Hello Families!  This week we had lots of fun and learned so much.  We baked our own pretzels, took a trip to Letterland, played outside, attended a Mardi Gras celebration, and learned some new songs and how to play some instruments.  While in Letterland, we met talking Tess who takes care of the telephones and televisions in her town.  She travels in a taxi or on a train; she likes turtles and tulips among other things.  We played on the huge snow piles out side and even slid around on the icy spots!

The children enjoyed forming their first initial out of pretzel dough on Monday.  The pretzels were a little too hot to eat at school, so we hope you liked the little snack that was sent home!  Some children said they wanted to make them at home, so here is the yummy recipe!

Homemade Pretzel Recipe Ingredients:

  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • Coarse salt

Directions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add flour and salt; stir to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 4-5 times. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.
  • Punch dough down and divide into 20 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 15-in. long strip; twist into a pretzel shape. Combine baking soda and cold water; brush over pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
  • Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 450° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 20 pretzels.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 103 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 311 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein

 

The Mardi Gras celebration was fun and exciting!  There were French and Spanish songs, poems, jokes and a skit about trying to take a family photograph.  Children wore traditional masks that they had made in art class for their parade and presentation.  Upon arrival, everyone was given a strand of beads, a  Mardi Gras tradition.  

 

Important Reminders:
Water bottles are encouraged, as we can refill them when needed.
Library Books need to be returned on Fridays.
**Please remember to enter the classroom via the Coat room and everyone please remove wet shoes and boots before entering the classrooms. **This way our floors will stay dry, as we sit on them.  Thank you!
Please send items to be heated up in a container that can be microwaved.  If you do not have such a container, you may send a separate bowl or small plate with your child’s lunch.
Please remember that items that contain nuts, peanuts, pesto or sesame oil and need to be heated up, are labeled so that we can do so in an alternate microwave, as our Preschool/Kindergarten kitchen is nut-free.
Please be sure your child has a snowsuit or snow-pants, hat, boots, gloves or mittens, and a warm jacket, as we try to go out everyday to play in the snow; also a complete change of clothes is needed.

If you're happy and you know it, play your instruments!

Dates of Importance:

Friday, March 4th, No School for Preschool, Parent/Teacher Conferences, 8:00 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, March 8th, Parent/Teacher Conferences, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 11th, Spring Break begins at the end of the school day
Monday, March 28th, No School, Teacher Professional Development Day
Tuesday, March 29th, Classes Resume

Fun in the sun!

Enjoy your weekend!

Joni and Ellie