235 South Beaver St
(717) 854-8263
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"A child isn't thinking about whether their painting is good enough. They're just enjoying painting."
HTCS Pre-K News of the Week
Annie Kagan
September 10, 2019
We are beginning our third week in Pre-K and the children are adjusting nicely to our classroom routines. Thank you for helping to make this happen.
I am still working out a few details but below is a general description of our days in PreK. Please know the environment in Pre-K is very adaptable and it is very possible we will have days where we just need to play and eat snack! As Mr. Rogers said, "Play is the work of children."
Each day begins with your child choosing a center to begin "morning work." I create the centers; the children do the "work" by learning to solve problems such as taking turns and sharing, and learning to control emotions. This is a daunting yet necessary task for the children to master. A critical piece to "morning work" is cleaning up. We turn off the lights, we freeze, we look around at the big mess we've made, and we clean up.
Following "morning work" we settle ourselves on the carpet, recite a prayer of thanksgiving to God, wash our hands, and have snack. Once we begin learning our letters, numbers, etc., the snack will be connected to those concepts.
After snack we begin "Morning Meeting." This is where we get into our learning! We recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing "God Bless America," discuss the calendar, learn letters and sounds, numbers, jobs, colors, shapes, and more! The monthly Pre-K calendar will provide information as to what we are learning. It will be listed in the Sunday column for the upcoming week.
The remainder of the day is filled with recess, lunch, peace and quiet time, free choice (allows the children to independently choose a play area), clean up, end of day story and prayer, and dismissal.
Our resource schedule is as follows:
Monday - Music with Ms. Lisa Pantano
Tuesday - Physical Education with Ms. Nicole Nirosky
Wednesday - Library (for 4 year olds) with Ms. Brady
Thursday - Computer (for 4 year olds) with Ms. Brady
Friday - Mass
BIRTHDAYS!
We LOVE birthdays in PreK! We love special birthday snacks, too! If you wish, you may send a special snack to school for your child's birthday. If you have questions about appropriate snacks please contact me.
Please do not send cupcakes of any kind or size - I have been teaching Pre-K long enough to tell you the children do NOT eat them at school.
We have a few children who share birthdays this year so please check the monthly calendar to see when we will sing to your child - that is the day you should send in the birthday treat.
REMINDERS:
Bedding is sent home on Fridays to be laundered and returned on the next school day. Your child's name should be on EVERYTHING. Backpacks and folders should be checked every evening for information and projects; folders should be returned to school in backpacks every morning.
Any time there is a transportation change you must notify Denise in the school office at 717-854-8263 or schooloffice@htcsyork.org BEFORE 2:00 p.m.
You may also email me at kjavitt@htcsyork.org
ILLNESSES/NOT FEELING WELL :
Please do not force your child to attend Pre-K if he/she is not feeling well. Remember, it is only Pre-K; it is NOT a final exam in high school or college! Those days will be here soon enough.
As a rule, children must be fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM TYLENOL, IBUPROFEN, ETC. before returning to school. The 24 hour rule also applies to instances of vomiting and diarrhea.
I will always contact you by email if I have a question or concern.
If you have any questions or concerns please send an email to kjavitt@htcsyork.org
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.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Javitt
kjavitt@stpatrickyork.org