Thank you or joining me for Parent Teacher Conferences this past week! It was lovely to have time to sit and talk about all of the hard work your children are doing in the classroom.
Guest Teacher on Tuesday, November 16th
I will not be at on Tuesday, November 16th. My good friend Mrs. Maliszewski will be the guest teacher in our classroom for the day! Mrs. Maliszewski is a lead GSRP Preschool teacher at Cotter, and has been with Dearborn Public School for 7 years. I am so excited she is able to join our classroom for the day!
This week the children experienced their first Fire Drill! During morning messages and large group time we have been practicing what to do if we hear the fire alarm go off. I played a recording of the sound for the children and talked about how we need to line up quickly and walk to our safety spot outside. Then I played the recording of the alarm again and we lined up as a class and walked to our safety spot so the children would know where to go. On the way we counted the number of fire alarms and smoke detectors we could find in our hallway. Later in the week we had our first official fire drill! I was so proud to see our class lining up and walking safely like we had been practicing. Preschool and Kindergarten even got a complement from our Principal Ms. Srour for how well they were behaving!
Two new materials were introduced during small group time; water color paint and hole punches. Children used their hand muscles to punch holes in thick paper while counting how many times they squeezed the handles. Many children mentioned how “hard” it was to squeeze or that the hole punches “hurt” their hands. This is a sign that children’s hand muscles are in the developing stage. Exercises like squeezing hole punches, cutting with scissors, and using playdoh help children to improve muscle tone. Strong hand muscles are essential for children to be able to hold a pencil correctly and write letters. Using paint brushes helps children develop hand-eye coordination which is another important tool for developing writers.
Working together to find the right tool to remove the screws.
Safety glasses required when using the tools.
Using sand timers to keep track of how many minutes each child gets to use the tools.
“Look, I have a watch like Ms. Stortini and Yousef!”
Observing what happens when two colors touch.
“It’s making pink!”
“I’m making my mom.”
“Look Stortini, I can put the water and make the paint!”
Weaving “Itsy Bitsy” Spider Webs.
“This is like garage for my dad.”
“My web is all pink!”
Homework
This weekend’s homework is to continue practicing putting on jackets independently. As the weather gets cooler we are wearing jackets more frequently. Over the new few days give your child to practice putting on their jacket by themselves. At school we have learned two ways; Superhero style and tag to toes. Here are two videos to help you when working with your child.
No School- Tuesday, November 2nd: Election Day
All Dearborn Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, November 2nd for Election Day. Enjoy the day at home with your children and remember to go Vote!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on the following days:
Thursday, November 4th – 4-7pm
Tuesday, November 9th – 4-7pm
Thursday November 11th – 9am-3:30pm
Conferences will be held In-Person at School or Virtually on Zoom depending on family preference. If you choose an in-person conference only parents/guardians will be able to attend. Due to Covid-19 Protocols I will be unable to accommodate extra family members or siblings in the classroom.
Please plan for your appointment (virtual or in-person) to take about 45 minutes. We will be discussing how the children are adapting to the routine at school, the results of your child’s beginning of the year assessment, student goals for the upcoming school year, as well as ways to support your child’s academic development at home.
I will be sending out Conference time reminders in your child’s folder and on Remind Monday afternoon. If you cannot make your appointment for any reason please make sure to send me a message on Remind so I know not to wait for you.
Week of November 1 -November 5th
Monday 11/1
Tuesday 11/2
Wednesday 11/3
Thursday 11/4
Friday 11/5
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
No School-Election Day Don’t Forget to Vote!
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Evening Conferences by Appointment 4:00-7:00pm Enter through main Office
Picture day for our school will be Monday, October 25th. Order forms were sent home in your child’s red folder last week. I have had a few questions about how picture day will work.
How do I pay?
Credit/Debit Card
The easiest way to pay is to go the Life Touch Website, select the package/pictures you would like, and then pay with a credit/debit card. This way you do not have to send money or an order form to school.
How to Pay Online:
Go to mylifetouch.com, enter Picture Day ID: EVTJNNPBH
Click the link below for step by step instructions on how to order pictures online.
Cash or Check
You can also pay by cash or check. COMPLETELY fill out the picture day order form, place EXACT AMOUNT (cash or check) in envelope, and seal closed. All picture day forms must be filled out COMPLETELY before being turned in. I CANNOT make change or fill out envelopes for children. Picture Day order form envelopes can be sent to school in your child’s red folder.
