Summer is here! How are your students going to spend it? Summer break may be some students’ favorite time while for others, it may be a more stressful time. One way parents can support students is by continuing the excitement of learning year-round. This checklist is the perfect resource for allowing students to rest, have fun, and learn a thing or two over the break.

Much controversy surrounds the idea of the “summer slide.” Do students actually lose their skills from the previous year? Some research proves it does, especially for lower-income families. Other professionals claim this research was poorly executed. Nevertheless, the summer is used as a time for rest and recuperation after months of hard academic work, both for students and educators. This controversy doesn’t hinder our desire to support student learning during the next few months. 

Despite the controversy, summer breaks are the perfect time to develop skills that aren’t taught as much in the classroom, such as social skills. Taking an intentional break can also reduce stress in students and greatly improve mental health. Though this break has many critical benefits, helping students stay connected to material learned in the previous year is a must. 

Keeping students engaged and academically challenged gives students and educators a head starts in the start of the school year so they do not have to repeat as much older material. Some research proves that being proactive against the summer slide in a student’s early years can have benefits later in their academic career.

Here are a few ways parents and families can support student learning while having an amazing summer: 

• Read! Read! Read! Reading is one of the best ways to support a student’s cognitive development. Reading builds vocabulary, self-expression, and knowledge of the world. And though some students may enjoy reading more than others, reading a book they love doesn’t feel like schoolwork; it’s just fun! Most local libraries have accessible summer reading challenges for students and adults. Completing a challenge or reading books on your own are wonderful ways to keep students’ minds active.  

• Consider Summer School. Summer school programs are typically short, and they help many students get ahead in their education. A few benefits of summer school include academic advancement, social development, and maintaining a routine. Some families may consider participating in one for a variety of reasons, including academic support.

• Get Outside. Summer allows for activities that may not be available in other months of the year. Getting students outside to play or explore can help students see the science all around them. Spending quality time outdoors teaches students to appreciate the environment and apply their previous school lessons to the world around them. 

• Create Something. Creativity is an important function of the brain and helps to support cognitive development, curiosity, imagination, and memory. Challenge your students’ creativity by creating something new. Find a DIY project, start a garden, build with LEGOs, or find some paints. This may be a perfect time to learn a new artistic or technical skill not taught during classes or experiment with new projects and materials. 

• Take a Field Trip. Learning doesn’t just happen inside a classroom; there are plenty of other places to explore! Easily find a nature trail, a petting farm, a zoo, an aquarium, a park, or a nature center near you. Use the summertime as a way to take students to exciting places that cultivate new knowledge while having a great time. 

• Volunteer. Have your students had positive volunteer experiences? Now might be the perfect time to get involved in the community to make it a better, brighter place. Volunteering teaches students the effects of being generous with their time as well as provides experience in learning empathy, teamwork, and leadership skills. 

• Attend a Family Night. Family nights are happening all the time and are typically hosted by schools, cities, and community centers. Find a family night to attend to create some fun memories while also building social skills. You can find family night ideas here. 

• Try Something New. What’s something your students have never done before? Tried a certain food? Experienced a local museum? Cooked their favorite dish? Take this summer as an opportunity to do something new with your students. Providing new experiences to students is part of the learning process and can be both exciting and informative. 

See Our Programs

Bring the field trip to you!

What's Available Near Me?

2022-2023

Dera Preschool Families,

I use Class Dojo to keep you inform of daily events. Please also click on "Our Study" to find out more about what we are studying and how you can help. Any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at kfoca@lakehurstschool.org or through Class Dojo.

2022-2023

Dear Preschool Families,

I am so excited that you are here! I can’t wait to jump into the new school year and hope that you are excited to see how much your child will grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically this year. I believe in a clear and open line of communication with students and parents, so feel free to contact me anytime.  Please answer and return the attached questionnaire about your child.  It would be greatly appreciated and help to make this a positive, new beginning.

FIRST DAY REMINDERS!

• Please label ALL of your child’s belongings inside of a backpack large enough to fit a folder and materials.

• Each child should bring in a crib size sheet & blanket,( or beach towel) for naptime. These items will be sent home every Friday for washing.

• Please provide at least one labeled extra change of clothes in case of accidents or spills in the plastic bag provided for you.  

• Provide a plastic, 2-pocket folder.

• If your child wears pull-ups, please label and send them in as well as wipes. We will keep them in the class.  

• We will have snacks daily. Please be sure your child has enough snacks and drinks for the day. 

