2-6 December News

December 2010
Heath Extended Day

2-6 Newsletter

Holiday Spoon are now on Sale!

We are so proud of all the hard work, creativity and imagination that the 2-6 kids put into decorating spoons for Project Bread’s Holiday Spoons Project.  Project Bread is an anti-hunger organization with a mission to end hunger in Massachusetts.  Each spoon costs $2.00 and all the money raised will be donated to Project Bread to help raise awareness and help feed hungry families.  Please see a 2-6 teacher if your family would like to buy a spoon!  Heath Extended Day would like to make sure each and every family has a warm meal and place to spend the holidays.  Please see Noelle should your family need help with providing a meal or any other essential item during this holiday season.  As always, your name and situation will be kept to our high confidential standards.



Building relationships, self esteem and confidence

The kids participated in two meaningful group activities this month.  The first, a compliment game where kids sat in a circle and were each given three chocolate tokens.  Taking turns, each child had to give away one of their tokens to another child that they chose while giving a compliment or acknowledging a good deed that the other child did for him/her. We observed tokens being given for: “being a good friend and sticking up for me,” “for including me when I was alone,” “for being helpful,” “for helping me when I fell down.” Knowing they were able to keep and eat the tokens after the game was over, some chose to give up more of their tokens so they could compliment another person in the group even if that meant having less for themselves, “it doesn’t matter how many you have left,” one child pointed out. The second meaningful activity the kids took part in was an activity in which a teacher gave ten statements beginning with the statement. “I am somebody who…” Kids were challenged to think of themselves s and step to a designated spot in the room depending on if they agreed, disagreed or were neutral with the statement based on their own experiences.  Some statements were, I am somebody who: has teased another person using hurtful words,  is comfortable telling another person to stop if I see them teasing someone else, is comfortable making my own decisions even if they are different than my friends, who will try to make sure my words and actions won’t hurt anybody. The kids were really able to reflect on their own and others experiences.  These two activities seemed to successfully build relationships with one another as well as allow children to gain self esteem and confidence with sharing their thoughts and ideas.



Holidays Around the World

During the month of December, the 2-6 kids will be learning about different December holidays celebrated around.  They will learn the history of each holiday, take part in a traditional game or activity and make a recipe that is enjoyed at the holiday.  If your family has a special December holiday that you celebrate in your homes, we would love to teach the kids about as part of this unit!



Horizons for Homeless Children

HEDP is donating needed supplies to Horizons for Homeless Children during this holiday season.  The children decorated donation boxes for art supplies, books, and computer equipment/gently used electronics!  If you would like to donate, donation boxes will be located daily if the cafeteria, k-1 HEDP classroom and 2-6 HEDP classroom.  We will be collecting donations through Friday December 17th


Horizons for Homeless Children was founded in 1988 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to serving young homeless children and their families.

Horizons for Homeless Children touches the lives of more than 2,700 young homeless children each week in Massachusetts through Playspaces (educational and recreational spaces) in shelters and 175 children through its three Community Children's Centers, Boston's only comprehensive, full-time early education and childcare centers specifically for young homeless children.  In addition to direct service, we advocate on behalf of young homeless children and their families with policy makers and provide training and technical assistance to related service providers. 


Horizons for Homeless Children is supported primarily by charitable gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. Every gift helps! For more information please feel free to contact Scott at www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org



Art and Craft Supplies

Paint (watercolor, school paint, and finger paint, all in larger sizes), paintbrushes, paint daubers and large sized crayons and markers  glitter, craft sticks, pompoms, colored pipe cleaners, feathers, buttons, gallon and regular size glue bottles, Crayola Model Magic Clay, Play-Doh and rolling pins, cookie cutters, stencils, wiggle eyes, paper (easel, finger paint, construction, shiny, tissue paper, contact paper, poster board, butcher roll paper , preschool lined). Large rolls of paper and paper rack

Stickers, Magnetic letters and shapes,Felt board and story pieces .Child safe scissors - round edge, plastic

Waterproof smocks, Water based stamp pads with stamps

Tape: masking tape, colored tape, scotch tape

Dry erase markers, Ballpoint pens

Books

Multi-Cultural, Diverse family types, Children/adults with diverse abilities, Books without words, Spanish books

Spanish/English books, Board books, Books with grandparents Big Books for group story times, Books on tape.

