Shaping Hearts and Minds for LIfe
Each year, a few members of the PCS Orchestra visit the preschool to put on a short performance and demonstrate their instruments to our little students. Comprised mostly of 5th -7th graders, these talented students captured the attention of our little ones! This event is especially fun for our preschool teachers because many of the orchestra members were our preschool graduates!!
Our little ones have been having a blast in Younger Pod this fall! Check out some highlights from our enrichment patio and outdoor classroom that will LEAF you smiling!
Enrichment Patio Library
Our friends are learning how to handle books! Turning pages with tiny hands is a major fine motor challenge. Book handling, orientation, turning pages one at a time, pointing to pictures and talking about the illustrations develop important early literacy skills.
Writing Center
Our little ones are so creative and love to color, stamp and sticker. Scribbling is so important to build dexterity and begin to understand that marks and lines can represent shapes, letters, objects, and people! We’ve been working with crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels, and chalk! As the year goes on, we’ll continue to progress using other fun materials.
Art
You’ll commonly see art alternate between table art and easel art on the patio. This intentionally engages a different set of muscles. The easel is a fantastic medium for our little ones! It allows them to take a step back and see their creation from a different perspective or physically lean in to their art.
Science and Sensory
At this age, science is sparking curiosity, exploring textures, colors, cause and effect. We are giving our little ones early exposure to a wide array of tools to manipulate and move objects around–tools like safe scissors, tweezers, scoops and measuring cups.
Dramatic Play
Pretend play expands our imagination, language and social skills! We’ve enjoyed home and kitchen, a pet shop, a farmer’s market, western and are currently enjoying a petting zoo.
Building
When we build we’re making connections, exploring cause and effect (filling and dumping), developing spacial awareness and so much more! We love to build!
Gross Motor
Movement is our favorite thing to do at two! We’re putting our muscles to work, practicing skills, developing eye-hand coordination and having fun while we do it! Our October pumpkin toss was a blast. Currently, our little ones are working on coordinating upper body movements with lower body movement via our yarn ball game. Practicing gross motor movements is so important and enables our little ones to perform everyday functions and self-help skills.
Friendship
Everyday, our little ones are practicing how to show love to each others by sharing, taking turns and of course HUGS! They especially like to help each other with their “jobs” (classroom routine tasks).
A Personal Note
It is such a joy getting to spend time with your little ones in younger pod. Their unique personalities and preferences are expressed everyday in our outdoor classroom and on the younger pod enrichment patio. The time I have with them is so special to me because I get to see their faces light up with intrigue and excitement in response to the carefully planned activities that I set-up for them everyday. I can’t adequately express just how much I value each relationship and bond that I get to build with each child. I pray for your family and your little one often!
💕
Ms. Kristen
YP Outdoor Specialist
Happy fall! I hope everyone is enjoying this nice break in the weather! While it isn’t “looking” much like fall, at least the weather is cooperating! Thank you to all parents who joined our parent-teacher conferences. We enjoyed the opportunity to speak with each of you about your little one! We hope this conference helped set the stage for a great year of learning and growing!
Please glance through the following information so you can be ‘in the loop’ about all the fun we are having at school this month! Scroll waaaay down for the calendar of events including closures, holidays, fun events and more!
NOVEMBER CURRICULUM
Our November curriculum will focus on friendship, farm life, harvest, and Thanksgiving. Our older pod will take a BIG field trip to Underwood Farms and of course, we spend time reading the book Stone Soup to prepare for our annual Stone Soup celebration!
CLICK HERE FOR THE MONTHLY SKILLS SHEET!!
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
UPCOMING EVENTS:Â
Underwood Family Farms Field Trip (Rooms 3, 2 & 1) – November 15 – The Older Pod will enjoy a day at Underwood Farms! We will enjoy a hay ride, vegetable show/demonstration, picking vegetables, an animal show and petting zoo! Please remember to complete and return your child’s permission form ASAP!
Day on the ‘Preschool’ Farm (Rooms 4 & 5) – November 15Â – This is an ONSITE event where the Younger Pod enjoy tricycle ‘hayrides’, farm-oriented games and activities, and an animal show!
Stone Soup Days – November 21 & 22 – Please note the change of date! Stone Soup days are an annual tradition where we read the book, “Stone Soup” and then we all participate in cooking a community pot of vegetable soup. As many of our families travel for Thanksgiving, we have changed the dates of this event to November 21 & 22 so that all students can participate in the fun!
Parent Ed Night: Conscious Parenting – December 4th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Childcare (and pizza for the kids!) provided! Join us for this interactive workshop where you will uncover the motivations for your child’s behaviors and how to respond empathetically to them. Presented by Karen Wu.
Grandparents’ Day – December 13 – This special event is for grandparents or grand-friends only! Please make every Our guests of honor will enjoy time classroom activities and a special presentation of Christmas songs.Â
Happy Birthday Jesus Party – December 14 – SAVE THE DATE!!!! –Â This is one of the biggest events of the year…you won’t want to miss it! You will enjoy a presentation of Christmas songs by the children in the PCS auditorium, followed by crafts and games outside on the PCS courts!
