A Message from the Director
Dear Parents and Families of The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center and Princeton Public School Pre-k 3 General Ed (Hybrid), Pre-k 3 & 4yr old DLI classrooms,

Happy Spring!
 
We are looking forward to a great month. April is full of wonderful activities! Some activities & events include: Week of the Young Child, Earth Day, and Gardening. What better way to honor our children then by celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Week of the Young Child.
 
During the week of April 12-16 The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center at YWCA Princeton classrooms children & staff are celebrating that even during Covid-19 times, we are able to spend the day together learning through play in wonderful, engaging activities while ensuring that we follow the health & safety protocols set by the CDC and Office of licensing. 

Please remember to check out your child’s classroom celebrations on ClassDojo. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. We know for sure that early learning programs help provide positive outcomes for our children. 
 
With the warm weather and sunny days, children & staff can be seen outdoors observing signs of spring, talking about the importance of taking care of our planet and recycling as well as celebrating Earth Day on April 22. If you haven't done so already, please be sure to send in sunblock for your child, labeled with their name. The first layer should be applied prior to drop-off and we will reapply as needed.
 
Throughout the year, all staff & administrators attend trainings in areas including: Creative Curriculum for infants, toddlers & preschoolers as well as updated health & safety protocols under CDC, Office of licensing and Grow NJ Kids. During this month, many staff are attending the American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED recertification class. Please remember to keep us updated on any medical information about your child that we would need to keep them safe & healthy while in our care.
 
Many of our staff have already started the process of getting the vaccine. At this time it is not mandatory for our staff but it is strongly encouraged.
 
As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or to give us feedback about our program.

Be safe & stay well!
Tara O’Shea
Notes from your Administrators
Please visit our website to view our virtual video tour!!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We would like to thank everyone for their participation in our Kindness Confetti board. Please see our ClassDojo School Story for the final product. We are so proud of our community and the kindness that everyone continues to show towards one another.

Please continue to visit our Community Resource page at www.ywcaprinceton.org for announcements regarding what resources are available to our community as well as upcoming events. Some of the most recent resources that have been shared with us are listed below:
The Princeton Little Free Pantry

Located in the parking lot of the Princeton Family YMCA. This pantry is open all day and all night. Its available to anyone who finds themselves in need of some food or supplies. Everyone is invited.
Free COVID-19 Testing Available at YMCA

Free COVID-19 testing is available from Express Med Care at Princeton Family YMCA from 9 am - 4 pm, seven days per week, on the lower level of the building. Appointments can be made but walk-ins are welcome. Insurance is not required. For more information, visit expressmedcarenj.com or call (609) 785-1844.
Summer Program Registration is Now Open

For more detailed information regarding our summer schedule please visit our website at https://www.ywcaprinceton.org/programs/summer/. If you should have any questions regarding the summer enrollment, please feel free to contact Ms. Cassandra. She can be reached at: 609-497-2100 x311 or email: cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org.

Please note that our Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center students are currently under contract at their current rate until August 27, 2021 and we do not prorate for shorter months. If you would like to withdrawal sooner or switch to the weekly summer enrollment option, we require 30 days written notice via email to cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org.
Amazing Athletes - Only 2 spots left!

WHO: Buttercups, Daffodils, Sunflowers, Butterflies and Dragonflies
WHAT: Amazing Athletes Spring Session
WHERE: Bramwell Lawn
WHEN: Mondays until May 24, 2021 from 3:30pm - 4:05pm
 
For only $94.00, you can enroll your childs in a 6-week sports session starting Monday, April 19th. Each child will receive an Amazing Athletes t-shirt!
 
