January 5, 2024
What We're Learning
This week we learned about letter Jj.
The Mitten
My mom inspired a super fun activity. First, I read the kids the classic Ukrainian folk tale The Mitten. Then, the kids got to turn it into a play, with each child playing one of the characters. Khloe was especially great playing Baba, the grandmother who knitted mittens for her grandson Nicki, played by Colton. At the time, the kids had no idea that my mom had spent the better part of the year knitting mittens for them!
After the story dramatization was done, the kids drew sticks to see who would get to choose their new mittens first. Each child was invited to choose a pair of mittens and even a hat if he or she wanted. It was really fun seeing them get these gifts. Once we got to the playground, I was impressed to see how many of the kids made choices that really went well with their coat. Thank you, Mom, for making this happy memory for all of us.
J is for Jewelry
We opened a new center for the letter Jj: The Pre-K Bling Jewelry Store. The kids can make jewelry for themselves or a friend, or maybe even you! It's great exercise for developing fine motor control, not to mention elevating everyone's wardrobe to the next level.
What's Up Next
January 15th: MLK Day (Students Do Not Attend School)
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00)
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
December 15, 2023
What We're Learning
Our theme for the week was Winter. Leave it to Ms. Wendy to come up with the perfect science experiment. The kids mixed baking soda and shaving cream to create snow! Then we went outside and had a snowball fight. Ms. Wendy always knows how to make learning fun!
Guest Storyteller
What a treat to have another fun, interactive story time with Knox's grandmother, Beverly Wright. The kids learned a lot about the process of turning wool into yarn, and then into clothing. They even got to try their hand at making a little piece of "yarn" of their own. Lots of fun, hands-on learning.
Holiday Party
As usual, I could not have done it without you! Huge thanks to Sia and Nicole for planning our party, and all of you helpful parents and grandparents who jumped in to help tattoo and manicure and craft and snack and play. Bonus props to Mohannad Ali for letting a roomful of four-year-olds throw things at his head for an hour. You are a good man.
Presents
I hope you all loved your gift from your child. Other than cutting out the picture and gluing it on, the kids did all the work themselves. I think they turned out really beautiful! As for my presents from you, thank you! You guys spoil me! Now, for the less great news. I have a very special gift for all the kids. Unfortunately, it is still "in transit" from New York. Hopefully it is just delayed. I will be heartbroken if it has been lost. The kids might be getting a very special Martin Luther King Day present this year!
What's Up Next
December 18–January 2: Winter Break
January 15th: MLK Day (Students Do Not Attend School)
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00)
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
December 8, 2023
What We're Learning
We didn't begin a new letter this week. Instead, a whole lot of our time has been spent working on beautiful works of art for you! The kids have really enjoyed using lots of interesting art techniques to create something I think you will treasure.
Real and Make Believe
Our theme for this week has been Real or Make Believe, or how to understand the difference between fiction and non-fiction. We compared several different versions of the classic Gingerbread Boy story and voted on our favorite. We even had a very special guest visitor come and share some wonderful interactive Gingerbread Boy stories. Thank you, Beverly! And of course, you can't learn about gingerbread boys without getting to eat one yourself!
Science with Ms. Wendy
Ms. Wendy perfectly tied her science lesson to our gingerbread theme. The kids got to experiment with three different kinds of liquid to see what effect each would have on dunked cookies. The kids got to make their predictions, complete the experiment, and record their data. They even got a little snack when the hard work was done.
A Message From Santa
We're not really supposed to do Santa in Pre-K, but that doesn't stop you from enjoying Santa at home. Santa has sent a special message just for your child. Please check your inbox for a video from The Portable North Pole (PNP). It may have landed in your Spam box, but it is not spam, and it doesn't cost you a thing. If your family doesn't do Santa, simply delete it. But if your child does believe, I hope the video is magical!
LOL the Elf
Okay, you know that thing I just said about us not doing Santa in the classroom? Well . . . I couldn't resist inviting a fun little friend to make surprise appearances every day until break. The kids have the best time searching for him every morning. They also got to be a part of the democratic process by suggesting a name and then voting. If anyone has a problem with this kind of holiday activity, please do not hesitate to let me know. LOL can disappear as easily as he appears.
The Twelve Days of Holiday Cheer
Playground Safety
I need your help. I'm super frustrated right now because we're having a persistent problem with children throwing rocks on the playground (and toys in the classroom, for that matter). One of our kids got pretty seriously injured this week when he got hit in the face with a rock. Please, please talk to your child about how dangerous this kind of play is.
