October is here! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. With the beginning of fall comes some fun things and lots of changes at school and at home. Our study topic at this time is trees and unfortunately we have a lack of trees in the play yard but my goal is to find some fun tree related items for us to play with outside.
Another thing that has changed is the weather. Its been a bit windy and chilly some mornings and this is the time of year when we need to start making some changes in the morning routine to include jackets in our wardrobe. When my daughter was a student we would send her to school each day rather she wanted it or not with a jacket either worn on her body or in her backpack. I would suggest you try to do the same. The weather can be a bit unpredictable at times and some days it's warm and sunny when you leave home but chilly and windy at school. Unless the winds are just way too high to manage or its below freezing we play outside every day and its best to be prepared. Also we will continue to have outdoor gooey and water bins. The same goes for parents working in the classrooms you never know when you may end up with an outdoor board. Also now is a good time to check your child's spare clothing inside the backpack to make sure its weather appropriate. We try our best to make sure everyone takes in their jackets or sweaters when they go in but sometimes I miss one or two please try to put your child's name or initials on their jackets.
This week October 7th-11th is fire safety week. We will have our monthly fire drill and play some fun stop drop and roll games outside. I will also start making use of our larger sensory bins for some messy sensory items and fun.
Our annual jubilee is Friday October 11th it will be a fun night with carnival style games, foods and fun. We look forward to seeing everyone. Breakfast with Ms. Tiffany is this week and that's your chance to sign up for work days in November, December and maybe January if I am correct. Remember if you don't sign up your work days will be assigned to you. Our first maintenance day is on October 12th and a big thank you in advance to those working I know there are a lot of various outdoor tasks to be done and I appreciate your time and efforts. October 30th and 31st are our in class harvest parties. I can't wait to see everyone dressed up this year our theme is zoo phonics characters! I bet you all can guess who I will be :) for a list of zoo phonics characters you can ask your child or any teacher we know all of our zoo phonics friends very well.
If you see the teachers walking around with ipad's and taking lots of pictures and sound clips don't be alarmed we are now using a new portfolio system that uses the ipad's as a means of getting developmental milestones and making a comprehensive portfolio of your child's time with us at IPS. I have to say I am pretty excited to be learning this system and putting it to its full use and intention soon.
I have a few requests for some up coming projects I am looking for toilet paper and paper towel cardboard rolls, and I would love to borrow a soccer goal for a week (the portable kind like they use at AYSO if you have one) I am also in need of some more hot wheels or matchbox cars (they seem to be getting taken home or buried deep in the sand) if you have an older child who has moved on from hot wheels ask them if they would be interested in donating them to the preschool I know they will get a lot of use!
Have a great week everyone and I can't wait to see you at school!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Update
Hello IPS families! I wanted to give you all little update on what's happening with me and how surgery went. The surgery went well and they actually found less than they had expected! They removed what needed to be removed and thank God it was not cancer! I came home the same day and my recovery has gone faster that we had initially anticipated. I am released to return to work next week. We are working on a plan for me to be re-integrated into the school with all of our kids and families new and old. I am super excited to get back to school and do what I love.
I want to thank all the families who brought us delicious dinners while I was healing. It was a big help to not have to worry about what was for dinner and who would cook it for 2 weeks! It was a great blessing. That is one great thing about being a part of a co-op not only are we helping each other at school but we help each other in life. It's like being a part of a second family and IPS is my preschool family.
Also thank you to everyone who said a prayer, sent a Facebook message or post, sent a text or any other support. Its very meaningful to know you thought about me. Also my fellow teachers who all prayed for me before I left and while I was gone, and continued to check on me while I was home.
I also want to send a big thank you Ms. Tamara who filled in for me. She did an amazing job of setting up outside, making lesson plans, cleaning the yard and integrating the new areas of the playground. I know being outside all day and working in the heat is not easy and the outdoor teacher position is not a traditional classroom setting and she has stepped in and done an amazing job in my absence. I couldn't have asked for a better substitute teacher.
I will be seeing you all very soon and meeting our new families in person very soon.
I want to thank all the families who brought us delicious dinners while I was healing. It was a big help to not have to worry about what was for dinner and who would cook it for 2 weeks! It was a great blessing. That is one great thing about being a part of a co-op not only are we helping each other at school but we help each other in life. It's like being a part of a second family and IPS is my preschool family.