NEWS, NOTES & MORE
PCS Observation Days! Looking towards PCS as your school of choice? Sign up for an Observation Day!
NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT 2020-2021: If you have a younger sibling who will be enrolling next school year OR if you have friends interested in our preschool, our applications for 2020-2021 are now open! We love our word of mouth referrals! Note this is only for NEW enrollees…re-enrollment for currently enrolled students will open in February.
PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP (PTF) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Click for: Â MVP OPPORTUNITIES
Click for: MEAL TRAIN – PARK FAMILY (2 MVP HOURS)
TEACHER TREATS:
Thank you for your generous donations! The teachers LOVE their treat days!
October 18 – Parents of Room 2 – AMAZING lunch, thank you!
November 22 – Parents of Room 3
December 6 – Parents of Room 4
January 17 – Parents of Room 5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEACHERS!!!
November 27th – Ms. Pam
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:Â Â Â
October 30 & 31 – Pumpkin & Apple Day parties (see notices in classrooms)
November 9 (Sat) – PCS Fall Festival – All Welcome!
November 11 – Veteran’s Day Observed – School Closed
November 14 – OB Day / PCS Orchestra Visits Preschool
November 15 – Older Pod Field Trip: Underwood Family Farms – Volunteers Needed!
November 21 & 22 – Stone Soup Days (Lunch Provided) **Please note the NEW dates!**
November 27 – 29 – Thanksgiving Break – School Closed
November 25 – 29 – Note: TK-8 & Business Office Closed
December 5 – PCS Observation Day – Tell Your Friends OR View the PCS Kindergarten!
December 7 (Sat) – PCS Christmas Breakfast
December 13 – Grandparents’ Day – Minimum Day, Dismiss at 12:00 p.m.
December 14 (Sat) – Preschool Happy Birthday Jesus Party, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
December 16 & 17 – Preschool PJ & Hot Cocoa Day
December 18 – Minimum Day, Dismiss at 12:00 p.m. – Happy Holidays!’
December 19 – Jan. 4 – Christmas Holidays – School Closed
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We looked at some of Kandinsky’s paintings. I also shared with them that he was credited as the pioneer of abstract art. We then focused on one of his most famous pieces, Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles, and made their own study but removing the distraction of many colors and only using 1 color. This allowed them to focus on arranging the circles across the paper. Enjoy! -Mrs. Monica
The students did such a great job at our annual Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill. At 10:17 am, on 10/17, we sounded the alarms (well…the elementary school did…the preschool simply played the “bunny in the hole” game). After we assumed the duck and cover position, we headed to the parking lot, took role call, and then continued to the PCS Field where the remainder of the drill was conducted.
While the preschoolers enjoyed snacks and a ukulele serenade by Mr. Tim, the older students and PCS staff conducted mock scenarios of injured students being sent to first aid triage station, staff “stuck” in buildings, sidewalk/pathway closures, etc. The Pasadena Fire Department also came by with their truck to ensure we were all “safe” and to evaluate our efforts.
Each year, we refine and improve our processes so that we are as ready as we can be. That said, we will continue to pray that our school is protected with grace and blessings and that we will not ever need to use our skills at school!
We talked about how fruit is grown on a tree and when to harvest the fruit. We also talked about the fruit of the spirit and how those characteristics help us to be a good friend. Each student painted their very own apple tree. 😉
May this fall you go apple picking with your family, it makes for great memories. -Mrs. Monica
Happy fall everyone! While the leaves are still green here in California, fall colors are popping up everywhere in the preschool! Our classrooms and yard are being filled with pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, textures and sizes. The children are enjoying these fall explorations though sensory bins, cooking activities, art, dramatic play centers, and more! We will culminate our fall fun with Apple & Pumpkin Day parties at the end of October and an older pod field trip to the farm in November. While the older pod is away, the younger pod will have their own ‘farm fun’ on site!
OCTOBER CURRICULUM
Fall is one of our most favorite seasons of the year in preschool. From enjoying pumpkins and apples to farm field trips and harvest parties, we love it all! Â This month, we will dive into the wonderful world of autumn and will investigate: leaves changing colors (bring some in if you happen to find some red or yellow ones!), cooler weather, families, and the harvest season. Click the link below to get a preview of the themes, skills and concepts we will be learning this month. As a reminder, 2’s will play with these concepts, 3’s explore and expand, and 4’s begin mastery.Â
CLICK HERE FOR THE MONTHLY SKILLS SHEET!!
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR HOUSEKEEPING:
Classroom Sign-in Logs:Â 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 may 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: Thank you for your continued “Christian” courtesy in our parking lot…especially when it is busy in the mornings. Drive in slowly, park carefully, and watch out for our precious little ones.