What's Up Next
December 15, 10:45–12:00: Winter Holiday Party
December 18–January 2: Winter Break
January 15th: MLK Day (Students Do Not Attend School)
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00)
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
December 1, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Ii.
Temporary Spelling
As part of our literacy lesson, the kids did a Secret Mystery Picture. I draw something one line at a time that starts with the letter of the week. They have to carefully follow directions to create the same picture on their paper. As we draw, they guess what it might be. Once the pictures are complete, we work together to sound out the word. I don't care about spelling at this stage of the game, and I encourage you not to care either. Right now, they are learning the sounds letters make, and how to listen for those sounds as we attempt to write words. I think they did a pretty great job. And don't those iskrems look delicious?
Science with Ms. Wendy
The kids became chemists and continued developing their knowledge of states of matter. They learned that solid baking soda and liquid vinegar react, creating a bubbling gas. To make it even more interesting, they added popcorn kernels to their test tubes and got to see them dance on the bubbles.
Goodbye, Ms. Yanna. Hello, Ms. Olivia
Ms. Yanna has moved on to another position in our school, so she won't be in our classroom anymore. The kids are very excited to see her every time we cross paths in the building. While we're sad to be losing her, we are thrilled to add Ms. Olivia to our classroom family. She has her master's degree in social work and lots of experience with kids. The kids love her already!
Twelve Days of Holiday Cheer
These are certainly not required, but I hope you'll let your child join in the fun.
What's Up Next
December 15: Winter Holiday Party
December 18 – January 2: Winter Break
November 17, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Hh.
Community Helpers
We had another fun and educational week learning about Community Helpers. On Wednesday, Lennie Massanelli from Sustain Little Rock came to teach the kids all about recycling. They learned what items can be recycled (paper, metal, plastic . . . but never plastic bags) and what has to be done before items go in the bin (just a quick rinse). After the lesson, we got to visit with Mr. Danny, who taught the kids all about the recycle truck.
On Thursday, we had a great visit with the Little Rock Fire Department. The kids learned all about how to stay safe if there's ever a fire, from calling 9-1-1 to Stop, Drop, and Roll.
Volunteers In Public Schools
What a lucky day it was for our class to get Ms. Gay Wyatt as our VIPS reader! Ms. Wyatt was a teacher at Fulbright for decades. I hate to break it to you, but she was the best Pre-K teacher EVER! You should have had these kids before she retired.
Happy Thanksgiving
These little turkeys have been busy making holiday gifts for you. Please stop by the classroom today to pick yours up. They definitely won't fit in backpacks and they're too cute to squish.
What's Up Next
November 20 – 24: Thanksgiving Break
December 15: Winter Holiday Party
December 18 – January 2: Winter Break
November 10, 2023
What We're Learning
Grandparents' Day was perfectly timed for the week we learned about the letter Gg.
Number Sense
I'm more of a Literacy girl, so I don't tend to share much about our Math lessons. Here they are working on one of our math skills: Understanding the relationship between numerals and quantities. Guess which number was hardest to match. (If you said zero, you got it!)
Community Helpers
Our first community helpers came this week to teach the kids how they serve and help us. First, Ms. Izard's husband, Mark, came to tell the kids about his work with FedEx, a service none of us could live without these days!
Our next Community Helpers were from the Little Rock Police Department. Not only did we meet the Little Rock Police Mounted Patrol, but also Detective Clements, dad to the twins in Ms. Hulsey and Ms. Izard's rooms. The kids learned which situations are better served by police on horses, and which call for detectives in fast cars. I'm not sure which they found more exciting.
Grandparents' Day
Wow! What a beautiful crowd! I was so pleased with the turnout, and so grateful to the grandparents and parents who jumped right in and spent time with the kids who didn't have a grown up. Every child worked on a family art project, which I will have laminated and sent home as soon as I can. It was a great day.
THANK YOU!
Thank you SO much for the wonderful birthday presents! My son was especially excited. He's my theater partner and he loves Christmas. A trip to see that play and a nice dinner at Baja will be such a special holiday treat for us!
What's Up Next
November 16: Math and Literacy Night
November 20 – 24: Thanksgiving Break
December 15: Winter Holiday Party
December 18 – January 2: Winter Break
November 3, 2023
What We're Learning
This week we learned about the letter Ff.
Fruit Salad
The kids loved making the fruit salad even more than eating it. Thanks for sending in ingredients so they could have this experience.
Science with Ms. Wendy
Ms. Wendy took the kids deeper into previous learning about states of matter. First, they got to explore water in all its states, then they applied the learning to another medium: Jello! She even got some math experience in there by letting the kids measure their own ingredients to create personal little servings of Jello.
