Trying new things at Prekindergarten

At Vinton's Prekindergarten program, students are encouraged to try new games and to play cooperatively with other children.  When weather permits, students are outside up to 30 minutes per day learning to use their bodies and their words appropriately.

Dramatic Play

Creative Expression Performance Standard 3: Students will represent experiences and fantasies in pretend play.

Water Exploration Day September 23 THIS FRIDAY

Vinton

Prekindergarten

Water Exploration

When:  Friday, Sept. 23

What to Wear: Water shoes (crocs, flip flops etc.) and clothes that can get wet

The children will go home wet/damp and will be somewhat air-dried

Performance Standard(s) : Cognitive 1,2,8,9,- P/S 5,7,8, PHY 1,2,3)

For your perusal, and this should also come to you personally on your email!

News From Annie E. Vinton School

September 16, 2016

Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser!

Sign Up Today!

Please join Vinton friends and families on Saturday, September 24 from 8:00-10:00 am for an Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser! 

This event is open to anyone who pre-purchases a ticket through our school. Tickets for this event are $5 per person, however, if you volunteer you will be able to dine for FREE!  

All ages of volunteers are welcome to help us seat guests and clean up. It is requested that ages 16+ help serve juice/coffee and breakfast plates. All those assisting should wear closed toed shoes and hair longer than shoulder length should be tied back.  If you would like to volunteer, please sign up at here at the Sign Up Genius website.

Please call Kelly Robidas at 860-918-8626 with any questions.

Date: 09/24/2016, 8:00-10:00am

Location: Applebee's Eastbrook Mall

Parent Teacher Association

Thanks to everyone who attended our first Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.) meeting of the year this week! Kelly Lyman,  Mansfield Superintendent of Schools, came and talked about district initiatives and thanked all parents for all that they do for our schools. For more information on district initiatives, please see here. Mike Seal shared the initiatives going on at the school.  Mike talked about the success of the new boiler project, professional learning happening at the school, new arrival and dismissal procedures (seems to be going well!), and the importance of growing our classroom libraries through fundraising.

Our parent volunteers do so much for our kids throughout the year - much of it unseen. The Vinton faculty and staff is extremely appreciative of the efforts of our P.T.A., led by Co-Presidents Amy Lapsis and Madison Day.   Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30pm. 

Faculty and Staff Room Redecoration!

Many thanks to the Parent Teacher Association from all of our faculty and staff for your amazing work redecorating our lounge! The room received a new coat of paint and a lot of care on your part. It make a huge difference, and we all appreciate your efforts. Thanks to Madison Day and Amy Lapsis, our P.T.A. co-presidents, and all the folks who volunteered their time on some hot summer days to to the work.  We saw Jose Seeley painting up on a ladder one day - many thanks Jose and the redecoration team! 

Toys and Sport Equipment at School

Our school is dedicated to the social, emotional and academic needs of all our children. Play and physical education are essential components of our day.  We pride ourselves on having appropriate play equipment for both our indoor and outdoor recesses.  Mr. T keeps us well stocked with equipment - see photo below.  We work hard to develop a strong sense of community and cooperation that encourages the sharing of equipment. We ask that students' own toys, cards, games and sports equipment remain at home, unless an arrangement has been worked out with the classroom teacher.  This also helps students stay focused in classrooms on the important work at hand. Thanks for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact Mike at sealm@mansfieldct.org.

Upcoming Events

·         Saturday, September 24: Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfast, Vinton PTA Fundraiser, 8-10am

·         Monday, September 26: Picture Day!

·         October 3 through October 14: Lyman Orchards Fall Fundraiser

·         November 8: Election Day Bake Sale at Eagleville Fire Department

·         November 18: Thanksgiving Feast

Math color group-Sorting and counting using counting mats

Pre-writing Skills

Three days per week, students participate in "Color Groups".  These color groups focus on specific skills.  The featured activity consists of sand that students "write" in using their fingers.  We're learning top and bottom, across and down, straight lines, curves both large and small as well as how to "dot".  Later, the children used beach stones and gems to embellish t heir independent work.  Notice the "t" above.

Readers' Respect

Students are encouraged to get started right away with their book, to stay in one spot, and to read the whole book.

Center Choices

Students explored textures and strengthened their fine motor skills with these texture collages.  Check them out in the main hallway!

Getting ready to play with our set of dinosaurs.  

Two friends in the Drama Center improving their child care skills.  

Our books

Eric Carle is a much loved author of children's books that lend themselves to the development of imagination, an introduction to color and provides access to a rich vocabulary.

Our classroom library is quite extensive.  The program has sets of picture books for many topics.  We also have several authors to feature.  Informational text accompanies our study of Science and Social Studies.  

Later, we'll learn how to officially buddy read but for now, children often share their discoveries with a new friend.

Book Look

Sustained Silent Reading

Children in Prekindergarten are developing their ability to interact with text.  We've been learning how to "read the 3 or 4 year old way" by looking at the illustrations and telling the story.  We have spent time telling our own stories which contributes to the former skill.

Creative Expression Performance Standard 1

Finger Painting on the easel, fine motor and sensory integration with a dose of creativity

First thing in the morning, TABLE CHOICES

Last week in Prekindergarten while outside.....

The First Six Weeks of School

We have spent a bit of time these last days developing our norms and expectations for our students.  How to follow classroom routines, sign up for choice time, eat snack, use the Playscape and how to line up are all being addressed.

