Early Learning Preschool Newsletter
September 2024
Welcome to Early Learning Preschool
Early Learning Preschool will provide the foundation for
education, through exploration, home to school connections,
and a positive, nurturing environment to promote critical
thinking skills, resiliency and a love of learning.
Leading with Literacy
The Pigeon Has to Go to School! By Mo Willems
Pigeon has lots of questions about going to school.
What if I don’t like school? Why do I have to go to school? How am I supposed to get there anyway? See what it takes to get Pigeon excited to go to school!
Reading Rockets has great tips for reading with your preschooler! Here are just a few:
- Give everything a name. Build your child’s vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, “Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?”
- Read together every day. Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.
- Be interactive. Discuss what’s happening in the book, point out things on the page, and ask questions.
- Read with fun in your voice. Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up!
- Read it again and again. Go ahead and read your child’s favorite book for the 100th time!
See more here:
Curriculum Corner
You may be wondering what curriculum is used in all our Early Learning Preschool classrooms. Read to find out more about how the Virginia's Early Learning & Development Standards are taught through our curriculum to support Kindergarten readiness.
The Early Learning Preschool classroom environment is guided byThe Creative Curriculum for Preschool which is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills. It is designed to help educators at all levels of experience plan and implement a developmentally appropriate, content-rich program for children with diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
Zoo-phonics is utilized in conjunction with The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. This multisensory language arts program focuses on alphabet letter recognition and sounds. It is a method developed to help children become strong readers and spellers using a phono (hearing), oral (speaking), kinesthetic (moving), and tactile (touching) approach. Zoo-phonics maximizes understanding, memory, utilization and transference to all areas of the reading, spelling, and writing process in a playful and concrete manner.
Also used in our classrooms is the PATHS® Social Emotional Curriculum, which is a comprehensive program for promoting emotional and social competencies and reducing aggression and behavior problems in elementary school-aged children while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom.
Our team created Home Activity boards to help support continued learning at home. Here’s a link to the Beginning of the Year Home Activity Board as well as translations of the Home Activity boards in Spanish and Arabic.
We will continue to share new boards throughout the year as we begin new areas of study. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum utilized in our Early Learning Preschool classrooms, feel free to contact Jaime Brinkman, Instructional Development Coordinator. jcbrinkman@henrico.k12.va.us
VKRP Assessments
The Fall Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) assessment window takes place during the months of September and October. The information collected will help your child’s teacher know more about each child’s knowledge of literacy and mathematics, in addition to social emotional skills. Results are used to determine individual children’s learning goals, plan classroom instruction, and raise awareness of children who need additional support or instruction. Results are shared with families through conferences and progress reports. If you have any questions about VKRP assessments, please contact your child’s teacher.
Attendance & Health
The Importance of Attending School Everyday
Students who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to read at grade level by third grade—which would make them 4 times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.
Watch the video below for more information on how your child's health is an important part of their school success.
Oral Health
For more information on oral health please click the link below.
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Any Early Learning Preschool Student who has not received a hearing or vision screening will be screened during the month of September. Our program sees the importance in early detection of possible school readiness barriers. An inability to hear clearly can get in the way of a child’s speech, language, as well as social and emotional development. Timely vision screening is an important step toward early detection of any possible vision problems, and early detection can lead to an effective intervention and help to restore proper vision. Young children rarely complain when they can’t see well because to them, it’s normal. Both tests are relatively simple and usually take only a few minutes to complete. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Preschool@henrico.k12.va.us
Mental Health Wellness
Early Learning Preschool has three clinical service providers, Stephanie H. Baker, LCSW-S, RPT, NCSSW, Margaret Savory, LCSW, and Michelle Thompson, MSW, CTS-TRE.
They are available to provide social and emotional assistance to your families. Each month they will share a healthy tip for your family.
Linked below is the September Newsletter
Emotional Well Being
Emotions like anger, sadness, and fear are natural and unavoidable, and they may be challenging for children and adults alike. But all feelings are there for a reason, all feelings are important, and learning to cope well with the difficult ones—rather than just “make them go away”—is the real goal.
