Hi Everyone,
It is very difficult to believe that there is only a week and a half left of school. On Tuesday, Pre K joined Mrs. Patel for lunch. Before eating, she read two silly stories to the children. There were so many of us that we had to bring one of our own tables! Everyone had fun. While we were in Kindergarten, the Kindergarten class had lunch with Ms. Milani in First Grade. Last week we talked about what each of us hoped to get to do during the summer. Some shared that they were going to Cape Cod, others were visiting family, some were just getting to play at home with their brothers and sisters and some children were excitedly talking about plans to go to camp. I shared that once the poodles get their summer haircuts, that all three of us would take a trip to Maine. This morning, we talked about what we would be doing in September. I suggested that some families know what their plans will be, while other families are still working on their plans. I shared that I was working on what my plan would be, as well. I reminded everyone that they have learned so many things while they have been in Pre K and that they will continue learning new things everyday, no matter where they are. I also reminded them that they all know how to be a good friends and how to work together with others to make great things happen. After lunch we had Popsicles on the playground.
I would like to thank everyone who was able to join us for our Mommies’ Day Breakfast on May 8th. The day before, the children made the blueberry, lemon poppy seed and chocolate chip muffins. They also worked together with Mr. Lee to move the tables. Working in teams, they put the table cloths on the tables and they assisted with a number of tasks that were needed as we transformed our room into the “Pre K Cafe.” Extra thanks also to Amy Hilliard for singing, dancing and planting flowers with us! The children were so happy to have you with them in class, even if it was only for a little bit. We hope you enjoyed yourselves.
I would also like to thank everyone who was able to join us for the family picnic at the Stockbridge Playground. The weather turned out to be just right! In fact, everything was just right. The food was delicious, the children had a great time on the playground and it was really nice to have the time to visit with one another. I was sweetly surprised by the lovely book of art that the children made for me. In addition, Amy took a fun series of class photos and presented them to me. The first was a straight-up formal, nice smiles kind of shot. The next shot was of everyone giving eachother hugs. The final pose was everyone wearing their silliest face! Amy has sent them to each of you in an e mail. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as I do. Thank you, Amy.
In the classroom, we have continued our exploration of insects. The children have learned that all insects have three body parts, a head, thorax and abdomen and six legs. Some insects have antennae, stingers, compound eyes and/or wings. While talking about butterflies, we noted that butterflies’ wings are symmetrical, which means the same on both sides. This was illustrated as the children painted one side of a butterfly in their own patterns. They folded the butterfly in half and pressed the paper. When opened, wings that were the same on both sides were revealed. Once dried, wooden sticks were added to create fluttering puppets. This process was repeated over and over again as the children painted with Mrs. K. in the afternoons. Using Sculpy, a polymer clay, they created their own insects. In order to ensure they arrived home safely, we sent them home in more of the polka dotted boxes. We have also been playing the “Insect Pokey Game” and we are learning a poem about the life cycle of a butterfly.
Last Thursday, we joined the B3s and Lower School for our Compassion Assembly. Each grade shared what they had talked about and learned related to being compassionate. In Pre K we have been learning about insects. We have a policy that when we are studying insects, we may gently catch them with nets or bubble scissors and then put them in a bug house or a bug necklace. After watching them for a bit, we always put them back where we found them so that they may return to their families. We have a policy that we try not to hurt any living thing. We show compassion by taking care of each other, animals, insects and plants. During the assembly we recited this poem:
Hurt No Living Thing
Hurt no living thing:
Ladybird, nor butterfly,
Nor moth with dusty wing,
Nor cricket chirping cheerily,
Nor grasshopper so light of leap,
Nor dancing gnat, nor beetle fat,
Nor harmless worms that creep.
Christina Georgina Rossetti
The children donned beautiful butterfly wings they had painted with sparkly paints. At the conclusion of the assembly, everyone surprised Mrs. Clausen and I by dedicating the Compassion Assembly to the two of us. Lower School wrote and recited a beautiful poem for us. We were each presented with a bouquet of flowers, a signed copy of the poem and a book filled with notes and pictures from each of the children in Preschool and Lower School. It was something I will always remember with great joy. Here is the poem:
Two kind souls with two big hearts
One in Preschool and one in the Arts
One of you taught us our ABC’s
The other one taught us to read with ease
You’ve helped us learn for hundreds of days
Mixing knowledge with fun in a myriad of ways
We love you both, and we know it’s true
That you’re filled with kindness through and through
So here at this Compassion Assembly
We want you to be our special Honorees
To each of you now, we present a book
It has our love inside. Come and take a look!
Thank you to all of the children and their teachers in Preschool through 3rd Grade. ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Field and Fun Day is now scheduled for Thursday, May 29th. On this day, children are invited to wear their bathing suits under their clothing. We will have some fun in a preschool size water slide and pool after lunch. Earlier in the morning, we will play games and do crafts with the entire Lower School. Children can wear sneakers in the morning and flip-flops or water shoes for when we play in the pool. In addition, please send in a towel and clothes to change into before rest. We will have a group snack, but please send in drinks, water bottles and extra snacks if your child will not eat what is offered. There will also be an all school cookout. This is a very fun packed day! Let me know if you have any questions.
Dr. L. has requested that all library books are returned as soon as possible.
Closing Ceremonies for the entire school will take place on the last day of school, Friday, June 6th, at 11:30am in Fitzpatrick Hall. The All School Family Picnic will commence at 12noon. You may want to lay out your picnic blanket a bit early to claim a good spot on the lawn. Families should also bring their own picnic and beverages. Please do not forget to send in a water bottle and snack for the morning. Ice Cream Sandwiches will be handed out during the picnic, as always, by Mr. Lee and Mr. Pirrelli. Children will be dismissed to parents or designated adults at 12noon. If you cannot make it to the picnic and your child rides the bus, please let us know. The buses will depart at 1:00pm.
Important Reminders:
- Preschool goes outdoors nearly every day. Please be sure children have appropriate outdoor gear.
- As the days become more warm and the sun is shining, please feel free to send sunscreen in your child’s backpack. Please let me know if you have done so, as I will do my best to encourage your child to apply it when necessary. Hats are also a great help to screen the sun.
- 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 may help your child feel more comfortable.
- It is a good idea for children who wear dresses to also wear shorts or leggings.
- 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.
- Children are welcome to leave an extra pair of sneakers or other shoes in school. Sneakers or other shoes that cover toes are preferred for outdoor play on the playground.
- Please send Library books back to school on Mondays.
Dates to remember:
Thursday, May 29th, Field and Fun Day, see details above
Friday, May 30th, Pizza Lunch
Friday, June 6th, Last Day of Classes, 11:30am~Closing Ceremonies; 12n00n~All School Family Picnic. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch for your family to share on the grounds of BCD’s campus. Dismissal is at 1:00pm.
Warmly,
Ellie Atwater