Checks need to be made payable to: LIFETOUCH
How Does it Work?
Our class will be assigned a time during the day for pictures. We will go together as a group and come back to our classroom when everyone is finished. ALL children will have their pictures taken even if parents are not purchasing them. These will be used for yearbooks and class composites.
What Should My Child Wear?
We all want to look our best for school pictures, so children can wear what ever they choose to. I will not plan any “messy” lessons for that day (paint, glue, water, etc.) but please keep in mind we will still be playing outside on the playground twice. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND having your child wear gym shoeswith their picture day outfits.
What if My Child is Sick on Picture Day?
If your child is sick on picture day DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. There will be retakes for all children that are absent on Monday, October 25th. Any children who are sick should stay home until they have been symptom free for 24 hours without medicine.
This Week in Our Classroom
Counting how many balls he can make with his playdoh.
Using problem solving skills to twist and turn the puzzle pieces until they fit together.
Racing to see who can find all the right pieces first.
Deciding together the best way to fix the house that fell down.
Watch buddies!
Making cubes with magnet tiles.
Counting out money for the store.
Making sure there is enough change in the register.
Problem solving how to get all of the Lego people inside the house.
Wiping water off the play equipment after the rain.
“It’s ok, I can clean it myself!”
Push -up Competition! (It was a tie)
Building arm and hand strength using rubberbands.
It’s a circle!
Using rubber bands and geoboards to explore shapes.
“Look, a house!”
“This a star.”
I made a line!
“So many stars!”
Look how many!
Counting and making towers with unifix cubes.
Matching patterns.
Sorting by color.
Homework
The children have been experiencing many new things as they enter their first year of school. Besides being away from home and meeting new people, they are also encountering foods they have never eaten before. New foods can be frightening for a young child and often times when they say, “I don’t like that” what they really mean is, “I don’t know what this food tastes like and that makes me nervous.” Meal times in the classroom are not just an opportunity for children to nourish their bodies, but also to experience new tastes and textures. Introducing new foods in a low-risk environment (ex. saying: “Let’s try one bite, if you don’t like it you can leave it on your plate.”) is key to encouraging children to be well rounded eaters.
Assignment: I Can Try New Foods!
Take a picture and/or video of your child tasting the new foods.
Ask them their opinion about the food. Ex. “What do you think of this new food?” “How does it taste? Is it spicy or Sweet? Would you eat this food again?
Send Mrs. Stortini a picture and/or video of you child tasting the new foods on remind and tell me what they said!
Due Monday, October 25
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on the following days:
Thursday, November 4th – 4-7pm
Tuesday, November 9th – 4-7pm
Thursday November 11th – 9am-3:30pm
Conferences will be held In-Person at School or Virtually on Zoom depending on family preference. I will be contacting families this week to choose a virtual or in-person conference. If you choose an in-person conference only parents/guardians will be able to attend. Due to Covid-19 Protocols I will be unable to accommodate extra family members or siblings in the classroom.
Please plan for your appointment (virtual or in-person) to take about 45 minutes. We will be discussing how the children are adapting to the routine at school, the results of your child’s beginning of the year assessment, student goals for the upcoming school year, as well as ways to support your child’s academic development at home.
Thank you for joining me at our October Parent-Child Meeting yesterday. We discussed the importance of fostering independence in preschool age children, and why these skills are important not only for next year in Kindergarten, but for life! Here are some self-help skills we talked about that you and your child can be working on together at home:
Putting on Coats and winter clothes
Zipping/buttoning own Coat
Blowing own nose
Putting on own Shoes
Putting on own face mask
Cutting with scissors
Please enjoy these pictures from our meeting yesterday!
Using our finger muscles to open our own cereal and thread cheerios on pipecleaners.
Practcing writing names with the proper grip.
Cutting lines and fringe with scissors.
This Week In Our Classroom
Children are continuing to learn the classroom routine and school expectations. I have observed many children reminding others of what part of the day is coming next, as well as matching materials and toys to their correct bins. We are also more comfortable playing with new friends, especially during work time and on the playground!
Picture Day- Monday, October 25th
Picture day for our school will be Monday, October 25th. Order forms were sent home in your child’s red folder this week. I have had a few questions about how picture day will work.