Computer Equipment / Electronics--New or Gently Used

Laminating film rolls, CD/Tape Players (shock proof if possible)

Cordless electric drills, Digital camera, used cell phones. Events, News and Reminders




Monday, December 6th: Building Architecture Meeting in the Heath Auditorium at 7:00.  Dinner and childcare will be provided to HEDP families.  Dinner will be served from 6:15-7:00.  Please RSVP to Noelle.



Thursday, December 9th: Meet the Principal Finalist at Heath from 7:45-8:45.  Dinner and childcare will be provided to HEDP families.  Dinner will be served from 7:00-7:45.  Please RSVP  to Noelle.



Thursday, December 9th: Early Release Day Field Trip: Ice Skating at Frog Pond.  Please return permission slips no later than Wednesday December 8th.  Space is limited!  Helmets are required for this trip.



Thursday, December 23rd: Early Release Day: Pizza and Movie Day. No lunch is served in school.  Heath Extended Day will provide pizza for lunch as a gift!  We will close at 4:45pm on Thursday December 23rd due to the Heath school 12:00pm dismissal.



Ice Skating

Ice Skating at the Reilly Memorial Rink in Cleveland Circle will begin on Wednesday January 12th and will continue weekly on Wednesdays until March 16th.  Children must bring their own skates and helmet for this trip.  Skates are as little as $25.00 at Dicks Sporting Goods $20.00 at Toys R Us and $18.00 at Amazon! Please look for notices regarding this special opportunity for Brookline Extended Day Programs



Kid's Corner  Let’s hear what they have to say!

“I like Trippin Out because you get to go to new places that I have never been before and we get really good snacks.” 6th grader



“I enjoy coming to Extended Day and socializing with the teachers and playing games like speedball.” 6th grader



“I enjoy coming to Extended Day because it is a fun environment!”  5th grader



“Extended Day has fun field trips on half days.” 5th grader



“I like when we make food because it is a special snack.  I liked the apple crisp.” 5th grader



“I like  going to Extended Day because when it is close to a holiday you can do special parties for it.” 3rd grader



“Extended Day is cool because they have really fun games.” 2nd grader

The 2-6 teachers would like to wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year!

Early Release and Early Dismissal and HEDP

Heath Extended Day will be open on all 12:30pm early release days from 12:30-5:45pm  We usually have a special theme for the day and offer activities to keep our day fresh and exciting.  This Wednesday will be be offering an All About Art theme and we have two fun events happening.  The MFA will be visiting with a small collection and great hands on activity while the 2-6th graders have the opportunity to take a trip to the ICA.  Please feel free to see a teacher should you be interested in your child attending one of these offerings.

We will be open from 12:30pm-5:45pm on these early release days

Wed. 11/10/10---All about Art
Thur.  11/18/10---Super sports and games
Wed.  12/1/10
Thur.  12/9/10
Wed.  4/6/11
Thur.  4/13/11
Wed.  4/27/11
Thur.  4/5/11

Heath Extended Day will close at 4:45pm on all 12:00pm early dismissal days.  These days usually fall near vacations.  Please note that lunch is not served on 12:00pm dismissals days and you will need to pack your child a lunch should they attend HEDP.

Here are the two 12:00pm early dismissal days that have been announced.

Wed.  11/24/10
Thur.  12/23/10


Please note that HEDP is closed for all vacations, holidays and snow days.

Fantastic Fall Happening in K/1

What’s happening at HEDP in the K/1 Room?
 
-The K-1 class kicked off November by recognizing Election 

Day. We began our unit by showing the children the process

 of voting; the teachers role-played how to vote on Monday, 

November 1st. The children were able to view the mini-play at 

Precinct 14 in The Heath School Gymnasium; this experience 

provided the children with a first-hand interactive look into 

voting. We will continue learning about the election process 

and responsibilities of being a citizen. The objective of 

this theme is to provide children with knowledge of how 

the hierarchy of government is run as well as seeking their 

rights and responsibilities as people and within the classroom.
 
-The k-1 students will be turning an area of our classroom into a 

precinct where the children will be able to vote on various elements 

that occur in our classroom, such as snack and art projects.
 
