September 2025

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  questionnaire about your child (in your orientation packet).  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)  or a bed roll.. 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.  

• If your child wears pull-ups, please label and send them in as well as wipes. We will keep them in the class.  *Please make sure the pull-ups have side tabs. 

• We will have snacks daily. Please be sure your child has enough snacks and drinks for the day. A water bottle is recommended so your child can drink throughout 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 7:55 am. 

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:

    • 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

September 2025

Dear Families,

     Our Preschool Program uses The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, a research-based curriculum that features hands-on exploration and discovery. We have chosen this curriculum because it focuses on the skills and knowledge that are most important for helping your child be successful in school.

     The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is based on 38 objectives for development and learning that focus on all the areas that are most important for school success: social-emotional, cognitive, math, literacy, physical, language, social studies, science, technology, and the arts.

     In The Creative Curriculum for Preschool learning happens through studies. Studies are implemented during several weeks and are in-depth investigations of topics that are part of your child's everyday life. These featured topics (studies) include:

                    Beginning of the Year     Balls     Boxes     Bread     Buildings     Clothes     Exercise

                    Gardening     Insects     Making Music     Pets     Reduce, Reuse ,Recycle     Roads

                   Sand     Signs     Simple Machines     Trees     Tubes & Tunnels     Water     

  September 2025

        Play is the Highest Form of Research - Albert Einstein

Here is an excerpt from The Power of Playful Learning by Building Blocks.

Playful Learning and Child Development

The importance of playful learning cannot be overstated when it comes to supporting early childhood development. Play is not merely a fun diversion—it is an essential component of children’s natural learning. As children engage with their peers, their environment, and educational materials, they are actively building the cognitive and emotional frameworks that will guide them throughout their lives.

Play-based learning encourages children to develop a variety of skills that are crucial for later academic skills. For instance, during dramatic play sessions, children develop language skills as they take on different roles and scenarios. They learn to negotiate with peers, resolve conflicts, and express their thoughts and feelings—valuable social skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Research consistently shows that learning through play allows children to develop executive function skills—critical abilities such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-control—that are closely linked to success in school (Blair & Diamond, 2008). In a preschool classroom, activities like role-playing, building with blocks, and engaging in collaborative group projects provide opportunities to practice these skills in a low-pressure setting.

Furthermore, play fosters problem-solving and critical thinking. Children who engage in play-based learning often face challenges that require them to think creatively to find solutions. For instance, when children are building a tower from blocks, they may need to experiment with different ways of stacking them to prevent the tower from falling. This hands-on exploration nurtures their ability to think critically and approach problems from multiple angles (Fisher et al., 2013).

December 2024/ January 2025

Dear Families,

Below is an excerpt from an article, Importance of Fine Motor Skills in Early Childhood Development by Real OT Solutions. Examples of fine motor skills include:

• Holding a pencil and writing or drawing with it.

• Using scissors.

• Folding clothes.

• Typing on a keyboard.

• Fastening a button.

• Zipping a zipper

• Tying your shoes.

• Twisting a doorknob.

• Eating with utensils, like a fork and spoon.

• Playing video games using a controller.

• Playing an instrument, like a guitar, flute or piano.

 Now that winter is upon us, crafts are a fun and easy way to develop those fine motor skills.   Below is one site you may want to visit and have fun creating fun art while developing those fine motor skills at the same time.

10 Winter Fine Motor Activities

https://youaut-aknow.com/10-winter-fine-motor-activities/

16 DJeceE

aWhy Fine Motor Skills Are Important In Early Childhood

The development of motor skills in early childhood is critical. Competence promotes self-esteem. It helps instill a sense of confidence in children early on in life, which helps improve their relationships and overall quality of life.  Mastery accelerates the rate at which they can realize their own independence. Interests and skills develop exponentially when met with success. Who knows which of our children will become concert pianists, acclaimed florists, research scientists, licensed electricians, or future dentists and surgeons? Alas… we are admittedly jumping ahead A LOT, but the point is a good one.  Many life choices down the road start with developing fine motor skills when young. 

Besides…  a side benefit is that a child’s independence makes parents’ lives easier!! That’s actually a more immediate possibility!

Consider all the ways fine motor skills influence your child’s emotional development. Improved hand-eye coordination can lead to an increased ability to express themselves artistically as well as an elevated sense of independence and self-confidence.  All of these can significantly impact your child’s well-being and outlook on the world. For the shy or reserved child, skills on paper/canvas, or with musical instruments allow them to shine in ways unique to them. And if words or extroverted social engagement are not comfortable, their fine motor talents are just as effective in expressing inner feelings, insights, and ability. 

Not to mention the social and academic impact early motor skill development can have! The child who can reconstruct an elaborate lego design will be admired by their classmates. The kid who can create precise lettering and illustrations will be sought after for a project by the group members. The one who can keyboard accurately and quickly will be solicited by the school newspaper club. The one who can braid intricate bracelets may have a waiting list of friends hoping for one, too.

All these skills suggest heightened attention to detail. And heightened attention is a foundation skill in problem-solving, memory, and learning. This creates a compelling case for  why parents want to avail  lots of fine motor opportunities for  their children.  Of course,the biggest attraction for the children themselves will be if they perceive those activities as ones in which they think they would be successful, and most of all… FUN!

sy Winter Crafts for Kids

November 2024

Dear Families,

Below is a link that you can go to for tree activities you can do with your child at home. There are 40 activities you can choose from. One simple activity is Tree Bark Rubbing Activity. You just need paper and a crayon. Have Fun!

https://www.educationcorner.com/tree-activities-for-preschoolers/

October 2024

Families, for the next 6 weeks, our class will begin to study trees. We will be observing and comparing the changes your child of tree leaves, what lives inside of trees, what trees are made of, and who cares for them. We hope this study will help children explore and appreciate nature. As we study trees, we will use literacy, math, the arts, and technology to explore the topic in depth. Other objectives: We will learn important social studies and scientific concepts through firsthand investigations. Please visit the classroom during the study to see all that we are learning.
If you are able to take a “tree walk” with this week, we would appreciate your help in collecting tree parts to investigate. If you can, please take a bag to an area with trees and collect things that have
fallen, such as leaves, bark, acorns, twigs, flowers, or pine cones. See below for suggestions of other tree parts you can bring:
· A variety of leaves
· small limbs, branches, twigs
· seeds
· pine cones
· evergreen sprigs or small boughs
· a live, potted tree
· flower clippings (may be kept in water)
· seeds
· tree “cookies” (cross sections of trees
that show the rings)
· bark
We need your help to enrich the children's learning. If you work with trees, please let us know.
Perhaps you’re a gardener, forester, tree trimmer, tree farmer, or nursery worker. Even if your
job is unrelated to trees, you can be involved in our study. Extra hands always help! :)

What You Can Do at Home..............
You can help your child explore and appreciate nature by learning about trees from inviting your child to talk about trees. Share stories about your favorite childhood memories involving trees and games you might have played around them. Wonder aloud with your child to encourage his or her thinking about
trees.
“I wonder why leaves fall from trees.”
“I wonder what makes some trees grow so big.”

Enjoy the study!

2024-25

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 (in your orientation packet).  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)  or a bed roll.. 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.  *Please make sure the pull-ups have side tabs. 

• We will have snacks daily. Please be sure your child has enough snacks and drinks for the day. A water bottle is recommended so your child can drink throughout 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 7:55 am. 

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:

    • 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