Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Ms. Mikki’s News
December 20th, 2016


Ms. Jessie and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We have thoroughly enjoyed watching your children learn and grow this year.  There is never a dull moment in our room, and nothing makes up happier than seeing their smiling faces each day.  We’d also like to thank all of our parents for supporting your child’s learning.  We appreciate the cooperation and teamwork between us.  Your children are well on their way to school success because you have invested in their educational experiences.  Pat yourselves on the backs Mom and Dad!  

First Semester:  During the first semester we really focused on social/emotional development.  We are “learning to learn”.  Our attention spans are growing, we are learning to share, solve problems with words, and working on self control.  As they mature, so will these skills.   

Cognitive Development:  All of our students have a solid foundation of the typical concepts and skills.  We will continue to build upon those as we move through the year.  Examples include:  colors, shapes, rote counting 1:1 correspondence, comparisons (ex:  big/small), matching, and sorting.  

Language:  We are learning new vocabulary everyday.  What’s the #1 way you can help your child’s language develop?  READ...READ...READ.  If you aren’t reading to your child at least 20 minutes a day, I encourage your to make that a goal.  We will continue to work on reciting the ABC, and will begin learning more and more letters.  We will specifically be working on identifying each letter in our names (in order, and in isolation).  


Upcoming Dates:

JANUARY 4TH:  Students report back to school
January 7th:  Saturday Play group:  10-11.  
January 16th:  No School-  MLK Day

Tuition:  Please check your email for updated tuition.  I didn’t get the email sent out last week, so the email you receive this week is your current tuition status.  Tuition was not due for this week Dec. 19th.  It will be due when we return to school on January 4th.  

Thank you for all of the wonderful Christmas gifts!  We’ll see you all in January!

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Ms. Mikki’s Newsletter
December 9th, 2016

Santa Bash was a HIT!!!  Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend.  This was one of our largest attended events.  If you were not able to attend or missed picking up a preschool application for next year, please let me know and I will send one home with you.  Yes, you must fill another one out for next year.  

This week we finished up our Gingerbread and 5 senses unit.  We read two more versions of the Gingerbread Man stories, Gingerbread Pirates and Gingerbread Friends.  
We also continued to identify 5 senses, named each body part responsible for each sense and names things that fit into each category.  

Next week we will practice sorting by color, graphing, and identifying different sizes (small, medium, large), and ordering items from smallest to biggest.  

Santa’s Workshop:  One of my favorite centers to set up this time of year is Santa’s Workshop.  This allows children the opportunity to wrap pretend presents, which requires them to use their fine motor skills.  If you have any small boxes (shoe box or smaller), scotch tape (lots of it), or leftover wrapping paper and bows, please send them to school.  This is class favorite activity!!

Vision Screenings:  All children were screened last week for vision.  You should be receiving information regarding your child’s results this week.  

Care To Learn Donations:  We are taking part in a school wide food drive to benefit our backpack program.  Preschool classes are donating granola/cereal bars. This is optional and we appreciate those who have already sent a donation in.  We are currently sending home 30+ backpacks each week to families in need.  Every donation, big or small helps fill those backpacks up.  

Dates to Remember:
Tuesday, Dec. 20th - Last day to bring items for the Care to Learn tree
Monday, Dec. 19th-  Christmas Party-  9:30
Tuesday, Dec. 20th - Christmas Party-  9:30
Wednesday, Dec. 21-Jan. 3rd - Christmas Break
Wednesday, Jan. 4th - Classes resume

Monday, December 5, 2016

BOOK ORDER change! If at all possible I'd like to submit the book orders earlier than the original due date. If you are planning to place an order online or by class order form, please do that by Tuesday the 6th. I just want to ensure delivery by Christmas Break!
Thanks!

Friday, December 2, 2016

Ms. Mikki’s Classroom News
December 2, 2016

This week:  This week we started learning about the 5 senses.  We read The Gingerbread Baby, The Gingerbread Cowboy, and 10 Gingerbread Men.   This week we focused on 2 senses: seeing and hearing.  We used magazine cutouts to identify things we see and hear and posted them on our gingerbread man.  We listened to an “Outside Sounds” CD and had fun guessing what each sound was.  Although most of the sounds they were familiar with, but they also heard some new ones such as wind chimes, and city bus.  