Guest Storyteller
Ms. Wendy isn't the only grandma sharing her expertise with our kids. This week, Knox's grandmother, an early childhood pro who taught me back in the day, came in to share stories and poems with the kids. There was lots of laughter and learning. What a treat, just in time for Halloween! Thank you, Beverly!
Book Character Day
What a fun day! The kids had a blast participating in our Book Character Day parade. Thanks for letting them have an extra exciting day.
What's Up Next
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
November 16: Math and Literacy Night
November 20 – 24: Thanksgiving Break
December 18 – January 2: Winter Break
October 27, 2023
What We're Learning
Every five weeks, we spend a week in review of letters already learned. This is a time to focus more deeply on the sounds the letters make and words or names that start with each letter. We use games and art to make the learning more fun.
Red Ribbon Week Fun
Thanks for letting your kids have a little extra fun this week. We took the Red Ribbon Pledge to Be Kind, Be Safe, and Only Take Medicine from Mommy, Daddy, or a Doctor. Please indulge my humble brag: That fifth grader you see there? For Dress Like Your Hero Day, SHE DRESSED LIKE ME! I was Teacher of the Year one year and I wasn't as proud as this kid made me!
Grandparents' Day
Thursday, November 9 is Grandparent's Day for Pre-K. We always have a great turnout and I hope this year is just as successful. We will do a family art project (see us getting them started below), tour the classroom, have lunch, and visit the playground. If your child's grandparent is feeling generous, I also recommend a trip to the Book Fair for a little shopping. If your child does not have a grandparent who is able to attend, I strongly encourage you or another family member to come in their place. If that isn't possible, St. James United Methodist is kindly providing stand in grandparents to be here for your child. It really is rough being the only kid here with no adult by your side. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please email me immediately so we can get a count of stand in grandparents needed.
RIF
Thanks to our generous PTA for hosting RIF: Reading is Fun! Every child got to choose a free book to keep forever. Check your child's folder to see what he or she chose.
Genius at the Board
Every Friday, we play a review game called Genius at the Board. Two kids compete to answer a question inspired by something we learned during the week. The answer may start with the letter of the week, or it might come from the week's science lesson or any other topic we've discussed. It's a nice healthy taste of competition where everybody doesn't win. I think it's great practice for them to experience not winning in a very low stakes environment. All of the kids are displaying great sportsmanship, cheering each other on and congratulating our winners. So far, all of our winners this year have been girls: Emy, Carolyn, and this week, Lincoln. Maybe next week will be a boy's turn.
Book Character Day
We can't technically celebrate Halloween in the public schools, but we can still have fun. On October 31, please let your child come to school dressed as his or her favorite book character. If possible, also send a copy of the book.
Letter Ff
Next week, we will move on to letter Ff. To make it more fun, I'd like to take my lead from The Wiggles and
make some Fruit Salad (yummy yummy). If you can, please let your child bring in any kind of fruit he or she likes. We'll see what we get and mix it all together to make a tasty treat. Please have your fruit here by Wednesday, November 1.
What's Up Next
October 30: Fulbright Flu Clinic
October 31: Book Character Day
November 3: Professional Development Day (students do not attend school)
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
November 16: Math and Literacy Night
November 20 – 24: Thanksgiving Break
December 18 – January 2: Winter Break
October 20, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we moved on to letter Ee. The kids learned how to write the letter, the sounds the letter makes, and when to use a capital or lower case.
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week's science lesson was so perfectly timed. There is so much coughing and sneezing and double-barrel nose running in this room we really needed an experiment to illustrate the importance of covering our mouths and washing our hands! The kids made cute little models called Coughing Kates. Then they got to practice letting Kate cough or sneeze, using her arms to cover her mouth. Before the lesson, Ms. Yanna and I spread lots of germ simulation gel around the room and let the kids explore using black lights to see where the germs were hiding. Finally, we put germ gel on the kids' hands and let them contrast the "germs" before and after proper hand washing. Hopefully, it will help!
Behavior Incentive Party
Ms. Jackson held a Behavior Incentive party and since all of my Shining Stars are so awesome, they all got to go. Everyone enjoyed a tasty Kona Ice in the sunshine.
Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 24----- “Friends Don’t Let Friends Bully or do Drugs” Dress like your friends!.
Wednesday, October 25---- “I Have the Power to be Drug Free” Dress like Your Hero!
Thursday, October 26---- “Lasso Bad Drugs” Dress like a cowboy/cowgirl.
