Fall Fun in the Classroom

Our families are settling into their new school year routines, and in the classroom we are exploring the sights, sounds, and textures of fall. Learning our friend's names, increasing our attention spans, and focusing on fine motor skills are all part of the daily learning activities. Apples have been cut, sauced and even made into pies!
In Ms. Mary's class at Evergreen, we are playing with barn yard animals. At home, you can talk to your children about the different animals that Old MacDonald would have had- perhaps you even have a few of these animals about your estate too? What sounds do animals make, and what are the sounds of the letters that make up their names... these are topical conversations that will allow you and your children to spark your imagination, engage each other, and of course, learn through play.
In Ms. Kim's classroom at Vaughn, there are a lot of friendships forming, which is a lot fun to witness. These social interactions are providing opportunities for some of the older or more school- experienced children to step into positive leadership roles, providing support for their peers and helping the parent volunteers to "know the ropes." Isn't it wonderful to see our kids growing into more mature versions of who they start the year being?
If you ordered one of our amazing logo tee shirts at the beginning of the year, don't forget to wear them to school, or just out on the town. It's a great way to start a conversation about how much you love your children (and their school)! Membership is currently full, but we do have a waiting list and another school year on the horizon. Inquires can be directed to Meg C./Vaughn
Our fall fundraiser launched last week and features PartyLite jar candles in two sizes. 40% of the cost goes to our school - wow! These are high quality, made in the USA candles, and come in a variety of scents and colors. Next time the power goes out, you'll be glad to have those magical GloLites in the house! Orders will be collected November 20th 2015, checks should be made payable to KPCP. Inquires can be directed to Anna B./Evergreen
Going into the colder days, please remember that children should be sent to school with appropriate clothing, as well as a change of clothes for emergencies. Often times we are playing outside despite a slight drizzle, and it's no fun sitting in wet pants for the duration of class. Parents who are volunteering in the classroom should also be dressed appropriately for the season.
Our next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 30th at 6:30 pm. We usually meet in the resource room of the Key Center library. All are welcome! Meeting minutes can be found in the classroom each month if you are interested. We are starting to gather support for our Annual Trike-A-Thon; mark your calendar for the morning of the second Saturday of March. If you're interested in being a part of this event, please let your class reps know.

 Thank you for sharing your children with us!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! There are some important dates coming up.

August 29th, Saturday, Paperwork In the Park, Drop in between 10 - 12. At Home Park, drop off completed enrollment paperwork while the kids play, meet the teachers and other parents! All required forms can be found on our website: http://www.keypeninsulapreschool.org/enrollment-forms/

September 8th, Tuesday, Parent Orientation, 6pm
Mandatory attendance by at least one parent/care provider. No children at the meeting please. Will be at the Civic Center.

September 9th, Wednesday, Parent Training VAUGHN, 10am or 6pm. Mandatory for any person volunteering in the classroom. No children at this meeting.

September 14th, Monday, Parent Training EVERGREEN, 2pm
Mandatory for any person volunteering in the classroom. No children at this meeting.

First day/Slow Starts:
Vaughn: either Monday September 14th or Tuesday September 15th, 9am
Evergreen: Tuesday September 15th, 2pm

Final Teacher Updates for the 2014/2015 year

Final thoughts from our teachers for the school year:

From Teacher Mary, Evergreen:

First off I want to thank you for the wonderful year that I have had.  It has been a joy to work with your children. I am so happy that many of them are returning and I will be excited to see the ones that are off to kindergarten.

Our last day of school is the 10th of June, we will be meeting at the home park for a last day celebration.

For the Month of June we will be studying Sea Life ,their are many wonderful books that are going to be read and many fun activities to go with this unit.

Once again thank you for sharing you children with me.

Miss Mary



From Teacher Kim, Vaughn:

Kindergarten Days – Prepare your child for school J

It can’t be said enough,…on a daily basis you are your child’s first and best teacher.  Every day you help your child increase vocabulary, learn social skills, improve abilities to problem solve, write read and so much more.  Here are a few additional tips – things to add to your daily routine to increase your child’s ability to be successful in school.

