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Greetings!
As our world transitions into a technology based time, it is important to understand the benefits of technology in the Preschool setting, and tips on how to positively influence your child's learning outside of the classroom. One reason Early Childhood Education introduces ipads, computers, and other forms of technology into the classroom is to shrink the digital divide between the students in low income families, and the students in well off families. In addition, Kindergarten children will be expected to know how to write, draw and explore on the computers. By introducing technology in Preschool, the students will feel comfortable completing these tasks, and they will be able to do so independently.
Tips for Parents regarding technology:
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Limit your child's screen time to a set about of time. For example: 15 minutes per day.
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Be sure to explore the apps, and educational games before they play.
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Be sure to not isolate the child while they are enjoying their screen time. Be engaged with them by asking them questions about the game they are playing.
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Balance; if a child is playing a mindless game make sure to also provide games that are more interactive.
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Develop rules around technology so child is not over exposed.
Links to Helpful Resources
Have a wonderful weekend with friends and family.
MaryBeth
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One Last Introduction of our Parent School Council Members!
School Council is composed of parents and teachers and serves as a sounding board for curriculum, instruction and budgetary issues relevant to Preschool. School Council meets 7-8 times per school year and is open to all in addition to the sitting members.
Parent input on School Council is INVALUABLE! Thank you to these parents for volunteering.
Sarah Cruise and her family are new to Natick, having just moved to town this summer. She's mom to a current Natick Preschool student and hopes her two younger kids will have the opportunity to attend in the future. She's eager to get involved in the community, and looks forward to the opportunity to get to know her fellow parents and to lend her skills and perspective to the Natick Preschool School Council.
In addition to her job as Mom, Sarah is an internal communications manager at Bose Corporation in Framingham, where she helps connect employees to each other and the information that matters most. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, camping, live music, and exploring local restaurants and breweries.
Karin Dupuis is mother to a Natick Preschool graduate, current attendee, and future hopeful attendee. She has been on school council for three years helping to make communication between schools and parents/guardians more clear and succinct.
Formerly, Karin was a senior project manager at Fidelity Investments and thrived on building and maintaining relationships resulting in the betterment of all projects.
Catherine Gildae is mother to two current Natick Preschool students and one graduate of the program. She currently serves as a committee chair for Metrowest Parents of Multiples and is wrapping up her M.Ed in educational technology at Framingham State this fall. Her professional background includes a degree in developmental psychology, working with adolescents, teaching at the university level on issues of diversity and inequality in society. Catherine would be happy to join the School Council and use her background and experience to help address the issues of curriculum and instruction as they relate to Preschool.
Raj Annavajjala is a mother of two, one current Natick Preschool student and one future hopeful candidate. Her interests include solving puzzles, making art & crafts and fun Lego objects with her kids. Passionate about early childhood science and math education, Raj would like to serve on school council to assist with the implementation of the school improvement plan and to add her experience and perspective to promote STEM education and use of technology. Formerly, Raj worked as and investment risk analyst at financial services firms, Black Rock and State Street. She has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's in industrial and Systems Engineering.
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Natick Families and Miracle Families:
This event is open to all Natick families to celebrate and appreciate all that Children's Hospital has done for the Natick community. Please join us on November 18th, there will be a $5 entry fee (kids free!). If you or a family member have received care from Children's we would love to celebrate your experience as one of our Miracle Families. Please Contact
natickthon2017@gmail.com
or NatickTHON advisor Miranda Rich
mrich@natickps.org
for details and questions about participating as a Miracle Family :)
100% of the proceeds go to Children's Hospital and the donations are tax deductible.
About NatickTHON: NatickTHON is a year long fundraiser that culminates in a 6 hour celebration to support the patients at Boston Children's Hospital. NatickTHON is part of a bigger Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' movement called Dance Marathon.
This movement benefits Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for more than 170 pediatric hospitals across North America. This is the only children's charity committed to having 100% of the funds raised stay local to support kids in the Natick and its surrounding communities. Since its inception, Miracle Network Dance Marathon has raised more than $200 million for kids across North America- ensuring that no child or family fights pediatric illness or injury alone.
What donations are used for:
Caring for a child includes costs adult hospitals don't have-special-sized equipment to fit kids from the tiniest preemie to an adult-sized teen, extra support for families and research that unleashes cures to our most challenging childhood diseases. At Boston Children's every dollar you give heals, supports and helps find cures. Did you know it costs:
$1.12 for 1 infant-sized mask to deliver anesthesia (disposable)
$15.73 for home-safety kit, including window locks, first aid kits and outlet covers
$ 62.50 for 1 one-month supply of Twisty Straws to encourage sick kids to drink healing fluids
$ 100 for 1 lab beaker
$ 150 for 2 weeks of support sessions for patients, parents and siblings
$ 163.52 for 1 year of food for a tank of zebrafish used to study cancer's origins
$ 341.76 for a 3D model of child's spine to help surgeons 'see' before surgery
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NEWS FROM THE HEALTH CLINIC
October 2017
Now that Fall is in the air, many people may experience
Fall allergy symptoms.