• Please leave your childʼs toys at home. We have plenty of materials for the children and wouldn’t want theirs to be misplaced or mishandled.

• For drop off: parents/guardians will walk their children (Line P) to the line up area behind the school by the cafeteria for 7:55am. I will take the class in as a whole at 8:00am. 

Other Important Information

Please Read 

• Daily Folders

  • Please check and empty your child’s Daily Folder each day. 

• Staying Connected 

  • Located on the school’s website, each teacher has a link to their own page. I will do my best to keep it updated so you can stay connected with each content area and study we are investigating.

• Text alertText 81010 to @lakehurst for Reminds from our school

  • Primarily communicating with me through the Class Dojo App

• Family Tree

  • If you have a photo to send in, I would like to display “family tree” photos in our classroom so that I can become familiar with everyone, as well as create a comfortable environment for the children in seeing their family photos.

“Me” Weeks

• • Having good self-esteem and confidence is vital at this age. Each child will have an opportunity to fill a “Me Bag” (completed at home) on what makes them “Me”.

  • More directions will be provided.

• Absences

  • Aside from calling the office, if you would like to inform me personally that your child will be out that day, or for future dates you’re aware of, please send an email to me at kfoca@lakehurstschool.org-or send a text through Class Dojo.  I’m always worrying about your little ones and want to make sure they are okay! 

• Friendship List

  • Each classroom will have a “friendship list”. It is an optional list containing parent and child contact information for parents to communicate with each other. 

For example, if Johnny wants to have a playdate with Max, and both of the parents opted to add their information, the parents can now call each other to set this up. Those that sign up will only receive the final list.

• Supplies:

  • We can always use supplies! If you would like to donate to the classroom it is greatly appreciated! We are always in need of:

    • Lysol/Clorox Wipes, Tissues, Napkins, Small Water Bottles, and Packaged Snacks. 

THANK YOU for taking the time to read through this information. I am looking forward to a great year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Foca

                                                                                    May/June News

Dear Families,

For the month of May and June, we will be ending the year with a Ball Study. Children are curious about different kinds of balls, how people use the balls, what they are made of, what is inside them, and how high they can bounce. As we study balls, we will learn concepts and skills in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. We will also be using thinking skills to investigate, ask questions, solve problems, make predictions, and test our ideas.

                                                                            Important Dates

                                                                      May 24 - Bounce Day

                                                                      May 27- Abbreviated Day (Noon Dismissal)

                                                                      June 15, 16, 17, & 20 - Abbreviated Days (Noon Dismissal)

                                                                                         April News

Dear Families, 

We’ve noticed that children are often interested in life’s most ordinary things. Whenever we go outside, there is always a lot of interest in insects. Children find them, watch them, follow them, and try to capture them. In their play at school, the children have shared their curiosity about the different types of insects they see, how insects move, where and when we see insects, and the kinds of jobs that involve insects. We think a study of insects will be a great opportunity for children to explore their interests. 

What You Can Do at Home:

 Talk with your child about the different kinds of insects you see. If possible, examine harmless insects you notice in your community. What features do they have? Point out interesting features, such as the colors, patterns, where they live, how they move (e.g., do they fly, crawl, or jump?), and how some insects are harmless and some are dangerous. Notice people whose work involves insects, like gardeners, exterminators, or beekeepers. What equipment do they use? Invite your child to think about why some insects are pests and why some are helpful. What kind of supplies do you need to capture and examine insects without hurting them? Help your child to release captured insects after you’ve had a chance to explore them. Have fun! 

                                                                               SPRING BREAK

                                                                        April 15th  to April 22nd

                                                                                  March News

Dear Families,

 We’ve noticed that the children have been using all kinds of tubes and tunnels in the classroom areas and outdoors. They are interested in building and creating with tubes and tunnels and are curious about what they can do with them. We think a study of tubes and tunnels will be a great opportunity for children to explore their ideas. We need your help to get our study started. If you can, your help in gathering materials related to tubes and tunnels would be valuable in supporting our investigations. We need a variety of materials for the children to explore such as cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls, straws, and hoses. If you have any books or pictures related to tubes or tunMaterials Cardboard tubes Wrapping paper tubes Water hose Drinking straws PVC pipes and connectors Toy train tunnels Glue sticks Funnels Toothpaste tubes Tubes of paint Postal tubes Pictures and Videos Tunnels through mountains Train tunnels Subway tunnels Surfing Ant farms Agility tunnels Playground with tube slide Covered bridges Animal burrows nels, we’d love to borrow those, too.  Please label your items with your name so we can return them to you at the end of the study. We promise to take good care of them!

