This has been a very exciting week here in our room with guest visitors, PBIS Dance Party, and more. That doesn’t even include our excitement about the upcoming holidays!
Last week we began our STEM unit on Health and Exercise. We started by learning about the outside parts of the body (arms, legs, head, etc.) then looked at what is inside using an anatomical model of the upper body. We learned what the heart and brain do, why skin is important, and how our bones protect us and help muscles make us move. Next week we will be continuing our discussion of teeth and learning about the stomach as we begin exploring nutrition. My favorite lesson of the week was about germs – we put different colors of glitter on friends’ hands then held hands or gave high fives. Many friends were surprised to find a new color of glitter (germ) on their hands and even more surprised when the glitter germs transferred to toys. We all decided that washing hands was a great way to keep our friends and ourselves safe from germs. Of course, the lesson also included “what part of your hand do you need to wash to get rid of those glitter germs?” We soon realized that glitter germs can get all over our hands so we should wash fronts, backs, and in-between fingers. If any of you would like to try this at home, I’d suggest looking up “preschool germ” on Pinterest – there are a lot of great variations. We wrapped up the week with a visit from Nurse Melissa who let us explore her real stethoscope, blood pressure cup, thermometer and more.
This week also included our introduction to the last of the letters: Y and Z. We have now spent time learning how to write each of the letters in the alphabet. To celebrate finishing this important step in becoming a reader, we introduced our first Reading Superpower – Super readers use picture clues to help understand what they are reading. Students then read the book My Body in small groups, using the repetitive language and pictures to access the text We will continue working on letters every week, focusing on their names, sounds, and formation. Next week’s letters are L, F, E, and H. After winter break we will begin introducing sight words in class.
Last week we began working in our math journals. In our journals we practice writing the numeral, coloring in the correct number of items, and recognizing the number each week. We also work on different math concepts in our journals including shapes, big and small, patterns, and more. Math will continue to be a major theme throughout our days but the journals give us practice seeing the written numerals and getting comfortable with using them. While we will keep the journals in the classroom until the end of the year, you will get to see them during our February conferences and can ask to talk with me more about them if you would like.
Next week we will begin to explore nutrition while also finding ways to get into the winter spirit. Nutrition may not seem like an ideal match for the holidays with all the delicious treats but actually it is a great time to introduce the idea of balanced eating and moderation. While they may not come home and ask for a snack of broccoli (I’m not a miracle worker!), hopefully they will better understand why they need to eat those vegetables before having a holiday cookie.
I hope to see all of you on Thursday at our winter party. The morning class’s celebration begins at 10:30 while the afternoon festivities kick off at 2:25. We will be enjoying a snowman snack, playing some reindeer games, and generally enjoying being together. If you would like to bring something for the party, please click on the link in the SignUp Genius email I sent on Monday. If you need me to resend it just let me know.
If you are unable to attend the party, I understand. Please write your child a short note telling them how much you love them that I can read to them at the party and send it to school in their folders. It can be hard for children when other students’ parents are here but their’s is not. A little note from you will go a long way to helping them enjoy the day. If you want, you could also send me the note via email before Wednesday and I’ll write it out for them.
Holiday Homework
I will be sending home writing homework over the break but there is no pressure to have it done the day we come back. I know many families are busy over the break. That said, your child is eager to show off what they have been learning and may want something to do. So I will also be sending home a name booklet for them to work on. This is something they can do with you that will really help solidify their ability to recognize and write their names. You don’t need to send it back in unless they want to show me their work.
Nuts & Bolts:
Remember to say goodbye to your child before they come into the cubby. For safety reasons, we cannot allow them to run out to you after they’ve been checked in.
Please be sure to send in your child dressed for the outdoor weather. We will be going out even when the temperatures are in the low 20’s.
Be sure to have your child’s name on their homework when it gets turned in.
Tuition payments need to be turned into the office, not left in your child’s folder.
Dates to know:
December 12: Library – We will be returning books but not checking new ones out until after the break.
December 12: Guest visitor will guide us in children’s yoga. Please be sure your child is wearing comfortable clothes they can move in.
December 14: Class Winter Party – Reindeer Theme! Come join us at 10:30 for the am class party or 2:25 for the pm class party. We’ll have a light snack, play games, and have fun. If you would like to donate items for the party please check on the Sign Up Genius email sent earlier.
December 16–January 1: Winter Break – No classes and no childcare here at Spark!
January 2: Classes begin at their usual time, either 8:30 am or 12:25 pm. We’ll be eager to see you all and hear about your breaks.
From the Office:
Community Resources: We have information to connect families with local agencies regarding mental health, child nutrition, physical fitness, food bank, child find, medical and dental resources, in several locations:
1) In a notebook in the front office,
2) In our parent flyer stand at the front entrance
3) On our school website at http://sdpk.svvsd.org/communit
4) The black table at the front of the school also has activity packets for parents to take in English and Spanish (when possible)
Use of Interpreters for Families Speaking a language other than English
Spark! Discovery Preschool takes reasonable steps to ensure families with limited English proficiency have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in their child’s education, activities, and programs. Our district uses district-approved language translation services for translation of written communications, such as newsletters, Individual Education Plans, and so on.
Interpreters at Spark! Discovery Preschool will provide support for parents who may need this. An interpreter is available daily in our school’s front office. Additional interpreters are available for:
● Child Development parent classes (when requested)
● Parenting classes (when requested)
● Special Education meetings
● Child-Find Meetings
● Parent-Teacher Conferences
Referral Processes: If families would like to make a referral to a specialist, please discuss this with the School Special Education Facilitator. We host a Child Find satellite office at Spark! Discovery Preschool, to handle questions or concerns about child development, behavior, or mental health. If you have questions about your child’s health, you should call our health clerk. She will answer your questions or forward you to a SVVSD nurse.
Child Find at Spark! Discovery Preschool: For children ages birth to five (who are not attending a district preschool already), developmental screenings and evaluations are provided by a District Child Find Assessment Team at Spark! Discovery Preschool (555 8th St., Frederick). This Child Find Assessment Team may be comprised of School Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, a School Nurse, and Early Childhood Special Education Teachers. Autism and Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Specialists consult as needed.
Other Plans for Academic or Behavioral Assistance: A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a systemic, continuous improvement framework in which data-based problem-solving and decision making is practiced across all levels of the educational system for supporting students. A Multi-Tiered System of Supports helps our school to organize resources through alignment of academic standards and behavioral expectations, implemented with fidelity and sustained over time, in order to accelerate the performance of every student to achieve.
Thank you again for sharing your children with us!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kiersten and Ms. Toni