Also thank you to everyone who said a prayer, sent a Facebook message or post, sent a text or any other support. Its very meaningful to know you thought about me. Also my fellow teachers who all prayed for me before I left and while I was gone, and continued to check on me while I was home.
I also want to send a big thank you Ms. Tamara who filled in for me. She did an amazing job of setting up outside, making lesson plans, cleaning the yard and integrating the new areas of the playground. I know being outside all day and working in the heat is not easy and the outdoor teacher position is not a traditional classroom setting and she has stepped in and done an amazing job in my absence. I couldn't have asked for a better substitute teacher.
I will be seeing you all very soon and meeting our new families in person very soon.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Not so good news
I have some not so good news to report to everyone. While it has been great to see everyone I have to tell you I will not be in school the first 4-8 weeks. During summer vacation after my tonsillectomy I had some pain and went to see the doctor. After an ultrasound and some blood tests they found I have a growth between the size of a lime and a small orange on my ovary. I have to have surgery to remove the ovary, and a possible hysterectomy.
While I am gone outside will still be open and there will be a short term sub working for me. I have plans to visit as many times as I can while recovering, that way I can meet the new children so that when I come back I am not a total stranger. I can also see the returning students and families as well. I will also be writing all the lesson plans and helping to set up for the first weeks of school. I will also remain available through email, blogger and Facebook.
I know that God has a plan for what's going on. I am hoping its a quick and easy process and I'll be back in 4 weeks ready to go and play (which I miss so much) I will miss everyone and I will be thinking about IPS while I am out.
While I am gone outside will still be open and there will be a short term sub working for me. I have plans to visit as many times as I can while recovering, that way I can meet the new children so that when I come back I am not a total stranger. I can also see the returning students and families as well. I will also be writing all the lesson plans and helping to set up for the first weeks of school. I will also remain available through email, blogger and Facebook.
I know that God has a plan for what's going on. I am hoping its a quick and easy process and I'll be back in 4 weeks ready to go and play (which I miss so much) I will miss everyone and I will be thinking about IPS while I am out.
Monday, August 5, 2013
The first days of school.
It has been great meeting all of our new students and parents joining our school this year I hope your enjoying getting to meet everyone, and getting familiar with our school. As for our returning families it was great seeing you again and seeing how much the kids have grown over the summer.
Just wanted to give you an idea of what the outside will be like as you start off the school year. We play outside every day unless its pouring rain! With that said when school starts its usually pretty hot so please send your child in clothes that will keep them comfortable. Also sunscreen, we are not able to put sunscreen on your child so please put it on them before you get to school in the morning. When its hot we usually have water play, it may be in a sensory bin, it may be a hose run in the sand box or a water game. Please make sure your child has an extra pair of clothing in their backpack if they get too wet to stay in them. I would also suggest that shoes be easy for your child to take on and off, we allow the children to play outside barefoot (except on the bikes of course.) It would help the teacher and parent helpers if you could mark their shoes and socks with initials or their first name. The same goes for jackets in the winter time. We do encourage the kids to drink plenty of water and watch to see if anyone is getting too hot and we help those that need reminders.
The children also come outside for snack time so please make sure we know about any special dietary needs, food allergies, and such before school starts. We do post a list of these needs in the kitchen and a copy is outside as well. I am very well aware and watch very carefully the students with allergies and sensitivities my daughter has a dairy protein, casein, and lactose sensitivity so I completely understand.
When you arrive on your child's first day of school I know it can be a bit emotional rather its your first child or last some of us get a bit teary. I know it can be tough but fight back those tears it makes the kids a bit nervous to see a parent cry. I usually hold it in then have a good cry in my car afterward. Show your child that you are confident in them and in the school that you chose.
Before school starts its a good idea to set up a morning routine, kids like structure and knowing what comes next gives them a sense of security. Let them know a few days before what the first day of school will look like if your child is a visual learner maybe make a sheet with pictures. In my house we have a picture and time for both of my children since I have one that can read a clock. Ours is pretty simple wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth, grab backpacks, go to school. It has helped my house run pretty smoothly in the mornings, also having backpacks, lunches, and clothes picked out and ready makes the morning run smooth.