To register your child visit our website today! www.ywcaprinceton.org
 
For more information about the program visit https://amazingathletes.com/programs/athletes/
Important Reminders for all:
  • Absenteeism Policy - According to the NJ Office of Licensing, we are to document the reason for all absences. If we are not notified in advance of an expected absence, the classroom teachers are now required to contact you the day of each absence to find out the reason for the absence.
  • We cannot accept any drop-off after 10am. The only exception is for doctors appointments, please notify us of the appointment in advance and provide a doctors note for the tardiness.
  • Please call 609-273-6524 when you arrive to pick up your child.
  • A current Universal Health form and immunization records must remain on file at the center at all times. If your child has their yearly physical or any new immunizations throughout the year these records must be updated. Your administrator will contact you if we are missing any records or if they have expired. Please act on these requests immediately in order to allow your child's pediatrician the time they need to complete them.
  • In order to receive updates and important information, please send us your current contact information. Updates can be sent to Myra, mrabanales@ywcaprinceton.org, or Cassandra, cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org
  • Because of unforeseen emergencies, usually related to inclement weather, our center may be delayed, closed early, or closed entirely. Please check our website at www.ywcaprinceton.org as well as our ClassDojo School Story.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,
Ms. Cassandra and Ms. Myra
Cassandra Mendoza
Assistant Director, The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center
Email: cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org
Phone: 609-497-2100, Ext. 311
Myra Rabanales
Administrative Assistant, The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center

Family Liaison, Princeton Public School Preschool Expansion
Email: mrabanales@ywcaprinceton.org
Phone: 609-497-2100, Ext.336
April Highlights in The Classrooms
Sprouts (Infants)

In the Sprouts classroom we started to celebrate the Week of the Young Child with some playing of the hand drums. Monday, we started with a lot of noise with the Sprouts playing the drums all morning for their friends. For Tasty Tuesday the Sprouts had fruit kabobs on a straw. On Wednesday the Sprouts learned to work together by placing different color balls in to a container. Thursday was a day of colorful masterpieces the Sprouts were given paper in a Ziploc bag with several colors for mess free painting. The Sprouts ended to Week of the Young Child with a family fun activity of Beat of the Drum. This week was filled with so many fun things to do to celebrate the children at the center. 
Rose Buds (Infants-Toddlers)
For the WOYC (Week of the Young Child) we set up activities that work on strengthening the different areas of learning.

On Music Monday, Ms. Maya played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on a xylophone for the children to follow along by singing and dancing.
Tasty Tuesday we made a Bagel and Cream Cheese with Tomato and Cucumber Face. We talked about the ingredients used to create our fun snack.
Work Together Wednesday we had the Rosebuds connect Duplo Lego pieces to try and build a tower. The goal was for their peers to show teamwork skills by helping to add pieces to what they created.
Artsy Thursday we did an experiment and created a picture by using cotton balls and paint in the following three colors; red, blue and yellow.
And Family Friday we provided families with examples of activities for the home and in the community for families.

Sincerely,
Ms. Maya and Ms. KK
Cherry Blossoms (Toddler 1)
Our classroom enjoyed celebrating the WOYC (Week of the Young Child)!
Music Monday: we had fun using recycled containers to make instruments! We made music with our drums that filled the whole classroom!
Tasty Tuesday: we enjoyed creating a bunny made up of our favorite fruits and different kind of vegetables!
Working Together Wednesday: we had a fun time playing together outside and building blocks together inside. We enjoyed learning to share and take turns and had a fun time being kind and working together all day, just like we do everyday !
Artsy Thursday: we had a great day full of art on Artsy Thursday! We had a lot of fun painting together and using Q-Tips to trace the first letter of our first names! We also enjoyed outdoor time to draw on the sidewalk using Chalk! It was a day full of colors.
Tigerlilies (Toddler 2)

In the month of March the Tigerlilies focused on the topic of kindness. We learned about kindness, helping, gentle hands with others. We talked about how before you help others, you always ask "do you need help?". If they say "no" than you don't, and if you need help ask for help by saying "could you help me please?". We have asked our parents to continue to role model these behaviors for their child. 
Starting in April we changed our topic to Spring, children could see the changes surrounding them. Under this topic we will cover water, flowers, plants, birds, trees and bugs, depending upon children interest. We start by teaching the basics and let the children's interests guide our lessons as we go little deeper into our topic. 
Buttercups (PPS Preschool 3-4, Hybrid)
Our Buttercups have been busy over the last several weeks, completing a 6 week long study of healthy habits, healthy bodies, and the people who keep us safe and healthy. After relaxing over Spring Break, we have returned to Week of the Young Child. We were excited to celebrate the students in our class, following the themes from NAEYC: Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. Looking ahead, we are planning a study on plants and flowers. Get ready and excited to explore the plants and flowers in your own backyards. As always, we want to thank our families for their participation in the Hybrid Learning process and encourage you to keep sending home activity documentation.
 
