PreK Press
Sept. 16th - Oct. 6th
BRIDGES: PreKers are now learning about bridges! We began by asking the children what they thought we might be focusing on next. (Their only clue was that it begins with the letter B.) After eliminating things like bears, butterflies, balls, bones and balloons, additional clues (“You can go over some and under some.” and “They can be for people, vehicles, and animals.”) helped them zero in on bridges. We then began to answer the essential question - “What do we know about bridges?” This brainstorming list is a work in progress and we will be adding to it almost daily as we discover more and more information about bridges. Be sure to check out their “Monet” paintings hanging in the classroom. These paintings were inspired by Monet’s famous “Bridge Over Pond of Lily Pads”. They are beautiful! Also be on the lookout for our “Golden Gate Bridge” that is scheduled for completion by the end of this week. Stay tuned for many more bridge activities…
MAT MAN: Many of you who were able to join us on Back-To-School Night heard us talk a little bit about the “Handwriting Without Tears” program. We are happy to announce that last week the class was introduced to Mat Man - a happy guy that the children get to “build” while listening to a song and using big lines, little lines, big curves, and little curves. All of these wooden pieces are also used to form letters and we will be focusing on these in the months ahead. Be sure to check out our PreK blog for some photographs that will help you visualize what the children are doing and what Mat Man looks like.
RESPONSIBILITY: As part of this year’s school wide focus on responsibility, each grade level has been asked to take responsibility for a specific area of the campus (outside of the classroom) and monitor that area throughout the upcoming year. The PreK class has agreed to be responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the Lower School playground and we look forward to making
sure it stays safe and clean!
ARCHIMEDES: Our scarecrow building activity went very well as all the PreKers helped stuff newspapers in plastic bags, stuffed the plastic bags inside a garbage bag, and then helped to attach all of Archimedes’ feathers on him. Though he is sometimes challenged by the weather, he sits happily by the end of the sidewalk outside the Clark House. We hope, if you haven’t yet had a chance to do so, that you stop and take a look at him and ask your child to tell you what he or she did to help make him.
NO SCHOOL: There is no school next Monday, October 13th.
PARENT CONFERENCES: TCS will be holding parent conferences on Friday, October 17th. Thank you to all who have signed up already. For those needing Owl’s Nest services either during your conference time or for a portion of the day, or if your child will be participating in one of the enrichment workshops being offered, please contact andrew.robertson@thecountryschool.org for additional information and registration.
HARVEST DINNER: We hope you will be able to attend the TCS Harvest Dinner on Friday, October 24th. It is sure to be a great evening and is a terrific opportunity for adults to come together and celebrate TCS and all that is has to offer. Check the Little Hoot for additional information.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR HALLOWEEN: Halloween is fast approaching and so is our annual TCS Halloween Parade and celebration. Attached to this newsletter is important information that will hopefully answer all of your questions concerning Friday, October 31st. Please feel free to ask questions or seek clarification! We look forward to seeing you at 8:30 for the parade.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE SEASON OF GIVING: While you are grocery shopping over the course of the next several weeks, please keep in mind that The Country School actively collects cans and non-perishable foods for local food banks with delivery to these food banks scheduled for just before Thanksgiving. We will gladly accept any and all contributions whenever you find a few extra items in your shopping cart! We will also be having conversations with the class about the importance of helping those who are less fortunate than we are and we will also be tying this collection activity in with our bridges unit. You will hear more about that at a later date.
FALL FESTIVAL: Please plan on joining our school community for the TCS Fall Festival. It will begin at 3:30 on Friday, November 7th. More info to follow.
READING BUDDIES: The PreKers and Fourth graders have already spent time together sharing stories, creating and building with a variety of manipulatives, enjoying each others’ company, and learning the Reading Buddies song. Since it sometimes takes a little while for the PreKers to remember their Buddies’ names, we are attaching your child’s group to this newsletter so you can more easily engage in conversation about them and help reinforce names with your child.
PLAYGROUND: The PreKers are very excited about their time on the playground and have enjoyed playing on it and exploring all the components. As a class, we have talked about ways to stay safe while outdoors and also what parts of the climbers are available to PreKers. We want parents to know this information also. Specifically, PreKers may use all parts of both climbers except for the following:
1. both climbing walls
2. the series of high suspended rings
3. the high horizontal steering wheels
In addition, there are school-wide rules that all children are expected to follow while on the playground, both during school and after school. We need constant vigilance and cooperation from all parents to ensure the safety of your children. Please refer to the TCS handbook for clarification.
CALL TO CARE - UGANDA: Please read the attached information from The
Country School Service Committee about this important initiative and contribute if you are able to do so. Thank You!
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