                                                                            January News

Dear Families, 

When we are outside, children often ask questions about our building. They want to know the height of the school building, what it’s made of, and how strong it is. They also ask many questions about the way it looks. Their ongoing interest in our building helped us realize that buildings would make a good study topic. To get the study started, we are gathering all sorts of pictures of buildings. We could really use your help! We welcome pictures from any source, such as newspapers or magazines, postcards, printouts from the Internet, and your family’s photo collection. It would be wonderful if you could include pictures of buildings in other parts of the world, too. Here’s a list of suggestions, but you may also send in pictures of buildings that are not on the list.

  houses apartments barns sheds castles cottages cabins bungalows huts yurts shacks hotel motels inns office buildings schools stores churches synagogues mosques post offices supermarkets libraries restaurants hospitals factories skyscrapers theaters concert halls museums parking garages gas stations mechanic shops government buildings community centers 

 As we study buildings, we will learn concepts and skills in science, social studies, literacy, math, the arts, and technology. We will also be using thinking skills to investigate, ask questions, solve problems, make predictions, and test our ideas. 

What You Can Do at Home

 Study your house or apartment building with your child. What materials were used to build it? How many floors or stories does it have? How many rooms, windows, and doors does it have? Don’t forget the basement if you have one! How old is your home? Who built it? What are its dimensions? Talk with your child about the buildings that you see together. Keep a list of the buildings that interest your child. Help your child investigate questions similar to the ones we mentioned above. 

                                                                                December News

     We willcontinue our study of Clothes.  We will also have fun with holiday crafts and work on classification skills and syllables, also known as "claps" in preschool. Below is a fun activity that you may want to try with your child. Enjoy!

How to color Cloud Dough

To make cloud dough we used our new method of using oil based food coloring and premixing the coloring in the oil before adding it to the flour.

General ratio is 1:8. That is 1 cup of oil to 8 cups of flour.

To make multiple colors I used 4 cups of flour to half a cup vegetable oil with a teaspoon of oil based coloring.

I used vegetable oil instead of baby oil like so many others use because 2 of my kids still love to taste things! The veg oil makes the cloud dough taste safe.

Add your 4 cups of flour to a zip lock bag or bowl, pour in the veg oil and color mix combo and shake/stir.

 Here you will get your hands in and pinch the cloud dough to spread the colors totally and get the resultant vibrantly color cloud dough.

HOW did I make this fizzy cloud dough?

I used my cloud dough recipe and unique method of coloring BUT instead of using 2 cups of flour and 1/4 veg oil I used 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of baking soda plus the 1/4 cup veg oil. This cloud dough recipe is taste safe for toddlers!

                                                                             October News

1. Halloween Parade - All Prek Classes 8:45 am on Friday, October 29th (weather permitting) outside.

2. "ME Bags" are due November 19th.

September 16, 2021

Dear Families

,

Just a few reminders:

1.  We have a child with a peanut allergy so please do not send any food with peanuts or tree nuts.  The school lunches are always peanut free and there is no cost to you.

2. Please send in a Family Photo. I like to hang them by their cubbies.

3. If you haven’t done so, please send in a blanket and crib sheet (or beach towel) for your child’s cot.  At the end of each week, I will be sending them home for you to wash and return on Monday.

4. Please keep all toys home.  I do not want your child’s toys to become broken or lost.

5. I use the Class Dojo App to communicate with you and to share photos throughout the day.  Please accept the “invite” if you haven’t yet.  I will always try and answer you as quickly as I can, even on the weekends and at night.

6. I have sent an invite as well for Teaching Strategies via email.  As the year progresses I will be able to send activities for you and your child to have fun with

7. I sent a survey form from administration to be completed by October 1st.  If you did not receive it, please let me know.

8. Virtual Back-To-School Night will be Tuesday, September 28th. I will be sending you a Zoom Link. All you will have to do is click on the link and you will be able to open up the link and join in the meeting. More details to follow.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at kfoca@lakehurstschool.org or through the Class Dojo App.

Thank you.

Mrs. Kimberly Foca

January 4, 2021

Clothes Study—Exploring the Topic: What do we know about clothes? What do we want to find out? Most young children are fascinated by clothes! Buttons, snaps, and zippers present exciting new challenges for young children, and preschool children often have strong opinions on their favorite colors, fabrics, and styles. Your child might love to put on and take off his clothes, dress and undress a favorite doll, or try on adults’ clothes to play pretend. Your child has also probably noticed that some clothes are reserved for special occasions or used for work or hobbies. This interest in clothes has inspired us to introduce a study of clothes: the clothes in your home have different fabrics, colors, patterns, sizes, closures, and uses that your child can identify and explore through a variety of learning experiences. 

