February 2023 Newsletter

YOUR ASSIGNMENT ?

Friday THE Twenty-Four OF March AT The Foundry

Art by: The Yellow Room | See beyond the scribbles | Two-year-old Class | Mixed Media on Paper

DEAR FAMILIES,

We rejoice each day as we open the glass doors at morning arrival for our most honored guests – the children and families of the Preschool. Prior to their arrival, teachers prepare the classrooms for the day with morning provocations, setting up the areas for children to work in, inspired by the children’s interest and research. This year, nature takes center stage as children encounter a variety of natural materials and tools for investigating and expressing their learning processes. The robust experiences, which bring such joy, are based on the dimensions of learning and often exceed what is expected of children this age.

Like the teachers planing ahead, the administration is thinking about the children and families, planning for the 2023-2024 school year. We appreciate all of the many families (new and returning) that have registered to be a part of the Preschool’s joyful community.

We are excited to bring your attention to the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing at Peachtree’s upcoming eventsAfternoon of Stories and Springtime at Peachtree. We eagerly await this time with you and your children!

MISS JANE

Easter Chapel Service, 9:20 a.m., Sanctuary, MWF Pre-K, M-F and MWF Three-year-old Classes

27 Chapel Service, 9:20 a.m., Sanctuary, MWF Pre-K, M-F and MWF Three-year-old Classes

28

Chapel Service, 9:20 a.m., Sanctuary, Five/Six and M-F Pre-K classes

28

Easter Chapel Service, 9:20 a.m., Sanctuary, Five/Six and M-F Pre-K classes

29

Dad’s Day for Three-year-old classes, 8:45 a.m.

20

Dad’s Day for Toddlers and

8:45 a.m.

21

Dad’s Day for Toddlers and Twoyear old classes, 8:45 a.m.

From Parents’ Council:

Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe we are already in February! As we show our love and gratitude this month, I want to say a huge “thank you” to all of the parent volunteers who are such a vital part of this community. To everyone who has helped with prospective parent tours, Visiting Day, Educator Exchange Day, teacher appreciation efforts, mystery readers, or shelving books in the library this month... THANK YOU! The love you share with the Preschool is evident and all of our children benefit from it.

Speaking of sharing the love - the number of family and corporate sponsorships supporting Springtime at Peachtree is incredible! Thank you to all of the generous sponsors who will make this year’s Casino Royale themed gala a fun-filled night to remember. This evening supports the Peachtree Inclusion Program by raising funds for additional Inclusion Specialists, tuition reduction, teacher and staff training, and adaptive equipment and materials. If you haven’t already done so, book your babysitter and buy your tickets! It’s truly a special night and I can’t wait to see you all there!

Afternoon of Stories is February 26 at 4:00 p.m. This event is open to the community so invite your neighbors and friends! If you haven’t attended before, prepare to see your children’s imaginations ignite as their favorite teachers bring stories to life through storytelling and song!

I hope February brings you and your family many occasions to celebrate your love for each other with time together.

With love and gratitude,

Thanks, 256.412.4541

May 6, 2023

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

(Shine Only)

Peachtree Family Festival is a parent run event, and we cannot do it without you!

Mark your calendars for the Peachtree Family Festival! This wonderful event features bounce houses, activities and games, music, artisan market, face painting, and more! Your children won’t want to miss it and neither will you!

Planning for the festival is currently underway. This is a great way to help with a fun event and to get to know other parents.

Please reach out to Bonnie Sugrue (bonnie.g.sugrue@gmail.com) for more information about the Artisan Market

If you are interested in helping, please reach out to: Kate Hays (khays213@gmail.com) or Emily Cook (emilyghammond@ gmail.com).

Prospective Parent Tours

Tours meet in the Lobby of the Family Commons at 9:30 a.m. Please invite interested friends and family to attend the tour. Reservations are not required, however, they are appreciated. Visitwww.peachtreepresbyterianpreschool.org/ admissions for more information.

Upcoming Dates:

Thursday, February 16

Thursday, March 16

2023-2024 Enrollment Contracts

Please review, sign, and submit your child’s Tuition and Enrollment contract in the MySchool Preschool portal by March 13, 2023. Upon completion of the contract, your child will be officially enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Owens (cowens@peachtreepreschool.org).

Parent First Aid Class

Peachtree will offer a First Aid and CPR class to parents and caregivers, led by Peachtree's Nurse Caitlin Barnhart. The class will be at no cost and nursery will be provided.

First Aid: Wednesday, February 22

Class time: 9:15 a.m. Room: 4303

Register: www.peachtreepresbyterianpreschool.org

Questions: Please email Caitlin Barnhart - cbarnhart@peachtreepreschool.org.

FEBRUARY BLESSING:

A Child’s Prayer for Morning

Now, before I run to play, Let me not forget to pray. To God who kept me through the night And waked me with the morning light. Help me, Lord, to love Thee more Then I ever loved before, In my work and in my play

Be Thou with me through the day. Amen

-Author Unknown

Camp Peaches 2023

Come join the fun at Camp Peaches! Skilled teachers and enthusiastic youth assistants provide an exciting, safe environment for campers to develop their active imaginations through hands-on adventures. Unique classes introduce campers to the stimulating world of discovery.

