Preschool Community Matters Messenger - Fall 2013 Issue

Fall Issue Greetings parents and families!

We are hoping that all have a great start to the new school year !

Our preschool staff has gotten us off to a great start from the Open House and the helpful tips to help your child adjust to a new class and new friends and even offering suggestions for healthy nut, egg and peanut free snacks.

Our preschool staff is lead by Ms. Missy Montano Lead Preschool teacher and her assistants in “The Woodland Forest” classes are Ms. Ragan for 4’s & 5’s and Ms. Daniella with the 3 Bears. Ms. Missy’s partner in the Preschool team is Ms. Angel and her assistants in “The Arctic Class” are Ms. Brandy for 4’s & 5’s and Ms. Brittany with the 3 Bears. I am sure you will hear a lot about these ladies as the year progresses.

Ms. Missy and Ms. Angel and their staff offer a variety of ways to stay connected and informed. We offer our quarterly newsletter, in class bulletin board, take home letters, sign in and out desk, email and phone calls. It is very important that you share with them at anytime throughout the year if any of your contact information changes. The key to your child’s success and ours is to communicate.

Thank you again for your investment into your child’s life and future and for being a part of our Parks and Recreation Family.

Thank you for taking a moment to catch up on the Preschool Program and please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time via email at s.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov or by phone at 703.335.8872.

Sincerely, Sue Jurjevic

and canned fruits or fruit juice before a game.

Fluids are extremely important,

Tips for Active Kids Playing Sports Parents should help young athletes prepare to give optimum sports performances by providing healthy and nutritious meals before and after games. Offering high – carbohydrate

foods

(also

called

complex carbohydrates)

versus

high protein and fatty foods two to three hours before a game is very important to maintain the energy needed for them.

Some

before, during and after a game and staying hydrated makes for a better performance. Eight ounces of water before, during and after the sporting event is extremely important, especially if the outdoor temperatures are high. During a game, athletes should

Physical Activities Lil Dunkers—(Ages 3-5) Come join the fun, as your child learns the basics of basketball. Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, and Defense will be covered. This class will also benefit those who are 4 years and older and would like to participate in our Biddy Ball Program.

No class 11/11. Participants must be Potty Trained.

be allowed to take fluid breaks when

Activity # 4370

needed to maintain their best per-

M/W 11:45a- 12:15p 10/16-11/20

formance, and of course, caffein-

$55/M; $60/R; $65/NR

ated and carbonated beverages are not recommended.

which are digested quicker than

healthy

high-protein and fatty foods. Unfor-

snacks before and after games. Pack

tunately, we tend to forget just how

low-fat snacks such as granola bars,

important nutrition is to good health

energy bars, pretzels, trail mix, fruit,

and athletic performance. Fruit is

peanut butter and crackers, bagels,

actually an excellent source of com-

and fluids. A healthy lifestyle is all

2013-2014 Biddy Ball: 4 & 5 Year Olds—(Ages 4-5) Manassas Park, Dept. of Parks and Rec. is proud to bring another thrilling season of basketball back to the community. Our league is co-ed and we focus on the FUN-damentals and skill development. In this age group, teams practice and play games on Fridays only.

plex carbohydrates and fluids and

about making healthy choices… Get your kids energized! Meet active kids'

Activity # 3856

can be eaten one to two hours before a sporting event. Parents should

energy needs through foods and flu-

have their children try raw, dried

ids.

examples

of

high-carbohydrate

Keep kids' fuel tanks filled with

foods are pastas, breads and cereal

Our additional programs are designed to build their developmental and social foundation. They also provide parents with an opportunity to meet new parents, friends, have a swim in the pool or simply have ME time.

