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Bulldog Buddies Bulletin
Preschool Update - April 2024
Hello Bulldog Buddies Families,
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break full of new memories and relaxation. I am excited to announce our preschool locations for the 2024-2025 school year! Our preschool classes will be located at Eisenhower Elementary, MacArthur Elementary, Winfield Elementary, Jerry Ross Elementary, Lake Street Elementary and the Early Learning Center at Timothy Ball Elementary. Placement letters will be coming home shortly informing families of their secured spot in preschool for next year. Registration, location and teacher information will be provided closer to the start of the school year. This is a very exciting time for Bulldog Buddies as we continue to grow! If you have questions, please call the Early Learning Center at Timothy Ball at (219) 663-4330.
Kristy Elsey
Assistant Director of Elementary Education
Phone: 219-663-4330 ext. 22001
Email: kelsey01@cps.k12.in.us
Bulldog Buddies Preschool 2024-2025
Do You Want Your Child To Attend Bulldog Buddies Next Year?
We are starting to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. Please complete the interest form below if you are interested in your child attending the Bulldog Buddies preschool program next year (2024-2025). Completing this form does not guarantee your child a spot within the program; however, it is the first step in that process. You will receive additional information from my office as the year progresses regarding registration.
Study Update
We finished our exercise study and our preschoolers learned a lot about different types of exercises, equipment used to exercise and making healthy choices. They had the opportunity to participate in various movement activities. Check out some of our photos from this study!
Workout station!
Gym time is a great time to move!
Treadmill fun!
It's better to exercise with friends!
New study = new vocabulary!
Preschooler's ideas about movement!
Taste testing!
Shared writing about our rainbow tasting!
Taste testing!
Shared writing about exercise!
The dramatic play area has been transformed into a workout studio!
Exercising makes us happy!
Mr. Eckart exercises with preschool!
Hula hooping is a fun way to exercise!
Weight lifting!
Making predictions!
Shared writing about our investigation!
Investigations incorporate so many skills!
Playing outdoors is great for exercise!
Learning how to use a stopwatch!
Ways to keep your body healthy!
We began our Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Study before Spring Break and this study will continue for the first half of April. Children are interested in garbage and recycling trucks and are curious about where everything goes and what happens to it. We will be trying to find answers to the following questions:
- What does it mean to reduce? How can we produce less garbage?
- What does it mean to reuse? What can we reuse? How can we reuse items?
- What does it mean to recycle? What can we recycle? How do we recycle items?
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Study!
Have you ever wanted to drive a garbage truck? What happens to all that garbage?
Practicing writing skills in shaving cream!
How Can We Help Our Earth?
Investigating recyclable items!
Soring Station!
New vocabulary!
Recording observations!
Preschoolers love to investigate!
Painting using reusable items!
Hands of the Future!
Recyclable Projects!
Dramatic play at the sorting station!
Composting!
Sensory table with shredded paper!
Our Gardening Study will begin on April 15 and continue for the first half of May. Children will be able to see how things grow and change and learn about caring for plants. During this study we will be investigating the following questions:
- How can we plan and care for a garden?
- What grows in gardens?
- Who helps gardens grow?
- How do gardens help people and the environment?
- How is a garden harvested?
If you or someone in your family has a job or hobby related to gardens (gardener, farmer, florist, landscaper) and would be willing to share your expertise with the preschoolers, please let us know!
Parent Feedback
What was your favorite family activity this year?
Bulldog Buddies Movement Mania Event
Thank you to all of the families that participated in our Bulldog Buddies Movement Mania field trip! We hope that you had a great time exploring movements, directional concepts, rhythm and spatial/body awareness! We learned about four different body shapes - straight, angular, curvy and twisted. We'd also like to extend a thank you to Angela De La Rosa from the Southlake YMCA for volunteering to lead our class.
Check out some of photos from the event!
Rock Your Socks
Bulldog Buddies celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by wearing multi-colored, bright or mismatched socks on March 21st! Individuals with Down Syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome - which is why we raise awareness on 3-21! We are so grateful to be a part of a community that embraces differences! You can find more information, including resources about Down Syndrome, at www.worlddownsyndromeday.org.
A Note From Our Preschool Specialist
Learning About Science in Preschool
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) “affirms that learning science and engineering practices in the early years can foster children’s curiosity and enjoyment in exploring the world around them and lay the foundation for a progression of science learning in K-12 settings and throughout their entire lives.”
Preschoolers have a natural sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them. Here are ten tips to support children’s science learning from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC):
- Value your child’s questions.
- Explore and find the answers together.
- Give children time and space to explore.
- Accept that explorations are often messy.
- Learn from mistakes together.
- Invite curiosity.
- Support further exploration.
- Encourage children to record their observations.
- Make good use of your electronic devices.
- Use items you have at home to experiment and explore.
Have fun, wonder and learn along with your child!
Preschool Tuition & Fees
Thank you for your diligence in paying any outstanding preschool fees! Just as a reminder, current tuition fees are loaded on the 15th of the previous month and due by the 1st of every month. Please check your child's PowerSchool account for balances due. Payment can be made online or at the school office. Failure to pay by the 10th of the current month will result in your student not being able to attend preschool until the balance is paid in full.
Supply Fee - $65 yearly for all students in preschool
Monthly Tuition - $180/3 days per week, $300/5 days per week
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the preschool office at (219) 663-4330.
Birth to School Classes
CPCSC offers a Birth to School Program for children 0-5 years old that reside within the Crown Point Community School Corporation boundaries. We offer a Little Learners series that includes a baby class (0-12 months), toddler class (13-24 months) and little learners class (25-36 months). Imaginarium and Learn Through Play classes are for children ages 0-5. If your child is already attending Bulldog Buddies, you can also be a part of the Birth to School program. All Birth to School classes and events are free. For additional information, please check out our website at www.cps.k12.in.us/bts. If you have specific questions, please contact our Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.
Imaginarium & Learn Through Play
Imaginarium & Learn Through Play
Imaginarium & Learn Through Play
Important Dates
- May 27 - Memorial Day, No Preschool Classes
- May 31 - Last day of preschool
- June 3 - Teacher Work Day, No Preschool Classes
General Information
Kristy Elsey, Assistant Director of Elementary Education
Email: kelsey01@cps.k12.in.us
Christine Johnsen, Preschool Treasurer
Email: cjohnsen@cps.k12.in.us
Charissa Leestma, Preschool Specialist
Email: cleestma@cps.k12.in.us
Website: https://preschool.cps.k12.in.us/
Location: 720 Summit Street, Crown Point, IN, USA
Phone: 219-663-4330