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Christ the King Community Daycare
68-02 Metropolitan Avenue,
Middle Village, NY 11379
718-417-6770
www.ctkny.org
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Dee’s November 2020 Newsletter
Welcome November! We are so happy to say that our October Pumpkin Picking and Halloween Celebrations were a huge success. The children had so much fun, and enjoyed learning all about the Fall season and our many other October themes. There were many creative activities, and beautifully painted pumpkins to take home. We loved seeing all of our children in their adorable costumes. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages to see them all, and who the lucky winners are from our costume contests.
November is a very exciting month at Christ the King Community Daycare. In addition to learning about our monthly letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and the concept of right and left, the children will be learning so much in preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
In the beginning of November, the children will follow-up learning about the Harvest and where all of our food, fruits and vegetables come from. We will also talk about our family, and what kinds of food we like to eat, and the family traditions we all share this month. During the last weeks of November, the children will do a lot of hands on arts and crafts, making Thanksgiving decorations and more.
Each class will have their very own special celebration to honor "The First Thanksgiving." Please see your child’s teacher about our Covid-safe only celebration suggestions. We will make projects, have dancing and music, and talk about what we are thankful for.
Here at Christ the King Daycare/ Preschool, we are thankful for all of our loving family and friends and extend our warmest wishes for a very Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
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- Please Note the Upcoming Dates that the Daycare and Pre-K Will Be Closed:
- November 26 & 27th- Thanksgiving Break
- December 24 & 25th- Christmas Break
- December 31 & January 1st- New Years Break
- As a reminder, families are to maintain social distancing when dropping off and picking up a child. Families must stand at least 6 feet apart from one another if they are waiting for their child to be admitted or dismissed from their teachers.
- Parents and guardians must not congregate in the hallways or outside the CK Kids field.
- Only one parent/guardian will be permitted into the facility for drop off and pick up, and a face covering is required.
- When calling the facility, please keep in mind that calls should be ideally be made between 12-2pm while the children are napping. The daycare phone number is 718-417-6770.
- Please remember to make sure your child's cubby contains weather-appropriate clothing. We also appreciate all of our parents continuing to bring in diapers and a box of wipes twice each month on the 1st and the 15th.
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Color(s): Brown
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Concepts: Left and Right, The Harvest, & Thanksgiving
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Shape: Rectangle
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Letters: E, F
- Number(s):
Ages (1-2) # 3
Ages (3-4) #'s 5,6
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Science with the Snugglies
Last month our babies used their senses to explore and learn all about FALL. As the weather started to change, we felt the cool air on our morning strolls and picked up falling leaves. We looked at the yellow, orange, red, and brown colors of the different leaves. We felt the dry leaves crunching in our hands. During Circle Time we listened to “The Little Acorn,” by Melanie Joyce and we each received our own copy of the story to share with our families. The children were adorable as they each picked pumpkins and felt the hay in the CK Pumpkin Patch. We will continue to learn explore all about FALL as we move into November.
Science with the Lions
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
October is always a month filled with ghosts and goblins, spooky walks, tricks and treats, and for the Lions it’s a month to focus on Science. One of my favorite things to do is to go into the STEM Center and get the children’s minds thinking in a new way. In October, we of course had to do some Halloween themed experiments. I hope you all saw our first experiment on Facebook and Instagram with the flying ghosts. We do this every year and it never fails to amaze. Our second experiment was an oldie but a goody with a Halloween twist. We set off to the STEM Center pulled out the vinegar, baking soda, a water bottle and some balloons. The goal was to teach the children how mixing the two ingredients together creates a gas called carbon monoxide and how the gas would inflate the balloons. To make it more Halloween like, we drew a ghost face on a white balloon and Frankenstein on a green one.
We took the baking soda and added it to the bottle then the vinegar, and quickly put the balloon on the bottle. Then we stepped back watched the magic. To our surprise the first attempt was not as impressive as we thought, the balloon started to blow up but not as much as we wanted it to. Instead of changing it ourselves we asked the children what we could do to fix it, and after many suggestions including just blow it up, we came to add more ingredients. So, we added a little more of each, put the balloon on and WOW the balloon blew up and we had a Frankenstein! We did it a few more times and each time the children were more amazed than the last. I think if we could have sat there all day, we would have been making Halloween balloons all day.
Science with the Dolphins
The Unit of Study for the month of October was “My Five Senses.” During Science, students explored the sense of touch by using the “Feely Box.” Items were placed in our “Feely Box,” and students had to predict what was inside by using their sense of touch. After students made a prediction about what item was in the box, the item was revealed. As a class we went over our predictions to share and hear all of the guesses our classmates had. Miss Theresa asked students, “What item do you think is in the Feely Box?” and “What item was in the Feely Box?”
The second activity we did as a class was dissecting a pumpkin. Before we dissected the pumpkin, as a class we made predictions on what the inside of the pumpkin was going to look, feel and smell like. Then together we dissected the pumpkin and we got to use a few of our 5 senses. We used our sense of sight to see what was inside the pumpkin, our sense of smell to smell the pumpkin, and our sense of touch to feel the insides as well as the outside of the pumpkin. Miss Theresa asked students to describe, “What does the inside of the pumpkin feel like?”
