IMPORTANT DATES AND REMINDERS
2/9: Chinese New Year Celebration
2/19: School CLOSED for ELEMENTARY- 3s and 4s Optional Care
2/29: Lower School Winter Olympics
2/29: Upper School PBL Exhibit: Hall of Fame Living Museum
In celebration for the month of February, this week, children in Collage’s Lower School made Valentine’s-themed crafts, worked on a “Kindness Project” in preparation for Random Acts of Kindness Day (February 17th), and studied shapes in Science by making Kites. Kites stayed with this week’s “Letter of the Week” (K), and students also participated in a K-themed Show and Tell. Lastly, we are so excited to welcome Lion Dancers to Collage on Friday, who will come and celebrate Chinese New Year with us!
A Note From Kris
Is my child ready to potty train?
Timing is everything when it comes to potty-training success—and as any parent who’s been through it can tell you, trying to force the potty on a not-quite-ready child only prolongs the process (and makes everyone miserable!). So how can you tell if your little one is ready to make the leap from diapers to the toilet? Check out these 10 signs that she’s ready:
- She seems interested in the toilet, potty, or underpants.
- He wants to watch you go.
- She stays dry for two or more hours.
- He poops on a predictable schedule.
- She complains about wet or dirty diapers, and wants to be changed.
- He can follow basic directions.
- She understands potty lingo like “pee” and “poop.”
- He tells you when he needs to go—or uses body language, like going into corner or grunting.
- She can pull her pants down and up.
- He can sit down on—and get up from—a potty chair.
Weekly Updates
Upper School students were hard at work this week, developing their grammar skills, learning to use dramatic play to solve real world problems in Math, and working on sensory projects in STEAM. Students also participated in nonfiction reading workshops, and learned about the systems of the body and ways to keep them healthy. Finally, preparation for the Hall of Fame Living Museum continued, through a study of art from various Black artists, and an examination of contributions of past U.S. Presidents.
Curriculum Corner: Read To Your Children
You are your child’s most important teacher, and you play a critical role in your child’s academic success. Your child learned his or her first words from you. Reading with your children does not end once they enter school. We encourage you to read with your child every day; research indicates that just 20 minutes a day promotes early language and literacy. Even though it is not a requirement, we encourage you to read at home with your child daily (at least 20 minutes) with the books they bring home from school. Some ways to do this are:
- Read out loud to your child
- Listen to your child read
- Echo read (you read a line, then he or she repeats)
- Read together at the same time (Choral Reading)
- Reread or retell favorite stories
- Reread and then write a summary
- Ask questions about what your child is reading
- Practice your child’s assigned sight words nightly
COLLAGE AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITY:
SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP**
For many children, managing the social world day in and day out eventually presents challenges. Some children may struggle with social flexibility, or sudden frustration, or wanting to engage but just struggling to figure out how. Mandala Family Wellness is proud to offer a group designed to improve children’s confidence, fluidity, and excitement about making and maintaining friendships. Guided by Mandala therapists, children will learn highly effective and applicable social skills to improve their navigation of relationships and bolster their self-esteem.
** Social skills group is now open to 3, 4, and 5-year-olds with our "Little Leaders" program.
To sign up, contact Sierra Sternberg at: sternberg@mandalafamilywellness.com
Staying Healthy with Nurse Chelsea
Cold and Flu Management
Influenza (Flu) and the “common cold” are both communicable illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. While it can be difficult to prevent them entirely, here are suggestions for helping minimize spread:
- Hand Hygiene: First line of defense. Encourage children to wash with water and soap for at least 20 seconds
- Etiquette: Show children how to cough or sneeze into a tissue, or an elbow of a sleeve
- Effective Cleaning: Regularly disinfect areas, surfaces, items, etc. that receive frequent interaction
- Rest: Ensure children rest and sleep properly, to keep their immune systems functioning optimally
- Over-the-Counter Meds: Commonly available medication can provide suppression of symptoms, and ease aches and pains during recovery
- Containment: Separate, isolate, and limit contact between sick and healthy children as much as possible