Friday, October 27---- “We’re Red-y to Live Drug Free! Wear red from head to toe. A best dressed student will be chosen from each grade level and prizes will be given out.
What's Up Next
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
October 30: Fulbright Flu Clinic
October 31: Book Character Day
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
November 16: Math and Literacy Night
October 13, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we moved on to letter Dd. The kids learned how to write the letter, the sound the letter makes, and when to use a capital or lower case.
Budding Authors
A few of the kids have begun "writing books." This is an optional activity, so if your child doesn't choose to do it, I'm not pushing it. When the kids read their books, they may only be reading a picture or a scribble. Please allow your child to read it to you anyway. This is the first baby step of literacy.
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week, our little scientists explored the power of water. They made predictions about what effect water of different temperatures might have on gummy bears. As the experiment progressed, the kids recorded their data. They were surprised to discover that cold water actually made the tested gummy bears bigger, while warmer water made them smaller. Lots of good learning!
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a time for kids to learn healthy living through staying drug free. I keep it very Pre-K friendly by just talking about only taking medicine that your mom, dad, or doctor gives you. You can decide if you want to elaborate on the topic at home.
Tuesday, October 24----- “Friends Don’t Let Friends Bully or do Drugs” Dress like your friends!.
Wednesday, October 25---- “I Have the Power to be Drug Free” Dress like Your Hero!
Thursday, October 26---- “Lasso Bad Drugs” Dress like a cowboy/cowgirl.
Friday, October 27---- “We’re Red-y to Live Drug Free! Wear red from head to toe. A best dressed student will be chosen from each grade level and prizes will be given out.
Community Helpers
In November, we will begin learning about Community Helpers. We have lots of exciting visits planned, but we'd love to have more! If you or someone you know works in the community--Vet, Librarian, Letter Carrier, Chef, Construction Worker (bonus points for large trucks!), Doctor, Dentist--we'd love to have you come visit.
What's Up Next
October 13: Fall Carnival
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
October 30: Fulbright Flu Clinic
October 31: Book Character Day
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
October 6, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we moved on to letter Cc. The kids learned how to write the letter, the two sounds the letter makes (we aren't doing blends yet), and when to use a capital or lower case C.
What We're Learning
This week, we moved on to letter Cc. The kids learned how to write the letter, the two sounds the letter makes (we aren't doing blends yet), and when to use a capital or lower case C.
Cowboy Day
Thanks for helping your child have an extra fun day learning about the letter Cc. It was a big hit!
Science with Ms. Wendy
Building on last week's bread making experience, the kids really explored the properties and power of yeast. They ran an experiment in which yeast was added to two identical containers of water. One container was fed a bit of sugar, the other wasn't. They got to predict what would happen, then see the results with their own eyes. As you can see, they were very excited to be part of this experience. Ms. Wendy is really making science come to life for these kids.
Backpacks
This is a good time to rethink the contents of your child's backpack. EVERY item your child brings to school must fit inside the backpack. As we begin wearing jackets and coats, they will be included in this tight squeeze. Think about it: if the child who uses the cubby next to your child ends up coming to school with head lice, don't you want your child's coat and blanket safely tucked inside his or her backpack? So please, if your child's stuffed animal is bigger than a beanie baby, it's too big. If their blanket is bigger than a baby blanket, it's too big. I allow stuffed animals and blankets because I want the kids to have the coziest naps possible. But these items, along with their coat, MUST FIT INSIDE THE BACKPACK.
Fall Carnival
Fulbright's Fall Carnival is So. Much. Fun. Face painting, bounce houses, games, food trucks. I encourage you to bring your family and enjoy this affordable, wholesome family event. Kids are welcome to wear costumes. Tickets are available through the PTA page.
School Spirit Day
Now that every child has a Fulbright Spirit shirt, I encourage them to wear them each Friday. It's such an easy way for them to really feel like part of our school family.
What's Up Next
October 13: Fall Carnival
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
October 30: Fulbright Flu Clinic
October 31: Book Character Day
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
September 29, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we moved on to our second letter of the alphabet.
B is for Beach
After looking at pictures of beaches in a few books, the kids were given free access to lots of cool beachy materials like sand, seashells, and beach glass to create their very own 3-D beach. I love the way they got messy and let their creativity flow. No two beaches came out alike.
Bread and Butter
The kids expanded on prior science learning, making liquid cream turn into solid butter. Then, we worked in lots of math, measuring all the ingredients needed to produce a beautiful loaf of homemade bread. Thanks to Nova and Jett for sending in ingredients so we could have this delicious, educational experience.
