PreK Press
Sept. 16 - Sept. 29
Back To School Night: Thank you to everyone who was able to make it for Back- To-School Night. We appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedules and hope you found it both informative and reassuring. For those unable to attend, the information packet that was handed out that night was sent home to all the families.
What Is Happening In The Classroom? The first few weeks of school are always very busy, exciting, and sometimes even exhausting. The PreK class is proof of this! (You should see the class during rest time.) Your PreKers have been introduced and exposed to a wide range of opportunities, materials, conversations, and expectations as we continue to set the tone for the classroom. Helping children create and understand our class rules (come in and see our class rules poster during drop-off) gives them an important and consistent framework from which to build. Stories that focus on kindness, empathy, and cooperation aid in the development of that framework along with class discussions, modeling (both teacher and student) and team building activities. For example, this week each child was given 5 “magic noodles” and a small piece of paper and they worked independently to create something of their own choosing with just those 5 pieces. After telling each other what they made, each child was then given 5 more. This time though, they all worked together and created one structure/sculpture that could not have been created if they hadn’t worked as a group. Follow up conversation and sharing observations helped them understand that collectively they can do things that can’t be done individually and this doesn’t happen with cooperation. (These will be displayed next week.) Mr. Wallack introduced a similar concept in gym this week. The children started dancing and, when the music stopped, they had to find their own colored “poly spot” to stand on. As the game progressed, more and more spots were removed and they had to figure out ways for several children to share just one spot. This week with Mrs. Johnson we also practiced cooperation as we worked in 3 separate groups to complete a scavenger hunt, a shape search, and some experimental digging in the Children’s Garden. In addition, we are working to help them develop a correct scissor grip and the ability to cut on the lines. Next week we will begin working on helping them develop a correct pencil grip through our Handwriting Without Tears program. (More information on that program in a future newsletter.) The children were also introduced to Mat Man this week and, working as a group, were able to “build” him. (See photos on our blog.) So many things take place daily in the classroom that it is impossible to write about them all, but please be sure to ask questions whenever you have them.
TCS Picture Day: Next Wednesday, October 4th is picture day at TCS. Forms are enclosed in your manila envelopes today. Please fill out all information (be sure to select a background) and return to the classroom with a check as soon as possible.
*The All School photo is scheduled for 8:30 AM. All students need to be here by 8:15.
Parent Conference Sign-Up: Friday, October 20th is Parent Conference Day. As you read in an email from our room parents, the sign-up sheet is already posted outside the classroom. There are many time slots available on the 20th, and some alternative time slots available as well. Be sure to contact us if you have any scheduling issues or need additional conference time options. We look forward to this upcoming opportunity to talk and share your input, insight, and knowledge.
Minds in Motion Conference: There is still time for you to register your child/children for the upcoming, TCS hosted, Minds in Motion conference! This wonderful event will take place on Saturday, October 14th and welcomes both TCS and non TCS students. Information has been posted in the Little Hoot, was sent home in hard copy with each child earlier this week, and was also sent in an email from our room parents. That email is copied below for your convenience. Minds in Motion has been a highly successful event and we hope to see all of you there!
To: all parents in PreK-6
Subject: Registration is Open for Minds in Motion!
On October 14, The Country School will be hosting, along with the CT Association for the Gifted, Minds in Motion, an afternoon event for families with a love for learning. The event features fun, fast-paced, hands-on workshops for motivated students from PreKindergarten through grade 6 from across the state, as well as workshops for their parents.
We have hosted this event in the past and typically have about 175 students join us. It is a wonderful opportunity for TCS to showcase our campus and community. It is truly a community effort, with TCS parents and faculty organizing the event and teaching workshops.
This year, we are proud to offer workshops on poetry, robotics, debate, fencing, sewing, and many, many more. We have presenters from TCS, Bushy Hill, Eli Whitney Museum, Play-Well TEKnologies, and others.
There will be many opportunities for all of you to help out in orchestrating this event - please keep an eye out for additional information in the coming weeks. For now, we invite you all to register your children and yourselves for this wonderful event at http://www.ctgifted.org/ website/publish/newsroom/ index.php?Minds-in-Motion-38. Classes fill up quickly so don't wait too long!!
If you have questions or want to learn more, don't hesitate to contact Jen Jones (ellesj@yahoo.com), Lissa Loucks (lissaloucks@me.com), or Stephanie Wheeler (swheelers2@msn.com).
Bauer Park Harvest Festival: On Saturday, October 14th (if you are not participating in the Minds in Motion conference at TCS), you are welcome to come to Bauer Park in Madison and attend the Bauer Park Harvest Festival. It is scheduled from 11:00 - 3:00 and will be held rain or shine. Be sure to check out the TCS booth if you go.
TCS Open House: On Sunday, October 29th TCS is holding an Open House from 1:00 – 3:30 P.M. If you know of anyone who might be interested in learning more about The Country School, please tell them to come by, take a tour, ask questions, talk with teachers, and discover firsthand about TCS and all the school has to offer.
Halloween Parade and Special Snack: On Tuesday, October 31st the annual TCS Halloween Parade will take place. It begins at 8:30 and you are all invited and encouraged to attend. Additional and more specific information is attached to the end of this newsletter. Following the parade, the PreKers will be having a “low key” Halloween snack. A special snack sign-up sheet will be posted right outside our classroom door next week if you are able to contribute. We thank you in advance for your participation!
Looking for Forms? Many of the TCS forms and information you will need throughout the year can be accessed in OwlNet, our one-stop communications portal located on the TCS website. (Look for it in the gold band near the top of the website.)
Reading Buddy Group List: Our time spent with Reading Buddies has been very successful so far, and it has been great to watch these special friendships begin to develop in just a couple of weeks. Attached to this newsletter you will find a list of the names of your child’s Reading Buddies. Each group has 2 PreKers and 3 fourth graders in it. We will keep you updated on our activities together as appropriate.
Pizza Day: Every child should bring a lunch box with additional food and dessert on Fridays - even if your child is signed up for pizza. Sometimes a child is just not interested in eating pizza, and all children look for an additional food choice or two and/or dessert daily. Thank you.
Water Bottles: Our new location for water bottles is working out really well. We thank everyone who is bringing in water bottles and helping to make sure your child puts them in the proper spot.
Shall I Come In? Parents are always welcome to come into the classroom at drop-off to see displayed artwork, materials that are being used, and things your children would like to show you. Don’t be shy!
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