How do I pay?
Credit/Debit Card
The easiest way to pay is to go the Life Touch Website, select the package/pictures you would like, and then pay with a credit/debit card. This way you do not have to send money or an order form to school.
How to Pay Online:
Go to mylifetouch.com, enter Picture Day ID: EVTJNNPBH
Click the link for a step by step walk through of how to pay for pictures online.
Cash or Check
You can also pay by cash or check. COMPLETELY fill out the picture day order form, place EXACT AMOUNT (cash or check) in envelope, and seal closed. All picture day forms must be filled out COMPLETELY before being turned in. I CANNOT make change or fill out envelopes for children. Picture Day order form envelopes can be sent to school in your child’s red folder.
Checks need to be made payable to: LIFETOUCH
Click the link below for step by step instructions on how to order pictures online.
How Does it Work?
Our class will be assigned a time during the day for pictures. We will go together as a group and come back to our classroom when everyone is finished. ALL children will have their pictures taken even if parents are not purchasing them. These will be used for yearbooks and class composites.
What Should My Child Wear?
We all want to look our best for school pictures, so children can wear what ever they choose to. I will not plan any “messy” lessons for that day (paint, glue, water, etc.) but please keep in mind we will still be playing outside on the playground twice. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND having your child wear gym shoeswith their picture day outfits.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on the following days in our classroom:
Thursday, November 4th – 4-7pm
Tuesdsay, November 9th – 4-7pm
Thursdsay November 11th – 9am-3:30pm
Please plan for your appointment to take about 45 minutes. We will be discussing how the children are adapting to the routine at school, the results of your child’s beginning of the year assessment, student goals for the upcoming school year, as well as ways to support your child’s academic development at home.
Appointment sign up was available at the Parent Meeting yesterday. If you were unable to choose an appointment time during the meeting, I will have the sign up available during pick up and drop off this week.
There will be no late start for GSRP Preschool tomorrow, October 13th. We will begin at our regular time of 8:35am.
Drop off at 8:35am is preferable, but if you cannot make this happen because of children, please plan to be at door #3 at 9:35am. Any other arrival time will need to go through the office. Thanks!
Parent-Child Meeting on Thursday
Our next Parent-Child meeting will be Thursday, October 14th. The format will be similar to the first day of school; two 45 minute meetings for the Parent and Child to attend together. This will not be a regular day of school. Children will attend the meeting with their parent at 9am OR 10:30am, and go home with parents when the meeting is over. This month we will be talking about strategies for encouraging independence in your child and why it is important.
Please make sure your child has the following things with them everyday at school:
Backpack
Red Folder
Reusable Water Bottle
Child sized face mask
School Clothes
It is chilly outside in the morning, but it is HOT in our classroom! Please make sure to dress your child in layers so they can take off their sweatshirt or sweater when it gets warm in our room. Please also make sure to send your child to school with a clean facemask everyday. You child should have at least 4 child sized facemasks; one for each day of the week. If you are having trouble finding facemasks please let me know and I will see if I can help!
What We Are Learning This Week
The children are continuing to learn our daily routine and the procedures for being at school. Being able to remember the schedule and predict what will happen next helps to ease anxiety about being away from home, as well as promotes child independence. We have also been doing many activities to build up the muscles in our fingers. Activities like opening their own milk and cereal, using tweezers to pick up small items, and building with Legos strengthen children’s fine motor skills and promote strong writing.
Making new friends!
Picking flowers for momma when she comes.
Sorting links by color.
Working together to build a “huge mansion.”
Counting how many people are playing in the house area.
Shopping for Robots at the “Store.”
Parent-Child Meetings
On Thursday, October 14th we will have our second classroom Parent-Child Meeting. The format will be similar to the first day of school; two 45 minute meetings for the Parent and Child to attend together. This will not be a regular day of school. Children will attend the meeting with their parent at 9am OR 10:30am, and go home with parents when the meeting is over. This month we will be talking about strategies for encouraging independence in your child and why it is important.
