Dear Parents,
What a fabulous start to the school year we have had! Your little ones are doing such a fabulous job acclimating to their new classrooms and are enjoying all the fun activities we have at preschool. We are enjoying happy days, water play, lots of free play, big field (for the older pod), and so much more! We are also very proud of our mommies and daddies who took great strides to make drop-offs short and sweet, despite a few tearful goodbyes. You have done a great job assuring your little ones that you love them and that you will be back, then handing them to the teachers and separating quickly. These short goodbyes actually reduce stress for the children and allow the kiddos to process their emotions so they can gain their confidence and independence to feel secure at school. Well done, Parents!
EXCITING CURRICULUM UPDATE
As a developmental, play-based school, we believe that a strong curriculum develops the whole child: physical/motor, spiritual, social-emotional, cognitive/academic. Our program supports the development of the whole child through daily routines, self-help activities, large and small group direct instruction, music and movement, story time, free play, independent activities, outdoor play, and more. At the forefront of learning in preschool is the development of a child’s social-emotional skills: learning to share, care, thrive in a community setting, talk, listen, focus, gain independence, ask questions, investigate, observe, clean-up, wash up, use the potty, etc. These are all critical skills for future success. Many of these social-emotional skills are developed through daily routines, interactions, conversations, etc. In addition to social-emotional development, we also want to stimulate students’ development in the other domains. All activities, whether in the form of free play or teacher-directed, are intentionally planned.
This year, we are excited to announce that we have developed a monthly Skills Sheet that outlines some of the focused skills the children will be learning each month. It is important to know that we have been teaching these skills all along…now we have simply put them on paper for you to view so you can help reinforce and encourage these skills at home. The Skills Sheet is the same for every class – HOWEVER, each classroom will have differentiated outcomes based on their developmental/chronological age. For instance, when we introduce letters each month, the goal for 2 year olds will be to “explore” and “gain awareness” of letters, whereas the goal for Pre-k students will be to identify and recognize the name and sound of each letter. Your child’s Developmental Profile will outline their progress towards these outcomes and will be given to you in October during the parent conferences, and additionally in February and May.
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR HOUSEKEEPING:
Classroom Sign-in Logs: Per state licensing, a FULL SIGNATURE is required on our classroom sign-in logs. We can be fined for non-compliance, so please help us stay in compliance by signing your full signature each day.
Drop-Offs: Thank you for continuing to drop off quickly in the mornings, especially during “rush hour” (7:45-9:00). Please be sure to greet the teacher with your child in the morning to ensure the teacher is aware of his/her arrival. Students should never be dropped off to an empty classroom or left on the yard with another classroom. In addition, please do not let your child go ahead of you into a classroom unattended in the morning while you are checking in.
Siblings at School: Just a gentle reminder that if you bring a non-enrolled sibling to school during drop-off and pick-up, please keep them within arms reach at all times. By law, they not be left unattended on the yard, in the car, or in the classrooms, even if you think you will be “just a second.” We appreciate your cooperation!
Parking Lot: In a perfect world, we would have a giant parking lot with ample space for everyone. Unfortunately, our parking lot is small and hard to maneuver. To help us through the morning rush, please drive slowly, park carefully, and keep your morning drop-offs (especially between 7:50-9:00) very short. The parking lot is nearly VACANT until about 7:47am! Come early and avoid the rush!
NEWS, NOTES & MORE
Back to School Night: Thank you for attending our Back to School Night! We appreciate your time and commitment. Please pick up a packet from your child’s teacher if you weren’t able to attend.
