Ms. Piper’s Class Newsletter 9/13/19
Hello, preschool families! We hope this message finds you well. This is the classroom update for the month of September.
What We’re Learning
We started our year with learning what preschool is all about! Classroom rules and routines, how to be a friend, an introduction to all of our materials were the focus at the beginning. We also learned all about Mat Man, a song that teaches children how to draw a person. Check out our work on the bulletin board outside our classroom!
Now we are delving into our first STEM unit, Nursery Rhymes. The children have been learning to recognize rhyming words, to retell stories in a sequence, and to act out some of our favorite rhymes.
We began our new literacy curriculum, Fundations, this week. The children LOVE Baby Echo, an owl puppet who helps us learn letters and sounds! We will learn two letters and their sounds every week. For children who have already mastered these skills, we will offer more challenging literacy activities in small groups.
Our math instruction thus far has focused on working with smaller numbers, 1-5, and how we represent them. We have begun using songs and other activities that teach us how to use our fingers to show “how many.” We have also started doing activities that encourage children to figure out “how many” by looking without actually counting. These skills help children learn to process quantities quickly and efficiently in their heads.
Change in Paraprofessionals
Sadly, this was Laura Mikesell’s last week at Spark, as she has taken a position at the school where her children attend. We wish her the best! On Monday, we will welcome Michelle Stelmack to our classroom. Michelle comes to us from our Wraparound program, so she will be a familiar face for many.
Thursday Folders
Our Thursday folders have been going home in backpacks every week. Please be sure to check these every weekend, as they contain important information and paperwork. Be sure to sign any necessary papers and return the folder the following Monday. We only get one folder per child, so try not to lose it!
Family Photos
Thank you to everyone who has sent a family photo for our wall! If you have not, please send one (either printed or by email) if you can, so we can out it up for your child to look at and tell us about!
Important Dates
· Mon Sept 16 – Individual Picture Day
· Thur Sept 19 – 6:00 – 7:30 pm – PTO General meeting in the cafeteria. Childcare provided in the gym.
· Thurs – Fri, Sept 19 and 20 – PJ Day – a mini-fundraiser, sponsored by the PTO
· Fri Sept 20 – 9:30 – 11:00 am – Parent volunteer training
· Sat Sept 21: Miner’s Day Parade 9:30
· Thur Sept 26 – Parachutes Outside for classes who earn 25 Starpowers
· Mon, Sept 30, Wed, Oct 2, and Thurs, Oct 3 – 3:30 – 7:30 pm – Parent / Teacher Conferences
Parent Volunteers
Please consider volunteering in our classroom or in the office! Volunteers must attend volunteer training offered by the school before starting to volunteer in preschool, due to licensing rules and regulations. Our next training is Friday, September 20thfrom 9:30 – 11:00 am.
Classroom Wishlist
We are in need of the following supplies:
· Small paper bags
· Thin washable markers
· Small paper cups (5 oz)
· Paper bowls
Thank you for your support!
Ms. Piper