Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Summer Activities

Dear Families and Friends,
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you
for another wonderful school year!  We have enjoyed working with your children. We’ve had a lot of fun and learned many new and exciting things.
We have attached a collection of activities and
“FUN places to visit” for you and your child to
enjoy over the summer.
Have a Safe and Fun Summer!


ECDC Staff





Fun Places to Visit
Butterfly Place:  (978)-392-0955
120 Tyngsboro Road, Westford, MA
Capron Park Zoo:  (508) 222-3047
201 Country Street, Attleboro MA
Davis Farmland:  (978) 422-6666
145 Redstone Hill, Sterling MA
EcoTarium:  (508) 929-2703
222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA
Roger Williams Park Zoo:  (401) 785-3510
1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence RI
Southwick’s Zoo:  (800) 258-9182
2 Southwick Street, Mendon MA
Audubon Society of RI:  (401) 949- 5454
12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield RI
Mass Audubon Society: (781) 259-9500
208 South Great Road, Lincoln MA
Stony Brook Wildlife: (508) 528-3140
108 North Street, Norfolk MA


Marion Lookout Farm:  (508) 653-0653
89 Pleasant Street, Natick MA
Buttonwoods Sunflower Farm and Ice Cream Shop:  (860) 376-4081
473 Shetucket Turnpike, Griswold CT
The Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog (At Patriot Place):
North Attleboro Park and Recreation:  (508) 699-0145
446 Elm Street, North Attleboro MA
Mystic Aquarium: (860) 572-5955
55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic CT
New England Aquarium: (617) 973-5200
1 Central Wharf, Boston MA
New Bedford Ocean Explorium: (508) 994-5400
174 Union Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
West End Creamery & Family Farm: (508) 234-2022
481 Purgatory Road
Whitinsvilled, MA 01588
The Discovery Museum:  (978) 264-4200
177 Main Street (Route 27)
Acton, MA 01720


World War II Memorial Park/Playground: (508) 699-0152
365 Elmwood St
North Attleboro, MA 02760
Edaville Railroad: (508) 866-8190
5 Pine Street
South Carver, MA 02330


Thursday, March 21, 2019


Happy Spring!
Just a few notes about your child’s preschool classroom:

Dress
·     Winter is over, no need to send snow boot, snow pants, snow gloves. 
·     Please continue to dress your children to play. Our classroom can be hot in the winter and cool in the summer.  Dress your child in layers throughout the year.  Short sleeves and a sweater, to take on or off, is the best way to dress.
·     Please keep all dress up clothing, dresses, hats, stuffed animals at home. We do provide access to these type of items in the classroom.
Foot wear:
·       Rain boots are not needed as we do not go out in the rain. Flip flops are not safe for running in.  Sandals with a strap on the back are Ok.
·       Sneakers with socks are always your best choice for school footwear.

Food
·     We have begun on a unit on growing up that includes health eating. 
·     Please only send food for snack and lunch that students can eat without worrying what to eat first.  We are encouraging independence and if you send in brownies they may only eat the brownie. 
·     Next week we are discussing healthy fruits and veggies, please send in an item that they can eat for snack that fits this category.  We discourage food pouches as students of this age need to use their teeth and mouths to eat real food.  Seeing food in its most natural form is an important part of the learning process. 
·     Please be aware the dental hygienist discussed that gummies and fruit roll ups are not fruit but sticky gooey choice that sticks to teeth.  This was classified as a treat.
·     ECDC no longer supplies plastic utensils, please send your child to school with any and all items they need to eat their food. Please label everything.

Wish List
From time to time supplies become limited in the classroom.  Please do not feel obligated to send in any of these items but if you would like to know what we need, we could use the following:
-Bounty paper towels
-Gentle hand wipes
-soft tissues
-small ziplock bags
-Gallon size zip lock bags

Friday, March 8, 2019

Growing Up Healthy begins March 11, 2019

Dear Families,
Because there is nothing more important than your child’s well-being,
our next theme is all about
“Growing Up Healthy.” Children will learn about nutritious eating, exercise,
and other positive ways of taking care of themselves.
We will also learn what to do in case of an emergency and how to call
911.

Health and safety begin in the home,
so please help your child by supporting what our class will be learning.


• Make and discuss healthy food choices during mealtime
and when shopping for groceries or eating
away from home.

• Cook with your child to teach him/her about the ingredients in foods.

• Review family safety procedures,
especially what to do in case of a fire and how to exit the home.

• Teach child-appropriate safety guidelines to use at home,
such as never turning on the stove or
lighting a match.

• Help your child memorize his or her home address and phone number.


Children must develop self-awareness at a young age in order to be healthy for life.
It is one of our
year-long goals, but will be a special focus during this theme.
Help your child develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

Literacy Tip
Teach your child how to read/recognize exit and other emergency signs and symbols.

Connecting School to Home
Tap into the activities your child will be doing during this theme, such as making a self-portrait, to
help your child become aware of personal characteristics, strengths, and limitations.
Help your child explore his/her five senses in and around your home.  For example, smell food
cooking, look out the window together, taste new foods, listen to music, and feel different fabrics.

Take a Field Trip!
Go Grocery Shopping ~ Have your child vote on a favorite healthy snack to prepare.  Make a list of ingredients that you will need and take a trip to the local grocery store so children can purchase the ingredients. While you are there, walk through the store and ask children to identify the healthy foods they see.

Big Day for Pre-K Book Suggestions
Noisy City Day by Sara Anderson
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis
Favorite Foods: Colors and Shapes by ticktock Media, Ltd.
Max Cleans Up by Rosemary Wells
Sleep Is for Everyone by Paul Showers
Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie de Paola
From the Garden: A Counting Book About Growing Food by Michael Dahl
No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids by Jean E. Pendziwol
You Are Healthy by Todd Snow
How Do You Know?: A Book About the Five Senses by Lisa Jayne
Alphabites by Charles Reasoner
An Alphabet Salad by Sarah L. Schuette