SASD 4K Family Newsletter
Grow. Play. Learn.
December 1st, 2022
When parents learn about activities and routines that occur at school, they can continue them at home, which strengthens a child's brain development.
Familiar activities can provide comfort for both adults and children. Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day. Schedules and routines in the group care setting and at home help children:
- Feel in control of their environment
- Feel safe, secure, and comfortable
- Know what is happening now and what comes next
- Know how to do an activity or task
- Engage in learning
For more information click on the link: The Importance of Schedules and Routines
Have a safe and healthy holiday season,
Erin Conrad, 4K Principal
Sara Jane Lee, 4K Coordinator
Mindy Holverson, 4K Educational Assistant
Mark Your Calendars
4K Friday, December 9th.
No School December 16th.
Winter Break December 22nd-January 2nd.
*School resumes on Tuesday, January 3rd.
STOP: Print is everywhere!
You’re driving down the road with your kids in the car, on the way to soccer, piano, karate or whatnot, and you see a familiar red, octagonal sign. What do you do? STOP. That red octagon means “stop,” of course, but it is also means, “Stop, phonological awareness opportunity!” OK, so that’s a mouthful. And what is phonological awareness? Simply put, it is the ability to work with sounds in spoken language. Children do this naturally, and you can encourage their experiments with sound by showing them that print is everywhere. All those squiggly shapes are letters, that stand for sounds, that come together to make words.
YOUR VIGILIENCE HELPS KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE - COVID-19 INFORMATION
SASD now accepts all COVID-19 tests, including Site-based tests (PCR, rapid Antigen testing), and positive and negative home tests. Symptomatic students and staff no longer need to verify their negative at-home test by also getting a site-based test. *Please check with your community site for specific requirements.
We will still offer our site-based testing to students at 900 W. Wilson Street. As a reminder, testing is open every Wednesday and Friday, from 7:30-2:00 pm. Site-based tests are highly recommended but will be making the change to ensure all families have access to testing.
SASD COVID Health & Safety page (Data Dashboard)
FAMILY RESOURCES
OWL Curriculum
December OWL Unit 4: Life on a Farm
Week 1: Welcome to the Farm
Week 2: Out in the Fields
Week 3: In the Barnyard
December 22nd-January 2nd Winter Break
Opening the World of Learning: Pearson Research Overview
Why are PATTERNS important?
Even babies learn math concepts early on, and it all starts with patterns. Patterns are arrangements of things that repeat in a logical way. Those arrangements of colors, shapes, gestures, sounds, images, and numbers are a crucial concept for young kids and contributes heavily to their early math understanding.
Patterns help children make predictions because they begin to understand what comes next. They also help children learn how to make logical connections and use reasoning skills.
For more information go to: Cool Ways to Teach Your Preschooler Patterns
Developing Body Awareness: Building and Drawing with Mat Man
Children can bring Mat Man to life!
Check out the video here where children learn body awareness, drawing skills and number awareness.
The Pyramid Model
The goals of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) are to assist states and programs in their implementation of sustainable systems for the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs with a focus on promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to five, reducing the use of inappropriate discipline practices, promoting family engagement, using data for decision-making, integrating early childhood and infant mental health consultation and fostering inclusion.
To learn more about The Pyramid Model START HERE
Tucker the Turtle
A scripted story to assist with teaching the “Turtle Technique”
By Rochelle Lentini, Lindsay N. Giroux and Mary Louise Hemmeter
Tucker the Turtle Takes Time to Tuck and Think at HomeLa tortuga Tucker toma tiempo para detenerse y pensar en casa
Tucker the Turtle Learns Determination and Responsibility
Tucker the Turtle Learns about Imagination
Self Regulation Skills: Relaxation Thermometer
Children who learn to regulate their emotions:
►Have an easier time making friends
►Handle disappointment better
►Relate more successfully with peers and adults
►Are less impulsive
How You Can Help Children Self-Regulate?
►Model and discuss reasons for desired behaviors.
►Validate feelings.
►Assist with language through labeling actions, feelings, and emotions.
►Provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate play.
►Promote children’s independence across the day.
►Provide a place child can go to take a break and calm down.
►Provide positive feedback in response to the child regulating their behavior and help child regulate by modeling ways to calm down when needed.
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations | ChallengingBehavior.org
NURTURED HEART APPROACH
The Nurtured Heart Approach Vocabulary for December:
I am responsible.
"I can show my greatness by starting right away when it is time to clean up."
I am determined!
"I show my greatness by never giving up, even when it is difficult."
I am imaginative!
"I show my greatness by dreaming of becoming a builder, a parent, a teacher or a superhero."
Antiracism Project
Antiracism Resources by Month
Stoughton Food Pantry
520 S. 4th Street, Stoughton
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.
Closed Fridays
First Saturday of the month 9 to 11 a.m.
*Call for an appointment: 608-873-8103
Need Assistance?
The Department of Children and Families
Resources to help essential workers, providers, and families navigate the child care landscape during the COVID-19 crisis- link
Early Learning Information on COVID-19
For resources and information related to COVID-19 that are specific to the early care and education community, go to- link
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Provides the latest information, data, and resources- link
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Considerations and guidance for schools and child care- link
Contact us!
Kate Ahlgren, Director of Curriculum and Instruction kate.ahlgren@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Sara Jane Lee, 4K Inclusion Support Teacher sarajane.lee@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Mindy Holverson, 4K Educational Assistant mindy.holverson@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.stoughton.k12.wi.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stoughtonschools/