A New School Year in Older Preschool!

Welcome to the Older Preschool Class (:

We had a wonderful first week. We were very busy getting to know the school routine and all the children did such a wonderful job, we are so proud of them all.

Here are some school wide reminders:

Please check your family box at least weekly for important school wide information.

Label everything: Please be sure to clearly label all items your child brings to school — especially water bottles, lunch boxes, jackets, and backpacks. Many children have similar (or identical) items, and labeling helps us make sure everything gets back to the right owner.

Shorts under dresses: For comfort and active play, please make sure your child wears shorts or bike shorts under dresses and skirts.

On Monday, please begin displaying the name card in your windshield for pickup. This will help to identify each family during dismissal. The cards were placed in your family mailbox on Thursday. Please let us know if your family will need any additional cards.

Shoes: Please make sure your children wear shoes suitable for safe play on the playground. Sneakers are best but if that's not possible, shoes must have closed toes and backs (no sandals, flip flops or slides).

Drink containers: Could you please send in containers with non-spill or spill resistant tops. Open top cups can cause spills and accidents.

Home items: Such as hand sanitizer (we have some in the classroom if needed), lotion and chapstick are not allowed in the classroom.

SNACK: Please pack your child's snack in a separate ziplock bag labeled with their name and the word SNACK on it. Snack also needs to consist of 2 components. Water is not considered a component. Some examples are:

goldfish, apple sauce and water.

cheese stick, strawberries and water.

LUNCH: Please pack your child's lunch separately in a lunch box also labeled. Lunch needs to consist of 5 components. Some examples are:

pizza, apple slices, yogurt and a juice box.

chicken salad sandwich, veggie sticks, carrots, blueberries and water.

mac and cheese, pretzels, watermelon and a juice box.

Another tip for both snack and lunch: if possible can you send any fruits/vegetables already peeled to make snack and lunch easier.Also, including a napkin in the lunchbox is very helpful for the students to practice table manners. Thank you for your help with this.

Extended Day Children: blankets for rest time will be sent home at the end of each week. Please launder and send the blanket back in on Monday. Please make sure the blanket is labeled with your child's name.

The books we read this week were Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool and Chica Chica Boom Boom.

Centers

The children really loved exploring their new classroom during center time. Here is a look at what we did.

Listening Center: How do Dinosaurs go to School?

Playdough Table: Green playdough with letters, cutters, rollers and scissors.

Dramatic Play: Barn with barn animals.

Art Table: We had them draw what they look like in the mirror and we did the first day of school handprints that we put in their end of the year portfolios.

Science/Math table: Color sorting using tweezers & magnifying glasses to look at flowers.

Sensory Table: It has farm animals and shovels filled with corn and beans.

Art Easel: Water colors with welcome to preschool sheets.

Writing Table: Line tracing.

We always have blocks, puzzles, and writing boards available during centers every week. From week to week, we will add different things to these areas as well. At blocks this week we have a toy barn with animals. We also did some dancing each day. Some were all for it and some did not want to and that is okay! Eventually they will all join in (: Recess was a big hit too.

One reminder: Could you please send in a 4x6 family photo so we can display it on our "families" board in our classroom by this Friday 9/12. We will send it back home at the end of the year.

If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing you all next week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Warmly,

Mrs. Derbyshire & Mrs. Deighan