Circle time:  We continue to develop our social emotional skills during group time.  Some skills that we continue to work on are respecting our friend’s personal space, keeping our hands to ourselves, raising our hand when we would like a turn to talk, and listening to our friends and teacher when it’s their turn to talk.  

Comprehension Skills:  Our attention spans are growing!  During our story times we are working on recalling events in the story, using pictures in our story to make predictions about what the story is telling on that page, and increasing our vocabulary.  

Next week:  We will continue to learn about the other 3 senses:  Touching, tasting and smelling.  

November’s Goal:  We have several who have mastered putting on their own coats!  Way to go!!  


Reminders:  
Extra clothing:  Please make sure your child has an extra set of winter clothing in their backpacks in the event of an accident, spill, or messy water play.  
Recess:  We will make an effort to play outside on a daily basis.  Please make sure you send a coat, hat and mittens to school each day.  

Christmas Giving: During the month of December, our students will be collecting donations for our Care To Learn program.  The following list by grade level is what we are asked to bring to donate:
PK-Cereal bars
K-Meal Cans/Box Items (individual mac/cheese cups, ravioli, etc)
1st grade-Pop-tarts
2nd grade-Pudding/Jello/Fruit cups
3rd grade-Cereal
4th grade- Cheese and Peanut Butter Crackers

Thank you in advance for your generous donation to our school's Care To Learn program!


Book Orders:  Book orders are due on Thursday, December 8th.  Please send a check with the order form made payable to Scholastic Book Clubs or order online with our class code.

Tuition:  Tuition will be due for the weeks of December 5th and 12th.  You will not be responsible for tuition during Christmas Break.  

Group Meeting requirement:  I am sending home a list of the PAT/PK group connections that we will have for the rest of the year.  All of the items on the calendar will count towards your 4 required  (2 per semester) group connections that you agreed to attend when you signed up for preschool.  If you have only attended 1 this semester,  you will need to plan to attend 3 next semester.  

Preschool Applications 2016-2017-  Preschool applications for next school year will be available at Santa Bash. Please make sure to pick one up and fill it out for next year.    

Dates to Remember:

Thursday, Dec. 8th - Santa Bash from 5-7 p.m. in the EleMiddle Cafeteria - There will be a photo op with Santa the night of Santa Bash!  You can use your own camera, phone or we can help you out!
Monday, Dec. 19th-  Christmas Party-  9:30-10:15
Tuesday, Dec. 20th - Christmas Party-  9:30-10:15
Wednesday, Dec. 21-Jan. 3rd - Christmas Break
Wednesday, Jan. 4th - Classes resume

Sunday, November 27, 2016



Turkey with Pilgrim hat vector ...


Ms. Mikki’s Classroom News
November 27, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Welcome back from a nice little break.  I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!  Although it was a short week last week, we were busy!  Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed our Stone Soup.  They looked great performing their turkey song too.  December will prove to be a busy month as well.  Please make sure you are following the Parents As Teachers Facebook page (if you have it), my classroom FB page, and keeping up on reading your blog updates from PAT and Preschool on your email.  We don’t want you to miss anything.  

This week we will be starting our 5 Senses thematic unit and incorporating the story of the Gingerbread Baby into it.  If you could please send in some magazine cutouts of things that we see, hear, smell, taste and touch for a learning activity, that would be much appreciated.  No need to go overboard, just 1 or 2 that fits each sense category will be great!

We will also be writing Santa Letters and sending them to the North Pole (the High School), where the high school students will be writing back to us.  If you have any odds and ends greeting cards we would greatly appreciate them to put in our writing center.  No need to go out and purchase any, but if you have any laying around that would be great.  They can be any theme (birthday, holidays, thank you cards, etc).


November goal:  We are still working on putting our coats on by ourselves.  Some of us have it mastered already!  Way to go.  I know it’s easier to just do it for them, especially when we are in a hurry.  If you can take some time out each day to practice with them that would be great.  They hear me say often in class,  “You have to try one time.  If you can’t do it, then I will help you”.  Speaking of coats, please make sure your child is wearing a coat to school each day.  We will have outdoor recess as often as possible if the weather conditions are favorable.  We do go out on some cold days as long as the wind chill in above freezing.  As we approach winter, if you wish for your child to stay in from recess, we must have a doctor’s note stating that they should stay in from recess.  