9:00 Meeting (45 minutes)
10:30 Meeting (45 minutes)
9:00 Meeting Farah Jena Noor Omar Yasmeen Battal Ariana Mahmoud
10:30 Meeting Bashir Hussein Alya Yousef Judy Lamar Vincent
Week of October 11th- October 14th
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
NO LATE START FOR PRESCHOOL Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Parent and Child Meetings 9:00am OR 10:30am (See Schedule)
It’s a new record! There were no tears this morning at drop off, and children were remembering the parts of the morning routine. During the weekend please continue to be positive about school and remind your children you will be picking them up at the end of the day. Sometimes the second day, especially nap time, is also difficult for children because they realize they will be staying at school everyday without their families. Our class will begin full days of school on Monday, October 4th.
FULL DAY SCHEDULE
Drop Off – 8:35-8:45am
Pick Up – 3:20-3:30pm
Parking Lot
Drop off and Pick up is a busy time in the parking lot as well as the streets near the school. As we begin full days, please be patient with other drivers and give yourself plenty of time to park and walk to Door #3. Be aware of other families driving, crossing streets, or walking through the parking lot. Let’s all work together to keep our students, families, and staff safe!
Week of October 4th-October 8th
Monday 10/4
Tuesday 10/5
Wednesday 10/6
Thursday 10/7
Friday 10/8
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Full Day Drop off 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
Full Day Drop off- 8:35am
Pick Up- 3:20pm @ Door #3
No School on Fridays Have a great weekend!
Looking Ahead
First Day Pictures
Please enjoy these pictures from our first day of school!
Counting how many Legos fit in the dump truck.
Dinosaur families
Experimenting with dot markers.
Making a car track with playdoh.
Matching playdoh containers to child name tags.
Cooking food for customers in the “restaurant.”
Ordering and paying for food at the “restaurant.”
Building a “london bridge is falling down” with Ms. Alawadi.
Using the sand timers to practice taking turns while cooking for Ms. Alawadi.
Building a construction site in the block area.
Practicing asking a friend to play together.
Have a great weekend, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s smiling face on Monday!
I am so excited that the children have their first official day of school tomorrow! We have been practicing the morning routine, small group lessons, and large group activities during our classroom playdates. Now the children will get to practice everything they learned on their own! Here are a few suggestions to help make your child’s first day of school go smoothly.
Things to Remember
All children must wear a mask while in the school building, please put an extra one in their backpack as well just incase.
Tomorrow will be a HALF DAY. Drop off at 8:35am, pick-up at 11:40am- Door #3.
Please be on time for drop off and pick up. Come to Door #3. DO NOT go to the office door. I will be at Door #3 for drop off from 8:35-8:45am, and pick up from 11:40-11:50am.
Please send a blanket and extra clothes in your child’s backpack if you have not done so already.
Play clothes and gym shoes only please, we work hard and get messy! Save party dresses, suits, and fancy shoes for picture day.
Making Tomorrow Morning Easier
Be Prepared
The first day of school can be stressful for families because a new routine is starting. Make sure to pack backpacks and have your child help pick out their clothes tonight to make tomorrow morning easier.
Make sure your child (and you!) are well rested
Try to get your child in bed a little earlier tonight so they will have enough sleep and be ready for school in the morning. Not all children are used to waking up to leave the house early. At this age children should still be getting 10-12 hours of sleep, so for example if they need to wake up at 7:30pm for school their bed time should be around 8:30pm.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Park
Plan to leave your house 5-10 minutes earlier than you need to. This will give you plenty of time to find a parking spot, walk to door #3, and give hugs and kisses goodbye.
There might be tears, and that’s ok!
Even confident children can feel nervous staying at school with out their family on the first day. Stay positive about school and talk about the new friends, toys, and things they will learn during the day. Remind them that their teachers will keep them safe and you will pick them up at the end of the day.
Be Honest
When a child is crying or upset about a parent leaving it can seem easier to say “I’m going to be in the car, or I’ll just be back in 5 minutes.” Please DO NOT DO THIS. Children end up feeling more scared and crying even more when 5 minutes is up and their parent does not come back. Stay positive and tell them “Mrs. Stortini is going to take care of you, and I will take you home at the end of the day.”
Tough Love
As difficult as it can be to watch our children be upset, it is very important that they stay at school on the first day even if they are crying. Children become comfortable at school by practicing the daily routine and building trust with teachers. We started this process during classroom playdates, and now we will continue through the first days of school.
Have a great evening, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Our first day of school will be Thursday, September 30th! This will be a half day for the children. Parents will drop off children at door #3 at 8:35am and pick them up at door #3 at 11:40am. DO NOT DROP OFF AT THE OFFICE, line up outside door #3. Please be on time, Ms. Alawadi or myself will be at the door for 10 minutes at drop off and pick up time.