-Through this month we will be taking a deeper look into the 

fall season. Elements of this theme will include studying harvest, 

squirrels, the change of weather and exploring the changes that 

occur in nature. We will be bringing acorns into the classroom 

and discussing the fall of the leaves. 
 
-This month we will be incorporating baking and cooking into 

our curriculum. Due to the season we have an abundance of apples 

which we have used to cook with on Fridays. We will be making a 

variety of snacks. The opportunity to cook will allow the children 

to utilize various skills of following a recipe,  incorporating 

math and science, and using cooking tools such as, blender, 

measuring cups, skillet, a hand mixer and so forth.
 
 
Interactive Classroom-  A look into the projects happening at Extended Day-
 
-We will be designing a Ballot Box in which we will utilize when we 

have a class-wide vote in order to secure the right to privacy.
 
-American Flags or American Flag pillows using felt. The children 

will have the option to turn template into a flag or stuff it for a pillow.
 
-Cornucopia’s using classroom materials such as paper plates, 

magazines and paint.
 
-Autumn Wreaths designed by the children using objects of 

nature collected.
 
-Gourd Observations and Exploration- This activity will include 

children drawing and describing gourds using various math materials 

to measure and sense to explore.

A brief recap of the end of October
 
 
-We began a “caring chain” in our classroom. Our caring chain has 

become quite long since mid-October and the children are very proud! 

The purpose of the caring chain is to build community within our classroom 

and ensure that students are taking care and looking out for each other. 

In order to earn a caring chain link a child must be spotted completing 

an act of kindness and when he/she is spotted they may write their 

name on a link and the teacher records why the child is being recognized! 

Check out our caring chain for your child’s acts of kindness. When our 

chain reaches the end of the classroom we will celebrate with a party of choice!
 
 
-MAIL BOXES- Each family now has a mailbox for their children. 

The mailboxes are located on the doors entering Extended Day. Be sure 

to check your child’s mailbox as notices regarding our calendar and 

events will be going out. These mailboxes are available to keep you 

informed, so if you see mail, please grab it!
 
 
A look into your child’s day-
 
2:20-2:30 Children arrive from class, place belongings in cubbies 

and meet on Alphabet rug for attendance and snack overview.
 
2:30-2:45 Snack and quiet activities; when a child finishes eating 

their snack they may choose a library book on display, complete a 

worksheet, game or small activity related to themes or concepts 

being studied during the school day, or draw on a mini-white 

board independently.
 
2:45-2:55 Clean-up and Line-up for Outside
 
3:00-3:40 Outside Play. During this time children will be playing 

a whole class organized game for 15 minutes and then will be able 

to explore the structure and outdoors with peers.
 
3:45-4:15 Homework and Dear time- During this time the Kindergarteners 

are read a story and then paired up to complete a math or literacy 

game or activity. The First graders are taken out of the room to 

the cafeteria or 2-6 classroom to complete some of their homework 

packets and read for the remaining time.
 
4:15 Clean-up, re-group as one class and wash hands for  2nd snack.
 
4:30-5:00 Activity Time- At this time two activities occur; two 

art activities or an art activity and an interactive game .
 
5:00-5:30 Choice time
 
5:30-5:45- Clean-up and cool down read aloud
 

K-1 Classroom Wishlist
 
• Clorox Wipes
• Dry Erase Markers
• Paper Plates
• Magazines
• Paper Towels
• Lysol Spray
 

2nd-6th Grade

November 2010

Month in review…

 

HEDP Halloween Party was enjoyed by all

The children in 2-6 worked so hard during the month of October to prepare for the HEDP annual Halloween party.  We are so impressed by their creativity and ideas that contributed to the success of the party.  The children made and hosted carnival inspired games activities for the k-2 children to enjoy.  Games and activities included: Witch Hat Ring Toss, Halloween Cup Knock Down, Pin the Wart on the Witch, Bean Bag Bucket Toss, Pumpkin Ball Toss, Ghost Pop Pull, Spider Jump, Tattoo Station, Cupcake Decorating Station, Feely Boxes, Face Painting, and a Halloween Book Mark Station.  Thank you to much to all the families who donated treats and supplies for the party. 

