Welcome October!
The season of Fall is officially here and learning is all around us! Thank you to all of our parents who were able to join us September 30th for our Back to School Curriculum Night. It is always great when we are able to partner together to better help your child learn and grow. The goal of Curriculum Night was to help you understand your child’s classroom’s expectations and learning goals through the eyes of your child while gather additional background knowledge. Now, the teachers are busy working together to conduct assessments and preparing report cards that will go home in November. These report cards will share with you where your child is currently with all the skills the teachers are working with them on and what the teachers will be focusing on next with your child to get them to the next level.
Links to Home:
In our Front Lobby, you will find our Links to Home center. Please feel free to grab an activity from your child’s program bin to reinforce the skills the teachers are teaching at home with your little one.
What We Learned Today:
We also ask that you read the What We Learned Today paper on the classroom door each day and encourage you to ask your child questions about that special activity. This is a great way to get them to share their day with you.
Mark Your Calendars!
October is jammed packed with lots of school wide activities! Please see the list below for what’s happening for the whole school this month. Make sure you are also keeping up with your child’s class Parent Board and Newsletters for special activities and cooking projects. We don’t want anyone to miss out!
Oct 15th: Silly School Spirit Day: Movie Character Dress Up Day
Oct 22nd: Read for the Record Day. We will be joining in will millions of other schools with reading Not Norman.
Oct.23rd: Non-VPK Day
Oct. 223rd : Please bring in a small pumpkin for Monday’s Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch no later than today.
Oct 26th: Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch and Activities- Come dressed as a Farmer or scarecrow as each classroom will have a special story time and other activities in our Annual Pumpkin Patch. Look out for more info.
Oct. 30th: At 10:15am we will be having our Storybook Character Parade. Come dressed as a storybook character and don’t forget to bring along the book to share with the class.
Oct 30th: After school (6:30pm-8:00pm) Trunk or Treat event. See handout and the front desk for more information.
From Our Education Department:
Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play
This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain
We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
October 2015 News
Welcome October!
The season of Fall is officially here and learning is all around us! Thank you to all of our parents who were able to join us September 30th for our Back to School Curriculum Night. It is always great when we are able to partner together to better help your child learn and grow. The goal of Curriculum Night was to help you understand your child’s classroom’s expectations and learning goals through the eyes of your child while gather additional background knowledge. Now, the teachers are busy working together to conduct assessments and preparing report cards that will go home in November. These report cards will share with you where your child is currently with all the skills the teachers are working with them on and what the teachers will be focusing on next with your child to get them to the next level.
Links to Home:
In our Front Lobby, you will find our Links to Home center. Please feel free to grab an activity from your child’s program bin to reinforce the skills the teachers are teaching at home with your little one.
What We Learned Today:
We also ask that you read the What We Learned Today paper on the classroom door each day and encourage you to ask your child questions about that special activity. This is a great way to get them to share their day with you.
Mark Your Calendars!
October is jammed packed with lots of school wide activities! Please see the list below for what’s happening for the whole school this month. Make sure you are also keeping up with your child’s class Parent Board and Newsletters for special activities and cooking projects. We don’t want anyone to miss out!
Oct 15th: Silly School Spirit Day: Movie Character Dress Up Day
Oct 22nd: Read for the Record Day. We will be joining in will millions of other schools with reading Not Norman.
Oct.23rd: Non-VPK Day
Oct. 223rd : Please bring in a small pumpkin for Monday’s Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch no later than today.
Oct 26th: Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch and Activities- Come dressed as a Farmer or scarecrow as each classroom will have a special story time and other activities in our Annual Pumpkin Patch. Look out for more info.
Oct. 30th: At 10:15am we will be having our Storybook Character Parade. Come dressed as a storybook character and don’t forget to bring along the book to share with the class.
Oct 30th: After school (6:30pm-8:00pm) Trunk or Treat event. See handout and the front desk for more information.
From Our Education Department:
Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play
This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain
We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education