Social Activities For Kids: Lunch Bunch Tuesdays 12:30p-1p 10/8- 10/29- $40/ M$45/R; $50/NR 11/5-11/26- $40/ M$45/R; $50/NR 1/7– 1/28-

$40/ M$45/R; $50/NR

2/4-2/25-

$40/ M$45/R; $50/NR

meals;

provide

healthy

F

6p-8p

12/13-3/7

65/M; $70/R; $75/NR

Story Power Hour Wednesdays- 10a-11a 10/9- $8.00 11/6- $8.00

Social Activities For Parents:

12/11- $8.00

Monday “Me” Time

1/8- $8.00 2/5- $8.00

Mondays

11a- 12:30p

12/2;12/9;12/16 $20/M; $25/R;$35/NR

No Fuss Mess Art Thursdays- 10a- 11a 1/9-1/30 $50/M; $55/R;$60/NR

“To Do List” Tuesday Tuesday

s

11:30a- 1p

12/3;12/10;12/17 $20/M; $25/R;$35/NR

Start a successful school year at Preschool—and keep it going!

The following helpful tips help at the beginning of the school year and throughout the year. There are times when a child has changes in their routine, family dynamics, illnesses.

1. If you and your child have fallen out of your bedtime routine this summer, get back into a solid routine! A week before the first day of school is a good time frame in which to begin.

2. Plan and shop for healthy breakfasts and lunches a week in advance. This will save you precious time and prevent much stress in the long run!

3. Accidents happen! Prepare a la- with them, ask them how they are beled change of clothes in ad- feeling, what they are thinking. vance, and bring it with you on the first day of school for your child’s As always your preschool staff is here teacher to keep in the classroom. to help with any concerns you may have.

4. Be prepared for tears. Smile, stay positive, and maintain a calm demeanor when your child is having a Ms. Missy (m.montano@manassasparkva.gov) hard time saying goodbye. or Ms. Angel 5. Support early literacy by reading (a.angel@manassasparkva.gov) to your child every day. As they grows older, ask that they read to you. Keep books everywhere—in the car, in the kitchen, and anywhere you spend time. Make special weekend trips to the library or stop by the Library we have on site located behind the front desk.

Children are people too, no matter what age they have feelings, worries, and stresses and fears. It will benefit them if you keep them as close to their routine as possible, talk

Writing is not the only way to learn our letters; we have combined learning our letters and gross motor skills. Encourage your child to use playdough, writing in pudding or shaving cream, use toys, cereal, goldfish, etc. The possibilities are endless. Have fun and be creative.

There art work has been one way they have been making their mark in preschool. They have also been learning about one another– likes and dislikes, favorite color , food and activity to play. They are having fun, being creative and making friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preschool Calendar: October 14th- No Class/ Columbus Day October 18th– Pumpkin Patch Family Day Field Trip October 22nd, 24th, & 29th– Teacher Conferences 1p-2:30p October 31st– Holiday Party during class time November11th– No Class/ Veterans Day November 27th– Holiday Party during class time November 28th & 29th– Closed/ Thanksgiving Break December 19th– Holiday Party 4’s & 5’s & 3 Bears 9:30a-11:15 December 20th– January 3rd– No Class/ Winter Break January 20th– No Class/ MLK Day February 14th– Holiday Party during class time February 17th– No Class/ President’s Day

What if I want my child to participate in other programs that you offer at the Community Center? i.e. Lunch Bunch, Monday “Me” Time, or “To Do List” Tuesday, or dance. We encourage your child to participate in these extra activities for more socialization and for more time for you. Once your provide a written notice of your child’s additional activity, we will be responsible to take your child to the next program and pick them up from their program and take them to class if the program is within 15 minutes of start or ending of their preschool class.

What are the requirements for my child to participate in the Preschool Programs at the Community Center? Children must be between the ages of 3-5 not yet enrolled or attended Kindergarten and must be potty trained.

What type of snack should my child bring to Preschool? We recommend fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, water or 100% fruit juice. Snack must be peanut and tree nut, and egg free. Snack must be in its original package with an ingredients label. Please pack cold items with an ice pack; we are not permitted to refrigerate food.

How can I help my child prepare for preschool? Help them establish a routine of laying out clothes for the next day placing their back pack in a place that they will remember. Getting to Preschool and arrival; have them carry their own backpack and allow and encourage them to follow the routine of arrival to school by taking off coats, turning in notebooks and putting their back packs away.

What do we do in Preschool? We use a child centered approach to early childhood development.

We use hands on activities to encourage a love of learning. We also use daily routines to encourage independence and responsibilities.

What is our approach to discipline? Our approach is we discipline through redirection and a focus on self discipline. We focus on teaching empathy and respect for others and their property.