Last week, I had the opportunity to facilitate at the Teachers As Decision Makers conference here in Louisville.  This was probably the most engaged, thoughtful, and reflective conference I've ever attended.  Deb Curtis and Margie Carter, specialists in emergent curriculum, led all of the participants through a reflective process of decision-making.  Each day in the classroom, teachers make hundreds of decisions: the placement of materials; what time the next activity will begin; scaffolding a child's inquiry to the next level.   In small groups, teachers began deepening their understanding of the child's perspective in the learning process.  Teachers were given specific ideas on how to sharpen their skills as a researcher guiding their classes through inquiry and discovery.  Because of my role at the conference, I was given the opportunity to meet daily with Deb Curtis and Margie Carter.  This was an invaluable experience that will guide our experiences with young children in our Preschool program for years to come.

The four-year-olds rode a school bus to the Goshen Campus on Tuesday and the excitement was high!  Once off the bus, they visited the JK and Kindergarten classrooms for a story, snack and small group activity.  The children seemed to enjoy the hamster (he was a hit!) and all of the materials in the classrooms.  We ended our trip with a program presented to us by the Kindergarten music teacher, Kim Aberle, and her students.  Several parents were able to attend the meeting with Alexandra, Reed Gabhart, and Jen Griffith, who answered questions about our Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten programs.

Today was our annual Chinese New Year parade and Big Sing.  This is the Year of the Horse and we are happy to ring in the New Year with all of our friends. 

Gung Hey Fat Choy,

Renee

The Teachers and Staff would just like to say...

THANK YOU!

to the families of the Honeybees class for a yummy (and warming!) Teacher Appreciation luncheon.  WE appreciate the support of our parents! 

Alex Gift (this year's very popular Santa) is designing an application that will aid parents who are looking for quality babysitters -- especially for short notice occasions. To assist with this, Alex has posted an online survey, which he invites our Preschool parents to take. This survey is purely voluntary, will take just a few minutes to complete, and can be reached by going here.

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.

East End Surface Blasting 

For the week of February 3 - 8      

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. 

Saturday: Noon 

  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 February is  available for viewing on the St. Francis School website, and you can also view it  here!

Wyvern Pride youth-sized sweatshirts are available for $25. Stop by the Preschool office and order yours TODAY!   

(Many other items available too!) 

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