Hi Everyone,
This week seems to have flown by! Punxsutawney Phil has proclaimed that he saw his shadow and therefore, there will be at least six more weeks of winter. (We knew that!) On Groundhog’s Day the children made pop-up groundhog puppets and we learned some silly groundhog finger plays and poems. Each child received a Groundhog Day book to take home. We also visited Phil’s website to see the actual announcement.
Also this week, we worked on a special project (TBA.) We also set up poster paint at the easel and we turned our Art Center into a Valentine Center. We have a special basket with Valentine rubber stamps and pads, words we may want to include in a special card for a friend or loved one and some special Valentine paper. I have found that providing the children with time and a variety of art materials to explore enables them to make their own special creations. As they work they talk of who this card or that picture will be for. They also make pictures and valentines for one another. It is a very sweet time in Pre K.
This week we met the Letterland character Peter Puppy. Peter loves playing in the Letterland park. He loves it when it rains, because then he can paddle in the puddles with the penguins. He also likes to pop into the pool with his puppy pals. He likes to eat peaches and pears with them and play “Pass the Parcel.” The children had fun trying to guess what was in Peter’s present. Next week we will meet Quarrelsome Queen and perhaps Red Robot.
On Thursday afternoon, in Miss Guerette’s absence, Viv Caputo, veteran music teacher and long time Music Department Head at BCD, joined us as a guest teacher. She taught us the song, “One Red Valentine.” Thank you for joining us, Mrs. Caputo.
In addition this week, our Peer Readers joined us on Wednesday and we joined Kindergarten in the gym on Friday. We love times that we have to integrate with other children on our campus.
In French class this week, the children have been learning about Mardi Gras. We learned about the three colors of Mardi Gras, purple, gold and green; about the King Cake with a hidden plastic baby; and about the beaded necklaces. We also read the tale Town Mouse, Country Mouse in preparation for the French play next week. We will be reading The Three Billy Goats Gruff
next week to get ready for that play also. The Middle school French classes are putting these plays on the morning of Friday, February 12th at 8:30am, sharp, so please arrive at school by 8:15am.
BCD’s traditional Alaska Day will be held next Wednesday! This is a fun morning filled with traditional Alaskan activities, games and a slide show. We have indoor and outdoor activities, including s’mores at the bonfire by the pond! The children need all outdoor clothing, boots, hat, snow pants, gloves and a warm jacket to fully enjoy this fantastic day. We will be gathering with Lower School for a Morning Meeting and brief history of Alaska Day at 8:20 to kick off the morning, so please be at school by 8:10 a.m.
As stated in last week’s newsletter, we will have a Valentine’s Day party with the B3s on Thursday, February 11th. Children are invited to bring Valentines in for their classmates. If your child is going to bring in Valentines, please be sure that all of the B3s and Pre K students are included. Thank you for signing-up for party items. Everything is now accounted for. Please remember that if you are sending an edible valentine, do not send anything with peanuts or tree nuts. Thank you so much for your consideration to this matter. You may bring Valentines in beginning Wednesday, but we will not open them until our party on Thursday. Here is a list of the children’s names:
Beatrice Charles Daniel Gabriel Jolie
Olivia Petra Devan Gabrielle Jaidev
Lyle Margaret Max Ray Ruby
Miss Guerette has also sent home new book orders. There are two flyers from which to order books this month. Orders and payments should be in by Thursday, February 18th, so that the books will arrive before our March Break. Thank you so much for your orders. Our classroom collection of books has been nicely enriched because of the Bonus Points we earn each time.
Books we Read:
- Pigs Make Me Sneeze, by Mo Willems
- Valentine Cats, by Jean Marzollow and Hans Wilhelm
- The Valentine Bears, by Eve Bunting and Jan Brett
- Ground Hog Day, by Betsy Lewin
- Hi! Fly Guy, by Tedd Arnold
Reminders:
- If you are sending in something to be warmed in the microwave, please be sure it is in a container that can be microwaved. Anything with tomato sauce should come in a glass container.
- Please send needed flatware with your child’s lunch.
- Update and replenish your child’s extra clothes.
- Bring Library books on Fridays.
- Please remember to remove wet shoes or boots before entering the Preschool rooms.
Dates to Note:
Have a Great Weekend!
Ellie