June 12 - 16, 2023

June 19 - 23, 2023

9:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Experiences Include: Sports and Games, Arts and Crafts, Drama and Storytelling, Let’s Get Wet!, Outdoor Classroom Discovery, and much more!

Children enrolled in Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool for the 2022 - 2023 school year must be two-years-old by August 31, 2023, to attend Camp Peaches 2023.

Children who do not attend Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool during the 2022-2023 school year must be four-yearsold by August 31, 2023. The oldest campers are rising third-graders. Children may attend one or both weeks, and the fee of $225 for one week or $425 for both weeks is due at the time of registration.

Preschool Camps

In addition to Camp Peaches, Peachtree offers a variety of camps during the Weeks of July 10, July 17, and July 24. All children must be at least Threeyears-old by February 28, 2023. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to Katie Manning at kmanning@peachtreepreschool.org.

Studio Art Camp: Week of July 10-13, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ($325.00)

Studio Art Camp: Week of July 24-27, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ($325.00)

Music Camp: Week of July 10-13, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ($325.00)

Music Camp: Week of July 17-20, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ($325.00)

Rising Kindergarten Camp: Week of July 24-28, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ($375.00)

FUNdamentals: Week of July 10-14, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ($375.00)

FUNdamentals: Week of July 17-21, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ($375.00)

Social Detectives: Week of July 10 - 14, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ($400.00)

For more information or to register visit www.peachtreepresbyterianpreschool.org

Sunshine Room Studio Time, Three-year-old class

The Sunshine room has been exploring the studio in small groups each week. During these days the children have been investigating a large variety of writing and drawing tools, papers, surfaces and techniques. Throughout their experimentation they share theories with each other about the work and results.

The children are competent working in clay and come to the studio with hands that already love to roll, pat, pinch, pull and shape the materials. One morning as they gathered around a flat circle of clay, the conversation about the sun began.

“That Sunshine will burn up the worms!” - Nicholas

“The sun is bright and its hot. I think I know its hard to use and you can’t touch it because it’s hot! We can feel sunshine, I feel it sometimes.” - Anna

“God made the sun” - Wesley

“It’s just hot. It’s too hot. It’s made of sunshine and more sunshine.” - Caroline

“I see the sun in the clouds. The sun sleeps at night time. When it’s not sleeping it comes up and shines white and hot.” -Margaret

II TH ANNUAL SPRINGTIME AT PEACHTREE presents

Bond toge er

FOR A NIGHT OF HIGH STYLE and HIGH ROLLING

AS WE RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS for Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool’s renowned INCLUSION PROGRAM

YOUR ASSIGNMENT ?

$125 $500 Host Family

Individual Ticket

2 VIP TICKETS INCLUDES

Black History Month Book Spotlight:

Celebrate Black History Month with children of all ages by reading stories of African-Americans overcoming adversity and making their multicultural mark on the world. There are many rich biographies and themes to explore with children during Black History Month (February) or any time of year. Follow @hereweeread for more great book suggestions.

Follow Your Dreams, Little One by: Vashti Harrison

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Vashti Harrison shines a bold, joyous light on black men through history in this board book edition of Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History.

This beautifully illustrated board book highlights true stories of black men in history. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, lawman Bass Reeves, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.

The legends in this book span centuries and continents, but what they have in common is that each one has blazed a trail for generations to come.

Baby Young, Gifted, and Black: With a Mirror!

by: Jamia Wilson (Author) and Andrea Pippins (Illustrator)

Meet icons of color from past and present in this baby board book celebration of inspirational achievement. A collection of positive, yet simple, affirmations to encourage the next generation. Highlighting the talent of Black leaders and changemakers from around the world, young dreamers will develop confidence, self-assurance, and self-belief.

Created in the spirit of Nina Simone’s song “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black,” meet figureheads, leaders and pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, as well as cultural trailblazers like Zadie Smith and athletes like Serena Williams. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of Black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins’ colorful and celebratory illustrations.

Mae Among the Stars by: Roda Ahmed (Author), Stasia Burrington (Illustrator)

A beautiful picture book for sharing and marking special occasions such as graduation, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison. An Amazon Best Book of the Month!

A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts.

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.

She wanted to be an astronaut.

Her mom told her, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.

This book will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars, to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination.

Exploring Seasonal Transitions through Mark Making in the Den Room, Three-year-old class

Since the start of the school year, the children of the Den Room observed and discussed the changing outdoors. In early Fall, they noticed that the leaves on the trees were in the process of changing colors. The class talked about how the leaves changed color due to lack of sunlight and can transform into a new color.

“It’s Fall and the leaves change color, “ observed Mitch. “Brown means they are dead,” he added. The children were invited into the Studio with Miss Kristi to create collaborative paintings using water colors, chalk and woodies. The children first drew lines representing the veins of the leaves and then added colors to the paper.

“The leaves fall because the wind blowed it off,” said Christian. “The leaves are the tree’s hair.” William commented, “In the Fall, we get a haircut and our hair will fall just like the leaves.”

“When a tree loses all its leaves it feels sad because it doesn’t have any,” said Annie K. The class continued to work with Miss Kristi in the Studio to create late Fall canvases with deeper Fall colors and Winter canvases of bare trees in blues, grays and black. It’s clear in the work, through mark-making and their words, the children make observations and form theories on how and why seasonal transitions happen. We can’t wait to see what the children notice in the Spring!

VISITING DAY 2023

VISITING DAY 2023