**PARENT NEWSLETTER, OCTOBER 2009**

TEACHING AND LEARNING

MONTHLY THEME

This month, students will discuss body awareness, cultural identity and review the alphabet in English and Spanish (letter recognition). Three and Four year old students will continue to trace their name during drop-off with the help of a parent—as a letter and name recognition exercise. Students will write spooky stories and learn about bats. They will also create a spooky book character and learn to identify body parts.

Students will celebrate Indigenous Day and learn about the rich tradition of Dia de los Muertos, as well as explore family lineage and cultural identity. In addition, students will participate in a Halloween parade and classroom party--students are encouraged to wear a costume to school on Wednesday, 10.28.09 (and the entire week, if they wish)! Students will weigh and measure waistlines on pumpkins, as well as roast pumpkin seeds. Lastly, students will learn about ancient Egypt.

Students will attend their monthly field trip to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco with parent participation on Wednesday October 21, 2009 8:30am-1:30pm. This is a free admission day! Lastly, students will participate in Science activities led by Ms. Abby (Mathilda and Bronwyn’s mother) during Chemistry month.

Week of October 5---Body awareness project (spooky character) and letter recognition project (spooky bat story-- http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11020), phonemic awareness and concepts of print exercises during circle time
*Ll, #17, Yellow, circle

Week of October 12--- PPLA will be closed on 10.12.09 for Indigenous Day, Native American Math project and virtual demo (Navajo rug design—a lesson on symmetry--http://web.archive.org/web/20080130134231/http://www.mpsaz.org/arts/elements/balance/page1.html), celebrating ancient Egypt—draw like an Egyptian, (http://web.archive.org/web/20040607005954/www.cmi.k12.il.us/Urbana/projects/AncientCiv/egyptdraw/egyptdraw.html)
*Mm, #18, Orange, triangle

Week of October 19---Pumpkin Math (circumference and weight estimations-- http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/mathchat/mathchat009.shtml) , field trip to Academy of Sciences (10.21.09), Chemistry project (10.22.09),), SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY (students are encouraged to bring in pictures of their first Halloween celebration (10.23.09)
*Nn, #19, Red, rectangle

Week of October 26--- Students will bring pictures of family members that are both living and deceased--to be used for Dia de los Muertos altar project (we ask that your student bring in a standard sized shoe box, along with pictures on Monday 10.26.09), PPLA costume parade and Halloween party on Wednesday, 10.28.09, 4:00-5:30pm, Costume chart and trick or treat safety (10.29.09)
*Oo, #20, Brown, square

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, 1.1-1.3

English Language Development
-Listening, 1.0-3.0
-Speaking, 1.0-3.0
-Reading, 1.0-6.0

Social- Emotional Development
-Self, 1.0-5.1
-Social Interaction, 1.0-4.1
-Relationships, 1.0-3.0

Mathematics
-Number Sense, 1.0-2.4
-Algebra and Functions, 1.0-2.2
-Measurement, 1.0-1.3
-Geometry, 1.0-2.1
-Mathematical Reasoning, 1.0-1.1

Science
(See California Child Development standards)




ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. As you already know, the outdoor space is in dire need of renovations, from repairing cracks on the cement (which cause students to trip and fall), to covering the soil with a cushion (wood chips) for play-structures play. In addition, we expect to include a new sandbox, patio and deck for outdoor classrooms, as well as planters. We also hope to purchase tricycles and outdoor toys in the near future. Although, we expected to begin renovations this past summer, unexpected delays came our way and we hope to carry out the scope of work this fall/winter. Thank you for your patience.

2. PPLA will close on October 12, 2009 in observance of Indigenous Day.

3. The next parent participation field trip will take place on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 8:30-1:30pm. Parents may arrive to school by 8:30am so that we may carpool and drive to the San Francisco Academy of Sciences as a group. This is a free admissions event and will only need to pay for parking and snack/lunch expenses.

4. Paul is our new student—he’s18 months old and will be joining our PPLA family this month—Bienvenido Pablo!

REMINDERS

1. We encourage parents to read a short book to their child during drop-off each morning (if not doing so already). Not only will this important activity support a smoother morning transition for your child, but you will also experience additional bonding time, while all in the same, promoting literacy development. Thank you.

2. We encourage parents to assist their 3/4 year old student to trace her/his name during drop-off, each morning with the help of a parent. Student sign-in sheets will be set up on center table.

3. Please use our child’s school backpack to store clothing daily. In addition, take the time to organize your child’s belongings and clear out dirty clothing daily. Thank you.

4. In trying to maintain open communication with parents, we will begin a student observation log. Parents are encouraged to read and write inside the notebook daily (possible illness, mood, any special requests). Parents may write down comments about their child’s sleeping pattern and diet the night before and the morning of care. Parents will also have the opportunity to check the white board, located in the school hallway for monthly parent announcements and reminders.

*However, parents are responsible for reading the monthly parent newsletter posted on our school blog. The newsletter was developed with the intention of maintaining a strong school to home connection. Thank you.

5. We are currently enrolling P-T and F-T students for Fall of 2009 and need your help. Please assist us in spreading the word about our school success by sharing your school experience with friends, coworkers and neighbors. PPLA is offering an ‘Appreciation Stipend’ worth $100.00 per family for every referred child who enrolls in our school. Thank you for your time and support.

6. 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. Outdoor large sea animals
2. Outdoor storage shed
3. Indoor costumes
4. *Imaginative play furniture—multicultural dolls, washer and dryer, etc. (to add to mini refrigerator, sink and microwave)
5. 3 Classroom storage baskets (i.e. baskets used to store small blocks, etc.)
6. Building blocks (large wooden, bristle, etc.)
7. *Planters and soil
8. *Outdoor play house
9. * Tricycles
10. 2 tires for student swings
11. Outdoor floor mats

*An asterisk has been placed next to the item (s) in the most need.