Children will begin full days of school Monday, October 4th.
Two Weeks at a glance…
Monday 9/27
Tuesday 9/28
Wednesday 9/29
Thursday 9/30
Parent-Child Playdates 8:35am-10:05am or 10:15am-11:40am
Parent-Child Playdates 8:35am-10:05am or 10:15am-11:40am
Beginning of the Year Testing 12:45-3:30pm 30 minutes each by appointment only
Beginning of the Year Testing All day 30 minutes each by appointment only
First Day of School! Half Day 8:35-11:40am Children stay by themselves
Monday 10/4
Tuesday 10/5
Wednesday 10/6
Thursday 10/7
Full day of School 8:35-3:20pm
Full day of School 8:35-3:20pm
Full day of School 8:35-3:20pm
Full day of School 8:35-3:20pm
Beginning of the Year Testing- Tuesday and Wednesday
I will be having 30 minute appointments for Children to come and complete beginning of the year testing on Tuesday and Wednesday before school begins.
Please choose ONE time from the link below that works for your schedule. Appointments will be in our classroom rm. 111 and last approx. 30 minutes. If you had already signed up for a Thursday appointment, please click the link and choose a different date/time.
Come to door number 3 at your appointment time and I will let you in, DO NOT go to the school office.
Please click the link below to sign up for a 30 minute time slot for your child:
While our first week of school did not go as we had originally planned, we had a successful week of parent/child playdates in our classroom! During these playdates children have been working hard to learn our morning routine, as well as practicing doing classroom jobs independently. Learning the daily routine is a first important step to having a successful preschool experience.
The Daily Routine
Familiar activities can provide comfort for both adults and children during challenging and uncertain times (going to a new school, being away from your family, etc.). 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 school 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
So far the children have been introduced to 7 key parts of our daily routine; Arrival, breakfast, sign-in, morning messages, small group, large group, planning time, and work time. Wow, that was a lot of work for three days!
Arrival Time- During arrival children are in-charge of hanging up their own items in their cubby. They establish independence and gain confidence by being responsible for their own belongings.
Breakfast – During breakfast children learn about making healthy choices. There are 2 or 3 breakfast items available and from and each child decides if they are hungry enough to choose one or all of them. When finished, children clean their space by throwing away their own garbage, wiping up spills, etc.
Sign-in- Children use various writing materials to practice writing their names. This week we introduced large name tags and whiteboard markers.
Morning Messages- During morning messages children practice patience and turn taking while a teacher talks about important items of the day. They also learn that pictures and words are related and have meaning as teachers write and draw pictures of the messages on the board.
Small Group- During small group children participate in a directed lesson with a teacher, usually (but not always) at their table. We explore math, writing, science, language, and reading during hands on lessons. This week children made their first writing journal entry and self portrait, used tweezers to sort pom poms into different categories, and used playdoh and pipe cleaners to make sculptures.
Large Group- During large group the children and teachers all participate in a music and movement lesson together. This week we focused on learning the names of children in the class and practiced singing some familiar songs such as; twinkle twinkle, and the ABC song.
Planning andWork Time- During work time children have an opportunity to make choices of what materials they would like to use and what areas of the classroom they would like to play in. This time of day is where children learn and practice important social skills such as; asking a friend for help, taking turns, using toys together, and using words to say what they are feeling.
Pictures from our first week!
Playdate Times
As of right now we will be following the same routine for next week. We will have two classroom “playdate” opportunities a day while as we wait for the official paperwork to be processed. Your patience in this matter has been greatly appreciated, and I understand how frustrating this situation is for everyone. The silver lining for me is having an opportunity to share our classroom with parents and grandparents who might otherwise not had an opportunity to come in otherwise!
Our two meeting times will be: 8:30-10:00am OR 10:15-11:40am.
During these playdates children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT. Legally, we are not allowed to have children stay by themselves with a teacher until the licensing is complete.
Don’t forget:
Come to Henry Ford Elementary Door #3 at 8:35-10:05am OR 10:15-11:40am (please choose one time)
Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT, siblings cannot come.
Adult and child must wear mask while in the school classroom.
Have a great weekend, and I am looking forward to seeing you on Monday!
