Hi Everyone,

I have so much to share with you this week.  Since my last newsletter, we have celebrated Alaska Day, the Mardi Gras Parade, the Courage Assembly, Pajama Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, also known as “Read Across America Day.”

Last Thursday, Preschool and Lower School ventured outdoors for an afternoon of Alaskan fun.  It was a very windy and brisk day, but we made sure that we bundled up, nice and warm.  First, we followed our noses to a fire that Mr. B. and Mr. Lee had burning by the frozen pond.  Here, the children watched as I toasted marshmallows on a stick.  Mrs. Allentuck and Mrs. DP assembled s’mores.  It was great fun to watch, but I was the only one to sample the goodies.  From there, we walked across Albright Field to the hill where Mrs. Maloy was waiting for us with a collection of speedy sleds!  The children went lickety split down the hill, again and again!  Next, we trudged over to Fitzpatrick Hall where we panned for gold with Mrs. Spears; made Alaskan flag pins with Mrs. Romano and we made totem poles with parents from the Parents’ Association.  Mrs. Milano played a fun game of bouncing a penguin on a parachute with us and Mrs. Hilliard made Inuksuks with us.  Inuksuks are piles of stones that people create to mark a special path or location.  Next, we joined everyone in the First Grade for a slide show presentation on Alaska.  On the way back to our classroom, we watched as the older students had a giant game of “Tug-of-Whale!”  Very exciting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday, we heard some great jazzy music coming from Kindergarten, just as we were waking from rest.  There, before us was Mr. Suters leading the Jazz Band and a whole lot of other students playing “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In.”  Everyone was decked out in masks and beads.  We followed everyone over to Fury Hall for some special presentations by the Middle and Upper School Modern Language classes.  At the conclusion, we were treated to some yummy cake in Mardi Gras colors.

 

 

Our day pretending to be in Alaska inspired us to create a winter mural.  Everyone helped paint paper white for the snow and light blue for the sky.  We made hills, trees, a pond, a bonfire and snow sculptures.  The children also made people skiing, skating and just enjoying the outdoors.  Each day, at snack and lunch, the children reflect on what they are slowly creating.  When  someone has a new idea, we invite them to add it to the mural.  Please take a peek if you have sometime at drop off or pick-up.

 

 

Over the previous few weeks, we have been talking about what it means to be courageous.  This may be how we need to be when we try to do something for the first time, or we meet new people, when we are a little afraid.  On Tuesday, we made Courage necklaces with shiny paper and we recorded times when each child felt they had courage.  Neal uses courage when he firsts goes to bed at night.  Sadie was courageous when when she went skating for the first time.  Duncan was courageous when he first went skiing.  Vincent talked about being courageous when he went down the hill on the sled for the first time.  Everyone agreed that once they tried that new task, they were fine.  The B3s and Lower School have also been talking about “Courage.”  We joined them for a special Assembly on Tuesday.  We shared what we had talked about as did the rest of the classes.  It was quite affirming for the children in our class to hear about the discussions, discoveries, statements and creations each of the other classes had to share.

Probably one of the silliest days was on Thursday, when we joined the B3s and Kindergarten for Pajama Day.  What a cozy day!  It was was simply dreamy.  The children were very excited to wear their pajamas to school.  They were also surprised to see the teachers in their robes and slippers, as well.  Kindergarten joined us for a “Night Meeting.”  We kept the lights out and sang “Are You Sleeping,” as a round and “Twinkle, Twinkle.” Mrs. Patel led us in a night game of “Just Like Me” and she read “What! Said Granny, an Almost Bedtime Story,” by Kate Lum and Adrian Johnson.  Next, we split up into groups and traveled to different stations where the children participated in different night activities.  Mrs. Cooke led a game of Glow in the Dark Star Toss, children worked with playdough and peacefully looked through books in the Book Corner; using blue paper, shiny stars and glow-in-the-dark stickers, the children made special bracelets with Mrs. Atwater; and they made “Sweet Dream” pictures with Mrs. Patel.  After having French and Music in our pajamas, we snuggled down to watch “The Red Balloon,” which was projected onto a big screen in Kindergarten.  Just like at the movies, we had popcorn.  During lunch we enjoyed a bit of hot chocolate to cozy up with.  We also read “Where’s My Teddy,” by Jez Alborough  and “The Bear Snores On,” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In between all of this, we were able to read about Talking Tess, from Letterland.  She takes care of the telephones and televisions in her town.  She travels in a taxi or on a train.  She also likes turtles, tulips  and tea, among other things.  Next week we will meet Uppy Umberella.

We will be joining B3s and Kindergarten for a trip to the Berkshire Museum on Tuesday,  March 5th.  We will depart BCD at 9:00 on the BCD bus.  We will return to school by 11:45am,  just in time for lunch.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, March 7th, beginning at 3:15pm and Friday, March 8th, beginning at 8:00am.  There is childcare available, if you pre-register with the Main Office, for conference time only on Thursday until 5:30pm.  There is no school and no childcare available on Friday.  Please let me know if there is something specific you would like to know more about regarding your child’s experience in Pre-Kindergarten.  I look forward to having the time to meet with you and talk about your child’s progress.  If these dates and times are not convenient for you, please let me know so that we can schedule a meeting at another time.

 

 

 

Important Reminders:

  • Preschool goes outdoors each day.  Please be sure to send boots, snow pants, mittens, hats and warm jackets.
  • Please replenish extra clothes when necessary.  Children should have a full set of clothing, including socks, undergarments, shirts and pants. 
  • Leaving a sweatshirt or sweater for days that may be chilly indoors may help your child feel more comfortable.
  • Please be sure to send in a refillable drink container for us to fill with water.  In our efforts to be green, we try to refrain from using plastic cups.
  • Please be sure to send appropriate flatware in your child’s lunch.
  • Including a variety of snack items is encouraged for young growing children.
  • If your child needs to have an item warmed up, please be sure it is in a microwave safe container.
  • Leaving an extra pair of sneakers or other shoes in school is a good idea.
  • Please return Library books on Wednesdays.

Dates to remember:

Tuesday, March 5th, Preschool joins Kindergarten for a bus trip to the Berkshire Museum.  Bus departs at 9:00am and returns at 11:45am.

Thursday, March 7th, Parent/Teacher Conferences, beginning at 3:15pm;  Child Care available until 5:30pm during conference time only; preregistration with the Main Office required

Friday, March 8th, Parent/Teacher Conferences, NO SCHOOL FOR PS and LS.  No child care available.

Friday, March 15th, Spring Break begins at 3:00pm

Tuesday, April 2nd, classes resume

 

Warmest Regards,

Ellie