From the Principal’s Office
I want to thank all of our families again for participating in the PAR survey. Courtney and I value the time you took to give feedback and are working on ways to implement your suggestions. March is busy around here as we are gearing up for the upcoming school year and for the roll out of our new electronic communication system. Please return your enrollment packet as soon as you are able so we have the most up to date information for your family, especially email address for both parents.
Early Bird Registration
We are ROCKIN’ in to the new school year!
Now through March 25th
Register for the 2016-2017 school year before March 25th to get HALF OFF your family’s annual registration fee, making only $43 per family!
DON’T MISS OUT!
St. Patrick’s Day Parties!
We will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by having a school wide celebration. Everyone wear something green and we will provide the green snacks.
Spring is Coming
Spring is in the air but we all know this is Ohio and we can experience a wide variety of weather experiences in a single day. Please keep in mind that the children do go outside as long as the temperature is 25 degrees or above. It is always a good idea to keep an extra hat, mittens or gloves in your child’s cubby through March.
Spring Fling!
We will be celebrating the start of spring by having a Spring Fling Party! Look out for sign-ups near your child’s classroom.
Reminders
* Please return your updated Enrollment forms to the office as soon as possible. And keep an eye out for exciting news to come in the next few weeks regarding our new electronic communication system!
* Please make sure that you are signing your child in every morning and out every evening, even if your child’s group is in another classroom. Thank you for your consistency with signing the book!
* Morning Snack schedules have been adjusted. Please note the following:
Toddler Two 7:50-8:10
Beginner 8:10-8:30
Intermediate 8:30-8:50
Pre-K 8:50-9:10
These adjustments have been made to enable each class to have their own time in the cafeteria. Please make sure you are providing breakfast at home if you are dropping your child off outside their scheduled snack time.
* Don’t forget to check your child’s cubby for important information from their teachers and the office.
* Parking Lot Safety – Remember to drive slowly and cautiously through our parking lots. There are several small children and their families in the parking lot throughout the day and we want to be sure that everyone is safe! In addition, please do not leave children in the car unattended. It is also important that you do not leave your car running while in our school. Also, all families must enter and exit through the main lobby. Please do not leave with your child out of the playground gates.
* Tuition Due – Tuition will be due on February 29th, March 14th and 28th. Please make sure that your account is current with the tuition cycle. There will be a $25 late fee assessed to all payments made after Tuesday at Noon of the tuition week. If you are interested in our automatic withdrawal program or to begin payment by credit card please stop by the office to pick up an authorization form.
Important Dates to Remember At Our School
March 14th – Pi Day
March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day School Wide Celebration
March 25th – Spring Fling
A Word from our Education Department
Introducing Your Preschooler to the Fascinating World of Non-Fiction
When you think about children’s books, you might envision princesses in castles, talking animals or a flying magic school bus. Although it’s fun to read these types of stories with your child, it’s important to also introduce him to non-fiction books. You may be surprised to learn that he’s fascinated with exploring real people, places and things!
Non-fiction is not only interesting to children, but it also creates an important foundation for learning. It helps children build new vocabulary, develop critical thinking skills, fuel their curiosity and gain a better understanding about the world around them.
Below are ways we integrate non-fiction in the classroom, as well as activities you can try at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Infants love to look at faces, so our teachers choose non-fiction books that include photographs of people, such as Global Babies by Global Fund for Children. Afterward, they show the baby a photo of his own family and talk about the people in the photo. For example, “Look, Ben. Here’s your mom. Who’s she holding? That’s you.”
At home: Read multi-sensory picture books with your child. Choose non-fiction books with different textures and bright colors to help stimulate his growing sensory awareness.
Recommended reading: Families by Rena D. Grossman, Bathtime (Baby Touch & Feel) by DK Publishing
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers learn the names of different animals and vehicles and the sounds they make. While singing songs with students, our teachers ask, “What does a pig say?” or “What sound does a fire truck make?”
At home: Point out photographs of familiar animals and vehicles in magazines or books. Ask your child to mimic the noise that each item makes. This can also be done in the car as you’re driving around your neighborhood.