Ragweed and mold are the most common allergens this time of year. It's often difficult to know the difference between allergy and cold symptoms.
Allergy symptoms
can come on all at once- scratchy throat, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing. Allergy medications can help alleviate the symptoms. Keeping windows closed and changing clothes after being outdoors can help decrease exposure.
Cold symptoms
are usually progressive- sore throat, cough, achy feeling, possible fever. Cover your cough and drink lots of fluids. Colds need to run their course.
Hand washing
i
s always a good practice to help stay healthy and decrease risk of exposure.
Whether you suffer from allergy or cold symptoms, see your doctor if your signs and symptoms worsen or persist.
A Family Flu Clinic
will take place at Natick High School on Thursday, October 26th from 3:30pm-6:30pm.
Get the Flu Shot, not the Flu!
Many children and families will be celebrating
Halloween
a
t the end of this month. Here are a
few
safety tips
to help keep the experience fun and healthy:
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Young children must always be accompanied by an adult
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Costumes should fit properly and children should have an unobstructed view (avoid masks)
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Make sure you are visible, especially if going out after dark. Carry flashlights or use reflective tape on costumes
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Travel and knock on doors in areas that are familiar to you
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Inspect your child's candy for any open wrappers or tampering
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Limit the amount of candy your child eats
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Remember to brush teeth after eating those treats
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Leftover candy can be donated to your local Police station, Military troops, or other charitable organization.
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Have fun!
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Natick SEPAC
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| Kennedy Building Project Forum |
JOIN US for the third Kennedy Building Project forum on October 10th at 7pm in the KMS auditorium. This forum will provide community members an opportunity to give input and feedback about the building project, as well as hear updates from the project manager and architect. If you're unable to attend, we will be broadcasting on Facebook live, visit the facebook.com/natickps to tune in! For more information: bit.ly/kennedynps |
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Natick Preschool on Twitter
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We have
84 followers and climbing...
Join us!
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| Calendar 2017 - 2018
October 18 - Early Release, professional development
November 8 - Early Release, parent conferences
November 10 - Veteran's Day, no school
November 15 - Early Release, parent conferences
November 22 - Early Release, Thanksgiving break
November 23, 24 - Thanksgiving break, no school
November 27 - NILS professional development, no school
December 6 - Early Release, professional development
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Project Play with Northeastern University
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"We at Project Play are writing again with a last plea for your help in recruiting a final sample of participants. We have collected data from over 450 children! Of those children, 181 are developing with identified delays; and 278 of the children are developing typically. Our age range is 8 to 60 months.
We are processing the data and obtaining interesting results that we would like to share. Our funding agency (The Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education are waiting for us to share our results, as are people in the field). We would be happy to present to your staff at your convenience. We also would be happy to present to parents.
In order to have the best possible results from our project, we still need to recruit preschoolers who are developing with identified delays. As you know, we try to observe the children within a couple of weeks of their birthdays or their half birthdays. At this point, we are in need of the following:
6 children who are turning 3 ½ 11 children who are turning 4; 14 children who are turning 4 ½; and 10 children who are turning 5.
If you would like to participate, please contact the Project Play
for the project is
https:ffwww.northeastern.edujprojectplayf.
Thank you!
Karin Lifter, PhD, Department of Applied Psychology, 404 International Village,
Boston, 02115
Dr. Lifter and her team are lovely! Thank you for considering participating in this research so valuable to early childhood education! ~MaryBeth
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SpectrumSitter was established to help families requiring specialized care to connect with those who have the skills to provide it. To learn more about SpectrumSitter, visit www.spectrumsitter.com
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Family Resources of Natick
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Family Resources of Natick is an excellent resource for
Natick families with young children.
Their September-October schedule includes play-to-learn groups on weekdays and Saturdays, our annual Open House of preschool and child care providers, one group held in Mandarin Chinese and one in Spanish.
You may view the latest post here
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IF YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL,PLEASE CALL THE PRESCHOOL OFFICE 508-647-6583 BY 8:30AM
even if you also notify the teacher. (Notice of planned absences can be given in advance.)
Natick Public Schools is employing a new safety procedure PreK-12 that will notify parents if a child is absent and the school has not been previously notified by the parent.
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