Elementary Afterschool  News…

Dear Parents,

Our after school activities have begun.  We are offering various classes for Elementary and Pre-Primary children! 

Elementary opportunities include:

Cooking on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 in the Pre-Primary Kitchen with Ms. Elise

Intermediate and Advanced Chess on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:30 in Pre-Primary C

Beginning Chess on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 in Pre-Primary C

Textiles on Wednesdays with Ms. Desi in the Studio from 3:30-5:30

Robotics on Fridays with Mr. Lakshmanan in Pre-Primary C from 3:30-4:30

Art Club on Fridays with Ms. Desi in the Studio from 3:30-5:30.

Pre-Primary children will enjoy Gymnastics presented by Gym America on Tuesdays with Coach Brian in the Gym from 3:30-4:15 (for 3 and 4 year olds) and again from 4:15-5:00 (for 4 and 5 year olds). 

Enrollment forms can be found in the office and turned in to the After School Activities Sign-up box in the office.  We are currently considering more programs and will send along the information as it becomes available. 

Regards,

Katie Cosmi

Elementary After School Coordinator 

 

.0/..0/..0/..0/..0/..0/..0

 

Preprimary Afterschool News…
 

Take a look at us…

November 8, 2007

Thank you to all who have passed along your comments concerning our efforts with your children in our Pre-primary program.  It truly means so much to each one of us.

We’ve completed our first full month within the Pre-primary space and the children have been enjoying themselves immensely.  Whether inside or outside, the children as a community, are strengthening their skills, both those newly taught and those previously learned. 

Our naturally inviting outdoor surroundings, lend themselves to an intrinsic exploration on the part of the children.  That reveals itself in many ways, gathering leaves, looking for worms, watching various animals at the edge of the woods, airplanes above, etc.

Mary Nell read the children a book titled, “How Leaves Change Their Color”, and from that moment on, leaves became the focus outside.  She then created and taught the children an art project, in which, they made their own fall leaf changing its color.  Leaves were then added to the large tree the children painted, which hangs in the front hallway leading up to the Daycare space. 

The children have also been learning new songs, including Ten Horses, The Bubblegum song, and ….  Perhaps your child has begun to share them with you.  If not, ask them to teach them to you.  Children enjoy sharing songs…be part of the fun!

Susie introduced the life and work of artist, Claude Monet.  Working with small groups of children, she then had them do their own watercolor painting.  You can find those displayed on the outside of the Daycare shelves. 

Bryce began to introduce the children to the game, Squirrels and Trees.  This is a group cooperative game, which we will continue to learn and play over the fall and winter months.

Many of you have commented on the coat hooks now available to your child while they are a part of daycare.  Thank you for the positive feedback, we love them also.  For those of you interested, we purchased them at ACE Hardware.  With cooler days upon us, please remember to send your child to school with sufficient outdoor attire daily.  We all know that Michigan weather can change within a matter of a few hours.  We have found that it is hugely helpful if the children ‘store’ their hat, gloves, scarf, etc. inside the sleeves of their coat.  In that way, they are aware of where everything (other than upcoming snow pants/boots) is throughout the course of their day.

A few reminders:

• It is imperative that your child shakes hands with a Pre-primary Daycare staff person before leaving the playground or Daycare space.
• Just as in the Montessori classroom, children are expected to put their work away before heading home for the day.

Are you wondering what November Pre-primary Daycare has in store for your child? Hmm…other than the best possible childcare we have to offer, you’ll just have to wait and see.  You can rest assured that we look forward to another month of fun and growth with each and every child.

Again, on behalf of the Pre-primary Daycare staff, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to share words of encouragement – they mean so much.  We could not do all that we are doing without your consistent support of our efforts.

Until next month,

Laura Bengel

 

Archives

October 10, 2007

 

By now, you’re all aware of the change in location of the Daycare space.  Go Like the Wind’s growth has prompted the need for the space change.  So, in reviewing our options, we went straight for the ‘big room’ and the obvious amount of open space.  We’ve created, what we think is both an aesthetically pleasing space, as well as, an effectively functioning space for the children.

 

We’re carrying over general Montessori practices of the pre-primary classrooms within Daycare, which provides the children with greater continuity in their day at Go Like the Wind.  For example, the children work on rugs or tables, handle work/materials with respect, and so on.

 

How fortunate we are to have returning staff to the program, along with the addition of new staff.  Each staff person works in conjunction with Montessori principles and their own personal strengths as well.  The Pre-primary staff includes:  Bryce Anderson, Meg Benedetto,  Desiree Finch, Myesha Fitch, Susan Gransden, and Mary Nell Boyett-Turrill.

 

So…what’s been added to your child’s Daycare experience?  We have a great sampling of various works.  Represented are activities from Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Art, Gross Motor, and Imaginative Play.  These activities are always available to the children and are changed by staff with regularity.  Beyond that we’ve added components above and beyond. Let’s take a look…

 

We’ll be introducing a new game each month.  This will involve various basic gross motor skills and cooperative play.  Our first introduction will be to the game of ‘Squirrels and Trees’ during the month of October.  Be sure to ask your child how to play.  It might become a weekend favorite at home.

 

Next, we’ll introduce a monthly art project based on Art History.   The children will hear the story of the artist’s life and create their own interpretation of the artist’s work.  Imagine no longer needing to purchase art prints for your home.  I wonder…who will be the next Monet or O’Keefe.

 

Finally, we’ll introduce stories to the children and will, in addition, create story stretchers for the children to take part in.  This will take on many forms, including art projects, flannel board extensions, songs, fingerplays and so on.    We hope to help the children foster a love of good stories/literature and simultaneously, strengthen their overall language skills.   

 

So…Daycare has changed its look and activities.  Just the other day a dad commented on the fact that he feels guilty that his child is with us for so long each day.  Every few days, the guilt catches up with him, and he races to pick his child up earlier than normal.  But to his surprise, she doesn’t want to leave when he arrives early.  She’s enjoying her time and he has to insist she come home.  We’d love to have your child take part in all of the activities we have to offer.  Consider trying us on for size.

 

On behalf of the Pre-primary Daycare staff, I’d like to thank you for your support of our new location and activities.