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Math with the Chipmunks
During the month of October, the Chipmunks enjoyed many lessons about apples and pumpkins. To enhance our math skills we cut open and explored the inside of a pumpkin. The children found there were seeds inside! Then the children were given a paper with pumpkins on it. Each pumpkin had a number between 1 and 10 on it. We asked each child to identify the number and count out the amount of seeds that corresponds to that number. The children had so much fun while strengthening their one-to-one correspondence skills! We also made AB patterns with big pumpkins and small pumpkins. The children loved learning about pumpkins and found that math can be so much fun!
Math with the Turtle
Last month, the Turtles enjoyed numerous activities that helped teach and reinforce math skills. We’ve been practicing counting, making graphs, tally charts and even measuring. We were also learning about our Five Senses. One fun activity that linked our unit of Five Senses with math was making patterns out of our favorite senses. The children cut and glued pictures of their two favorite senses and pasted them in a pattern on sentence strips.
The Turtles also enjoyed counting the Ingredients List items while doing our cooking projects. During cooking we measured different amounts of salt, sugar and apples. We also introduced telling time, to measure how long we should cook certain food items for. Math does not only take place in the classroom, however. One of our favorite things to do when we are walking down the hallway and down the stairs is to count our steps. The Turtles are really learning that math is all around them!
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Art with the Puppies
The Puppies always have fun painting and making art projects! We encourage creativity and try to do projects as often as possible. Some of these projects are group oriented, while others are personal projects for the children to take home. One activity the children love is coloring together. We often lay out a big sheet of paper on the table and sit the kids down with some crayons or paint, and let them color in the area they are sitting in.
To celebrate Halloween, we made some spooky characters using our footprints to create various monsters like ghosts, witches and Frankenstein. They children loved the feel of the paint on their feet and toes. We also have been learning about shapes every month and for the month of October the focus was on circles. One day, we sat down at the table and colored a white circle cutout using the crayons of our choosing. Next, we attached 4 folded strips of different colored papers to be used as arms and legs, and finished with putting a face on the circle.
Art with the Pandas
Last month the Pandas learned all about the Five Senses. During one special Art activity, the Pandas learned about their sense of smell. In the Art Center, the Pandas were asked to smell four different spices (cinnamon, red pepper, pumpkin spice, and curry). The students were asked to choose which one was their favorite. After, the Pandas mixed each spice with water to create a paste. Then we painted beautiful pictures with our own spice paint.
The Pandas also explored our sense of sight. We realized how important our sense of sight is as they painted pictures while blind folded! While painting the pictures blind folded, the Pandas were asked an array of questions such as, “What do you think you are painting?”, “How does it feel to paint without being able to see?”, and lastly, “Why do you think our sense of sight is so important?
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Music with the Angels
The Angels really enjoy moving and grooving to all different songs. Our favorite song last month was "The Spooky Walk." We all sat down on the floor with our legs out, listened and followed the instructions as the song played. As we took our "walk," we patted our legs for each step. When we pretended to run through the tall grass away from the witch, we swish our hands together. When we swam through the river to escape from the cat, we made a swimming motion with our arms. This music activity is great for our gross motor and our listening skills. It is also super fun and festive for Halloween!
Music with the Sunflowers
Music is presented in your child’s everyday life! The Sunflowers love singing their favorite songs, such as “The Wheels on the Bus,” “One Little Finger” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It!” Each day at Circle Time, we sing learning songs, such as “The ABC’s” and “Days of the Week.” After Circle Time, the Sunflowers usually have a dance party filled with fun songs of the month! Last month, we were celebrating Halloween with fun songs such as “The Spooky Walk,” “5 Little Pumpkins” and “Halloween Freeze Dance!” We also love going to the Music and Movement Room, where the children get to choose instruments and play with the Beam projector. This is a great system that projects games onto the floor for the children to interact with. Some of the games play instruments and the children enjoy taping on the piano and xylophone keys that project to the floor! Music is also played throughout the day to enlighten your child and help them reinforce vocabulary, numbers, and seasonal concepts. Music is just fun for everyone!
Music with the Ducks
Welcome November! We look forward to having fun and learning all about the theme of “All About Me.” Music is always an important part of our day every month. When we look back on October, we remember how each morning we welcomed each other into class and found our special spots on the carpet. We sang the "Hello Friends" song to welcome us all into the classroom. Then we sang the morning "Circle Time Song" which goes like this, "Everybody clap your hands, clap your hands, clap your hands. Everybody stomp your feet, stomp your feet, stomp your feet. Everybody jump up and down, up and down, up and down." Then I asked three children to make up a new action for the class to follow along. The Ducks morning "Circle Time Song" was a great way for the students to get ready for the day, exercise, and have fun.
October’s theme was “My Five Senses” the Duck students learned "The Five Senses" song. "The Five Senses" song goes like this:
I have senses, I have senses.
There are five, there are five.
Seeing, hearing, touching, seeing, hearing, touching.
Smelling and tasting, smelling and tasting.
