PreK Pride

We are in the homestretch as the last day of school draws near!

Today we began learning about Caldecott Medal winning books.  I explained to the children these books won an award due to amazing illustrations.  All year I have encouraged the children to use the illustrations and their imagination to tell the story in a book.  This is an important first step in learning to read.

Today we read "Mirette on the High Wire" and agreed the illustrations were beautiful and we were able to draw conclusions about the story by looking at them.  Afterwards we put on our engineering hats and built high wires for our Little People to walk across.

I have a poster of all Caldecott winners since 1938.  Each day we will circle the book we read.

Independence:  The children are being encouraged to enter the classroom without parental assistance and to unpack snack, folder, etc. each morning.  It is perfectly fine to walk your child to the door however, the children are ready to have a quick kiss, hug, and goodbye at the door which will allow them to begin their day.  It is much harder for you to leave them but please know they are absolutely fine!

Our daily schedule is:  Arrival from 7:40 - 8:00.  Find a book, sit on carpet quietly until all have arrived.  We put our books away, participate in morning prayers and listen during morning announcements.  The children are then directed to their assigned center for the morning.  These centers incorporate learning while playing.  We clean up, have snack, and begin our Morning Meeting where we open with our prayer, mission statement, pledge of allegiance, calendar and weather discussion, recitation of the alphabet and silly sounds, and number line.  We also review our colors.  I will then introduce our theme of the day or week, followed by a story, discussion and projects/work.  These things will be reflected on the monthly calendar.  Lunch, recess, peace and quiet time, followed by free choice, social studies or science end our day.

Thursday afternoons are "Playdoh Thursdays" -  we will play with Play Doh after rest time.

Our Friday schedule will be different in that we will attend Mass in the morning, return to class for snack, learn about our world using My Big World - a Scholastic publication, followed by physical education, lunch, recess, peace and quiet time, free choice or outside play if weather permits.

  Birthdays will be noted on the PreK monthly calendar.  We will sing to your child at snack time.  You may send in a special treat for the class on the date indicated for your child.  Currently we have 14 children.  Summer birthdays will be celebrated in May and indicated as a "special day" for ....

  I do ask that NO large cupcakes be brought for birthdays.  It is a huge mess to clean-up and the children really only like the icing :)  Some suggestions are strawberries, cookies, donut holes, little brownies, Teddy Grahams, marshmallows, etc.  Please see me if you have questions.

Our "resource" schedule will generally be as follows:
Monday - Music 
Tuesday - No resource
Wednesday - Library
Thursday - Computer
Friday - Mass

Reminders:
Please provide a snack each day for your child, making sure your child's name is clearly marked on it. Drinks are not to be provided.  I serve water with snack.

Your child needs bedding for rest time. This can be a blanket and travel size pillow, a favorite stuffed animal, etc.  These items will remain at school for the week and be sent home on Fridays (or the last day of the week) to be laundered and returned on Mondays or the next school day.  Please make sure you provide a change of clothing for your child in the event of an accident or illness.  

Please make sure your child's name is clearly marked on all items.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILD'S FOLDER DAILY FOR BEHAVIOR CALENDAR, PAPERS WHICH MAY NEED RETURNED, AND WORK COMPLETED BY YOUR CHILD.

Last Library Day:  Wednesday, May 23.  Please return all books.
Physical Education is finished for this school year.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, May 23 - PreK Planting Day (children should dress in old clothing and be prepared to get dirty)!
Friday, May 25 - No School; Memorial Day holiday begins
Monday, May 28 - No School; Memorial Day
Thursday, May 31 - Field Day (PreK schedule differs from K-6; please see me if you have older children and are volunteering)
Friday, June 1 - Mass 8:30 a.m.
Monday, June 4 - Teddy Bear Picnic
Tuesday, June 5 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR PREK!!
Wednesday, June 6 - Last Day of school K-6; Mass 8:30 a.m.; awards ceremony 9:30; dismissal by 10:30 a.m.

Have a safe and blessed summer!

Finally, remember to read to your child and say prayers with him/her before tucking into bed!  Establishing good routines at home prepares your child to be successful in school and in life.

"I will keep a prayer in my heart and Jesus' name on my lips."

Sincerely,
Mrs. Javitt
kjavitt@stpatrickyork.org

“Children learn what they live."