After watching, you might talk about helpers in general. Some helpers, like doctors and nurses, help keep our bodies healthy. Feelings helpers help keep our minds healthy. Other types of helpers, like firefighters and crossing guards, keep us safe. Talk about the many other helpers in your family’s life and the life of your community.
Remind children that there are so many kinds of helpers, and that lots of kids and adults see feelings helpers. It’s a brave thing to do.
For more information please visit: https://sesameworkshop.org
Family Involvement
Family Needs Assessment
Please complete our Family Needs Assessment form if you haven’t already. The information you provide will assist us in learning more about the needs and goals of your family. If you attended Orientation over the summer, you have likely already completed the form and there’s no need for you to do it again.
ENGLISH:
https://forms.gle/BVnsfKSN9sjwux8F7
SPANISH:
https://forms.gle/eTJk1HMJVKSEAitU6
ARABIC:
ELP FAMILY MEETINGS
Early Learning Preschool will hold meetings throughout the year.
These meetings will be a great way to stay involved and hear
about what is going on in the program. Most of the meetings will
be held virtually. Meeting links will be shared via email. The first meeting will be held on
Wednesday, October 23rd at 1:00.
We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Healthy Eating
TMNT Fruity Face Fruit Platter Recipe
What You’ll Need
- Green Grapes
- Blueberries
- Strawberries, quartered
- Kiwis, peeled, sliced, and halved
- Yogurt
- 2 two-ounce bowls or disposable salad dressing containers
How to Make It
Step One:
Rinse and dry the grapes, blueberries, and strawberries. Using the photo for reference, make Raph’s face and red mask out of fruit.
Step Two:
Fill the 2 oz. containers with yogurt. Place one blueberry in each container to make Raph’s eyes.
Booyakasha! It’s really that simple. Now you and the whole gang can dig in.
**peeling and cutting will need to be completed by an adult**
Local Family Events
Taylor Farm Park
Henrico County’s newest park!
200 Whiteside Road | Sandston, VA 23150
Taylor Farm is a one-of-a-kind park, unlike any others in the county. It will be a regional destination rich with dynamic recreation opportunities. Features include an All Wheel Park, Nature Play Area, Water Play, Event Lawn, and Memorial Area.
Other Local Events
September 12, 2024 at 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Deep Run Recreation Center 9910 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico, VA, United StatesIn honor of the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating with a salsa night at Deep Run Park! Bring your whole family or a date for an evening of group instruction, food trucks, and dancing at sunset.
Bring a chair, water bottle, and dancing feet as we turn our parking lot into a dance hall!
Information: tru08@henrico.gov
September 13, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Belmont Recreation Center is hosting several “Cinema at the Center” events where visitors can enjoy a family-friendly movie inside the building.
Movie is free, but space is limited. Popcorn will also be available, while supplies last.
Friday, September 13th at 4 p.m.
Thursday, October 3rd at 2 p.m. (HCPS Holiday)
Friday, November 1st at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. (HCPS Holiday)
Call or email for the movie title. We also share the titles in our monthly e-newsletter; sign up today!
September 14, 2024 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bark in the Park Dog Walk 2024
Deep Run Park 9900 Ridgefield Pkwy, Henrico, VAJoin us at Henrico Humane Society’s Bark in the Park - a fun, outdoor event where you will find plenty of vendors, pet-related activities, good food, and fresh air
Information: cli04@henrico.gov or 804-652-1410.
September 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dorey Park 2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, VA, United StatesJoin us for a movie in the park! The family-friendly movie will begin at sunset, approximately 7:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and a flashlight.
Resources
Helpful Links
- Henrico County Multicultural Community Engagement Bulletin Board
- Science Museum of Virginia: Museum for All Information
- HCPS 24-25 School Calendar
- Henrico County Public Library Storyline 804-501-1946
Important Dates
September 2024
Sept. 2: Schools closed – Labor Day
October 2024
Oct. 3: Student and teacher holiday – Jewish High Holiday
Oct. 14: Student holiday – Teacher in-person professional learning
Oct. 23: End of quarter/Student half day
For more information about the 2024-2025 school year please visit:
https://www.henricoschools.us/page/2024-25-school-calendar
804-328-8104 or visit https://henricoschools.us/preschool/