Sept.16th-Oct.5th

    PreK Press

Sept. 16th  - Oct. 5th

MAT MAN:  Many of you who were able to join us on Back-To-School Night heard us mention 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 about him.  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 at the end of this week for some photographs that will help you visualize what the children are doing and what Mat Man looks like.

EMPATHY:  As part of this year’s school wide focus on empathy, we have frequent conversations in the classroom about what it means to be empathetic, kind, supportive, helpful, and cooperative.  Many of these talks are a normal part of what we discuss on a daily basis in PreK, and others are inspired by a variety of children’s books that we read in class.  Titles include: Have You Filled A Bucket Today,  Stand In My Shoes,  We Can Get Along, I’m Like You, You’re Like Me,  and COOKIES Bite-Size Life Lessons.

LEADERSHIP:  TCS, through its Elmore Leadership Initiative, is committed to providing opportunities for all students (regardless of age) to participate in leadership roles.  In PreK we start with the basics.  The children will all have the chance to be the line leader, the news reporter, snack helpers and the flag holder - to name just a few.  We ask for volunteers daily to help in a variety of capacities and encourage everyone (but don’t force) to be a PreK class spokesperson at our Lower School Radio Show each Wednesday.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL:  Please plan on joining the TCS community on Friday, October 9th from 3:00 - 4:00 PM in the courtyard for our ice cream social.

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.

NO SCHOOL:  Reminder - there is no school next Monday, October 12th.  

PARENT CONFERENCES:  TCS will be holding parent conferences on Friday, October 16th. Thank you to all who have signed up already.  For those needing Owl’s Nest care either during your conference time or for any portion of the day, please contact andrew.robertson@thecountryschool.org for additional information and registration.

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 30th.  Please let us know if you have additional questions or need clarification!  Be sure to mark your calendar and we will look forward to seeing you at 8:30 for the parade.

60 YEARS OF BRILLIANCE: GALA CELEBRATION:  We hope you will be able to attend the TCS 60 Years of Brilliance: Gala Celebration on Friday, November 6th.  It is sure to be a fantastic 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, please RSVP to the invitations that were sent to you in the mail, and be sure to help out our room parent - Selma Ahmed (Laila’s mom) with the PreK class basket that will be a part of the auction at the Gala.  Thank You!

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 and thank you in advance for your support.

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.

A FEW MORE NUTS & BOLTS:

1. If you have not already done so, please be sure to send in an extra set of clothes for your child that can be left here at school - just in case.
2. Please remember to send in a lunchbox with a a bit of fruit, snacks, and dessert even if your child is signed up for pizza.  They often look for a “little more” to eat after the pizza is gone.
3. Sneakers are needed for everybody on gym day which is on Thursdays this year.
4. Please label your child’s lunch box on the outside if you haven’t already done so.