October 30, 2020

Remember to wear your pajamas and bring in a stuffed animal to cozy with while listening to a story and munching on popcorn!

March 27, 2020

                                                                                          The Daily Schedule: 

                                                                                    A Typical Day in Preschool

Your preschooler probably does best when he or she knows what to expect each day. When your child’s normal schedule is disrupted, establishing a predictable daily schedule at home can help your child feel secure and understand when things will happen. 

 You can create predictable routines and experiences at home that mimic what your child has come to expect in our program. Below are some ideas that will help you offer the similar kinds of experiences your child engages with in our program.  

 Every family is juggling a different set of responsibilities and circumstances. It is absolutely okay if you’re unable to re-create all of these times of day. If needed, start small and look to add in additional experiences over time as you and your children adjust to a routine that makes sense for your family.

Early morning 

Maintain as much consistency as possible in your morning routine. Start each morning as if you were preparing your family to leave your home for school and work.

Morning meeting

After your typical morning routines, try to gather as a family to start the day. This is an opportunity to share what each of you would like to accomplish, delegate responsibilities (e.g., feeding pets, sweeping the kitchen, joining a conference call for work, planning a menu), engage in a fun song or dance, and review your schedule for the day.

Choice time

In our program, your child has an opportunity choose where to play (e.g., in the Block area, the Discovery area, the Library area, or the Art area), and with whom they would like to play. While this time in our classroom is supervised by an adult, the children’s play is not directed by an adult. The children make the choices! Below are some ideas to help you recreate “choice time” play at home. Don’t feel that you need to offer all of these choices each day, but do consider providing a variety of experiences. Doing so will help sustain your child’s interest.

·   Blocks: Provide building blocks, a variety of boxes/containers, baskets, plastic cups, paper tubes, tape, doll house, and toy animals.

·   Dramatic play: Provide costumes, dress-up clothes, household props, family members’ clothes, scarves, kitchen utensils, and pillows, etc. Consider how you might repurpose household items to create a new imaginative space. For example, could you create a pretend grocery store? A doctor’s office? A pet supply store? An office? A yoga studio? A post office?

·   Toys and games: Provide toys and games that you have in your home or can borrow, such as age-appropriate puzzles, card games, and board games.

·   Art: Provide paper, crayons, markers, clay or molding dough, chalk, paint, scissors, old magazines, glue, and scrap materials (e.g., buttons, fabric, recycled caps, etc.). Consider setting aside a place for “works in progress” that your child can revisit.

·   Library: Provide books, magazines, and props for story retelling. Have pencils, paper, and crayons handy to encourage children to either reflect on the story or make their own.

·   Discovery: Provide household and other readily available materials that your child can investigate, such as magnets, plants, mirrors, flashlights, soil, and rocks.

·   Sand and water: Fill a small container with water or sand. Add objects that your child can fill with the water or sand and then dump. You can also engage your child in this activity during bath time or while washing dishes after a meal.

·   Music and movement: Play your favorite age-appropriate playlist and invite your child to join you in a family dance. Consider repurposing your recyclables as instruments that your child can use to play along to the beat. 

Guided learning

This is an opportunity for more focused learning. Rest assured that if your child is playing (either independently or with others) and interacting with you throughout the day, learning is taking place! If your schedule allows, you can extend your child’s play by introducing opportunities to practice skills in literacy or math. For example, you can invite your child to retell the events of a favorite story or to line up all the shoes in the house from biggest to smallest. Here are some additional activities that can support this time of day. 

 Read-aloud

Sharing a book together presents a wonderful opportunity to snuggle up with your child and promote literacy learning in the comfort of your own home! Simply select a favorite book and read it together. Check out this YouTube page to see how you can make this experience more interactive and meaningful. If you have older children, you can invite them to read to their younger siblings. There’s no such thing as too many interactive read-alouds in a day! 

Outdoor play

If your circumstances allow it, try to accompany your child outdoors for 60 minutes of outdoor play a day. If you are unable to do so, consider creating experiences indoors that encourage your child to use skills such as moving from place to place or balancing. For example, you can place masking tape on the floor to create a “balance beam” or use your furniture to create an obstacle course that enables your child to practice going up, over, and under obstacles. 