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Technology Tots & Athletes in Training |
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Gym Time with the Monkeys
Between learning about autumn and getting ready for Halloween, the month of October was a very exciting time for the Monkey class. One thing the Monkeys love to do is physical activity! Going to the gym and playing on the playground is something we love to do. In the Gym, the Monkeys love to ride the bikes, drive the cars and go on the mini roller coaster. The mini roller coaster is one of the Monkey’s favorite things in the Gym, and it’s been great to observe how they have learned to share and take turns. The Monkeys also love dancing in the gym. Some of their favorite songs to move along to are “Baby Shark” and “Shake and Move.” With the large space in the gym, there is plenty of room for them to move around and they always have a great time!
Tech with the Bears
In November the children will learn about the theme of “All about Me.” Last month’s theme, the "Five Senses" was explored throughout all of the centers in the classroom. The students were able to engage in many multi-sensory activities. During small group lessons, the students used the Smartboard as we discussed our Five Senses. The children pointed out how we see with our eyes, smell with our noses, taste with our mouth, hear with our ears, and touch with our hands.
The children had the opportunity to use the Smartboard individually as well. Each student had to click and drag the five senses into the corresponding box. When the children got the answer correct they heard applause. The children had a great time working with each other, and helping each other to get the correct answer. Some of the examples they had to sort were: things we see, smell, taste, hear and touch. The children had to click and drag the different items into the correct box. This was a great activity for eye and hand coordination as the children had to click and drag the different items, and the children had a chance to take turns with each other.
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The safety of our children and staff is our top priority. Please review our Health Policy. We ask for your cooperation to help us maintain a healthy environment.
On our Current Parent Page of our website you can find all medical/health forms you may need.
- Medical Form - Our center is licensed by the Department of Health which requires all children to have an up to date physical and immunization form on file.
- 504 Medication Administration Form – This form needs to be submitted for any long-term medical conditions such as asthma or allergies.
- Dietary Restriction Form – This form should be submitted to inform us of any dietary restrictions that we should be aware of. Dietary restrictions may include any dietary restrictions due to preference, allergies or medical requirements.
- Please remember to inform our center of your child's absence on a daily basis. Such absences include: reporting a contagious illness, children not feeling well or simply not coming in on their scheduled day. Reporting these absences are a Board of Health regulation.
Safety & Health Reminders
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We are a peanut-free school. Please help us to maintain a nut free environment by refraining from sending any such items (nuts, peanut butter, almond butter, any items containing nut oils, etc.) to school with your children.
- Please don’t forget to get your flu vaccine and proof of documentation. It is mandatory by the Board of Health for all children 6 months to 59 months of age, attending Day Care or Pre-K to receive the influenza vaccine.
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- Please remember to replace your child's cubby with weather appropriate clothing. Make sure all items are labeled with your child's name.
- As part of a weekly routine, please remember to take home your child’s bedding and return it the following Monday.
Please contact the Nurse's office at [email protected] with questions or concerns you may have at any time. We are looking forward to a happy, healthy year!
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Angels
Angels
During potty time, Miss Christine was calling the children to come for their turn when John looked at her and said, "You are very loud."
Bears
During lunch time the children noticed that we changed the plates, to bowls, for pasta. Jeanne looked at Sophia A., and said, “Look Sophia, Mrs. Kerin changed the dishes.” Jeanne then said, “How did you change the plates Mrs. Kerin?” I looked at what they were talking about and said, “No honey, the ladies in the cafeteria decided to give us bowls because we have pasta and meatballs.” Both of the children said, “Ooohhhhh those girls are trying to trick us.”
Chipmunks
One day during circle time, Miss Gina stepped away to grab something to show the children. Emily grabbed the pointer and started teaching the children the colors. She said, "I'm going to be Miss Gina!"
Dolphins
While doing the activity “Dissecting a Pumpkin,” Miss Theresa asked, “What does the inside of the pumpkin feel like?” Elise said, “The pumpkin feels like jello and gummy bears, but it does not smell that nice.”
Ducks
While we were singing the five senses song Sienna told the class what she uses her senses for. She said, "I can feel the carpet." The other children joined her in sharing what they use their senses for. Arlinda said, "I can see Miss Megan." Kaiser said, "I smell food."
Lions
We were asking all the children if anyone knew how to spell their names. When I asked Hazel if she did, she said, “Yes I do. It’s H……, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.” She’s definitely off to a great start!
Monkeys
Claire was coloring a picture when she heard over the intercom, “Doreen please call the Chipmunk room.” Claire looked up and said, “I’m not Doreen, I’m Claire.”
Pandas
When discussing our favorite things to taste in Circle Time, Kayden told the class, “I like to taste chicken nuggets, but I like to eat healthy food too like cucumbers and apples. They make me big and strong!”
Sunflowers
The children had just finished an art project and the teachers were in the process of cleaning up. Michael looked around and exclamed, "What a mess!"
Turtles
Often when walking through the Daycare Hallway, the teachers tell the children to please keep their voices down as the babies may be sleeping. One day we were walking in the high school hallway to go to the Soccer Field and Ethan told his friends, “Be quiet! The big kids are sleeping.”
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