Words of Hope for October 14, 2014
Does Anyone Want to Play? By Jennifer Neafcy, Preschool 4s Teacher
We have a great time in the Orca Pre-K class! Throughout our day, one can observe lots of imaginative play, building, digging, movement, open-ended art, problem solving, negotiating, storytelling, writing, pre-reading activities, and many other activities in our classroom. I must admit, that I love playing with the children in my class. As a pre-k teacher, I often hear phrases such as, “It’s great to see all kids having fun, but what are they really learning?” As parents and teachers, we want all of our children to learn and to thrive at school. In the pre-k classroom, that means doing our work through play.
The teachers recently attended the Northwest District Educator’s Conference in Seaside, OR. I was fortunate enough to attend a couple of workshops on play-based learning that reinforced the important role of play in a child’s learning and development. Play encourages problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills. I give my students the tools, and they make their ideas happen. Just this past week, I observed my class put a new roof on the playhouse in the garden and try to figure out how to stop the newly created rivers from flowing out of the sandbox.
In our preschool, we provide open-ended, unrestricted play in a safe environment. Our children are encouraged to think and to express themselves creatively, and to take appropriate risks in their play. Risk-taking flourishes in open-ended play. What a joy it is to watch the children take the risk to try out their ideas, and make their own changes to their ideas to achieve a goal. So, what are they really learning? Everything they can about the world around them.
Calendar of Events
Today 10/14: Grades 5-8: Quarter 1 Midterms sent home / 6:00 PM Child Safety Workshop
Wed. 10/15: 8:40 AM Chapel – Led by our 1st Grade Class
October 14 – 22: Grades 1-8 Standardized Testing
Fri. 10/17: Free Dress Day
Tues. 10/21: 6:30 PM Middle School Open House for Current and Prospective Families
Book Fair Coming Next Week!
We need your help to promote literacy and earn free books for our school and classrooms. You can be a part of our Book Fair in many ways. Come and purchase books for kids, grandkids, yourself and/or donate a book to your classroom or any teacher by purchasing from the Teacher Wish list located at the book fair. The fair will be open after school next week and during our parent/teacher conferences.
Dates and Hours: Oct. 20th through the 24th, Monday through Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Thursday between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm, and Friday between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. We will also be open for our preschool families on Tuesday, Oct. 21st from 11:15 to 11:45 am.
Open House Invitation
We have four open house events coming up in the next few months to which we invite the community to check out our amazing school and staff. The first of these events is our Middle School Open House October 21st. In your yellow envelope today you will receive two postcards inviting families to attend and kids are encouraged to come! Current families are also encouraged to come, especially if you have questions about what middle school will look like for your child(ren). I also strongly encourage you to share these postcards with friends, family, your neighborhoods and churches, and invite them to attend any of these informative open houses.
Fun Run Update
As of Monday at midnight, one week into our Orange Ruler Fun Run fundraiser, our school has raised an astounding $12,139 towards a goal of $15,000. We have one more week to go so keep those donations coming in! Thank you for your support of PTH!
Afterschool Activities – Click Here
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities – Click Here
Need those PIP hours? Help is needed to provide dessert items for our Middle School Open House on Tuesday, October 21st from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Contact the school office to volunteer at 206-935-8500.
Book Fair Volunteers Needed: Dates: October 20-24, 2014
Help celebrate reading at our fall Book Fair! We need your help to make our Book Fair a memorable reading celebration. Join our volunteer team to:
•Organize and put things in place – 10/17
•Offer a helping hand, set up, or pack up
•Help shoppers of all ages find the perfect book
We appreciate your support in whatever form it takes. Contact: Shari Wallace 206 935 8500 or swallace@hopeseatte.org to sign up.