Happy April!
 
Ms. Martha and Ms. Carissa
Daffodils (PPS Preschool 3-4 In-Person)
The Daffodils have had an eventful April. We came back from spring break and started a new garden study. During the beginning of our garden study they created some daffodil flowers and read stories about flowers. Along with this the daffodils also celebrated The Week Of The Young Child. On Music Monday the daffodils learned songs about seeds and planting flowers while playing with new instruments. For Tasty Tuesday they followed a recipe and looked at what foods come from plants. On Work Together Wednesday the daffodils planted a class garden and collaborated on a class art project. During Artsy Thursday and Family Friday they worked on some special art projects to take home. They also have been playing lots of letter games and practicing writing their names. The daffodils have had a busy start to April and have some exciting activities lined up for the remainder of the month! 
Sunflowers (BFECC Preschool 3-4)
The  Sunflowers are presently studying how to reduce, reuse and recycle garbage and trash. So far, it has been an exciting and fun learning experience for them. For instance, during the week of the young child Music Monday, the children created musical instruments with recyclable materials. They made maracas, tambourines, and drums. We had our marching band and danced to the class’s favorite song, “La Bamba.” Meantime they are working diligently on a special project for Earth day.  
 
In the upcoming weeks, the children will be planting seeds and observing them grow. We will have our vegetable garden. They are so excited.
Butterflies (PPS Preschool 4-5 In-Person)
The Butterflies have had an exciting start to the month of April. We finished our Pet Study and returned from Spring Break at the perfect time to begin our Gardening Study! We integrated our new study with NAECY’s ‘Week of the Young Child’ and had a great first week back. On “Music Monday” we sang and danced to a few fun gardening songs and then created a special flower snack for “Tasty Tuesday!” The week continued with a few different collaborative and creative garden art projects for “Work-together Wednesday [and] Artsy Thursday.” Then, we ended the week with “Family Friday” and planted a flower to care for at home with our families. Our class has started learning about the different types of flowers, vegetables, and fruits that can be grown in a garden, playing new garden-themed matching and counting games, and talking about living and non-living things. We are very excited to do some more planting, experimenting, and outdoor activities in the warmer weather! Happy Spring from the Butterfly Class!
Dragonflies (BFECC Preschool 4-5)
The Building Study began with a tour around the world starting with Big Ben, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and The White House. We brainstormed a word wall to describe tools and materials leading to discussions on how houses are built, materials used, and who helped construct it.

Our Discovery center had the Dragonflies think like Architects and build like Engineers. They further developed fine motor skills, problem solving, and spatial awareness.

The Dragonflies also enjoyed their favorite read aloud, and awesome book recommendation that every child needs to read, Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty, promoting creativity and positive growth mindset.

We have presented a virtual walk through of Dragonfly City, a decorated recycled box community and stores on April 22nd.
Spring Break Camp (PPS Preschool Students)

During Spring Break camp our PPS students participated in many activities. We played outside, enjoyed many games as well as arts and crafts projects. We created our own bunnies by picking out the colors that we wanted to paint with. We had lots of fun spending time with friends!
Mark Your Calendars
  • April 22nd - Earth Day - We will be hosting a virtual Earth Day Art Show via ClassDojo, enjoy!
  • May 3rd - 7th - Teacher Appreciation Week
  • May 5th - Cinco De Mayo
  • May 9th - Mother's Day
  • May 20th & May 21st - Picture Day - Please click the link below to get a better understanding of the new safety measures Lifetouch has implemented: Picture Day Safety Protocols | Lifetouch Preschool Photography
  • May 31st - Memorial Day - CLOSED
To learn more, call (609) 497-2100 ext. 325