Recommended reading: Baby Animals by National Geographic Kids, Noisy Trucks by Tiger Tales
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Teachers and students read non-fiction books by going on picture walks. A picture walk motivates children to rely on pictorial clues to decipher the story’s plot and make predictions. Before reading the story, they flip through the book, and the child is encouraged to make predictions about the characters and plot. The teacher then reads the book aloud to the student. When finished, the teacher asks questions to start a conversation about the text.
At home: Visit a library with your child, and let him choose a book. Take a picture walk through the book with him. When you’re finished, ask the librarian to recommend a non-fiction book about the same topic. For example, if you read Clifford the Big Red Dog, your child might also be interested in Puppies, Puppies, Puppies, a non-fiction book by Susan Meyers.
Recommended reading: My First Baseball Book by Sterling Children’s, Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Our Intermediate teachers combine non-fiction reading with dramatic play. After reading a book about farm life, children create their own farm in the dramatic play center and pretend to be farmers. Children gain a better understanding of the book, practice problem solving skills, and use new vocabulary.
At home: Select a book with large photographs or illustrations. Flip through the book, and let your child stop on pages that interest him. Don’t worry about reading every page. Ask him to tell you what is going on in the pictures, and encourage him to make comparisons to experiences he’s had in real life. For example, if you pick a book about weather, you might ask, “Where do we go in the summertime when it’s hot?” or “Why do we use an umbrella in the springtime?”
Recommended reading: Watching the Seasons by Edana Eckart, Wings by Melanie Mitchell
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older preschoolers read a non-fiction book paired with a fiction book, and compare and contrast the two stories. After reading Stella Luna and Bat Loves the Night, the teacher might ask, “In Stella Luna, the bat slept upright. Is that how a real bat sleeps?” Students may also create a Venn diagram that shows similarities and differences in the two books.
At home: Read various forms of non-fiction with your child, including books, brochures and flyers. Challenge him to find sight words in the text. Afterward, ask him to write in his journal what he would like to learn about next. Use that information when choosing another piece of non-fiction.
Recommended reading: Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (fiction), Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser (non-fiction)
By introducing children to both fiction and non-fiction texts in the preschool years, they become comfortable with a wide range of subjects and acquire the skills needed to comprehend important information in kindergarten and beyond. They are better able to tap into their interests and enjoy learning about real world people, places and things.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
March Newsletter
From the Principal’s Office
I want to thank all of our families again for participating in the PAR survey. Courtney and I value the time you took to give feedback and are working on ways to implement your suggestions. March is busy around here as we are gearing up for the upcoming school year and for the roll out of our new electronic communication system. Please return your enrollment packet as soon as you are able so we have the most up to date information for your family, especially email address for both parents.
Early Bird Registration
We are ROCKIN’ in to the new school year!
Now through March 25th
Register for the 2016-2017 school year before March 25th to get HALF OFF your family’s annual registration fee, making only $43 per family!
DON’T MISS OUT!
St. Patrick’s Day Parties!
We will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by having a school wide celebration. Everyone wear something green and we will provide the green snacks.
Spring is Coming
Spring is in the air but we all know this is Ohio and we can experience a wide variety of weather experiences in a single day. Please keep in mind that the children do go outside as long as the temperature is 25 degrees or above. It is always a good idea to keep an extra hat, mittens or gloves in your child’s cubby through March.
Spring Fling!
We will be celebrating the start of spring by having a Spring Fling Party! Look out for sign-ups near your child’s classroom.
Reminders
* Please return your updated Enrollment forms to the office as soon as possible. And keep an eye out for exciting news to come in the next few weeks regarding our new electronic communication system!
* Please make sure that you are signing your child in every morning and out every evening, even if your child’s group is in another classroom. Thank you for your consistency with signing the book!
* Morning Snack schedules have been adjusted. Please note the following:
Toddler Two 7:50-8:10
Beginner 8:10-8:30
Intermediate 8:30-8:50
Pre-K 8:50-9:10
These adjustments have been made to enable each class to have their own time in the cafeteria. Please make sure you are providing breakfast at home if you are dropping your child off outside their scheduled snack time.
* Don’t forget to check your child’s cubby for important information from their teachers and the office.
* Parking Lot Safety – Remember to drive slowly and cautiously through our parking lots. There are several small children and their families in the parking lot throughout the day and we want to be sure that everyone is safe! In addition, please do not leave children in the car unattended. It is also important that you do not leave your car running while in our school. Also, all families must enter and exit through the main lobby. Please do not leave with your child out of the playground gates.
