RECE News
Winter Edition of Rahway Early Childhood Education News
Registration for School Year 2018/2019
*Please note, registration is STILL possible for current young learners who turned 4 on or before October 1, 2017. Details about registration for the current preschool class are available at https://www.rahway.net/Page/6211.*
What's Been Going on in Preschool?
Your child has been learning a lot about the weather. Each day, your child's class has been discussing, describing and
recording weather patterns, learning how weather affects people and their environment, and exploring the
four seasons.
If you haven't been doing these things already, the following is a list of fun activities that you can do at home in order to increase learning connections between school and home.
Tools for The weather
What does a weather forecaster use when presenting the weather? Allow your child to view a segment of the weather report on a local weather station. With your child, draw/write all the things you see. Post these drawings and/or words (map, symbols, sun, raindrops, etc.) on a large
sheet of paper for your child to review and discuss throughout the duration of the unit.
What is the weather? Have your child look out the window and check the weather for five consecutive days. Your child can discuss and record what they see on a sheet of paper. Each day have a discussion with your child to compare and contrast the different types of weather for the five days.
Daily Weather Boards
Look at various magazines and cut out pictures of children and/or adults wearing various clothing such as a snowsuit, heavy winter clothing, jogging suits, bathing suits, raincoats, shorts, etc. You can categorize the clothing based on the four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall), or you
can paste the pictures on a sheet of paper and display for discussion.
Social Emotional
Talk to you child about her/his feelings during the different weather changes. Ask questions like, "How do you feel when it rains/snows/etc.? Why are you feeling like that? What makes you feel better? What can we do when it’s raining, snowing, etc. outside?"
The Next Unit of Study
In the next two weeks, your learner will participate in a culminating activity on "The Weather" and will begin learning about "Healthy Me." The new unit will launch with opportunities for your learner's class to not only share what they know about being healthy but also discuss other health-related things they would like to learn. More will be shared by your child's teacher in the week's ahead.
How Can You Be Involved?
Preschool Parent Nights
There are five nights planned to help families learn more about strengthening preschoolers' skills at home. Resources and materials will be provided at each event along with opportunities to win prizes. Food and childcare will also be provided.
The dates, topics, and times are as follows:
- 2/13 Franklin ES: Literacy 6:30pm-8pm
- 3/15 Roosevelt ES: Social-Emotional Development 7pm-8:30pm
- 4/19 Cleveland ES: Art 7pm-8:30pm
- 5/8 Madison ES: Math 6:30pm-8pm
- 6/5 Academy: Science 7pm-8:30pm
Please note these events are each planned for all preschool parents. They are being held at each school to make transportation convenient and fair for all families. Please be sure to save these dates. An Evite will be sent before each event. Please help ensure adequate food and materials are available by being sure to RSVP.
Reading to your preschooler every night:
~creates a life-long reader.
~helps them understand the relationship between sound and print.
~gives them the knowledge of printed letters and words.
~builds vocabulary.
~allows creativity and imagination to blossom.
~helps them make connections to new places, people, and concepts.
~teaches them how to find adventure, ideas, and answers through books.
~strengthens your relationship and creates memories as a family.
Rahway Early Childhood Advisory Council (RECAC)
https://www.rahway.net/Page/6222
Each month, the RECAC meets to ensure the district is implementing a high quality early childhood program. The RECAC consists of three committees: Needs Assessment, Transition, and Community Engagement. The members represent district employees, families, and community partners. There is room for an additional parent to represent each school. If you are interested, please notify your preschool learner's teacher.
Other Ways to be Involved:
If you have any skill, talent, or resource that you believe would support your child's classroom, in particular, or the preschool program, in general, please speak with your child's teacher. Our learners do better the more we work together.
Did You Know?
Many Skills Have Been Learned So Far This Year
Your child has been learning quite a bit since the beginning of school. The areas of learning covered so far are below:
In Language, Literacy and Communication: Understanding and using a variety of words and phrases; identifying letter names and sounds using letter links; demonstrating knowledge of environmental print by learning to "read" labels around the classroom, the daily schedule pictures, and area signs; gaining knowledge about book handling and print conventions.
In Social and Emotional Development: Forming relationships with classroom adults and children; recognizing, labeling and regulating feelings; engaging in cooperative play; and learning how to resolve social conflicts.
In Approaches to Learning: Expressing their plans, choices and intentions (called Plan, Do, Review); becoming familiar with the daily schedule; making plans and following through with them; focusing on activities throughout the classroom; and reflecting on experiences.
In Physical Development and Health: Demonstrating dexterity and eye-hand coordination; developing small muscles by cutting and playing with manipulatives; strengthening large muscles by running, jumping, and playing outside.
In Mathematics: Recognizing and using numbers, words and symbols; identifying and describing shapes; counting; measuring; identifying, describing, copying, completing and creating patterns.
In Creative Arts: Expressing and representing observations; thinking and imagining through painting and art work; pretend playing in the areas for blocks, house, toy, water/sand table, science, writing, listening and library.
In Science and Technology: Observing the materials and processes in the environment, predicting what will happen, drawing conclusions, and experimenting to test ideas.
In Social Studies: Participating in making classroom decisions like developing classroom rules and naming classroom pets; understanding the concepts of past, present and future; and learning the importance of taking care of the environment.
Working Together To Keep Everyone Healthy
Have You Heard?
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) now has a family membership option. For 92 years, this professional organization has focused on high quality education for young children from birth through age 8. This school year, they have expanded their focus to specifically embrace the families of young children. If you are interested in learning more, go to https://www.naeyc.org/getinvolved/membership/families
Our Mission
The Rahway Public School Preschool Program provides a safe, developmentally appropriate, nurturing environment that promotes social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth, as well as a positive self-image and a love of learning. The preschool program is recognized as a leader in the community for providing a strong foundation for future academic success.
Email: rece@rahway.net
Website: https://www.rahway.net/Page/6121
Location: 1138 Kline Place, Rahway, NJ, United States
Phone: (732) 396-2968
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rahwaypublicschools/
Twitter: @Rahway_ECE