Limit Screen Time ~ The period of 3 years to 5 years old is an important period in the brain’s development of cognition (thinking skills) and language development.  Providing a balance between screen time and imaginary play will allow your child to develop mental visualization skills and to daydream, both of which are cornerstones of good reading skills.  Consider the challenge of reading a book or tying to study if you can’t visualize, or picture in your mind what you are reading!

Read to your child daily ~ Be a good role model for your child.  Read for yourself as well as with your child.  Remember, your child wants to be just like you J

Visit the Library on a regular basis ~ This is a great family activity that does not have a high price tag.  Allow your child to select and check out books on a regular basis – even special order books of personal interest!  Using the library teaches responsibility, time management, how to wait for and anticipate an event, and with guidance, helps with impulsivity.

We would also love to see you attend our READY! For Kindergarten classes.  Please see Teacher Kim if you are interested, I can get you the information you need to sign up for a class!

Thank you all so much for this amazing year!  I have enjoyed getting to know your children and you very much!  Thank you for allowing me this time with your child! 

Take Good Care,

Teacher Kim

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!!

An End of the Year Note from Carol Gulczynski

Dear Parents,

As the school year draws to a close, I am looking back and seeing what a successful year this has been. Our two proficient and experienced teachers, Kim and Mary, have as in past years provided enriching and developmentally appropriate classroom programs for your children. Sometimes with all the media noise about high stakes testing and academics, it is hard to figure out what is the best educational approach to teaching our young children. Yet through current brain research and other reliable sources we know that young children learn best through warm interactions with caring adults, active hands-on experiences, and an appropriate balance between child-directed and teacher-directed activities. These things Mary and Kim provide in abundance. Lucky parents, lucky children.     

This year has also produced a highly successful fundraising season punctuated by an especially profitable and fun trike-a-thon. Although some of you may not understand the need for fundraising, it is necessary to keep the price of tuition affordable. Fundraising also allows the co-op to provide scholarships for families that need financial help. 

During this year you benefited from some terrific parenting education opportunities including the addition of online articles. You parents did your job by working in the classroom and serving on the board or on committees. Some of you went above and beyond by helping the teachers and the school in extra ways. Key Peninsula Co-op has traditionally been able to depend on strong leadership from both its teachers and its board with a strong commitment from its members. This year was no exception.

 

To those of you who are “graduating” from preschool this year, I would like to wish you well and thank you for all your contributions to the co-op. I would also be willing to predict that as you move on your journey through parenthood, you will realize many times how helpful and enriching your days in co-op were. I would also like to encourage you to stay active in your child’s education. It is one of the best investments you can make.

I want to thank those of you who are continuing with the co-op. I know that we can look forward to another special school year.

Thanks!

Carol

Scholastic CLEARANCE Book Fair at Bates

Scholastic CLEARANCE Book Fair

Thursday, April 30 - Saturday, May 2, Bates South Campus Building E
The Bates Marketing Club has teamed up with Scholastic Book Fairs to coordinate and manage a Scholastic Customer Appreciation Sale in Tacoma at South Campus, 2201 S. 78th Street in Tacoma.

Find great prices on books and other merchandise, and fascinate your kids with a variety of fun activities. We would like to invite you to join us and encourage you to ask family members, colleagues and friends to come to the sale also!

Event details:

• All books and merchandise 50-80% off the full retail price
• Clifford the Big Red Dog will be there to meet and greet children
• Games and prizes for children
• Event schedule and location: Bates Technical College South Campus, Building E, 2201 South 78th St., Tacoma:

- Thursday, April 30: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (stay for the Brain Series, 7-9 p.m., www.bates.ctc.edu/BrainSeries)
- Friday, May 1: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 2: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.      

Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Story time with Clifford!

Games & Prizes!      

Questions? Contact Kathy Brock at kbrock@bates.ctc.edu or 253.680.7376. Thank you in advance for your support.

We hope to see you at the sale!

