Hi Everyone,
We have had a very productive week in Pre K. Last Tuesday, we worked with our friends in B3s and Kindergarten to prepare for our Friendship Lunch, which took place on Thursday. In teams of four and five, the children rotated through four stations. Mrs. Patel worked with the children to make chocolate chip bars. Mrs. Cooke helped the children make corn bread. At my station, we made butter by shaking jars filled with heavy cream and marbles. As we shook the jars, we sang lots of songs. Everyone was surprised to observe the cream change into whipped cream and then, finally, into butter and buttermilk. Amy Elmore helped the children decorate fall colored paper with which we laminated and used for place mats. Some friends also traced their hands to make turkeys!
Our Friendship Lunch was very festive! The tables were all pushed together and decorated with table cloths and real plates and silverware. Almost everyone loved the spaghetti! It was fun to see the children from all of the classrooms sitting with one another. Throughout the fall, we have observed great friendships forming between all of the children. When we first started this tradition, it was to help the children experience and have a better understanding of community and working together to make something happen. While this is also a theme when the entire school contributes items for our BCD Soup, the actual day can be a bit overwhelming for our younger students. In addition, this annual Friendship Lunch highlights our celebration of “Cooperation.” Thank you to Kim, Amy and Jenney for helping us with set-up, cooking, serving and clean-up.
Friday was a day to relax, play and dream about Thanksgiving. We worked on wrapping our Squash Head dolls in real wool. The last step will be to sprinkle them with soap and rinse them in hot water for felting. Just before snack, that day, we spent time with Mrs. Cooke and the B3s for some running and playing in the Gym. After rest, we joined the rest of the school for a Talent Show. Our very own Stella sang, “This Land is Your Land.” Her older brother, Charlie, accompanied her on the piano! She was very brave to stand up and perform in front of such a large audience. Congratulations, Stella and Charlie!
Please check your child’s back pack! On Monday, we made Chocolate Chip Mini Corn Bread Loaves. Everyone assisted as we mixed the ingredients. This recipe included cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, baking powder, baking soda, flour, eggs, pumpkin and oil. With each ingredient added, everyone remarked on how it would change the odor of the mixing bowl. As we baked the loaves, people would enter the classroom and pleasantly remark on how delicious it smelled. They were sent home on Tuesday of this week. The pleasant smell has lasted for two whole days! On Tuesday, the children carefully wrapped their breads and we festively decorated them for the holiday. You will discover the recipes in their backpacks. The children also used oil pastels and markers to create Thanksgiving pictures on brown construction paper. On each drawing you will find that your child or I have recorded things that they are thankful for. We have also read a number of books regarding various things we can be thankful for, such as our friends and family, things we like to do, things we have and where we live. As a reminder, please be sure to send your child’s plastic folder to school each day. This way, we can try to preserve papers and art work on their way home.
Each family at BCD is invited to participate in the Holiday Gift Giving Program. On Wednesday, the children brought home a gold star. Written on each star is a special wish. Please wrap the gift, attach the star to the gift and bring it to school during the week of December 3rd ~ December 7th. Participation in this program is optional. Please let me know if you will not be able to fulfill the wish on the star and return the star to me so that we can be sure to give it to another family.
“There’s a number 4! That person is four years old like me!”
Gathering in Fitzpatrick Hall with the entire BCD community was such a grand way in which to celebrate Thanksgiving, here at BCD. We would like to thank all of you for contributing boxes of Orzo, as the “grain” component of our celebrated BCD Soup this year. In addition, we would also like to thank Kim, Rebecca, Ann, Amanda, Dan, Amy, Toby and Tiffany for donating their time, energy and enthusiasm to the day. Once, again, thank you to Mrs. Maloy for sitting with us during our meal. We all had fun searching our soup bowls for the Orzo. It was quite delicious! We also enjoyed fresh rolls, cider, apples and Clementines. As the children entered the gym, they were delighted to see their friends and family members. Keeping close watch on their parents, children were overjoyed as parents eventually made their way over to enjoy some soup with our class, once they had made their rounds in serving seconds. Each year, Alumni are invited to join us on Soup Day. Personally, I was delightfully surprised to see a number of my former three, four and five year old students return as young adults. We shared hugs, reminisced about their experiences when they were in class as the very youngest members of our BCD community and as I learned where and what they are doing now.
What is this? Zucchini!
Orzo!
Mad Faces!
Happy Faces!
Important Reminders:
- Preschool goes outdoors each day. Please be sure children have appropriate outdoor gear for the day.
- 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.
- 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.
- Please send Library books back to school on Mondays.
Dates to remember:
No School, Wednesday ~ Friday, November 27th ~ 29th, Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 2nd, classes resume
Friday, December 13th, Pizza Lunch
Thursday, December 19th, Pre K Winter Solstice Party
Friday, December 20th, Winter Break begins at the end of the school day
Monday, January 6, 2014, Classes resume
Friday, January 10th, Ski Friday begins; Pre K is dismissed at 12:45pm
I AM THANKFUL FOR OUR BCD COMMUNITY. I AM THANKFUL FOR OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, OUR
ADMINISTRATION AND OUR BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah!
Ellie
