Gabriel Park Preschool News

Another School Year Begins
Remember way back, when you were in the third grade, how June always seemed to give way to September instead of July and August? The summers always flew by back then, never enough time to get into any real trouble, school bells ushering in a new year just when you were getting the hang of all things wild and free and wonderful. Well, how does it feel now? How much have you been looking forward to carting your own little ones down the road and dropping them safely into the hall of all things preschool? Is that coffee going to taste better without "why?" and "what are you doing?" in constant rotation? Oh yes, yes it will.	And now it’s here. It’s time for the new school year at Gabriel Park Preschool. Have your pencils and scorecards ready, please – here is your starting lineup: Declan (Railway Engineer) Heidi (Insect Wrangler) Isabelle (Puzzlemaster) Jesse (Intellectual Advisor) Joe (Head Comedy Writer) Lauren (Fashion Designer) Lila (Climbing Specialist) Liliana (Social Organizer) Miles (Chief Firefighter) Nolan (Swing Master) Olivia (Ball Rolling Songstress) Skylar (Top Secret Skills)
Sharing Toys from Home So you’re feeling pretty proud of yourself this morning. You got everyone up on time, got them to eat a real breakfast, not chocolate cake or pudding, got them dressed, underwear and weather appropriate clothing included, and got them strapped into the car with so little fuss that now you’re checking the rear view to see if you actually strapped them in. And then you see it in your child’s hands: Lightning McQueen, Optimus Prime, Hello Kitty, or some other abomination, um, I mean toy, and your pride slips away into that weariness of another battle lost. Well, no worries, because teacher Julie understands your child’s overwhelming desire to show off and share his favorite toys. Your child may bring it in to show teacher Julie and the other children at check in time. After that it must be stored in the child’s cubby or brought back to the car. Of Course, it’s always easiest if you can convince your child to leave the toy at home. Good luck with that. October Field Trip WhereBaggenstos Pumpkin Patch WhenTBD Cost: $4.50 per child. Adults are free unless they want their own pumpkins What you need to Know: 1. Complete and turn in your permission slip. 2. We need drivers. If you are able to go please sign up! 3. Siblings are welcome to join in the fun. 4. We will go rain or shine, so don’t forget your rain gear. 5. Please pack a lunch, which we will eat at the patch. Wish List If you have any of the following items lying around the house and they are looking for a change of scenery, we would be glad to offer them some new digs in the classroom:  Big Pillows  Pillow Covers  Round Rug  Velcro  Velcro with Sticky Back  Capes  Empty Spray Bottles  House Plants  Large, Light-weight Fabric  Small Suction Cup Hooks  Headphones  Long Mirror  Tall, 2-step, Sturdy Stool  Ball Pump Please don’t buy anything new. Birthday Celebration Policy We have a new birthday policy this year. Parents who wish to have their child’s birthday celebrated in the classroom can arrange a date to do so with teacher Julie. This date should be on or as near the actual birth date as possible. Summer birthdays can be celebrated as well; however, to avoid having every summer birthday celebrated at the same time, these birthdays will be celebrated on a date closest to six months from that birthday. For example, a child with a birth date of July 15 th would celebrate her birthday on or around January 15th. The idea is to allow for each child to have her own special day. On this day, the birthday student will get to decorate and wear a crown and chose a story to be read at the end of class. The story can be brought from home. Parents are also welcome to bring cookies and fancy napkins to share at lunch time. Please limit the cookies to one per child. Recipe of the Month Autumnal Crisp Ingredients:  ¾cups brown sugar  ½ cup Organic granulated sugar  1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour  ½cup old fashioned rolled oats  ½teaspoon salt  ¾stick Organic unsalted butter, cold  4 seasonal apples (granny smith are great for baking) Directions: Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Cut the cold butter into small cubes. Add to the dry mix. Mix with your hands until mealy. Some butter chunks are ok. Chill for 10 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°. Peel, slice and core the apples. Arrange in a buttered (greased), 9-inch pie pan. Add the crisp to the top. Bake for 1 hour. Enjoy with some vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt or whipped cream. -- Recipe by Kelly Fischer Homemade Play Dough Ingredients:  1 cup flour  1/2 cup salt  2 tsp. cream of tartar  1 cup water  1 tbs. vegetable oil  Food coloring Directions: Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a saucepan. In a bowl, put water, oil, and food coloring. Gradually stir wet ingredients into the dry ones until mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from stove and cool. Have your child knead the play dough until smooth. Then, start playing! Store in an airtight container; dough lasts up to four months. - Recipe by Jody McKenzie

Right Around the Corner!

