PreK Pride

Our letter of the week is Vv, as in "violin," word of the the week is "vegetable," shape and color of the month are star and white.  We have been working on STEAM activities that tie in to books we have read or words beginning with letters of the weeks.  Today we began planting vegetables.  I have several different seeds and the children chose which vegetable they would like to plant.  We put dirt in peat cups, sprinkled the seeds (and noticed how each vegetable has a different seed), patted dirt on top and sprayed with water.  So far we have carrots, spinach, lettuce and peas.  Those who did not plant today will do so tomorrow.  Afterwards we broke into groups with our blocks and designed vegetable gardens!

Father Carroll visited our classroom this morning and talked to us about "Doubting Thomas" and taught  us a simple prayer, "Jesus, I trust in you," which is the prayer for Divine Mercy.

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, Physical Education

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.

Library books are due every Wednesday.

Upcoming Events:

Friday, April 13 - Mass 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, April 18 - All School Concert 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 19 - planting marigolds
Friday, April 20 - Mass 8:30 a.m.
Friday, April 27 - Mass 8:30 a.m.
Friday, May 4 - Mass 8:30 a.m.; Race for Education; Grandparent's Day

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."