Reminder about Phones and Watches
We have noticed many more students coming to school with new personal devices since Winter Break. This information was shared back at Curriculum Night, but in case you missed it:
- Phones should not be seen or heard at school.
- Watches should not be used to initiate or respond to text messages during school hours.
- If either becomes a distraction, the school administration will take student devices and parents/guardians will be responsible for picking them up.
Parents, if your child texts you during the school day, we encourage you to resist the urge to respond immediately. Instead, this is an opportunity to guide your child toward seeking help from the adults around them.
I understand how hard this can be—I’m a parent, too. When my own daughter texts me during school hours, I typically send her a simple emoji to let her know I’m here, but I don’t engage in a conversation. If she needs support, I reply with, "Please find an adult to help you."
By practicing this approach, we can work together to help our children develop self-advocacy skills and build confidence in trusting others to assist them. Thank you for partnering with us in fostering their growth!
Parker's Picks
This week, Parker is sharing books to teach your little penguins about Lunar New Year, which is next Wednesday, January 29th. Many Asian cultures celebrate New Year at the first new moon of the year, which happens between mid-January and mid-February. Here are some fun books to celebrate the season.
Bringing in the New Year, by Grace Lin. Young readers will enjoy this simple tale of a Chinese American family preparing for the Lunar New Year. Grace Lin's boldly patterned illustrations will have kids wishing they could jump right into the celebration.
The Night Before Lunar New Year, by Natasha Wing and Lifeng Ho. It's the night before Lunar New Year, and a little girl is excited for all of the celebrations to come. She's prepared dumplings with her mom, bought a new dress in Chinatown, and even helped scare mythical beast Nian away with her cousins and brother. There's only one problem: she's a bit nervous about all of the loud noises at the upcoming Lunar New Year Parade. Will she overcome her fears?
Let’s Celebrate Korean New Year by Michelle W. Park. This sweet and festive picture book follows sisters Madeleine and Eloise as they prepare for their family’s Lunar New Year party. Madeleine shows her younger sister how to make Korean dumplings, how to put on her colorful outfit called a hanbok, and how to set the table. But when Madeleine forgets something, Eloise is there to help save the day!
Our Lunar New Year, by Yobe Qiu. Readers explore the festivities of China, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, and India, discovering the unique clothing, food, decorations, and activities associated with each culture’s New Year’s celebration.
Grumpy New Year, by Katrina Moore. Sequel to Monarch nominee, Grandpa Grumps, Daisy goes to visit Yeh-Yeh for New Years in China! But at first her lack of sleep makes her too grumpy to enjoy all the fun he has planned.
The students are continuing their exploration of community helpers, with a focus on doctors and veterinarians. Through dramatic play, they have been role-playing as veterinarians, giving animal check-ups, treating injuries, administering medicine, and ensuring their animal patients stay healthy and happy.
This week, our classes had the pleasure of welcoming two special guests: our school resource officer, Officer M, and Dr. Lynna, a parent of one of our Early Learners, who just so happens to be a dentist! This unit provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore research from an early age. They love using a mix of books, online resources, and real-life experts to answer their questions about community helpers. It’s also a great chance to focus on safety and self-care at home. Families can continue the learning at home by reviewing their family evacuation plan and practicing good oral hygiene—brushing and flossing—just like Dr. Lynna taught them!
Our Early Learners team is excited for 'When I Grow Up Day' next Friday! The children will have the opportunity to dress up as the professionals they dream of becoming. It’s always a joy to see our little ones imagining their future careers and the people they will become as adults. This event has also sparked some wonderful creative thinking in our PreK students, who have been exploring this theme through drawing and writing as part of their continued journey in exploring their written expression skills.
