September 8, 2007

Dear Parents,

It has been a pleasure getting to know your children this past week. We are getting a feel for our classroom routines and daily schedule. If I haven’t already contacted you, I’ll be doing so in the next week to touch base with you about your child’s transition to preschool. If you’d like to chat sooner, feel free to call me at school 496-3742 or home 496-7470 or e-mail me at pdow@madriver.com. Thanks!

About once a week you will receive a classroom newsletter describing our activities and learning in preschool. You will also receive a weekly newsletter from our school office that keeps you updated about general school activities.

Our preschool day is filled with a wide-range of activities. We believe that young children learn best through play. Our day is planned to provide at least one full hour of uninterrupted play time each day. Also included in each school day are a snack time, a quiet time with books, games and puzzles; French instruction, outside play time, and a whole-group circle time.

In preschool we also have the opportunity to visit other classrooms in our school building. We participate in music with Mr. Close, library with Mrs. Allison, and gross motor activities in the gym. During library each child will choose one book to borrow and read at home. Library books should be returned each Tuesday so that your child may borrow a different book. Please be sure that your child has sneakers for gross motor activities on Mondays.

We are also excited to offer French instruction for fifteen minutes everyday taught by our school’s French teacher, Nikki Matheson.

Monday-Gross Motor in gym

Tuesday-Library w/ Ms. Allison

Wednesday-Music w/ Mr. Close

Mon.-Thurs.-French

We are off to a great start! Lisa and I are looking forward to spending more time with your child in the coming weeks. If e-mailing me, please use pdow@madriver.com, which is my school address. I usually send newsletters and other group e-mails from my home computer and do not check that e-mail as often. Thanks!

Pam