to sort and match, and plastic bottles to create beautiful, unique artwork.
At-home activity: Set up a recycling station using cardboard boxes, and label each box with the words “metal”, “plastic” and “paper”. Throughout the month, ask your child to help sort your family’s recyclables by placing the items into the correct box. Explain that recycling is just one way that we can be kind to the earth. Ask him to name a few other ways, such as conserving electricity, picking up litter and planting a garden.
Recommended reading: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
April News
Welcome Spring!
Spring is here in full force. We are seeing a lot of runny noses and watery eyes. Please make sure that your child’s symptoms are allergy related and not something more before sending them to school.
A Look Back at March
We had a busy 3 days of Spring Photos. They are available for you to view in the front office.
As always, Pizza Friday was a hit. Thank you to everyone who came in to lend a hand.
Our Saint Patrick’s Day Parties were a hit! Leprechauns and green goodies were everywhere. We even almost caught ourselves Mr. Leprechaun…I think. Thank you families for your participation with our traps and parties. We loved seeing the creativity that you each displayed.
The children really enjoyed our visit with Mr. Frazier. He came to our school on 3/13 and played his bagpipes for the children. He also talked to them about the traditional clothing that he was wearing and we even marched in a parade.
Thank you for all of your support with our Book Fair. We were able to get several new books for the teachers as well as the library.
Another HUGE thank you for your participation in our St. Judes Trike-a-Thon. Due to your generous donations, we are able to donate $1,090 to this worthwhile cause.
Looking at April
Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on Friday, April 10th. Please make sure that you sign up with your child’s teacher for a time that is convenient for you. Due to the fact that it is sometimes necessary to share sensitive information regarding your child’s progress during this time, we respectfully remind you that children are not permitted to attend conferences.
Pizza Friday will take place on Friday, April 17th. If you would like to assist with this event, please see your child’s teacher. If you have not already signed your child up for this event, please see someone at the front desk for assistance.
We will be hosting a Free Dress Day on Friday, April 17th to raise money for Autism Awareness. If you would like to participate, please have your child wear his/her favorite outfit to school on this day and donate your $5.00 at the front desk.
April 13th-17th is the Week of the Young Child. We will be hosting a variety of events during this week to celebrate children and maybe even the child in all of us. More information on specific events will be available as the date draws closer.
April 22nd is Earth Day. We will celebrate this day with a school-wide ladybug release at 10:00 am. If you would like to join us, please let your child’s teacher know.
Our annual Art Festival will be held on Friday, April 24th, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Please join us for an evening, where you will receive a pasta dinner and have the opportunity to see all of the original art pieces that the children have been working on. We will even have a snow cone truck and balloon artist available. The cost will be $40.00 for a family of up to four people, plus $10.00 for each additional person in your party. This cost includes a pasta dinner and snow cones, plus your child’s 11×14 canvas and the opportunity for your child to receive his/her balloon creation. Tickets will go on sale soon. Don’t miss out!
Our school is undergoing NCA Reaccreditation. We will have visitors on our campus on April 29th and 30th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Looking Ahead to May
The close of the school year is quickly approaching. Just a few quick dates to note:
Friday, May 8th-Mom’s with Muffins will be held from 8:15-9:00 am. Please plan to join us. Friday, May 8th-Pizza Friday Monday, May 4th-Friday, May 8th-Teacher Appreciation Week Monday, May 25th-School is closed for Memorial Day Friday, May 29th-Pre-Kindergarten, Pre-K 2 and Kindergarten Graduations.
A 1, 2, 3 Recipe
I came across this recipe for an easy, quick single serving cake that is delicious and fun to make. Try it at home with your child.
1. Mix one box of angel food cake mix with one box of any flavor cake mix that you enjoy. 2. Once they are mixed well, add 3 Tablespoons of the cake mixture and 2 Tablespoons of water and mix well. 3. Microwave for 1 minute and ENJOY!!!
I like to add other ingredients to mine before microwaving, such as peanut butter or chocolate chips.
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.
Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.
Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: Our teachers provide natural objects, such as leaves, pinecones and flowers for the children to see and touch. We help children associate words with the concrete objects they represent.
At-home activity: Allow your child to experience different textured fruits, such as an orange, watermelon and cantaloupe. Talk about what he sees, smells, tastes and feels.
Recommended reading: Colors from Nature from PlayBac Publishing and The Earth Book by Todd Parr
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to understand interdependencies in nature. For instance, they learn that ladybugs feed on insects that are harmful to gardens, trees and shrubs. On Earth Day, many of our students have the opportunity to release ladybugs to help local gardens.
At-home activity: Take a walk outdoors with your child and play a game of “I Spy.” Ask him point out objects found in the springtime, for example a red flower, a blue bird or a colorful butterfly.
Recommended reading: Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & David T. Wenzel and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
In the classroom: As our Intermediates gain a greater understanding and appreciation for how living things grow, the class may adopt a pet such as a fish or bunny. Students develop math, science and language skills by measuring the pet’s food, observing the pet’s behavior and habitat, and learning new vocabulary. Research shows that when children have the opportunity to care for animals, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in gentle ways with people also.
At-home activity: Create a small garden and allow your child to help you plant and water seeds, either outdoors or indoors. Ask him to predict what the plant will look like by drawing pictures in his journal. Check the plant regularly so he can observe and measure changes in growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for the plant.
Recommended reading: Our Earth by Anne Rockwell and the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out!” by Shel Silverstein
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to reuse recyclable materials in fun and unconventional ways. For instance, our students use cardboard boxes to create a castle, milk jug lids to sort and match, and plastic bottles to create beautiful, unique artwork.
At-home activity: Set up a recycling station using cardboard boxes, and label each box with the words “metal”, “plastic” and “paper”. Throughout the month, ask your child to help sort your family’s recyclables by placing the items into the correct box. Explain that recycling is just one way that we can be kind to the earth. Ask him to name a few other ways, such as conserving electricity, picking up litter and planting a garden.
Recommended reading: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education