~MAY 2009 PARENT NEWSLETTER~

TEACHING AND LEARNING

MONTHLY THEME

The children will learn about marine life and water patterns this month. Students will read about various sea animals, coral reef and marine conservation, as well as make 3D sea creatures. Students will also participate in decorating the school bathroom with various art projects and writing exercises. We will have a video showing about sea creatures this month and a writing activity to reflect on student’s favorite sea creature. The children will learn about gravity, reflective light, bodies of water and water patterns (i.e. ripples, crashing waves, waterfalls, frost, ice, snow, etc.) and as they play with water and sand. They will test for buoyancy of items within water during workshop time and outdoor play. Students will make mother’s day cards and celebrate Cinco de Mayo by making maracas.

LESSON PLAN

Week of May 4—Introduction to sea turtles, starfish (creating a starfish and turtle out of paper scrap shapes) and coral reef, student card activity and Cinco de Mayo maracas (paper plates, string and beans), ‘super sea creatures and awesome ocean adventures’ educational video showing on Friday, May 8
*Rr, #18, star, red

Week of May 11­­ — Chabot Space and Science Center field trip review, Introduction to Octopuses and Jellyfish, indoor and outdoor water/sand play, water pattern observations
*Ss, #19, circle, blue

Week of May 18—Introduction to Orcas and Dolphins, continue with water pattern observations (science lab with floating or sinking objects?!)
*Tt, #20, square, green

Week of May 25— Introduction to sharks (Hammer Head, Great White, and Sting Rays) and writing exercises, finish water pattern observations and decorate school bathroom with art projects
*Uu, review #1-20, rectangle, yellow


ACADEMIC STUDENT STANDARDS

The following standards have been incorporated in the development of student activities and in daily interaction with school children, parents and staff.

*for a detailed description of each standard, please refer to the booklet on California Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 1, 2008. You may download the booklet at no charge by visiting http://www.cde.ca.gov/. The booklet was also sent to your email account as an attachment in the fall of 2008.

Language and Literacy Development

Listening and Speaking
-Language Use and Conventions, 1.0
-Vocabulary, 2.0
-Grammar, 3.0

Reading
-Concepts about Print, 1.0
-Alphabetic and Word/Print Recognition, 3.0
-Comprehension and Analysis of Age-Appropriate Text, 4.0
-Literacy Interest and Response, 5.0

Writing
-Writing Strategies, 1.0

Social- Emotional Development
-all sections

Mathematics
-all sections

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. There is a good possibility that Anaid will no longer be attending PPLA due to the tragic event that took place last week. The family may be moving across the country to be with Marlon’s family and friends. Marlon and Anaid, we love you and miss you very much!

B. Axels’ last month was in April and will be greatly missed!

C. At the end of this month, Zachary and parents will be moving to Los Angeles for graduate school…..we will miss you Zachary!

D. *PPLA observes Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2009 and will be closed.

E. The next parent participation field trip is scheduled for Friday, June 12. We will be taking the ferry to the SF Aquarium. Please let us know if your child will be attending.

F. Student evaluations begin this week in preparation for parent conferences (6/29-7/2).

G. Thank you Alexandra and Kevin for donating two classroom benches and water/sand table!

H. *In the month of May, we will make tentative changes to our daily schedule in
preparation for our student summer program The summer program will begin on Monday June 1, 2009. The daily schedule will change again at that time to accommodate parent volunteer work schedules. Thank you.

*Monday-Dress-Up and Dance, Tuesday-Yoga, Wednesday- Cooking with Ms. Vicky, Thursday-Gardening with Ms. Marta, and Friday-each week varies (5/8-educational video clip (5-15min.), 5/15-puppet show, 5/22-show and tell, 5/29-face painting).


REMINDERS

1. Starting June 1, 2009, PPLA will no longer offer extended care after 5:30pm. Based on parent request and availability, extended care may be offered Monday-Friday, starting at 7:30am (an additional tuition fee is applied to your total monthly tuition payment--please see tuition schedule for details).

2. Our first parent participation field trip of the year will be to the Chabot Space Center. This event will take place on Sunday, May 10. We will meet at the front entrance at 10am.

3. As a reminder, ‘show and tell’ will take place on the third Friday of each month. Students are encouraged to bring in an item that relates to the monthly theme.

4. Ms. Marta (our new parent) will be conducting gardening sessions every Thursday with the students. Students will participate in both indoor and outdoor gardening projects where students will learn to handle gardening tools, soil, seeds, water and observe plant growth.

5. Ms. Magdalena is our newest bilingual Teachers Assistant. Ms. Magdalena has a BA in Psychology and has extensive experience working with children as a tutor and caregiver. Ms. Magdalena is currently pursuing certification in Physical Therapy and teacher permit.

6. *In order to keep a safe atmosphere for our students we ask that only adults handle doors and light switches at all times. As a precaution measure we ask that parents maintain all school doors and gates closed at all times. In addition, we ask parents, relatives and visitors to leave shoes and large personal items on the front porch area. All hand bags (purses) must be hung on front door hooks or placed behind the child safety gate at the foot of the staircase. Thank you for your continued support!

7. PPLA seeks parent volunteers (two short classes/month) for our summer program starting in June. If you have a special talent and/or skill and would like to share with the children, please contact Cynthia

8. We are asking for your assistance in maintaining a stimulating school experience for our children. Due to our limited funds, we are asking parents to donate what they can from the list of items below. We appreciate your commitment to the program and value your support and understanding in these harsh economic times. Thank you!

1. 2 used crib mattress or trampoline
2. *4-6 Outdoor Tonka Dump Trucks
3. *Outdoor large sea animals
4. *Outdoor storage cabinet
5. Indoor costumes (no weapons attached, please!)
6. *Imaginative play furniture—dolls, washer and dryer, etc. (to add to mini refrigerator, sink and microwave)
7. Classroom art project trays (6)
8. 6 Classroom storage baskets (i.e. baskets used to store small blocks, etc.)
9. Building blocks (large wooden, bristle, etc.)
10. *School gate (to replace pre-excising gate on the side of the house) and installation
9. *An asterisk has been placed next to the item (s) in the most need.