Tell Your Friends! If you have friends who are interested in enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year, online applications will be available on the PCS website beginning in October. Please tell your friends to call for a tour or attend an Observation Day, and apply EARLY to get on our applicant list. Be sure they tell us who referred them! We LOVE our word-of-mouth referrals!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Accreditation Work Day: September 21 – This is a non-student day. As you know, our school is Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International. Our accreditation visit is coming up next year and therefore, substantial preparation time is required. For this reason, PCS has scheduled a few Accreditation Work Days to allow time for accreditation preparation, teacher training, resetting classrooms, school advancement, curriculum building, and so much more. Have a good long weekend with your Little Blessings 🙂
Preschool Picture Day – This year, we will have our candid/yard photos with Adrea Scheidler Photography in the fall (September 24 – 26). Teachers will post schedules prior to the photography session. Preschool Portraits and “Graduate” photos with LifeTouch will be taken in the spring.
Elks Vision Screening – Elks Vision will be here on September 27 & 28 to conduct vision screenings of our students. Please fill out the permission form in your child’s box if you would like your child to be screened.
Site Work Day – October 6th – DOUBLE MVP Hours available! Keep an eye out for the Site Work Day Sign-up through signup.com! Help us deep clean cubbies, beautify the garden, till the sandbox, and haul in our fresh new mulch.
Moonlight Magic – There will be three Moonlight Magic events this year: Oct. 5, Feb. 8 and March 22. This is YOUR chance to have a night on the town (or in the quiet of your own home watching Netflix!) while your little ones are safe in our care enjoying flashlight parties, pajama dance-offs, pizza and a movie. ONLINE REGISTRATION is required, so sign up early (see flyers)! Elementary-aged siblings may attend the BYH Moonlight Magic on the same night.
PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP (PTF):
ROOM PARENT & COMMITTEE SIGN UP! Please sign up HERE if you are interested in serving on a committee or as a Room Parent. Thank you!
ROOM PARENT & COMMITTEE MEETING!!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 @ 8:15 a.m. (IN THE PARENT LOUNGE @ the PCS LIBRARY)
If you signed up to be a Room Parent or to serve on a committee, or if you are interested in volunteering but want more information, please attend our Room Parent Meeting to get the ‘scoop’ on what is expected, upcoming events, etc. The gate to PCS will be open through 8:15 a.m. – if running late, enter through the PCS main office.
MVP Booklets/Hours: All families should have received their YELLOW MVP booklet. Please record your volunteer hours in these books. You can have your hours signed off by the office staff, Room Parents, volunteer coordinators of specific events, PTF Reps, etc. Every family is required to complete 10 hours (or 20 hours if you have students at the elem/jr. high) before the end of the school year. You can turn in your book as soon as it is complete! PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU DIDN’T RECEIVE ONE.
CLASSROOM TEACHER TREATS:
September 28 – Parents of Room 1
Never expected, but always appreciated, Teacher Treats are a way to show your love and appreciation for our teachers. Each classroom is assigned two Fridays per school year to bring in treats for the preschool staff. Keep an eye out for information from your Room Parents!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Volunteer opportunities are available! CLICK HERE to register for all-school events through signup.com!
Meal Train Opportunities! (2 MVP HOURS)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEACHERS!!!
September 3 – Ms. Wendy
September 19 – Mrs. Silvia
September 26 – Mrs. Thelma
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Monday, Sept. 10 @ 8:15 a.m – Room Parent Meeting (PCS Parent Lounge)
Friday, September 21 – Accreditation Work Day (No Students)
September 24 – 26 – Candid yard photos with Adrea Scheidler
September 27 & 28 – Vision Screenings
Friday, October 5 @ 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Moonlight Magic (registration required)
Saturday, October 6 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Site Work Day
Thursday, October 11 – Kindergarten/PCS Observation Day – Interested in PCS? Sign up for a tour online!
Tuesday, October 17 & Wednesday, October 18 – Hearing Screenings
Thursday, October 18 – Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill – Volunteers Needed
Friday, October 19 – Accreditation Work Day (MINIMUM DAY – DISMISS AT 12:00)
October 25 – Preschool OPEN regular hours; PCS minimum day for conferences
Friday, October 26 – Parent Conferences (No Students)
Pasadena Christian Preschool 