Tuition:  Please remember that tuition is due at the beginning of each week.  We have 3 full weeks of preschool left before we start Christmas Break.  You will not pay tuition for the weeks of 12/19 and 12/26.  

Scholastic Book Orders:  Nothing better than books for Christmas presents.  December’s book orders are coming home this week.  They are due back on the 8th.  You can go online and place your order, or you can send back the completed order form with your payment (checks to Scholastic Book Clubs-  no cash).  Orders will be returned to school before we leave on break.  Thank you for ordering.  With each order you place we receive bonus points that I use to purchase books for our classroom.  Please remember to be reading at least 20 minutes a day.

Snack needs:  We always welcome fresh fruit and vegetables to serve with our snack.  If you are able to send any in that would be great.  
Suggestions:  bananas, frozen blueberries, strawberries, apples, fruit cups, grapes.  Baby carrots and ranch, or celery and peanut butter

Parents As Teachers/Preschool agreement:  We would like to remind all of our preschool families that you are still enrolled in PAT until your child starts Kindergarten.  Now that your child is enrolled in Preschool and not receiving home visits, your participation in PAT is through your attendance to group connections (play groups, story times, and our big events such as Santa Bash).  When you enrolled in preschool you signed an agreement that you would attend at least 2 group connections per semester in order to maintain your child’s spot in preschool.  If you haven’t attended any this semester, you have two more opportunities in December.  December 2nd is playgroup from 10-11 in our classroom, and Santa Bash on December 8th from 5-7.  I will be sending home a schedule of activities for the rest of the year so you can plan accordingly.  

Upcoming Dates:

December 1st:  Picture retakes.  If your child did not have their photo taken earlier this year, you may bring them up to school in the morning and have their picture taken.  Please check in at the office and they will direct you to the location.  If you are taking retakes please send back your child’s original photo package.  

December 1st:  Cox Care Mobile-  This is a FREE service to any child ages birth to 18 regardless of if you have insurance or not.  Please call the nurse to schedule your appointment.  

December 2nd:  Play group from 10-11 in my classroom

December 7th/8th:  Free vision screenings.  If you DO NOT wish to have your child screened please sign and send back the form we sent home last week.  If we do not receive a signed form your child’s vision will be screened.  Please let me know if you need another form to “opt out”.
December 8th:  SANTA BASH!!!  This in not the event to miss!  Doors open at 5:00 and the fun lasts until 7:00.  Preschool applications for next year will be available (all 3 year old students will need to fill one out).  There will be pictures with Santa and several activity stations for all PAT aged children.  Each PAT child will receive a free book from Santa.  Please note, older children will not receive a book, so please let them know this if for PAT children only.  They may take pictures with Santa and help their younger sibling with the crafts.  Thanks for your understanding.

Preschool Class Schedule in December/January:

December 19th and 20th:  Class is in session
December 21st through January 3rd:  Christmas Break
January 4th and 5th:  Class is in session
January 16th:  No school-  Martin Luther King holiday






Monday, November 21, 2016

We look forward to seeing you all this evening for Stone Soup at 6:00.  Please do not arrive any earlier that 5:50 as the front doors will not be unlocked until 5:50.  We won't want anyone standing out in the cold.

We are also asking each family to bring some type of bread or rolls to share with everyone.

No school on Wednesday or Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 14, 2016

Ms. Mikki’s Classroom News
November 14, 2016

We aren’t sure if Fall will ever actually arrive or if we’ll move from these warm temperatures right into winter!  This month we are talking about all things Fall.  We are starting to notice the changes in the trees and have read several books about Fall.  As you guys have seen on SeeSaw we’ve also done some really cool science experiments.  Last week we watched a bar of soap erupt in the microwave!   We will be exploring nature throughout the month as we collect leaves, acorns and other natural materials to add to our science/discovery center.  We continue to practice our listening, turn taking, and story comprehension skills during circle time.  Sometimes it’s really hard to sit next to a buddy in circle time and pay attention.  Their short attentions spans are growing though.  We are working on raising our hand when we would like a turn to share something with the group.  

