Back to school on January 2nd ...

Hope you and the kids are enjoying time off from school. Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday, January 2nd. A gentle reminder to please use the door under the covered walkway, even on Wednesdays. Many thanks.

Sincerely, Mrs. Bridgman

Indoor Recess

Thought you might be curious as to what your kids do when we stay inside on extra cold and rainy days ...


We have a nice collection of old Legos in a big sack, that keeps kids busy. We read books in our literacy center. Today Mrs. Peavey helped us make tiny thumbprint reindeer that will be made into a keepsake gift for each of our first grade buddies. 

More pretend play in our restaurant centers ...

A mini holiday celebration for us today... We decorated pumpkin spice muffins with reindeer faces and enjoyed eating them as well.

Family Newsletter

Dear Pre-K Families,                                        December 12, 2012

This is turning out to be our Reindeer Week in pre-k. We have visiting reindeer (pretend, but almost life size) in our playground. We’re reading Jan Brett’s wonderfully illustrated The Wild Christmas Reindeer book. Our learning facts topic is reindeer, and we’ll be putting reindeer decorations on healthy muffins at snack time on Thursday. Oooo la la. (Did you know that reindeer hooves change from sponge-like in the summer for walking on the tundra, to the pads shrinking and tightening to expose the rims for dealing with icy winter conditions?)

Your kids handled shopping for holiday gifts at the famous Dike Newell Holiday Fair with ease on Tuesday. Brace yourselves for fabulous treasures, that were proudly and thoughtfully picked out for you by your little ones.

Sincerely, Mrs. Bridgman and Mrs. Peavey

Holidays

As the first day of Hanukkah approaches (this Saturday), we have been talking about the history and traditions associated with this holiday. The kids explored spinning tops/driedels and putting Hanukkah candles in several menorahs. They peeled potatoes yesterday, made homemade applesauce today and at snack time, a surprising number of us tried potato latkes and applesauce. Next week, we'll devote some discussion time and creative art to Christmas.The following week, we'll learn about Kwanzaa traditions. If we are missing a holiday that your family celebrates, please let us know.

Pretend play in our restaurant centers

I am getting the hang of embedding slideshows ...   Can you recognize the different "restaurants?"

Pre-K Family Newsletter   November 28, 2012

                                      

Today, during our play centers, your children were really fun to watch as they embraced the roles and props that accompany our restaurant theme. They were busy cooking spaghetti, baking donuts (I don’t think you actually “bake” donuts, but we do in our pretend roles), washing dishes, planting and picking Indian corn for customers at the Farmer’s Market, scooping ice cream and assembling sandwiches. Here are a few pictures ...

  

                    

                                                                                

   

Going outside is a great part of our morning. It was cold today. We will, of course, observe the school guidelines regarding temperature and wind chill factors, but we will also try to go out every day possible. The running and climbing and jumping and loud voices all need to come out somewhere, and outside is certainly the place for it to happen happily. So, please send warm outdoor clothing for your child. Here’s our song for the order we get dressed in here at school … We have a song for everything, I believe!

Getting Dressed in Winter

First you put your snowpants on,

Then you do your boots.

Then you put your jacket on,

Zip it ‘cause it’s loose.

Then you put your hat on,

Last you do your mittens.

Then we go outside to play,

Cause we are tired of sittin’.

 December 11^th is the Holiday Fair here at Dike Newell School. Please read the recent info sent home about it and fill in that form before then. I understand the kids simply love buying gifts for their families at the fair.  Please consider volunteering and donating items in good condition to help make this event a success. Thank you very much!

Sincerely, Mrs. Bridgman and Mrs. Peavey