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week, our little scientists began by making a prediction about how much popped popcorn would come from a half cup of kernels. As the popcorn popped, Ms. Wendy taught them about the process going on: the water in the kernel heating up, expanding, and building pressure until it eventually explodes. Everyone was so interested. So much great learning going on!
Socktober
Did you know that there are roughly 2,500 unsheltered men, women, and children in Arkansas? Throughout the month of October, Fulbright will collect new and gently used ADULT sized socks to help our unsheltered neighbors stay warmer and safer this winter.
Please, clean out your sock drawer, run to Target, or set up a collection box in your church, office, or front yard and see how many pairs of socks you can gather. Send them to school during the month of October and let your child place them in the Sox Box, so he or she can feel the joy of helping others.
Cowboy Day
Next Thursday will be Cowboy Day in Pre-K. Please let your child dress the part with jeans, boots, maybe a bandanna and cowboy hat. If you don't have anything cowboyish, that's okay! I have collected quite a supply of hats and bandannas over the years. Everyone will get in on the fun. (I'm sure I don't have to say NO GUNS, right? No guns. Thanks.)
What's Up Next
October 5: Cowboy Day
October 13: Fall Carnival
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
October 30: Fulbright Flu Clinic
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
September 22, 2023
What We're Learning
The kids got lots of practice working on the letter Aa. We talked about the sounds the letter makes, how to write it, and when to use a capital or lower case.
Apple Fun
Thanks so much for sending in a bounty of apples. We got so much good learning out of them. First, the kids looked at the whole pile of apples and estimated how many there were. Then we talked about the terms fewer, more, and equal, comparing the number of green apples to red. Next, they used the different colors to make a simple AB pattern. After that, they predicted which apple would taste yummier, tasted a sample of each to find out for sure, graphed the results, then read our data. Like I said, so much learning, thanks to you.
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week, Ms. Wendy taught the kids about magnetism. They were asked to predict which items would be pulled by the magnet, and which would not. They had fun exploring the scientific process and recording their own results, like real scientists.
Fun Run
I'm counting on a great nap time today after all that action! Thanks to everyone who helped our school raise $34,140!
Letter Bb
Next week, we will learn about letter Bb. To make it memorable, we'll make homemade bread and butter. If you would like to contribute ingredients, that would be great! Please email me to let me know so we don't end up with too much or not enough.
Ingredients needed are:
1 5 pound bag of all purpose flour
2 packets of active dry yeast
1 pint heavy whipping cream
Physicals
The deadline to submit proof of Pre-K physicals is fast approaching. If your child's physical form has not been submitted by September 28, they will be excluded from school. Please get them in if you have not already.
What's Up Next
September 28: School Picture Day
October 5: Cowboy Day
October 13: Fall Carnival
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
October 30: Fulbright Flu Clinic
November 6–10: Book Fair
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
September 15, 2023
What We're Learning
The kids began an exciting journey this week; they took the first steps to learning how to read! LRSD Pre-K classes use a fantastic program called Heggerty Phonemic Awareness. The lessons are quick, concise, and sequential, gradually building a foundation for reading. The skills introduced this week included listening for sounds, rhyming, beginning sounds, and alphabet identification. Protip: If you are singing the ABC song with your child, be sure to say l, m, n, o, p distinctly so it doesn't sound like elemenopee. Also, do NOT say Y and Z. Just distinctly say Y, Z. Otherwise, to a child, it sounds like Y, N, Z.
Science with Ms. Wendy
Wendy Welch is a retired Lab teacher who just can't seem to get the hang of retirement. Instead of lounging around catching up on Justified like I plan to, she spends her days at Fulbright, sharing her vast knowledge of science with a select few classes. And this year, our class is one of them! I had her grandchild last year, so she came to our room. This year, she doesn't even have a child in our room, but she's committed to teaching our kids every Thursday morning anyway! I confess, science isn't an area I normally hit very hard, so this is really an unbelievable boon for your child. For their first lesson, Ms. Wendy talked about what science is, what a scientist does, and how we can explore and experiment safely. While making Oobleck, the kids learned about states of matter, making predictions, and following through on a hypothesis, adjusting when predictions proved inaccurate. Like I said, they are going to learn a TON with Wendy this year! I am so grateful!
Fun Run Pep Rally
The kids got fired up at our Fun Run Pep Rally. Hopefully, if you haven't had time to get your child registered yet, you can get that done this weekend. More information about that below.
