In Little school we will be working on weekly themes this fall, but also to help with our alphabet studies we will be using the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. This unique picture book sets the tone with its rhythmic, rhyming, rollicking alphabet adventure in a coconut tree. The activities planned draw from the book's rich content to inspire children's natural development of letter concepts, math skills, scientific curiosity, and vocabulary through songs, movement, cooking, games, and more. Mrs Schauber has already put the tree on the wall and we will begin introducing the alphabet letters and sounds each week starting the first week of October. This is one theme that's just too much fun to miss out on!
Dear Little School families,
It is time to prepare for the beginning of the school year. The summer is passing quickly, and the first day of school will be upon us before we know it. There are a few things you need to know which will help you and your child prepare for the beginning of the school year.
I am going to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I, Vivienne Falanga, am very excited to be directing the Little School program for a second year. I have worked here at Kent School now for fourteen years, the first twelve as a kindergarten teacher. I earned a Bachelor of Education Degree (Honors) at Anglia Polytechnic University in England, which is a four-year program developed especially for teachers of four to eleven year olds. At first, in my career, I enjoyed teaching nine and ten year-olds. After just two years in the classroom in England, an opportunity arose for me to become an au pair for a family in Maryland, which I took advantage of. The children were younger, which was something I really enjoyed. On marrying my husband, Leo, and rekindling my career in America, I sought a position working with younger children. I worked for a year as a kindergarten teacher in Pasadena before coming to the Eastern Shore and finding Kent School. It is a wonderful fit my family including my daughter Carissa, who has been here since she was three and will be entering 8th grade this year. My son Patrick will be entering 6th Grade. During my spare time I like to read, garden and zumba! I am looking forward to working with your child this year and enhancing the preschool curriculum to fit the needs of this particular group of children.
We have two other teachers on the staff in the Little School. Karen Schauber is almost like part of the furniture. She will be returning to the Little School for her 22nd year. Karen has a certificate from Chesapeake College for Early Childhood Education. She lives with her husband and has two grown children, Daphne and Chris. Karen enjoys gardening, bowling, and spending time with her grandsons. Her wealth of experience will be invaluable to your children and to me this year.
Jessie Bonass will be returning for her seventh year. Jessie received her B.A. from Salisbury University and has actually been at Kent School for eight years, initially assisting the Director of Development. Jessie and her husband Frankie are also Kent School parents of four daughters, Christina-6th grade, Marley-1st grade, Gillian, Kindergarten and Aisling-Little School.
Preschool is where your child will begin to build the basic academic
and social foundations for the rest of his or her life. The Little School
team will strive to create an environment that is safe, nurturing and
academically challenging, while at the same time emphasizing fun and
creativity. We aim to create a classroom that encourages curious minds
and constant exposure to the academic world.
We will promote pre-reading skills and introduce basic writing skills. This year, we will continue phonemic awareness using the “letter of the week” as well as the “number of the week” to help numeral recognition. We will also include art, math, social studies, language, science, as well as fine and gross motor skills. I am a firm believer of learning by doing. Therefore, the process is promoted more highly than the product.
What Your Child will need:
-All forms will need to be returned before the first day of school.
-Each child must have his/her medical, emergency, and Maryland childcare
“making the difference for your child” forms.
-These forms can be found on our school web site.
(www.kentschool.org)
-Your child will also need a labeled box about 10 inches long and 8
inches wide containing extra clothing. (Plastic shoebox)
-You may replace your child’s clothes as the season changes.
-Your child also will need a pair of boots at school all year.
-A small labeled blanket and pillow, to be used at rest time. If you
are sending in a pillow pet, please make sure it is a miniature, we
cannot store the full size ones.
-He/she will also need a large size backpack; it is important that they
have their hands free for safety reasons. Please, no backpack with wheels!
They are too heavy for the children to wear on their backs, and everyone
must wear a backpack.
Snack: Each family will be assigned a day a month to provide morning snack for the whole class. I will give each of you a set of guidelines to follow at the open house. Basically, we are asking for you to send in a healthy snack that can be prepared at school for twenty students. The school will provide afternoon snack.
Pick Up and Drop Off: children riding to school on the buses will be greeted by a teacher in the morning and put on the bus by a teacher in the afternoon. In November they will be assigned a bus partner who will walk them into Little School each morning. They will also help while they are riding on the bus if they need anything. In the morning, the children are dropped off between 8:20-8:30. There is usually room by the Little School to park. You are more than welcome to walk your child into the classroom. It is a good idea to get into a routine from the start. Allow your child to unpack his/her own backpack and personal possessions and put them into his/her cubby. You may then help them to choose an activity to start the day. All students must be signed in and out, the sheet will be placed conveniently by the door.
Children may be picked up at 3:15 p.m. from the carpool line. When picking up your child in the afternoon, please drive around the circle, and remain in your car. The children will be waiting on the Lower School porch entrance. We will put them into your car. Please remain to the right side of the circle for the safest pickup. We like Little School families to be the first cars in the carpool line for safety reasons and because we have to put them into safety seats. If it is a half-day, pick up will be at 11:50 am; please do not be late. On Fridays pick up is at 2:15 pm.
Please contact us if:
-your child is going to be absent
-your child is going to have a change in carpool
-there is a bus change
-they are an early pickup
-when someone else will be picking up your child.
There are several self-help skills we will be teaching the children that you can reinforce at home. We will have them wash their hands several times a day. We will also be working on cleanup skills throughout the day. They will be doing simple tasks such as putting their snack and lunch trash in the trash can. They will also clean up after centers and learn where toys belong. It is also very important that your child practice bathroom hygiene.
What your child should wear:
-The key is comfortable clothing for both indoor and outdoor play.
Children may wear jeans.
-We do discourage T-shirts with writing and figureheads.
-The children should wear shoes that fit on their feet; please, no clogs
or backless flip-flops.
Naptime:
-The children will want to bring in a throw-size, labeled naptime blanket.
Please no sleeping bags or full size pillow pets.
-They may also bring in a small pillow and stuffed animal.
-We will listen to stories and music and close the shades during rest-time.
Lunch: It is a State requirement that all lunches be in an insulated container with a cold pack. We do have a microwave to heat up your child’s lunch when needed. Please send in foods in a microwaveable container that need one minute or less to warm. I’m sorry but we do not have time to cook any convenience lunches, i.e., easy mac. The State requires that each child must order milk for lunch (form can be found on our web site). Your child cannot have anything else at lunchtime unless he/she has a Dr.’s note.
Our New student orientation and Open House will be on Tues. September6th at 4 pm. You may bring all the necessary items then to make the first day easier. Do not forget that the PTF Fall Fair is to follow! I look forward to seeing you. In the meantime, if I can be of any help, please feel free to call me at Little School (410-778-2517) or at home (410-556-6414). Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Vivienne Falanga
Head of Little School