Announcement regarding Vinton's Open House

Vinton Elementary SchoolOPEN HOUSEPlease join us on: Wednesday September 14th. Grades PK, K, 1 & 2 - 6:30-7:15Grades 3 & 4 - 7:15-8:00pmAll students and families are invited to meet the staff, teachers, principal & community members.

Table Choices Galore!

Fine motor skills, personal and social skills and creative expression abound during table centers.  Students are allowed to move from one activity to the next making choices about what to play, who to play with and what to create!

One of next week's selection!

Our class will be creating class books using the children's pictures to make "Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Davis, Who Do You See?

Our first read for the year, feel free to reread this one at home.

The Reading Center

The Reading Center is located in a quiet area of the room for sustained silent reading, buddy reading and conferring with the teacher.  Currently, Eric Carle's books are offered for perusal as he is our first author study.  

Housekeeping in Dramatic Play

Classroom Behavior Management System

Vinton Pre-Kindergarten Behavior Management System  

2016-2017 Plan

At Pre-Kindergarten, our goal is to maintain a safe and orderly environment in which your child can learn. Therefore, I place a great emphasis on encouraging appropriate behavior of the children to help them develop self-control, self-confidence, and self-discipline. Our classroom uses the “Second Step Early Learning Program”  to directly instruct social and emotional skills.  To support this important learning, the classroom rules are posted in the classroom and reviewed often with the children. Classroom rules are as follows:

1) Listen to your teachers.
2) Be nice to others.
3) Take care of the things in our classroom.
In addition, when your child is engaged in directed instruction, he or she will learn to engage in the following behaviors:

·         Eyes watching.

·         Ears listening.

·         Mouth quiet.

·         Hands to yourself.

·         Hearts caring. 

To support appropriate behaviors, staff will recognize and praise children who are exhibiting desired deeds and actions.  We also have a group reward that further awards desired actions.  However, during instances of misbehavior, staff will first remind children of the rule and redirect that child’s behavior.   If the behavior continues, children move their magnet on a chart to the green area.  A second infraction results in the child moving their magnet to yellow, and a third infraction results in a move to red.  Once a child’s magnet is on red, children are given a 3-minute “Think-It-Through” away from the group where they are expected to sit quietly and calmly.  Children who choose not to take their “Think-It-Through” on the couch may take their quiet thinking time in the hallway.  Once three minutes of quiet thinking time has concluded, the child moves their magnet off the owl and rejoins the group.  Incidents that involve physical contacts result in an immediate “red” and “Think-It-Through”.  This plan also provides staff with summative behavioral data that can be reviewed and used for future planning.
All rules and consequences are discussed daily with the children as well as intermittently during the sessions.

Parental support and follow-through are necessary to any successful behavior management program. Please contact me if you have any questions.  Thanks so much!  

Classroom Information

Vinton Prekindergarten

                                     

Mrs. Davis’s Classroom Information

Welcome to PK 2016-2017.  Below are some important items not to be overlooked this coming year.

• ·       The Prekindergarten students are greeted at the front door of the school by me and our Para educators.  We escort the children to the classroom.
• ·       Music, Library and Gym are once per week for 30 minutes.  Please make sure your child has appropriate footwear and comfortable clothing for Gym. 
• ·       We ask that each child come to school with an extra set of undergarments, seasonably-appropriate socks, pants and a shirt to leave in their locker for emergencies. Extra footwear is optional but recommended (recess and gym).  Labeling your child’s clothing is also a good idea.
• ·       Flip-flops are not allowed on the Playscape area.  Unless it is raining or exceedingly cold we go outside for recess every day.
• ·       If there is a delayed opening, there will be no morning PK.
• ·       If there is an early release from school due to weather, the morning session students stay late and have lunch at school. Students who are picked up from school would still be dismissed at 11:45 AM.  Afternoon session would be canceled. 
• ·       Please provide a backpack large enough to accommodate the folders we will be sending back and forth each day and check the folder daily. 
• ·       Be sure to fill out all necessary paperwork included in your Parent Handbook and return it as soon as possible to school.
• ·       Snack is provided each day.  Be sure to tell the school nurse if your child is allergic to any foods or substances.
• ·       We do celebrate children’s birthdays here at school unless directed otherwise.  Feel free to bring in a celebratory snack.  We can advise you as to number of children and any food restrictions. 
• ·       Toys should stay at home.  There are special days when your child will earn the privilege of bringing a toy to school.
• ·       Please know that eating is not allowed on the school bus for safety.
• ·       The expectation is that children in Prekindergarten are toilet-trained.  We realize that children may need some assistance with toileting, please let us know about any concerns.
• ·       Acquaint yourself with the classroom management system included in your child’s folder.
• ·       If you arrive late and the class has already gone to the classroom, check in at the office and one of our staff will greet you and escort your child to the classroom.

·       Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.  My email is davismj@mansfieldct.org and I will respond as soon as possible to your correspondence.  Or put a note in your child’s folder, we check these daily.

A few activities we did on Thursday, THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

The Sand and Water Table offers children an opportunity to engage in sensory play.  The shells allow for discussion.  Students were heard comparing the size of shells.  They also sorted shells into categories (scallop shells etc.) and staff provided vocabulary such as Limpets and Scallops.