A is for Apples
Next week, we will begin our direct alphabet instruction, focusing on one letter each week. We begin next week with letter Aa. To make it more fun, I'd like to do some activities with apples. By Tuesday, September 19th, please send in at least one apple, any variety or color. I'd love to see a couple yellows and greens in the mix. School supplies are never required for Pre-K, so if you can't send in an apple, that is absolutely fine. No child will be denied participation in any activity for any reason.
Fun Run
Friday, September 22
• Pre-K/K: 8:15 - 8:45 a.m.
Families are invited to attend and CHEER ON their child/ren!
Follow these 3 Simple Steps to get to goal fast!
1. First Register or re-Login to your parent dashboard and complete your
child’s student webpage with a PICTURE at getmovinfundhub.com.
School Identifier: 5d39d46e222d8
2. Make an online donation using the red Donate button right away
3. Share with friends and family, they want to help!
• Send 10-15 emails and/or text messages
• Post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
• Help your child reach their goal in 24/48 hours
Student Goals!
• Our goal is to have 100% of all students registered online! It’s easy, FREE, and takes few quick minutes!
• Each student is encouraged to raise $100
Be an Overachiever Superstar by raising $200
OUR TOTAL SCHOOL GOAL is $35,000.00
Event Details:
• Event Date: 9/22/2023
• Final Donation due date: 9/28/2023 11:59 PM
o Donations in the form of cash & checks (in-school
donations), should be turned in to the school.
o Please make checks payable to: Fulbright Elementary PTA
**Flip Over to See for Our Awesome Student Incentives**
Falcon Fun Run Incentives
• Raise $25: Light-Up Finger Beams
• Raise $50: LED Flashing Tube Bracelets + Above Awards
• Raise $75: Light-up Retro Sunglasses + Above Awards
• Raise $100: Fulbright Spirit Pack with a Foam Hand Mitt and Fulbright Sunglasses +
Above Awards
• Top Two Individual Earners: Crocs with charms
• Top Earning Family: Gift card to Chick-Fil-A
• Highest Earning Class in Each Grade: Popcorn party provided by St. James
• Teachers of the Highest Earning Grade: Lunch at Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
• Grade with the Most School Spirit on the Day of the Fun Run: Music party during
lunch
o In addition to wearing your spirit shirt, deck yourself out in your Fulbright colors
to help your grade win!
• Whole School Reaches Our Goal of $35,000: Popsicle party for the entire school
What's Up Next
September 21: Spirit Night at Hungry Howie's (see ClassDojo for more info)
September 22: Fun Run
September 28: School Picture Day
October 5: Cowboy Day
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
November 9: Grandparents' Day for Pre-K
September 8, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, the kids practiced the first line they'll need to know for writing letters: the circle. After practicing it in their journals, the kids put a circle to good use in a Secret Mystery Drawing activity. They have to carefully follow instructions to see if they can figure out the mystery object we're drawing, which was basically just a circle, surrounded by a whole bunch of triangles. They all did a great job!
ESI
Within the first 45 days of school, every Pre-K child is screened using the ESI: Early Screening Inventory. The ESI has sections that address various skills, from cognitive and language to fine and gross motor. This standardized instrument screens to see if your child may benefit from special services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Your child's results will be discussed in detail during our first Parent Teacher Conference, but I will contact you much sooner if the screener reveals any areas where a little extra attention may be helpful.
Falcon Forest
Do you know about the Falcon Forest? Your child does! It got a little toasty during recess one day, so we beat the heat by taking a little hike on the trail in the woods adjacent to our school. It's one of my favorite features of this campus. No matter how hot it gets, that shady forest is always the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful commune with nature. The kids loved. it.
What's Up Next
September 12: Fun Run Pep Rally
September 21: Spirit Night at Hungry Howie's (see ClassDojo for more info)
September 22: Fun Run
September 28: School Picture Day
October 5: Cowboy Day
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
September 1, 2023
What We're Learning
The biggest challenge for a Pre-K age child (and probably the rest of us as well) is learning to identify and manage our emotions. This week, we read some books and sang some songs about feelings. The kids helped me compile a list of feelings, modeled the different facial expressions that match each feeling, then drew pictures of their favorite feeling. I think my favorite one was "normal." Okay.
Conscious Discipline
Fun Fact: Did you know Navy Seals control their stress with breathing techniques? So do we! The LRSD utilizes the Conscious Discipline program that teaches self-regulation through social-emotional intelligence. One of the strategies we use to control difficult emotions like anger and frustration is deep breathing. This week, we learned The STAR (Smile, Take a deep breath, And Relax) and The Balloon breathing techniques. Have your child show you how they work.
