Welcome Drake Wallington to the 3-day Threes Bear Cubs and Ricky Duncan, Jr.  to the 5-day Fours Dolphins classes! 

In mid-November, Karen Hopkins, Ashley Stewart and I attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children's annual conference in Washington, D.C. One of the reasons we love this particular conference is because all workshops are developed specifically with Preschoolers in mind. There were three themes that we noticed right away at this year's conference; outdoor education and outdoor play environments, music and movement education, and reflection on children's work.

We attended several great workshops on incorporating gardening in our classrooms.  One that we found very inspiring was presented by Shelbourne Farms and the Sustainability Academy in Vermont. We loved how they work together to support the children in learning about foods and farm animals in ways that are meaningful to the children. With the move to the Goshen Campus next year, we are excited to offer gardening areas to our classrooms, along with visits to the new chicken and duck coops. These hands-on science experiments and investigations will be welcomed additions to the curriculum.

Another important workshop that we attended was presented by two educators from Reggio Emilia, Italy - Amelia Gambetti and Lella Gandini. The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education respects and supports the relationships that children share with their environment; families, peers, teachers, classrooms, and neighborhoods. Gambetti and Gandini shared two video vignettes with us, "Shadow Stories" and "The Wonder of Learning". Our wheels are already turning on how we can implement a few of these ideas in our classrooms to further enhance our environments. Because we believe in the value of project-based work for Preschoolers, we are excited about the possibilities for your children.

Holiday Helping Hands  

Wow, the holidays are fast approaching! We just want to remind all our families that the deadline for gift donations to the Holiday Helping Hands is this Wednesday, December 11th.  When you label your gifts please use 

the following example as a guide:

 Family (4)

To: (Child's Name)

From: (Class Name, e.g. "The Shining Stars")

_______________

 Holiday Wish Fund

Looking for the perfect gift for your child's teacher? Look no further!  The Parent Association Holiday Wish Fund is the perfect gift. Families simply send in or go online (see directions below) and make a contribution to the fund. The fund is then split between all of the teachers and staff and a gift card is purchased to an establishment of each teacher's and staff member's choosing.

The Holiday Wish Fund was created to relieve some of the stress of shopping, wrapping and distributing multiple gifts. Also, it is an opportunity to make sure that all of the teachers and staff are recognized for their important contributions to St. Francis. Too often someone is inadvertently overlooked for the important role they play in our children's lives. This program is designed so that everyone receives a "thank you".

Participation in the Holiday Wish Fund is completely voluntary. If your family prefers to give individual teacher/staff gifts instead of contributing to the Holiday Wish Fund or if you decide to do both, that is fine.

If you are interested in contributing to the Holiday Wish Fund, here is how it works:

• Between now and December 9, contributions will be accepted in any amount on a confidential basis by Anne Farra and Andi Hibbard. They will be the only ones to receive donations either by mail or drop off in the collection box marked "Holiday Wish Fund" in the school office. Or if you prefer, please go online to the St. Francis website, http://stfrancisschool.org/giving-back/annual-fund/, click on "Donate" at the bottom of the page, and in the description field note "Holiday Wish Fund - Preschool".

   

  If you have any questions, please email Andi Hibbard, amhaller2000@gmail.com, or Anne Farra, annefarra@gmail.com.

   

  Thank you!

  Andi & Anne

 

Soccer will be starting up again in the new year!  This winter's program will take place on Wednesdays (beginning January 8th and running through March 5th -- 8 weeks), and will be for our three-year-old students only.

Soccer players will eat lunch at noon, and will go to soccer from 12:35 p.m. until 1:05 p.m.  If your child doesn't stay for Extended Day, you will need to park and come into the school to sign out your child(ren).

To register, please visit the the 4 Kicks for Kidz website.  Information will be coming home in backpacks next week.

Please note that there will be no class on Wednesday, February 19.

Guest Musicians

By Miss Cindy

Cindy and Jeff Ross (grandparents    

of Honeybee Madeleine), traveled all the way from Pennsylvania to spend the holiday with family -- and to visit our music classes on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  We sang, clapped, stomped (to a rousing version of The Lumineers song "Ho, Hey"), and danced to their wonderful sounds.  Cindy and Jeff traded off playing guitar and bass on several songs while Cindy delighted the children with the lovely sounds of the mandolin and an original composition titled "Don't You Cry."  

Jeff even introduced the children to some upbeat improvisation on the flute!   They have performed professionally for many years, both together as "JD and Cindy Ross" and with other bands such as "The Birdhouse Cooks" and "Nixon Pit Crew" .  Fun was had by all!  You may follow the music of Cindy and Jeff at http://thebirdhousecooks.com/  

 New Wyvern Swag Items Available!

Wyvern Pride T-shirts, Sweatshirts, and Blankets -- Stop by the Preschool office and order yours NOW! 

If you need to reach us here at the Preschool, you can call our main line at 694-9370. You can also call 228-0165 and press #8 to reach Renee directly.

Subs

If you or someone you know is able to sub occasionally, please contact the Preschool office.  

East End Blasting 

For the week of December 9 - 13 

Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.   

Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. 

Thursday: 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Friday: 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

At around these times each day, traffic will be stopped on U.S. 42 and the entrance/exit to the Snyder Freeway for anywhere from five to 20 minutes.  

2013 - 14 Calendar  

The Snack Calendar for the month of December is  available  for viewing on the St. Francis School website, and you can also view it  here!

Wyvern Items are available at our Harrods Creek campus.  Get yours today!

The Lost & Found is conveniently located in the entrance foyer -- underneath the Sign-In Table (should you ever need it).