Cooking, Sewing and Beading

When the children were not busy with party preparations, they were busy sewing, cooking and beading.  With apples in season, the children made two delicious recipes: Apple Turnovers and Homemade Applesauce.  Furthermore, the children sewed their very own pumpkin treat bags for some Halloween treats. Finally, the kids enjoyed making beadie buddies using pony beads.  Some created Halloween buddie buddies while others made other kinds of creatures such as snakes, lizards and Pokemon characters!  All of these activities are great for building children’s skills in different areas such as measuring, counting, patterns, attention to detail, fine motor, imagination and creativity!

Upcoming attractions…

Project Bread Holiday Spoons Project

HEDP will continue its annual participation in Project Bread’s Holiday Spoons Project.  Project Bread is the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, dedicated to preventing and alleviating hunger in Massachusetts.  Project Bread funds over 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, and food banks all over Massachusetts.  The Holiday Spoons Project is a fun meaningful way for children to learn about hunger and help feed hungry children in Massachusetts.  Children will use their creativity and imagination to decorate wooden spoons using a wide variety of art materials.  In years past, kids depicted cartoon characters, people, animals and more!  We can’t wait to see what they come up with this year!  We will sell the kid’s creations to friends, families and teachers for $2.00 each.  All the money raised will be donated to Project Bread to help in its mission to end hunger in Massachusetts.  Furthermore, we hope to help raise awareness about the issue of hunger in our community through group discussions, books and activities. 

Early Release Days….

November 10^th: All About Art

Choice 1: Field Trip to Institute of Contemporary Art

Choice 2:  Hands-on Art workshop presented by the Museum of Fine arts, here at Heath

November 18^th. Games From Around the World

Choice 1: Field Trip to Lucky Strikes for bowling.

Choice 2: Games from around the world with HEDP teachers.

November 24^th. Pizza Party

12:00 dismissal, no lunch will be served at school.  HEDP will have a pizza party lunch and movie day. HEDP

*More information and permission slips to follow*

 

Annual Meeting News

The Heath Extended Day Annual Meeting will take 
place on Wednesday

October 13th from 5:30pm-6:30pm.  
This will be a great opportunity to

learn about the program, meet our
 teaching team, hear from our Board

of Directors and enjoy a bite to eat.  We will be 
providing childcare

and dinner for all those who attend.

Pre-K and K/1 News!

September 2010

Heath Extended Day
Pre-K & K-1 Newsletter


Welcome Families!

It's hard to believe but it's that time of the year again - the beginning of a new school year. Welcome back! We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the Pre-K, and K-1 families into the Heath Extended Day Community. There's a lot of excitement ahead of us, including new teachers to meet, new books to read, new friends to meet and new skills to master and we are so thrilled to have this opportunity to share in these experiences with you and your children. The K-1 team has worked hard through the summer to plan fun and engaging themes and activities to ensure a positive extended day experience for your children.


Meet the K-1 Team

Alyssa Davis: I am so delighted to be a member of the Heath Extended Day K-1 team. I recently graduated from Wheelock College where I studied Early Childhood Education. I have been a member of the Heath Extended Day Community as a float teacher for four years and I am thrilled to further my position and work more closely and interactively with the children.

Jackie Lattuca: I am so excited about joining the HEDP K-1 teaching team and am eager to work with you and your child. I join HEDP with many years experience working with children in a preschool and after-school setting. I have many topics of interest such as nature and animals that I look forward to sharing with your child.

Sidoney Daley: I am returning to the Heath Extended Day team for my second year. I had a wonderful and enriched experience last year and am excited to be part of the team once again. I am currently enrolled in a graduate program at Umass Boston where I am studying early childhood education; I look forward to utilizing my knowledge to facilitate learning at Heath Extended Day.


Fall into the School Year!

We will be kicking off the school year with a theme, “Me, My Family, and My Friends.” Through this unit we hope to promote self-confidence, get to know you and your children, and focus on aspects of friendship. We will be reading books such as “I like Me” By Nancy Carlson and “Chrysanthemum: By Kevin Hankes. The children will be making self-portraits along with other crafts and will be asked to bring in photos and other belongs that are important to them.


News to note:

Pre-K families:   Please send in a queen size pillow-case, change of clothes, family photo small blanket or stuffed animal for our rest time.