Ready for School
Next week, our theme will be Ready for School. One of the things we'll do is begin the first steps for learning the alphabet. Each child will get a bright yellow practice journal. We'll begin by practicing the various lines necessary for writing each letter. These journals will stay in your child's bottom cubby in the classroom ALL YEAR. You get to enjoy the entire year's work next summer. If your child happens to accidentally arrive home with the journal before then, please send it back the next day.
Physicals
If you have not turned in your child's physical form yet, the deadline is September 27.
What's Up Next
September 4: Labor Day, no school
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
August 25, 2023
What We're Learning
This week, we added a new step to our morning routine. After the kids wash hands and put their folders, lunch boxes, and backpacks away, they now go right to their tables to practice writing their name. If you want to continue to work on this skill at home (and please do!), I have some advice. First, if your child is just beginning, it might be smart to just start with the first letter and practice it until they get it right before moving on to the next letter. Let him or her experience success with a simple task, rather than overwhelming them with more than they can handle. Also, please be sure your child is learning to use capital and lower case letters correctly. Other than Joseph McCrady, this means only using a capital letter at the beginning of the name, and lower case letters for the rest. Please don't let your child use capital letters throughout his or her name. It is a bear of a habit to break. I had a student one year when I taught first grade and I never could break him of writing BlAke.
Learning Centers
This week, all of our Learning Centers were opened and ready for action. We spend a good chunk of each day learning in centers. In addition to the obvious learning experiences available in each area (math skills like sorting and patterning in math center, for example), these centers are the perfect venue for learning the real meat of Pre-K: sharing, making decisions, taking turns, dealing with big emotions, time management, and cleaning up after ourselves. You know, all those things we adults are probably still working on.
A Few Reminders
- No sandals or flip flops, please. Sneakers with Velcro are the best option to keep the kids safe.
- Please fill water bottles at home. It gets pretty busy here when we're getting ready to go outside.
- Please label everything. Some of the kids are still having trouble recognizing their stuff.
- Please be sure any stuffed animals or blankets from home are SMALL. I'm talking, Beanie Baby size. All nap items have to fit inside the zipped backpack. Once we start having coats in the classroom, they have to fit inside the backpack too. Ugh. The kids' things not oozing out and touching their neighbors' stuff is actually a safety issue, not just me being picky about my room looking nice. (Although, I am pretty picky about my room looking nice.)
What's Up Next
September 4: Labor Day, no school
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
August 18, 2023
What We're Learning
For the first few weeks of school, our focus is getting to know each other, and getting to know the rules, routines, and procedures. There's a lot to learn for us all! The kids are really getting the hang of it! Thanks for sending such a great group of Shining Stars!
What YOU'RE Learning
I know it's a lot for you, too, but here are a few important things to make sure you're doing.
I know it's a lot for you, too, but here are a few important things to make sure you're doing.
- Every child must be signed in each morning and signed out each afternoon.
- When you sign your child in, please be sure to check whether he or she will be a Car Rider, go to CARE, or ride a Day Care Van.
- Please be sure you label everything.
- If you send a water bottle, please fill it at home and make sure it's labeled.
- Be sure to check and empty your child's blue Communication folder each afternoon, then return it to school each morning.
- Please be sure you label everything.
- Your child's sheet and blanket are sent home each Friday. Please wash them and send them back Monday.
- If you did not read the first newsletter which was sent last Friday, please scroll down and read it for more information you'll need.
- Did I mention that I'd like you to label everything?
ClassDojo
Hopefully, you have been successfully added to our ClassDojo 2023-2024 Shining Stars group. I highly encourage you to connect through ClassDojo and check it regularly. My preferred mode of communication is email, but I will occasionally reach out through Dojo as well. More importantly, Dojo is the way Fulbright communicates important schoolwide information. I'm very good about getting you the info you need, but sometimes there is something I miss that you can learn about through the Fulbright Dojo. Stay in the loop by connecting today. Let me know if you did not get an invitation and I will make sure to get it to you ASAP.
Cubby Pics
If you haven't yet, please a picture for us to post in your child's cubby. It can be a family picture, or just one of the child. It helps them identify their cubby, and sometimes they just like to see a familiar face from home.
Out of the Mouths of Babes
One of my favorite things about my job is all the laughter I get thanks to these kids. I thought you might enjoy a funny story now and then, too. Like this one: I'm constantly losing my glasses, so I always enlist the kids to help me remember where I left them. Every time I take them off, I say, "Okay guys, when I ask where I put my glasses, you tell me right here." Today I couldn't find my glasses so I asked the kids where I left them. Without missing a beat, Emy said, "They're literally right on your face." And they were!