NEWS, NOTES & MORE
PCS Observation Days! If you have friends who are interested in enrolling for the 2020-2021 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:Â
Preschool Picture Days – Fall candid/yard photos with Adrea Scheidler Photography will be held October 2 – 4. Teachers will post photo schedules prior to the photography session. Traditional preschool portraits (all students) and “Graduate” photos (rising TK/K) with LifeTouch will be taken in the spring.
Speech Screenings – October 3 –Â Optional speech screenings will be offered on October 3rd for anyone interested. The cost is $30. More details to follow.
Moonlight Magic (CLICK FOR FLYER) – October 11 – 6:00 – 9:00
Moonlight Magic is coming soon! Student will enjoy an evening of PJs, PIZZA and FUN while you enjoy an evening out!
Space is limited! Register ASAP to reserve your space! Elementary siblings may enroll through BYH. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Site Work Day – Saturday, October 12 – DOUBLE MVP Hours for “labor” 1 MVP per donated item! CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! Help us deep clean cubbies, beautify the garden, till the sandbox, haul in our fresh new mulch, and re-organize our preschool library!
Elks Vision Screening – October 17 & 18Â – Elks Vision will be here on September 27 & 28 to conduct FREE vision screenings of our students (donations appreciated!). Permission forms will be available in the front office from October 6 – 10.Â
October 24 – Teacher In-Service Day – No Students
October 25 – Parent Teacher Conferences – No Students – Please note that we require all parents to attend our fall conferences. During this conference, you will receive your child’s first Developmental Profile and will have a chance to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teacher.Â
October 30 & 31 – Pumpkin & Apple Day! This is a day filled with all things fall! From cooking and art activities to pumpkin ring tosses and apple tasting explorations, the children always enjoy this annual event. Please check with your classroom teacher for details.
Stone Soup Days – November 21 & 22 – Please note the change of date! Stone Soup days are an annual tradition where we read the book, “Stone Soup” and then we all participate in cooking a community pot of vegetable soup. As many of our families travel for Thanksgiving, we have changed the dates of this event to November 21 & 22 so that all students can participate in the fun!
PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP (PTF):
A HUGE thank you goes out to all of the wonderful parents who volunteered to serve each classroom. Please be on the lookout for emails from your room parents outlining upcoming events, the classroom Meet and Greet event, and more!
MVP Booklets/Hours: If you did not receive an MVP booklet, please stop by the preschool office. All families are required to complete 10 hours by the end of the school year.Â
TEACHER TREATS:
Our teachers so appreciate these tokens of gratitude! Please watch for emails from your Room Parents regarding your classroom’s Teacher Treat day :-).
September 27 – Parents of Room 1 – THANK YOU! The teachers enjoyed the bagels for breakfast and Baja Fresh lunch! WOW…we were so spoiled!
October 18 – Parents of Room 2
November 22 – Parents of Room 3
December 6 – Parents of Room 4
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Volunteer opportunities are available! CLICK HERE to register for all-school events through signup.com!
SITE WORK DAY is right around the corner. WE require LOTS of help on this day. Parents earn DOUBLE hours for volunteering at the event and single hours for food donations.
Classroom opportunities will be sent out by the Room Parents and/or teachers. Thank you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEACHERS!!!
October 4 – Ms. Sarah (Room 1)
October 4 – Mr. Sam (Substitute)
October 5 – Ms. Daisy (Room 2)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:Â Â Â
October 2 – 4 – Candid Fall Photos by Adrea Scheidler Photography
October 10 – PCS Observation DayÂ
October 11 – Moonlight Magic, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
October 12 (Sat) – Preschool Site Work Day, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
October 17 & 18 – Elks Vision Screenings
October 24 – Preschool Teacher In-Service Day – No Students; TK-8th Min. Day
October 25 – Parent-Teacher Conferences (1st Report) – No Students
October 30 & 31 – Pumpkin & Apple Day parties (see notices in classrooms)
November 2 (Sat) – PCS Fall Festival – All Welcome!
November 11 – Veteran’s Day Observed – School Closed
November 14 – OB Day / PCS Orchestra Visits Preschool
November 15 – Older Pod Field Trip: Underwood Family Farms – Volunteers Needed!
November 21 & 22 – Stone Soup Days (Lunch Provided) **Please note the NEW dates!**
November 27 – 29 – Thanksgiving Break – School Closed
November 25 – 29 – Note: TK-8 & Business Office Closed
December 5 – PCS Observation Day – Tell Your Friends OR View the PCS Kindergarten!
December 7 (Sat) – PCS Christmas Breakfast
December 13 – Grandparents’ Day – Minimum Day, Dismiss at 12:00 p.m.
December 14 (Sat) – Preschool Happy Birthday Jesus Party, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
December 16 & 17 – Preschool PJ & Hot Cocoa Day
December 19 – Minimum Day, Dismiss at 12:00 p.m. – Happy Holidays!
December 20 – Jan. 4 – Christmas Holidays – School Closed
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