UPDATE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors would like to thank you for your understanding in the decision to delay the return of programming until January 10th. We understand the inconvenience it may have caused, but due to staffing and reduced attendance we feel it was the right decision. On top of that, the current temperatures we are experiencing added additional support for the closure.

By now, all families should have received their refund if they had not already reduced their payment when it was sent. If you have not, please reach out to Gail at carstairsplayschool@gmail.com.

In regards to the current Covid-19 situation, we want to stress the importance of keeping children home when they are sick. Because the Omicron symptoms are so similar to those of the common cold, we have been advised to assume any cold symptoms are a result of Covid-19. Staff will be extra vigilante in monitoring for any symptoms. Any child with a runny nose, cough or fever, will immediately be sent home and will not be able to return until they have isolated as per AHS isolation requirements. These strict guidelines are to reduce the risk of having to temporarily close the playschool due to ill staff or an outbreak in the student population.

If you have questions regarding the Covid-19 policy or any other policy and procedures, please email carstairsplayschool@gmail.com.

Thank you for your cooperation.

January 3rd - 7th - Playschool closed due to Chinook’s Edge School closure

January 10th - First day back to school for the Monday/Wednesday classes

January 11th - First day back to school for the Tuesday/Thursday classes

January 12th - Fire drill for the Monday/Wednesday classes (weather permitting)

January 12th - Wear a Jersey Day for the Monday/Wednesday classes

January 13th - Fire drill for the Tuesday/Thursday classes (weather permitting)

January 13th - Wear a Jersey Day for the Tuesday/Thursday classes

January 16th - Playschool Board meeting @ the playschool - 7:30pm

January 26th - Beach Day for the Monday/Wednesday classes

January 27th - Beach Day for the Tuesday/Thursday classes

January 31st - No School

February 1st - No School

The themes for January are:
Winter
Hygiene
Rainbows
Ocean

Beach Day

We thought it would be a fun idea to have a beach party in January to go with our Ocean theme. (At least we can pretend it’s warm for one day!) Each playschool class will be having their own beach party. The children can dress in shorts, sun dresses, tank tops, capris, flip flops, but NO SWIMSUITS PLEASE! We will be turning up the heat in the playschool, but it also may be a good idea to send some extra layers.

We ask that you please sent a towel with your child so that we can have a picnic on the “beach.” Children are to bring their regular snacks, but small treat will be provided afterwards. For each Beach Day, we are planning on following the regular classroom routine, however we will be including a few different games and activities which will be related to the beach theme.

Table Work

The three year old students will be working on Animal Legs. This is an activity where children work on their pencil grasp, start to practice vertical lines, and listen to oral directions to attend to a simple task. When drawing the circle, as well as other shapes, the children will be recognizing familiar two-dimensional shapes, and use correct top-to-bottom, left-to-right directionality for symbols. Working with Mat Man helps the children with body awareness and understanding of the first stages of using the Handwriting Without Tears language and materials.

The four year old students will be working on the letters L, F, E, H, T, I, and U. These activities will help the children learn to use correct top-to-bottom, left-to-right directionality for letters. They are also great for proper crayon grip to write and to practice using the helping hand to stabilize objects and paper. Building, singing, and drawing Mat Man help the children with body awareness and practicing the language that we use to make our letters.

This month we would be grateful for donations of :
Cotton Balls
Bird Seed

Michelle has been working hard creating a new Dramatic Play center for the children to enjoy this month. Soon the children will be using the imagination at the Post Office! Thank you to Michelle and Carstairs FCSS for making these stations possible for our children to enjoy!