What's Up Next
September 4: Labor Day, no school
October 19: Parent Teacher Conference Day One, conferences held after school
October 20: Parent Teacher Conference Day Two, no school
October 23: Professional Development Day, no school
August 11, 2023
Welcome!
It was so great getting to meet everyone yesterday! What a cute bunch of kids!
Here's a whole bunch of helpful information to get us off to a smooth start. Please let me know if you still have any burning questions I can answer.
- Please call our attendance secretary, Melanie Tiner, at 447-4738 any day your child will be absent from school.
- Pre-K children CANNOT be dropped off at carpool. To keep the kids safe, you will have to park and walk your child to class every day. School begins at 7:40, but if you'd like to avoid some of the traffic, you may bring your child as early as 7:15.
- If you come in the first driveway, be sure you do not get in the carpool lane! You will be there until your child is in second grade. Come in the lane that is moving. If you can't get in the first entrance, you may come in the second entrance and park in the teacher lot. Some parents choose to avoid our parking lot entirely by parking in either of the St. James parking lots (next door or across the street) and walking the short distance to school.
- An adult or sibling in 4th or 5th grade must sign the child in on the sign in sheet.
- Because these are legal documents, signatures on sign in sheets must be legible (you might want to print).
- Please write the check in time.
- Check the appropriate box indicating what your child will do at the end of the day (Fulbright CARE, Car Rider, Day Care Van). If your child will attend a Day Care, please let me know which one.
- For the first week of school, you are welcome to come into the classroom and help your child settle in. Starting August 21, we are asking that you sign in at the Pre-K door and let your child walk in independently.
- During the first week, please help your child with the morning routine, which includes washing their hands, hanging their backpack in their cubby, putting their blue communication folder in their top cubby, and putting their lunchbox in the blue cooler.
- Your child is considered tardy at 7:50. If you arrive after 7:50, you must enter through the front office and then walk your child to class through the building. Please do not knock on the Pre-K door after 7:50, as Ms. Hulsey will have already begun instruction.
- We are not allowed to enter or exit through my exterior classroom door because there is no window there.
- I will provide a cot sheet for your child's nap. You may send a thin blanket and small lovey, if your child would like. I will send the sheets home each Friday to be laundered. Please send them back each Monday morning. All items (sheet, blanket, lovey, and folder) must fit inside the zipped backpack.
- Other than the lovey for naptime (did I mention it has to be small?), please do not allow your child to bring any toys to class. I have approximately seven kagillion toys in the classroom. We don't need one more from home that will cause heartbreak if it gets broken, lost, or (how should I put it?) shared without consent.
- You may send a labeled water bottle, but we do have a water fountain in the classroom, so it's not required.
- If you have not already, please send a complete set of emergency clothes in a labeled Ziploc bag.
- There is no dress code, except that children's toes must be covered. No flip flops or open toed sandals. Tennis shoes with Velcro are the best way to go for active play.
- Lunch (or as I prefer to call it, brunch) is served at 10:15. If you send a lunchbox, it's helpful to have packaging your child can open independently. It takes a minute to get around to help all 20 kids. If your child will be purchasing a cafeteria lunch ($3.00) or a milk ($.50), please load money onto your child's account using MySchoolBucks. Four-year-olds with a fistful of cash never ends well. You can check out the monthly menu here, but be aware that sometimes the cafeteria manager surprises us with items not listed.
- The children get one hour of gross motor activity (formerly known as recess) each day. We usually divide it into a half hour before lunch and a half hour after, but we will be flexible according to the weather conditions of the day.
- I will read a chapter of a chapter book each day before nap.
- Daily snack is provided by the cafeteria immediately following nap. The kids are also welcome to enjoy anything left in their lunchbox. You can send a snack from home if you prefer.
- School ends at 2:40.
- All children must be signed out on the same sheet you used in the morning.
- Anyone who comes to check out your child must be listed on the Authorized Parent Consent Form and must show a picture ID. I'd even like parents to bring picture ID for a day or two until I learn all your faces.
- When your child gets home each day, please be sure to check the blue communication folder, remove any papers, and return the folder to the backpack. If there is nothing in the blue folder at the end of the day, I will not bother sending it home.
- I prefer email communication during the school day, or you can call the classroom at 447-4795. You are welcome to text or call me on my cell phone after hours, but I don't tend to look at it during the school day. 501-503-8603