Before we know it, preschool will begin right around the corner!  Seems like our Summer just started.  Hope everyone is having a great Summer and ready to begin a great Fall year.  We are so excited that we are now a 3-day program.  The added Fridays will make the transition from the weekend to the start of the next school day (Tuesday), much easier.  Here is our schedule for this coming year:

Preschool Calendar 2011-2012

August                        29-31   Teacher Julie – Home visits

31        Parent Meeting/Orientation 7:00 – 8:30 PM Mandatory

September       06        First Day of Class with parents 9:30-11:30

08          First full day of class 9:00-12:30

14                Board Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 PM TBD

October           12        Parent Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 PM Mandatory

TBD    Field Trip Pumpkin Patch

TBD    Wreath Order Forms Handout

November       TBD    Wreath Fundraiser Due

                                09           Board Meeting

                        24/25   Thanksgiving Holiday -No School

December        TBD    Chinook Book Fundraiser Wrap up

                        15        Winter Family Party – 12:00 PM

20        Winter Holiday Begins- No School

January            03        Class Resumes

11          Board Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 PM

21        Work Party 9:15-11:45 Mandatory                                                 28        Open House 11:00-2:00

February          01        Open Registration for 2012-2013 school year begins

08        Parent Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 PM Mandatory

March              26        Spring Break Begins – No School

April                11        Board Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 TBD

                        TBD    Fire House Field Trip

                       

May                 09        Parent Voting Meeting/Board Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 PM

25        Last day of class- Family Party 12:00 PM

                       

June                 02        Clean Up Work Party 9:15-11:45 Mandatory

                        13        New Board Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 PM TBD

March Music Madness

Last Thursday, Jason (Miles's daddy) brought in his guitar and the kids rocked out to Jason singing 'Proud Mary.' The kids got to play their shakers, castanets, maracas, bells, and tambourines.

What Did You Do Last Night?

"I like pizza, but I like chicken nuggets best!"- Liliana

"I played with my tinker toys and I got a watch"- Ryan

"I played basketball with my dad."- Joe

"Nothing...No. We went out to dinner and then we went to Awana at Church."-Emily

"I sleeped, played and watched Monsters Incorporated."- Oliver

"I played with daddy last night. We jumped real high!"- Jessie

"I had no bad dreams, but this morning I had eggs."- Heidi

"I played with Sophie."- Flossie

"I made a bridge with pillows with Lila."- Miles

"I played."- Lily

This is one of my favorite photos of the day. Heidi was asked, "What are you painting a picture of?" She replied, "This is my yard!" and then gave a funny look.
We tried to get a group picture of the kids, but we all know kids avoid the camera!

February Wrap-Up

It's hard to believe that there are only three more months left of preschool. It seems like the first day of school was just weeks ago - the majority of us were new to this school and the children were so quiet and sweet. Now that the children have gotten to know each other and Teacher Julie, the group is full of excitement and energy!

I had the fun opportunity to co-op a few weeks ago, and I didn't realize how much of my senses I needed to use. At one table, I was working with some of the children making bunny rabbits for the Chinese/Vietnamese New Year while monitoring the children playing in the pinto beans bucket; all the while, Jody was busy making sure each child got a snack while cleaning up the sand that spilled on the floor. When school let out that day, I. Was. Tired. But what a great opportunity it was to work side-by-side with Jody and Teacher Julie, and to be with my son for the day.

I'm amazed at how much the children are absorbing every day. I am sure most of us are impressed by how much knowledge, skill, and information our children bring home. What a gift this is, and it's the dedication of Teacher Julie and us as co-op parents. Keep up the great work!

First field trip to Baggenstos Farm

February 2011 News

Upcoming Events
Letter Carrier Kevin Visits
Thursday, Feb. 10th, 11:00am
Valentine’s Day Party
Thursday, Feb. 10th, 12:30pm
Board Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 17, 6:30pm

Important Valentine Procedure
During the next two weeks we will be creating and sending letters, cards and Valentines. Leah is busy covering mail boxes for us, so if you have any small boxes she can cover, please bring them in!
If you would like to bring in Valentines for the class, please be sure to bring 11, one for each child, in a bag or rubber banded with your child’s name on it. You do not have to write classmates’ names on them. We will assist each child in delivering his/her cards during choice time.

New Parent Teaching Procedures
With the exciting addition of the Fraser family comes an exciting addition to our daily routine… will now have 2 parent teachers in our classroom each day! This gives us more flexibility in our curriculum, additional individual attention for our students, and a safe adult/child ratio.
The new procedures are posted in the classroom and will be sent electronically.
The main parent arrives at 8:45am and stays longer to finish up any cleaning. The art parent arrives at 9:00 and can leave at 12:45 after checking in with the main parent teacher.

School Supplies Needed
We are creating a USPS station in our classroom. If you have any stamps, stationary, return labels, a date stamp, etc., we would love to use them!
We are also going to explore light and shadow. I am looking for flashlights and an overhead projector.

Safety Update
When parent teaching, please help monitor the door. This is especially important during potty breaks and dismissal. We do not want children slipping out before the door shuts all the way.
Also for your safety, our doors will remain closed at pick up time. Please come in instead of waiting for the teacher.