October PreK Newsletter
Colder Days & Warmer Community
Grateful for Community
Mrs Hoffmann was a wonderful garden guru this week- she helped the children bed the garden for winter and is working on a few projects for our classrooms. She brought in a few gourds and a ghost pumpkin as well to share with the class- how fun that they grew from her compost bin!
Today she worked on a very special birthday wall art piece with each child threading their branch. I look forward to seeing all the names and birth dates displayed with such beauty.
We also thank the Wales Fire Department for their Fire Saftey Visit
Chief Tony was kind enough to show us his special tools & truck, taught us to "stop, drop, and roll", and even fully geared up for us! He certainly looked ready for anything!
The children and Mrs Barndt made a special thank you card for him and the entire department.
Mrs. Fronk and her girls then participated in the Fire Department Open House last Sunday. There they used our doll house to encourage families to practice finding two ways out and declaring a meeting spot outdoors. Another thank you to WGFD for including Bright Ideas!
Our Personal Lumberjack
There is still more wood available to anyone interested- just ask Traci which pile! We expect to down two more trees as time passes so we will have plenty for any new great Pintrest ideas- join the fun.
MEET US OUTSIDE
We ask that you bring your fully "geared up" child to our outdoor classroom so that we can begin our Nature Based PreK promptly.
After careful consideration and reflection we went back to the basics with this. As a new teacher for Bright Ideas, I didn't want to rock the boat too much, but as a nature based teacher and professional educator, I know that getting the children outside to fully dive into their work is the healthiest for them in many ways.
Please remember that your children are outside for several hours. The mornings require under layers, winter gear, thick socks, and sturdy gloves to best support their play and learning.
Getting the class going, outside, first thing, will support the changing season greatly. We will be able to fully dive into our learning and then head indoors to warm up with our morning snack. We can then take that time to dry any wet gear and address any "too cold" issues as well. We will then still have plenty of time to gear up again and head outdoors before lunch. (Should the weather dictate we stay inside during the early hours we will have a sign up by the tags to inform you right away. ~Temperatures be below zero degrees or storms present )
The benefit of a fully ready to go class is such a gift to your child. While we have all come a long way with morning transitions and self care, this will smooth out the first bumps of the day and allow for practicing of independent dressing skills in the later transitions when there is more time for one on one assistance without others waiting. The children have become such a close community of helping hands that I will be sure to continue that.
For the early morning care families, you will drop off per usual indoors. The morning teacher will assist, as needed, in getting the children ready and outside before our class begins.
Upon arrival you and your child will go to the cubbies per usual and assist your child in getting all of their outdoor gear on - feel free of course to come fully prepped. Bring your child, and their tag, out to the patio area where the class will start to engage in their learning activities of the day. The teacher will sign you in and be at the ready for any communication. *We will also place a "note to teachers" station up as we know parents are not always in full snow/rain suits and need to get going. Feel free to leave a note if needed, or as always, send me an email and I will check it during nap. Alternately you can call the center and leave a message if that is easiest for you.
We will begin this daily rhythm MONDAY. Thankfully, Mrs. Fronk did let me know that this is not entirely new to families who have been with BILC, and I thank you for your support. Traci remembers how much the children did love starting their day outdoors jumping rope and digging in the sand box last year.
We will continue to reflect on the best flow and function as we continue to settle into our new space. I'll share with you the data of how it is all going at our parent meeting, and of course I will be ready to hear from you! (Don't forget to make plans to attend our parent night!)
Having been both a parent and a teacher in schools that regularly started their day this way, I look forward to sharing the benefits of this new routine with our Bright Ideas community!
Please note: if you find while gearing up your child that you have forgotten something at home, we do have borrowing items located in baskets above the hooks in the hallway area. Just let the teachers know what is BILC's so they may get it into the laundry at the end of the day.
In Gratitude-
Ms Julie
A Glimpse Into Our Days
*be sure to check the google photos for more*
Parent Evening: Tea With Ms Julie
Ms Julie will share insights into the children's day and looks forward to the insights you bring. We will take a moment to go around as parents share a strength and challenge of their child and what they feel that child brings to the group.
We look forward to growing in community with you!
RSVP to bilcprek@gmail.com
(Mrs Barndt will join next time as she will be out of town this evening.)
Monday, Oct 29, 2018, 07:00 PM
Whistler Room- BILC-
Aromatherapy For Families
Meeting "Standards"
We are so grateful to be able to meet the needs of the children and their growing minds and bodies through creative hard work and play!
November's Gratitude Newsletter will shine the spotlight on the special ability Nature Based Curriculum's provide in meeting those standards with a refreshing "twist".
We will be sure to send along our favorite "play is work" articles as well.
Thank you for entrusting us as part of your guiding community for your children!
Special Treasure Bag
We have had an antler, a leather pouch, a giraffe and a lamb join us thus far. The children love to share their find or favorite friend with their classmates, and we teachers learn something dear about each child. The time of sharing that which we hold dear is one of reverence and the stillness around the snack table is felt.
EXTRA CLOTHES
THANK YOU PARENTS!!
Retzer Field Trip
We practiced our letters and used our imagination to describe the displays... of course we practiced "art gallery hands" as well to show respect towards other's work.
"Allergy"!!!
Meditative River Observations
No PreK
November 5th will be "Holy Guacamole" Day with our school age friends.
Please email us this week if you plan on needing/wanting care for that day so that enrollment and invoices may be adjusted in time- that and we need to be sure to have enough avocados and costumes.
Monday, Nov 5, 2018, 06:45 AM
school's out
Thanksgiving Break
We will then make schedule and feast plans accordingly!
We are closed for Thanksgiving and the Day After. We wish you all happy safe travels, time to relax and reconnect, and perhaps a scoop of patience with that main dish of gratitude.