Spring Early Learning Newsletter
Vancouver Public Schools March/April 2020
If you would like this newsletter read to you in Russian, Spanish or Chuukese, please use the following contact information:
Russian:
Если Вы хотите, чтобы Вам прочитали этот документ, пожалуйста, позвоните по телефону:(360) 936-9574 или (360) 313-4956.
Spanish:
Si desea que le lean este documento en español, favor llamar al:
Señora Avila, 360-313-1252.
Chuukese:
Iká pwe ke mochen epwe wor emén epwe ánea ngonuk masowen ei taropwe nón fóósun fénúomw ren ómw kopwe weweiti, en mei tongeni kéri Juanita Yasu, 360-771-5343.
Dear Early Learning Families,
If your family is anything like mine, you are anxiously awaiting the time change. These dark mornings make it difficult to get going each day! I find myself looking forward to the longer, sunnier evenings the spring season will (hopefully) soon bring.
Speaking of spring, if you have not already, now is the time to register for kindergarten. If your student turns 5 before September 1, 2020, you can register him/her for kindergarten. Our elementary school offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 4:00. In order to register your student, you will need his/her birth certificate (or passport), current immunization records and proof of residency. Detailed information about kindergarten registration can be found on our website at https://vansd.org/kindergarten/
Once your student is registered, he/she will be invited to a Kindergarten Visitation Day (see box below for more information). This is a fun time for students and parents to visit the school, meet kindergarten teachers/staff and enjoy the company of future classmates.
Enjoy!
Kendra Yamamoto
VPS Dates to Calendar
March 9th: 40 minute early release
March 16th: 40 minute early release
March 23rd: 40 minute early release
March 30th - April 3rd: Spring break
Kindergarten Readiness Skills: Social & Emotional Part 1
The guidelines highlight some of the skills children need to be prepared for kindergarten. The list suggests ways to work with your child to help him/her be ready for school.
- My child can put away toys, clean up small spills and pick up after him/herself.
- My child shares, takes turns and helps others.
- My child adjusts to new situations and/or people.
- My child plays cooperatively with others.
- My child can comfort others.
- My child has the opportunity to play regularly with friends his/her age.
Your Child's Early Development: 3 - 4 years
- Copies adults and friends (like running when others children run)
- Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences
- Climbs well
- Plays make-believe with dolls, animals and people
- Shows affection for friends without prompting
- Hops and stands on one foot for up to 2 seconds
- Would rather play with other children than alone
- Tells stories
- Draws a person with 2-4 body parts
- Plays cooperatively with others
Talking: What should my four to five year old be able to do?
- Says all speech sounds in words. May make mistakes on sounds such as: "l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh & th".
- Responds to questions such as, "What did you say?"
- Talks without repeating sounds or words most of the time.
- Names letters and numbers.
- Uses sentences that have more than one action word, such as "jump", "play" and "get".
- Tells a short story.
- Keeps a conversation going.
- Talks in different ways depending on the listener and place; for instance, may use short sentences with younger children or talk louder outside than when inside.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
An important message about Coronavirus
The safety of our students and staff is a top priority, and we want to share some important information regarding the coronavirus that has now been confirmed in Washington and Oregon. Vancouver Public Schools is closely monitoring this evolving situation. District employees are working directly with Clark County Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health as we do for all matters concerning public health.
We understand your concerns about this virus, and we want to assure you that we will provide updated messages as necessary.
What VPS is doing
- We are following directions from Clark County Public Health, which is in contact with the Washington State Department of Health and closely following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.
- Per recommendations, we are following standard cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Common contact surfaces, sinks, kitchens, restrooms and windows are cleaned regularly.
- Students and staff are being reminded to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or to use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if handwashing isn’t possible.
- We will continue to take precautions, monitor schools, follow the recommendations of the local and state departments of health and make adjustments as needed.
What parents can do
- Make sure that you have provided up-to-date contact information to your child’s school so that you can receive updates.
- Keep sick children at home as appropriate after notifying the school.
- Encourage your children to practice good hand-washing.
- Make a plan for childcare in the event that health officials direct schools to be closed to minimize the spread of the disease.
Kindergarten Visitation Schedule
Jump Start Kindergarten 2020
Who: Incoming kindergarteners.
What: A free program where students participate in a variety of math, literacy and hands-on activities; learn school routines; and become familiar with their new surroundings.
When: A few weeks before the school year begins.
Where: All VPS elementary schools.
Why: Data shows that students who attend Jump Start are better prepared for kindergarten than children who do not participate. They also gain confidence, leadership skills and enthusiasm for school. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child a successful transition to kindergarten!
Click this link for more information: https://vansd.org/kindergarten/#jump-start
Social & Emotional Learning
Children learn through healthy family interactions. When parents get upset, kids observe how they express those emotions. When kids see grown-ups navigating stress in their own lives in a healthy way, they are more likely to respond healthily to stress in their own lives.
mamasmiles.com
And finally...
“Children whose parents read to them at home recognize letters of the alphabet and write their names sooner.” -
- C.W. Nord, J. Lennon, B. Liu & K. Chandler,
Home Literacy Activities and Signs of Emerging Literacy