Handwashing and Meal Preparation

Encourage your child to help you prepare snacks and meals. As you prepare food together, talk through the steps with your child. Introduce new vocabulary and invite your child to count napkins, set the table, and measure ingredients. Consider creating a recipe card that your child can follow to create a snack independently. For example, if you are offering apple slices and cheese as a snack, you can write down a “recipe” of 4 apple slices and 4 pieces of cheese and encourage your child to create the snack.

Rest time

While the concept of “rest time” may look different for every child, it is important to set aside some quiet time each day to balance out more high-energy play. If your child is not prepared to sleep at this point, he or she can engage in a quiet activity such as reading, drawing, or doing a puzzle.

End of Day Group meeting

Try to use this time to reflect on the day and set expectations for the next day. Consider ending your day with a family group meeting. This is an opportunity for everyone to share something they enjoyed doing, something they learned, and something they would like to try tomorrow. 

Evening 

Maintain as much consistency as possible for your evening routine. End each day with a routine that closely mirrors a typical day, e.g., an evening meal, a warm bath, a story, and a kiss goodnight. 

 *Consider creating a pictorial daily schedule (i.e., a schedule with words and pictures) that you can post in your home. Doing so allows children to see what you have planned for the day and the sequence of events.

March 9, 2020

Dear Parents,

We will be focusing on alphabet recognition, writing, and word families.  Below are some helpful hints to help reinforce the alphabet.

             Tips to Help Your Child Learn Letter Names and Sounds

1.  

   1. Create fun experiences with letter names and sounds. Talk, sing and read with your child every day from birth. Sing the Nemours Alphabet Song and other alphabet songs with your young child. As your child grows, begin to point to the letters and pictures on the cards as you sing. Do not be surprised if your child knows a letter and its sound but then can't remember it the next time you sing the song. This is normal when your child is first learning. There's no need to pressure your child to remember the letters every time.

   2. "Show me the letter" is easier than "tell me the letter." Ask your child to point to or touch a letter instead of trying to tell you the letter name. Once your child can show you the letter easily, ask him or her to tell you the letter's name.

   3. Use your child's name to practice letter recognition. Children usually learn the letters in their name before learning other letters.

   4. Play with letters together. Bring the alphabet cards with you when you shop or go to a restaurant. Give your child a card and ask him to find the matching letters on products or on a menu. Go on a scavenger hunt with your older child and encourage her to find items that begin with the sound of the letter on a card. For example, "b" is for ball, bag, button and book. Have your child trace the letters on the card with a finger and then try to write them. You can also play with alphabet blocks, magnetic or puzzles. Make learning fun.

5.   Remember that reversing letters, such as mixing up the letters "b" and "d," is normal for preschool children. If your child does not know the correct letter name or sound, say the answer and ask your child to repeat it. Your child will gradually remember all the letters and their sounds. *Piasta, Petscher, and Justice (2012)

There are also some online resources such as Starfall, an excellent free website with helpful alphabet activities PBS Kids, education.com, and ABCya.com also offer free activities and games to help reinforce letter and sound recognition.

The best way to help your child learn is to have fun!

Any questions or concern, feel free to contact me at kfoca@lakehurstschool.org.

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                                                 9/30/19

I know this is a new and exciting time for you and your child here at Lakehurst Elementary School.  I cannot believe that October is already here. The children have adjusted well to being back in school and have reconnected with their old friends.  

We have been working on patterns, last names, and rhyming words.  I have introduced the calendar, day of the week, and months of the year.  The have also enjoyed adding and subtracting during our circle time.

The children have also had fun with our “guest” readers and have enjoyed books such as Humpty Dumpty, Mary Had a Little Lamb, A Pocket for Corduroy, Wemberly Worried, Quinito Day and Night, Peeny Butter Fudge,  and Peanut Butter and Cupcake to just name a few.

Our sign language teacher, Ms. Somer, comes in every Thursday.  She has taught the children how to sign their colors, please, thank you, sorry, more, finished, and playing.

The children have really picked it up quickly and we practice everyday these signs.  I am sure your child will be happy to show you what they have learned so far!

This Friday, October 4th, is Picture Day.  You may send in a change of clothes for them to change into after the pictures. 

The Lakehurst Fire Department will be visiting us on Thursday, October 10th for Fire Prevention Week.

Just a reminder to please send in your permission slip and money in by Friday, October 11th, for our upcoming Pumpkin Trip on Tuesday, October 22nd.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at kfoca@lakehurstschool.org.

Mrs. Foca