All Pre-K children can purchase milk from the cafeteria for .50 per day beginning October 4th.  Please contact Noelle should your child be interested in purchasing milk from the Heath School cafeteria.

Please send in one small (softball size) pumpkin for your child.

K/1 families:   Please send your child in with a baby photo of them for a project we will be completing.

Please send in one (softball) size pumpkin for your child.

Please supply your child with one change of clothes in a ziplock bag.
 

Wishlist:

Shoelaces
Tissues
Newspapers
Papertowels
Pumpkins

2-6 Welcome Letter

September 2010

Heath Extended Day

2-6 Newsletter

 

Welcome Families!

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the 2-6 families to the 2010-2011 school year!  We are so excited to see so many familiar faces from last years 2-6 group and to meet the new families that will be joining us this year!  It is with our greatest pleasure to have this opportunity to work with you and your child to ensure a successful school year and to ensure a positive after school experience for your child! The 2-6 team has brainstormed a number of new and different activities and projects for the coming year, however, we also look forward to hearing about the interests of this years group in order to create a curriculum that meets the needs of all the children!

An Introduction to the 2-6 team…

Malaina LeSage.  Malaina will be returing to Heath Extended Day for her fourth year working with the 2-6 group!

Caitlyn Hawkins. Caitlyn began working at Heath Extended Day as part of her internship at Wheelock College.  Now, Cailtlyn joins us for her second year as a 2-6 teacher!

Jared Mael.  Jared will be returning to Heath Extended Day for his second year working as a 2-6 teacher!

Cory Warfield.  Welcome Cory!  Cory is new to this years 2-6 teaching team.  She will be joining us a couple days of week, while also working as an aide in fourth grade during the school day.  We are so excited about Cory joining us this year!

 

Upcoming Attractions…

Building Community

With the transition into a new school year and into a new group of 2-6 children and teachers, the month of September will be dedicated to activities and projects that teach and emphasize the building of community in the classroom and outdoors.  We will focus on team building, working together, friendships and good sportsmanship.  There will be an emphasis on building community in the classroom and outdoors, continually throughout the school year, incorporating it into our weekly themes.

 

Information Station

Cafeteria

The heath school cafeteria is used as the home base for the 2-6 group.  Children will go directly to the cafeteria at 2:20 and sign in with a 2-6 teacher.  This space will be used for snack, third to sixth grade homework, art projects and activities. At 5:30, we move out of the cafeteria and relocate to the upstairs extended day room.  

Upstairs Extended Day Room

This upstairs extended day room is used for small group activities, second grade homework and fifth and sixth grade trippin’ in (Thursdays) and end of the day pick up (5:30-5:45).

Sign Out

It is with the greatest importance that you sign your child out daily followed by the time of pick up. The sign out book will be located in the cafeteria between 2:20 and 5:30.  Between 5:30 and 5:45, the sign out will be in the upstairs extended day room. 

Absenses

If your child will not be at extended day on a regularly scheduled day, it is very important that you notify HEDP as early as possible by phone, email or to a 2-6 teacher, in person.

Alternate Pick Up

If your child is being picked up by someone that is not on their authorized pick up list, please notify HEDP.  Please note that we ID all new people picking up your child.

Mail

Any mail that needs to go home with your child will be located at the sign out station in the cafeteria with your child’s name on it.  Newsletters for 2-6 will be at the sign out station at the beginning of each month. 

 

Daily Schedule

2:20    Arrival and Check In

            All children in 2-6 will report to the cafeteria  immediately after school dismissal.  Each child will check in with a 2-6 teacher upon arrival.

2:30    Homework and Snack

Children will begin the day with a quiet homework and reading time.  During this time, children will be offered a snack to enjoy while doing his or her homework.   

3:30    Outdoor Play

            Children will have the opportunity to play freely on the playground or participate in organized games. Please be sure your  dresses appropriately for the weather, as             we will enjoy outside time as much as possible.

4:30    Activities

Activities will include theme based projects, arts and crafts, board games, gym play, drawing and free choice.

5:30    Upstairs Extended Day Room

            All children at this time can be picked up  and signed out in the upstairs extended day room.  Children will have all of their belongings with them.

5:45    Pick Up

Have a wonderful month!  Please check in with a 2-6 teacher if you have any questions, thoughts or concerns.  We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!