For the end of the day try and let your child know who is picking them up, and as we tell them parents always come back. Check their cubby daily we send home notes, artwork, book orders and all in the cubby. When you get home ask them about their day. Its always fun to get their take on how the day was and they are very proud of any art, writing or thing they have made. Even if they didn't have anything to bring home and show you I promise they learned a lot! And they will have something to say.
If you ever have a question about the things we do, why we do them and how please feel free to ask any teacher any time. We have spent a lot of time studying child development, and working with children and we love to share what we know. We also have all the recipes for any of the things we make at school like slime, oobleck, and play dough. We also take suggestions. No one knows your child better than you do so any thing you can tell us is always helpful.
I hope you and your child are as excited for preschool as we are to have you with us this year.
Just wanted to give you an idea of what the outside will be like as you start off the school year. We play outside every day unless its pouring rain! With that said when school starts its usually pretty hot so please send your child in clothes that will keep them comfortable. Also sunscreen, we are not able to put sunscreen on your child so please put it on them before you get to school in the morning. When its hot we usually have water play, it may be in a sensory bin, it may be a hose run in the sand box or a water game. Please make sure your child has an extra pair of clothing in their backpack if they get too wet to stay in them. I would also suggest that shoes be easy for your child to take on and off, we allow the children to play outside barefoot (except on the bikes of course.) It would help the teacher and parent helpers if you could mark their shoes and socks with initials or their first name. The same goes for jackets in the winter time. We do encourage the kids to drink plenty of water and watch to see if anyone is getting too hot and we help those that need reminders.
The children also come outside for snack time so please make sure we know about any special dietary needs, food allergies, and such before school starts. We do post a list of these needs in the kitchen and a copy is outside as well. I am very well aware and watch very carefully the students with allergies and sensitivities my daughter has a dairy protein, casein, and lactose sensitivity so I completely understand.
When you arrive on your child's first day of school I know it can be a bit emotional rather its your first child or last some of us get a bit teary. I know it can be tough but fight back those tears it makes the kids a bit nervous to see a parent cry. I usually hold it in then have a good cry in my car afterward. Show your child that you are confident in them and in the school that you chose.
Before school starts its a good idea to set up a morning routine, kids like structure and knowing what comes next gives them a sense of security. Let them know a few days before what the first day of school will look like if your child is a visual learner maybe make a sheet with pictures. In my house we have a picture and time for both of my children since I have one that can read a clock. Ours is pretty simple wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth, grab backpacks, go to school. It has helped my house run pretty smoothly in the mornings, also having backpacks, lunches, and clothes picked out and ready makes the morning run smooth.
For the end of the day try and let your child know who is picking them up, and as we tell them parents always come back. Check their cubby daily we send home notes, artwork, book orders and all in the cubby. When you get home ask them about their day. Its always fun to get their take on how the day was and they are very proud of any art, writing or thing they have made. Even if they didn't have anything to bring home and show you I promise they learned a lot! And they will have something to say.
If you ever have a question about the things we do, why we do them and how please feel free to ask any teacher any time. We have spent a lot of time studying child development, and working with children and we love to share what we know. We also have all the recipes for any of the things we make at school like slime, oobleck, and play dough. We also take suggestions. No one knows your child better than you do so any thing you can tell us is always helpful.
I hope you and your child are as excited for preschool as we are to have you with us this year.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
New School Year
Wow time flies when your busy. I can't believe the 2013-2014 school year is about to start, and I am about to start my second year as the outdoor teacher at Inland Preschool. For those of you who are new to our preschool welcome! I can't wait to meet you and your family. For those of you returning I can't wait to see you and hear all about your summer.
For new families let me give you a brief introduction. My name is Ms. Charlee and I am 33 years old, I have been married to my husband Bradley for almost 11 years and together we have 2 children and one very spoiled dog. I graduated from MSJC in 2005 with 2 Associate degrees one in Sociology and the other in Humanities, with a concentration on Early Childhood Education. I was a stay at home mom for 6 years when I first came to Inland Preschool as a parent helper in 2011. Shortly after joining as a parent I knew I wanted to work at IPS and finished up my parent work hours and worked as a parent sub until I was offered a job as a part time teacher's aide and substitute teacher in 2012. In the fall of 2012 I was offered to become the outdoor teacher in a unique position at IPS which I took without hesitation. Today I work at IPS, I take care of my 2 children Breven(8) and Aubree(5) and all the after school and extra curricular activities, I cycle, knit, read and work at the local Jazzercise 2 nights a week. I also teach early childhood classes at my church on Sunday's as well.