* Tuition Due – Tuition will be due on February 29th, March 14th and 28th. Please make sure that your account is current with the tuition cycle. There will be a $25 late fee assessed to all payments made after Tuesday at Noon of the tuition week. If you are interested in our automatic withdrawal program or to begin payment by credit card please stop by the office to pick up an authorization form.
Important Dates to Remember At Our School
March 14th – Pi Day
March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day School Wide Celebration
March 25th – Spring Fling
A Word from our Education Department
Introducing Your Preschooler to the Fascinating World of Non-Fiction
When you think about children’s books, you might envision princesses in castles, talking animals or a flying magic school bus. Although it’s fun to read these types of stories with your child, it’s important to also introduce him to non-fiction books. You may be surprised to learn that he’s fascinated with exploring real people, places and things!
Non-fiction is not only interesting to children, but it also creates an important foundation for learning. It helps children build new vocabulary, develop critical thinking skills, fuel their curiosity and gain a better understanding about the world around them.
Below are ways we integrate non-fiction in the classroom, as well as activities you can try at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Infants love to look at faces, so our teachers choose non-fiction books that include photographs of people, such as Global Babies by Global Fund for Children. Afterward, they show the baby a photo of his own family and talk about the people in the photo. For example, “Look, Ben. Here’s your mom. Who’s she holding? That’s you.”
At home: Read multi-sensory picture books with your child. Choose non-fiction books with different textures and bright colors to help stimulate his growing sensory awareness.
Recommended reading: Families by Rena D. Grossman, Bathtime (Baby Touch & Feel) by DK Publishing
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers learn the names of different animals and vehicles and the sounds they make. While singing songs with students, our teachers ask, “What does a pig say?” or “What sound does a fire truck make?”
At home: Point out photographs of familiar animals and vehicles in magazines or books. Ask your child to mimic the noise that each item makes. This can also be done in the car as you’re driving around your neighborhood.
Recommended reading: Baby Animals by National Geographic Kids, Noisy Trucks by Tiger Tales
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Teachers and students read non-fiction books by going on picture walks. A picture walk motivates children to rely on pictorial clues to decipher the story’s plot and make predictions. Before reading the story, they flip through the book, and the child is encouraged to make predictions about the characters and plot. The teacher then reads the book aloud to the student. When finished, the teacher asks questions to start a conversation about the text.
At home: Visit a library with your child, and let him choose a book. Take a picture walk through the book with him. When you’re finished, ask the librarian to recommend a non-fiction book about the same topic. For example, if you read Clifford the Big Red Dog, your child might also be interested in Puppies, Puppies, Puppies, a non-fiction book by Susan Meyers.
Recommended reading: My First Baseball Book by Sterling Children’s, Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Our Intermediate teachers combine non-fiction reading with dramatic play. After reading a book about farm life, children create their own farm in the dramatic play center and pretend to be farmers. Children gain a better understanding of the book, practice problem solving skills, and use new vocabulary.
At home: Select a book with large photographs or illustrations. Flip through the book, and let your child stop on pages that interest him. Don’t worry about reading every page. Ask him to tell you what is going on in the pictures, and encourage him to make comparisons to experiences he’s had in real life. For example, if you pick a book about weather, you might ask, “Where do we go in the summertime when it’s hot?” or “Why do we use an umbrella in the springtime?”
Recommended reading: Watching the Seasons by Edana Eckart, Wings by Melanie Mitchell
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older preschoolers read a non-fiction book paired with a fiction book, and compare and contrast the two stories. After reading Stella Luna and Bat Loves the Night, the teacher might ask, “In Stella Luna, the bat slept upright. Is that how a real bat sleeps?” Students may also create a Venn diagram that shows similarities and differences in the two books.
At home: Read various forms of non-fiction with your child, including books, brochures and flyers. Challenge him to find sight words in the text. Afterward, ask him to write in his journal what he would like to learn about next. Use that information when choosing another piece of non-fiction.
Recommended reading: Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (fiction), Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser (non-fiction)
By introducing children to both fiction and non-fiction texts in the preschool years, they become comfortable with a wide range of subjects and acquire the skills needed to comprehend important information in kindergarten and beyond. They are better able to tap into their interests and enjoy learning about real world people, places and things.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education