April 30th, Children & Screen Media Presentation

18th Annual Brain Series

Children and screen media: Best practices for exposing media to kids
Thursday, April 30, 2015, 7-9 p.m., Free, South Campus Auditorium, 2201 S. 78^th Street, Tacoma   
We've all seen children navigate an iPad or tablet with ease. And, with more children learning to handle electronic devices at an increasingly younger age, it's important for caregivers and parents to help guide children's media experiences.
Dr. Sarah Roseberry Lytle, director of outreach and education at the University of Washington Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, discusses the topic in a presentation surrounding screen media use among young children. Focusing on how, when and what preschool-age children learn from screens, she'll offer resources and guidelines to help you make decisions about screen use. 
About Dr. Sarah Roseberry Lytle
Dr. Roseberry Lytle is Director of the Outreach and Education division at the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. As part of the I-LABS Outreach division, Roseberry Lytle's research focuses on the role of social interactions in infants' and toddlers' language learning, and how social cues might help toddlers learn from screen. 

Trike-a-Thon Update and A Few Words from Teach Kim

 

Hello Preschool Families,

As the end of the school year is getting closer, I would like to thank all of you for your participation in fundraising. It has been another very successful year and our Trike a Thon certainly showed that. Thank you again to our Grand Prize Winners and Top Winners from each class. Thank You to the families who helped with raffle contributions as well. Together with a generous donation from Kohls we raised over $7000.00!!! I hope everyone has a fantastic Spring Break!

It couldn't be done without all of you,
Amanda Warfield
Fundraising Chair

Dear Preschool  Families!!

Hard as it is to believe, our students will soon be starting kindergarten.  We have spent this 
preschool year to prepare our students and their wonderful parents for kindergarten - but, please

 always remember that on a daily basis, you are your child's first and most important teacher!
As your child's most important teacher, simply responding with love and respect teaches 
them valuable social skills.  The examples you set in all areas of daily life are very important - the 

way you speak and the vocabulary you use, your healthy habits versus not so healthy 

habits....everything you do sends an instructional message to your child!  Having shared this fact, 
it is also important to remember no one is perfect.  If you slip up, or are working on 

self-improvement, discuss it with your child at an age-appropriate level --- explain that everyone

 makes mistakes, and teach them the importance of learning from mistakes and trying not to 
repeat them. Another way to be a good role model for your child is to
read to them daily for at least 20  minutes.  Read for yourself as well as with your child. 

Remember, your child wants to be just like you!!
Thank you so much for sharing your children with me this year!  I feel so 
honored that I have been able to spend this time with them!!
Teacher Kim
 
 
Kim George
ECEAP/Co-op Preschool Teacher
530-476

Is your child ready for Kindergaten? Prepare for success!

 

 Be ready when the bus comes the first day of school!

Prepare your child for success in kindergarten by enrolling in these free classes hosted by Peninsula School District. There will be free books and toys, plus free child care!

Sign up today by calling 253-530-1083 or register online at: www.readyforkindergaten.org/peninsulasd

Space is limited - Sign up today!

Current Class Schedule

May 2015
May05	4:00 PM Evergreen Elementary School 1820 Key Peninsula Highway South, Lakebay, WA
May07	4:00 PM Minter Creek Elementary School 12617 118th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA
May09	10:00 AM Vaughn Elementary School 17521 Hall Road, KPN, Vaughn, WA

June 2015
June23	4:00 PM Evergreen Elementary School 1820 Key Peninsula Highway South, Lakebay, WA
June25	4:00 PM Minter Creek Elementary School 12617 118th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA
June27	10:00 AM Vaughn Elementary School 17521 Hall Road, KPN, Vaughn, WA

August 2015
August18	4:00 PM Evergreen Elementary School 1820 Key Peninsula Highway South, Lakebay, WA
August20	4:00 PM Minter Creek Elementary School 12617 118th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA
August22	10:00 AM Vaughn Elementary School 17521 Hall Road, KPN, Vaughn, WA

Keeping Kids Safe in the Car

Car Seat Safety

Car crashes are a leading cause of fatal injury for Washington children. Keep your children safe for travel by choosing the right child restraint (car seat, booster seat, or seat belt) and by following all instruction manuals carefully.

For up-to-date information on car seat rules visit:
 http://www.multicare.org/mary-bridge-child-passenger-safety/

OR

Mary Bridge hosts car seat checks for FREE!

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital
Tuesdays, 9am - 10:30am
No appointment necessary
Safe and Sound Building / 1112 S. 5th Street, Tacoma, WA
Call ahead for holiday or weather-related closures
Phone: 253-403-1417