Author: PCSPreschool

Hot Topics: Screen Time

Allotted “screen time” is a hot topic both in education and at home these days. At what age should kids be allowed to use screens? How much is beneficial? How much is too much? Does screen time enhance cognition or does it make kids irritable and unfocused?

While we don’t have all the answers, it is certainly prudent to do your own research to be sure your child is getting the “right” amount of screen time for his/her age and/or personality.

One article from Psychology Today offers that screens can make kids “angry, depressed and unmotivated.” Click here to read more.

Agree or disagree, it is good to be in the know.

*Please note: This article represents one point of view of this current “hot topic” and is not necessarily the view of our school.*

Marble Painting

In Room 3 we enjoy painting with different objects.

Most recently, we have been painting with marbles.  The children roll 3 marbles back and forth in a box with a piece of paper and drops of different colors of paints.  This action creates lines in different directions.  As they shake the box back and forth they call it, “Playing A Game”.


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Fruit Friday at the Preschool!

Friday was the culmination of the “Week of the Young Child” here at the Preschool. It’s a very special week wherein all the staff and students celebrate the spirit of childhood by donning silly outfits and exploring fun themes. On Fruit Friday we appreciate the fruits of God’s beautiful Earth! Each room celebrates in their own way but we all get to partake in at least one common activity- eating lots of fruit! It’s truly a delicious and nutritious day.

Room 2 made a delectable berry shortcake!

 

Room 3 created a very healthy fruit salad!

And Room 5 dissected each fruit on its own and tasted the rainbow!

We all want to thank the parents who participated and contributed so graciously to this very special week at school. Everyone benefits when we all embrace our inner child from time to time!

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” -Mark 10:15 (NIV)

 

Fruit Day!

This week we’ve dressed in crazy hats and crazy clothes, done human color blocking, and on some days, we didn’t even bother getting dressed (pj day that is 😉). Today was Fruit Day and our last day of our annual Week of the Young Child celebration. We celebrated with the construction of fruit kabobs! We threaded and pulled our fruit to kabob perfection and then topped it with whipped cream! Thank you beautiful parents for making WOTYC so much fun! 

    
    
    
    
   

Life Science and Earth Month!

Room 5 has been celebrating Earth month with fervor and excitement! We took circle time out doors to the older pod’s back yard and had a picnic on the grass, complete with a nature walk afterwards! We planted our own personal grass pods and have been exploring the elements of the earth around us.


  
  
  
  
  
  
  

We are watching our silkworms eat, grow, and spin their silk webs. Story time also provides a great opportunity to talk about caring for the great earth God gave us and what we can do to be responsible for it!


  
  
    

Pollock Paintings Preschool Style

The children in the younger pod learned about Jackson Pollock and his approach in painting. He is an American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionism movement. He was known for his unique style of drip painting and never touching the canvas with the brush.

We used 3 golf balls to create a similar look, and in the end the children had the chance to drip paint for their final touches…
  
  
  

Fun with Gak!!!

The children had an amazing time exploring their senses and honing their motor skills with Gak. This gooey substance is beloved by many children and Room 3 had an awesome time playing with it. Their imaginations inspired the creation of many things! Also, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the children had access to shamrock cookie cutters which allowed them to add a St. Patty’s Day twist to their Gak fun.

Ahhhh a it’s a slug!!!


A gooey heart with room to spare for a shamrock!


WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR HAND?? 
-Gasp- That’s a lot of Gak…

All in all, the children had a blast with the Gak. In the near future, they will be able to incorporate other objects into their Gak play. Here’s a hint, the Gak might not be rock solid, but the objects will be!

April 2016 News and Calendar of Events

Spring has definitely sprung at preschool as all classes are now in the throws of studying about flowers, plants, spring weather, and of course, all things creepy crawly! Several classrooms have bug-filled sensory bins (plastic of course!) and all classrooms will be getting LIVE caterpillars in the very near future! It is an exciting season here.

In the News:

Golf Tournament and Dinner Auction: We hope you will join us at this year’s dinner auction (and golf auction for those who golf!). The auction is a fantastic time to meet other PCS parents, celebrate a great year, find some amazing items to purchase, and of course, give back to the school. Registration forms are available in the office or on RenWeb.

Moonlight Magic: Need care during the auction? Leave the kiddos with us for a SUPER FUN evening of glow-tag, flashlight dance parties, pizza and a movie! We will be open 6-10pm for auction attendees, and 6 -9pm for those going out elsewhere. Of course, we DO hope you will be coming to the auction 😉

Preschool Family Picnic – Save the Date! May 21 (*please note the change of date) – Our year end picnic is fast approaching. This is always a wonderful event where our preschool families gather to celebrate a great year with a picnic lunch, water play, bouncy houses, and more. We hope you will join us! Invitations to follow.

Parking – Thank you for continuing to make drop-offs short and sweet. Time is of essence to all in the morning.

Reenrollment: First, let me thank all of you who submitted your online re-enrollment in such a timely fashion. Over 95% submitted ON TIME! Way to go, parents!!! If you did not submit on time, please note that the deadline was extended until THIS FRIDAY (due to Spring Break) to submit without penalty. We are nearly 100% full for next year, so if you were planning/considering a schedule change, please let Kristin know ASAP as changes are only made if available.

Summer Registration: Summer registration is also going strong. Please be sure to register soon to reserve your child’s space in our dynamic FUN IN THE SUN camp! Register by April 8th to have your camp billed to your account. Register by May 20th to register without a $50 penalty.

Calendar:

April 11 – 15 – WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD!

Monday – Pajama Day; Tuesday – Crazy Hat s; Wednesday – Mismatched Day: Friday  – Bring ONE fruit

THURSDAY is wear your class color day: Room 1=purple, 2=orange, 3=green, 4=red, 5=blue

April 23 – Site Work Day – 9:00am-12:00 pm – LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!

April 29 – Golf/Dinner Auction & Moonlight Magic

May 6 – Open House @ 6:30 – MINIMUM DAY

May 21 –  Preschool Family Picnic

May 3- Memorial Day – School Closed

June 2 – 7:00 – Preschool Promotion Ceremony (rising TK/K students) – invitations to follow

June 3 – Last day of school

June 6 – 10 – School Closed

June 13 – First day of summer camp