As I said earlier my job is a unique position. I mean how many schools do you know that treat outdoors as a classroom and as an important part of education not just a place to have recess? And that's how I see it the outdoors are not just a great place to have fun but a great place to learn and explore all areas of learning in a different environment. How cool is it to read a book out in the grass? How fun is it to kick a ball in an open field? How exciting is it to explore science as you hunt for bugs in a garden? How interesting is it to explore how many cups are in a gallon with a tub of water and a measuring cup with no worries about what's spilled? And that's just some examples of what we do outside. Our unique approach to play based curriculum allows the children to explore all areas of learning in the environment that they enjoy most be it in the traditional classroom setting or in the back yard of our preschool.
I have taken to calling the outdoor space the back yard because it sounds fun! In spring of last year our back yard was expanded to include a very large grass space that was needed and very much appreciated by myself, the staff and the children of IPS just having more room to run was an amazing blessing that our school was able to get thanks to some very hard working parents and board members. Now that we have had that space for some time now it's time to use it to its fullest potential and that is my plan for this school year. To put more activities to stimulate learning outside for everyone to enjoy. There are also some plans to renovate and make some changes to some of the existing areas of the back yard as well. So come back to my blog to see what's new and what's next taking place in the back yard.
August 2nd is our meet and greet day I can't wait to meet all the new students and see all our returning students its been a long summer and I have missed all the kids. Enjoy the last day's of summer break and I hope to see everyone soon!
For new families let me give you a brief introduction. My name is Ms. Charlee and I am 33 years old, I have been married to my husband Bradley for almost 11 years and together we have 2 children and one very spoiled dog. I graduated from MSJC in 2005 with 2 Associate degrees one in Sociology and the other in Humanities, with a concentration on Early Childhood Education. I was a stay at home mom for 6 years when I first came to Inland Preschool as a parent helper in 2011. Shortly after joining as a parent I knew I wanted to work at IPS and finished up my parent work hours and worked as a parent sub until I was offered a job as a part time teacher's aide and substitute teacher in 2012. In the fall of 2012 I was offered to become the outdoor teacher in a unique position at IPS which I took without hesitation. Today I work at IPS, I take care of my 2 children Breven(8) and Aubree(5) and all the after school and extra curricular activities, I cycle, knit, read and work at the local Jazzercise 2 nights a week. I also teach early childhood classes at my church on Sunday's as well.
As I said earlier my job is a unique position. I mean how many schools do you know that treat outdoors as a classroom and as an important part of education not just a place to have recess? And that's how I see it the outdoors are not just a great place to have fun but a great place to learn and explore all areas of learning in a different environment. How cool is it to read a book out in the grass? How fun is it to kick a ball in an open field? How exciting is it to explore science as you hunt for bugs in a garden? How interesting is it to explore how many cups are in a gallon with a tub of water and a measuring cup with no worries about what's spilled? And that's just some examples of what we do outside. Our unique approach to play based curriculum allows the children to explore all areas of learning in the environment that they enjoy most be it in the traditional classroom setting or in the back yard of our preschool.
I have taken to calling the outdoor space the back yard because it sounds fun! In spring of last year our back yard was expanded to include a very large grass space that was needed and very much appreciated by myself, the staff and the children of IPS just having more room to run was an amazing blessing that our school was able to get thanks to some very hard working parents and board members. Now that we have had that space for some time now it's time to use it to its fullest potential and that is my plan for this school year. To put more activities to stimulate learning outside for everyone to enjoy. There are also some plans to renovate and make some changes to some of the existing areas of the back yard as well. So come back to my blog to see what's new and what's next taking place in the back yard.
August 2nd is our meet and greet day I can't wait to meet all the new students and see all our returning students its been a long summer and I have missed all the kids. Enjoy the last day's of summer break and I hope to see everyone soon!
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