Gung Hi Fot Choy!

We hope that you all have a happy, rich and prosperous New Year.  On Monday, we began learning about the Chinese New Year.  We are now in the Year of the Dragon.  Apparently, there are many different kinds of dragons.  This year, it is the very rare “Water Dragon.”  The children made paper red Chinese Lanterns to light the way for the New Year to come in.  They also made Chinese Dragon puppets from paper bags, sequins, crepe paper and tissue paper.  As a final touch, everyone added google eyes to “wake-up” their dragons.  Legend has it that the colorful dragons scare the bad luck away for the New Year.  We have also talked about pairs and how some things come in pairs, such as a pair of socks, a pair of earrings or a pair of shoes.  The number 2 is considered lucky on New Years Day and things in pairs are also considered good luck. 

We are so very happy to have Mrs. Olsen back with us.  Last week she had to take some time to recover from having her wisdom teeth removed.  The children traced and cut out their hands to make flowers.  We added their own well wishes to the backs of the flowers and we made a big pink bouquet for her.  Mrs. Atwater delivered it to her along with a handmade pink card.  It made her feel much better!  We would like to thank Mrs. Caputo for joining us while Mrs. Olsen was out.  We had lots of extra time singing with her.

In addition, we also celebrated Sam’s Star Day last week.  His mom, Terri, dad, David and older sister, Jeri joined us for his special Morning Meeting.  We learned that when Sam was a baby, one of his favorite things to do was the “Sammy Mad Dance.”  Now that he is five, he likes to play with his sister.  His favorite food is rice and he shared that he loves his family so much, because they give him healthy snacks.  David showed the children a slideshow of photos of Sam when he was a baby and as he was growing up with his family.  He also took a silly class photo which made everyone squiggly.  Terri read one of Sam’s favorite stories, “Those Darn Squirrels!” by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri.  For snack, Sam and his mom made some yummy zucchini muffins.  Happy Star Day, Sam!     

 

We have been learning a lot about the solar system.  The children have been building puzzles, playing games, listening to stories and factual books about the sun and all of our planets.  We also traced planets and created our own planets for our Preschool Solar System bulletin board.  We made purple playdough, with which the children decided to make planets, as well.  A number of years ago, Mrs. Caputo wrote a poem to help children remember the names of the planets in our solar system.  We were very fortunate that she shared it with us:

The Planets

by Vivian Caputo

I bought a MERCURY to go to visit VENUS.

But how on EARTH can I afford to go to MARS?

Jumping JUPITER, SATURN’s sale is Saturday.

URANUS said that NEPTUNE’s selling (Pluto’s mini cars.)

The children each donned a black crown that displayed one of the planets.  We also had a giant sun crown.  The person wearing the sun crown stood in the middle and the rest of the planets practiced orbitting around it while they recited the poem.  It was great fun!  Now, we know the names of all the planets.  The children are also learning various facts about the planets, such as what they are made of and how hot or cold it is on a planet.

 

In line with star gazing, Pajama Day was simply dreamy.  The children were very excited to wear their pajamas to school.  They were also surprised to see Mrs. Atwater and Mrs. Olsen in their robes and slippers, as well.  Kindergarten joined us for a “Night Meeting.”  We kept the lights out and sang “Are You Sleeping,” “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Moon Shadow,” which was a special request.  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. Olsen led a game of Glow in the Dark Star Toss; Mrs. Atwater talked about the Moon and the children made Moon Books; and they made night pictures with Mrs. Patel.  After having French and Music in our pajamas, we snuggled down for some black and white Disney “Silly Symphonies” cartoons which were made in 1930.  The skits were titled “Autumn,” “Frolicking Fish,” “Monkey Melodies,” “Night” and “Summer.”  We projected them onto a big screen in Kindergarten.  As an extra treat, Priscilla made brownies for us and we also had popcorn and hot chocolate. 

 

The children have also met the Letterland characters Peter Puppy and Quarrelsome Queen.  Peter Puppy lives in the Letterland Park.  He loves to swim in the pool with his puppy pals and penguin pals.  There are lovely poppy and primrose flowers growing in the park.  It is a great place for a picnic or a party.  The saying we learned to help us remember how to write “p” is:

Pat Peter Puppy properly.  First stroke down his ear, then up and round his face so he won’t shed a tear. 

Quarrelsome Queen likes to spend quiet time doing her quiz (crossword puzzle) with her quill pen.  If anyone disturbs her, the Queen will quarrel with them.  In fact the reason why her name is “Quarrelsome Queen,” is because she has so many quarrels.  She also has a special umberella she brings with her everywhere.  The saying we used when learning to write “q” is:

Quickly go round the Queen’s cross face.  Then comb her beautiful hair into place. 

Next week we will meet Red Robot, who love to roller skate. 

Important Reminders:

  • 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 neccessary flatware with your child’s lunch. 
  • A variety of snack items is encouraged for young growing children.
  • Please be sure to return Library books on Wednesdays. 
  • If your child needs to have an item warmed up, please be sure it is in a microwave safe container.
  • Please be sure to replenish extra clothes and please leave an extra warm layer in case your child is chilly.
  • Leaving an extra pair of sneakers or other shoes in school is a good idea. 

 Dates to remember:

  • Friday, January 27th, NO SKI-FRIDAY!  REGULAR DISMISSAL!
  • Thursday, February 2nd, Field Trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum with Kindergarten
  • Friday, February 3rd, Ski-Friday, dismissal at 12:45pm, regular buses at 1:30pm
  • Friday, February 10th, Ski-Friday, 12:45pm dismissal, regular buses at 1:30pm
  • Tuesday, February 14th, Preschool Valentine’s Day Party
  • Friday, February 17th, Pizza Lunch and Ski-Friday, 12:45pm dismissal, regular buses at 1:30pm
  • Monday, February 20th, No School, President’s Day
  • Tuesday, February 21st, No School, Mid-Winter Break
  • Friday, February 24th, Lunch Bunch, courtesy of the Sash/Hautzig and McDonnell families; NO SKI-FRIDAY, regular dismissal
  • Thursday, March 1st, Parent/Teacher Conferences, beginning at 3:30pm
  • Friday, March 2nd, NO SCHOOL, Parent/Teacher Conferences, 8:00am-noon, Ski Friday, 1:00pm
  • Friday, March 9th, Make-Up Ski-Friday, if necessary.  Spring Break begins at the end of the day
  • Monday, March 26th, Teacher Professional Development Day, No School
  • Tuesday, March 27th, Classes resume

 

 Enjoy the weekend!

Ellie and Joni