NOVEMBER’S FOCUS GOAL:
 I can put on my own jacket  

How can you help at home?  Please allow a little extra time before you head out the door to allow them time to practice putting on their own jacket.  Our practice here is, that they  have to try one time and then we  will help them.  They do not have to be able to button or zip it, but we would like them to be able to put their jacket on by themselves.

Vocabulary Word:
Thankful

We will be talking a lot about the word “Thankful” and what it means.  They will also be sharing some things during circle time that they are Thankful for.   

REMINDERS:

Stone Soup is next Monday evening.  The students will be making the soup in class and it will be ready to serve on Tuesday.  We hope you will join us.  If you haven’t done so already please send in two canned vegetables.  Mon/Wed class please send in green beans and/or corn, and the Tues/Thurs. Class please send in carrots and/or diced potatoes.  Also, don’t forget to send back your RSVP or message me your RSVP so we know how many from your immediate family to expect.  

Spare Change of clothes:  As the temperatures begin to drop please stock your child’s backpack with a winter appropriate spare change of clothes to have on hand in case of an accident.  

Recess:  We will do our best to have outdoor recess most days, unless the temperature or wind chill is below freezing.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately and send a coat, hats and mittens everyday.  

FREE Clothing:  We had a very generous donation of clothing, coats, hats and mittens.  If you are in need of clothing assistance, please message me and I will get the clothing items you need.  

Upcoming Dates:


November 15th:  Clever HS Blue and White Scrimmage and Chili Supper:  5:00
November 17th:  NO 3 year old preschool
November 21st:  Stone Soup-  6:00 pm.  Stay tuned for more details
November 23-25th:  NO SCHOOL-  Thanksgiving break
Thursday, Dec. 1st - Picture Retakes
Friday, Dec. 2nd - No AM Class Preschool
Friday, Dec. 2nd - PAT/PreK playgroup from 10-11



What are we learning?
 Here are some milestones we will be working on over the course of the month.

Language:
1.  Show an understanding of position words (up, down, behind, under, etc)
2.  Tells a story when I look at a favorite picture book.
3.  Copy familiar letters (most the letters in their name)

Cognitive:  
1.  Count to 10
2.  Place 3 objects in order based on one characteristic (smallest to largest)

Social/Emotional:  
1.  Dress and undress myself without help (put on own jacket, shoes).  We will be working towards independence on buttons and zippers.
2.  Can tell first AND last name.  (They all have their first name down).

Motor (Gross)
1.  Balance on 1 leg for more than 5 seconds.
2.  Jump forward on two feet (feet together).
3.  Hop on 1 foot.


Motor (Fine)
1.  Fasten and unfasten my own clothing.

2.  Copy simple symbols (letters, shapes)

Thursday, November 10, 2016

FBLA would like to thank the students for raising approximately $500 towards care packages for our troops. The army men are being displayed throughout the building and will go home on Friday, November 18th.

I also forgot to announce, but we made over $10,000 for the PTA fundraiser! Thanks to everyone who participated!!!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

All PreK through First grade students will be offered a free vision screening at school on December 7th and 8th. Please sign and return the form coming home no later than November 28th IF YOU DO NOT WANT your child to participate in this free KIdSight vision screening. 

Monday, November 7, 2016

MOMS and DAUGHTERS---Join us this coming Saturday Morning at 10:00 for a Mother/Daughter Spa Hour! We'll meet in the Elementary School for an hour of girl time fun. There will be nail painting, crown making, hair styling, dress up play and all kinds of girl fun! All PAT ages welcome! Our topic will be social/emotional development so come ready to reflect on your child's development as we explore ways to connect with our daughters. See you there!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016



THIS FRIDAY AT 10:00 IS STORY TIME IN THE PAT BUILDING! Who's in??
Come start your Friday with us as we celebrate how our bodies move! Stories, movement and fun!
Afraid your child won't sit still or "listen" as you'd like? BRING THEM--they have to practice how to story time. Young children often listen WHILE they move.
You may park on the left side of the circle drive and walk to the PAT house. See you there!
Please send me a picture of your child in their Halloween costume. I forgot to snap a picture of them at the party and I'd like to make a class book. You can email it to me: teaguem@cleverbluejays.org
Thanks!

Friday, October 28, 2016

Ms. Mikki's Newsletter
Oct. 24th

HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!!


Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with me for a Parent/Teacher Conference last week.  If we did not get to meet, I will be contacting you with a few dates/times to chose from.  

This week we read Go Away Big Green Monster.  This was definitely a class favorite as they requested it to be read over and over.  They even started to “read along”.  Our Tues/Thursday class got to explore the insides of a pumpkin and made pumpkin sensory bags.  The Mon/Wed class will get to do that on Monday.  We didn’t want our costumes to get all messy on Wednesday.  

Over the next few weeks I will start assessing some basic skills such as color recognition, shape recognition, rote counting, singing the ABC’s, position words, and taking some handwriting samples.  We will start working on making some of the letters in our names.  This will be a skill that they will continue to develop this year and next year.    

A HUGE THANK YOU to our homeroom moms who coordinated the Halloween Parties!  They were awesome and the kids had a great time!!  I totally forgot to take individual pictures of the kids in their costumes.  If you could please snap a shot of them in their costume and send it to me that would be great.  You can just email it to me at teaguem@cleverbluejays.org.

Upcoming Dates:

October 28th:  FFA Labor Auction and chili cook off at the HS  6:00
November 4th:  Storytime at 10:00.  Location to be announced.
November 9th:  Cox Care Mobile
November 11th:  PAT-  Spa Saturday-  10:00-11:00 in the cafeteria
November 15th:  Clever HS Blue and White Scrimmage and Chili Supper:  6:00
November 17th:  NO 3 year old preschool
November 21st:  Stone Soup-  6:00 pm.  Stay tuned for more details
November 23-25th:  NO SCHOOL-  Thanksgiving break



Reminders:

Tuition Reminders:  Please make sure to check your emails regarding tuition.  All tuition needs to remain current to ensure your child keeps their preschool spot.  

PAT Participation:  As a reminder you must attend at least 2 PAT events per semester in order to maintain your child’s enrollment.  Please don’t forget to “LIKE” the Clever Parent’s As Teachers Facebook page OR sign up to receive blog notifications via email.  We post all upcoming PAT events on both of those sites.  

Toys for Tots:
This time of the year is the sign-up for requesting gifts from Toys for Tots.  There will be donation drop-off boxes at many stores in the coming months but if your family would appreciate assistance with gifts during the holidays, you can go to http://springfield-mo.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/ and make a request online.

Clever Wear:  Clever Wear orders are due November 11th.  If you’d like me to send home another order form, just let me know.  Proceeds from sales will directly benefit our Care To Learn backpack program and clever students and families in need.  If you are a family in need, please let me know.  We have several resources for you.  All requests will remain anonymous.  

Beef Raffle:  Our Care To Learn chapter is selling raffle tickets for a full processed beef.  Tickets are $10 each or 6 for $50.  We will deliver the animal to the processor for the winner.  The winner will choose how they'd like it processed (steaks, hamburger, etc) and will pick up the final product.  Old Field Processing has donated the processing fees and King/Teague Farms has donated the animal.  The winner may choose to have the animal processed, or they may chose to take the cash (market value at the time of sale).  The drawing will be held in November.  If you'd like to enter the raffle, please send your money in a sealed envelope with Care To Learn, your name and phone number on it.  I will turn it into the Central Office and submit your ticket and send you the stub.  If you would like a pack of tickets to sell to your friends, family and co-workers let me know and I will get those to you as well.  If you sell the winning ticket, you will receive $100!




What are we learning?
 Here are some milestones we will be working on over the course of the month.

Language:
1.  Show an understanding of position words (up, down, behind, under, etc)
2.  Tells a story when I look at a favorite picture book.
3.  Copy familiar letters (most the letters in their name)

Cognitive:  
1.  Count to 10
2.  Place 3 objects in order based on one characteristic (smallest to largest)

Social/Emotional:  
1.  Dress and undress myself without help (put on own jacket, shoes).  We will be working towards independence on buttons and zippers.
2.  Can tell first AND last name.  (They all have their first name down).

Motor (Gross)
1.  Balance on 1 leg for more than 5 seconds.
2.  Jump forward on two feet (feet together).
3.  Hop on 1 foot.


Motor (Fine)
1.  Fasten and unfasten my own clothing.
2.  Copy simple symbols (letters, shapes)