Welcome 2016-17

Dear Pre-K Families, 

I would like to welcome you to the Medford Elementary School and to my pre-kindergarten class!  I am really looking forward to meeting all of you at our upcoming open house!  The open house will be on Monday, August 29^th at 4:00-4:30 for the Mon./Wed. group and 4:45-5:15 for the Tues./Thurs. group. Upon arriving please join me in our classroom where I will have a short checklist of items for you to take care of before leaving.  You will be asked to fill out your child’s emergency contact information, make a deposit into your family's lunch/snack/milk account, confirm bus information, view the classroom and ask any questions you might have.  (Please come prepared to take care these items).  If you can’t make it you are welcome to come in on Thursday, September 1^st at 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM to complete the necessary paperwork before school begins.

The open house will be a great opportunity for me to meet you and your child.  Upon arriving please pick up your child’s folder and checklist.  Feel free to explore the room, however, please let your children know that they WON’T be able to play with any of the toys as our time together is limited.  We will get to play with all of the fun toys on the very first day of school!  You are also welcome to walk around the school to help familiarize yourself and your child with its layout.

Your child will not need to bring his/her backpack during the night of open house but can bring his/her rest items.  (Remember that if the rest  items do not easily fit into the cubby space you will be asked to take them home and replace them with something smaller.  A beach towel and small travel sized pillow are recommended.)

At Open House you will have the opportunity to sign up for fall Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Please know beforehand, that there will be two days you may sign up.  Friday, September 30th and Thursday, October 13th.  I am expecting our first child in early October and will no tbe here on the October conference day.  My substitute and Ms. Paula (our assistant) will be here to meet with you.  The same information will be shared regardless if you meet with the substitute or with me.  As we all know, the baby will make most of the decisions, so thank you in advance for understanding if changes need to be made to the conference schedule.  If you have questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to ask.  :)

  

I’m looking forward to meeting each of you and hope your child is excited for the upcoming school year!

Ms. Brittany

Goodbye Friends

I can hardly believe that another school year as come and gone.  Wow!!  It surely flew by.  I really enjoy seeing the progress that each of the kiddos have made from September until now.  They sure are ready for Kindergarten and will have a fabulous time next year.  

First off, I would like to say thank you for sending your child to Pre-K at MAES.  Without that first step, I wouldn't have been able to meet them, help them learn and enjoy their wonderful personalities.  I would also like to thank you for playing a vital role in the success of your child, in and out of school, and for encouraging them as they began their schooling venture.  Your support means a lot and it has been a pleasure getting to work with each of your families.

I hope you all have a safe, happy, and healthy summer and I look forward to seeing these kiddos next year in the hallways and at lunch as Kindergarteners!  

Happy summer,
Ms. Brittany

Scavenger Hunt

On Wednesday and Thursday our classes participated in a scavenger hunt on the Kuse Trail.  This scavenger hunt was to reward our positive behavior as the school year comes to an end.  We ended up at the Kuse Farm and were able to meet Hildegard and Loretta.  They were gracious enough to let us tour their farm and meet many of the animals they had.  We even stopped along the way on the trail for a quick picture.  Our goal was to see if everyone could fit on the bench at the same time.  We ended with a snack of trailmix and a juicebox.  What a nice end of the year celebration!

Meeting the Pups

Ms. Brittany has been promising since Pets week that Zoe and Addie would get to come in for a visit.  With the cold, snowy, muddy weather we've had this spring, the girls finally made it to school last week.  The kids were so excited to meet them and Zoe and Addie were on their best behavior.  Each child had the opportunity to pet the dogs and throw the ball for them.  What a fun activity for everyone!!  We have to send a special "thanks" to Mr. MJ for taking his lunch break two days in a row to bring the dogs to school!

Treyton's turn to throw the ball while the others watch.

Giving Zoe a little pat before she heads back home.

The M/W kids petting Addie.

The T/TH class getting to pet each dog before we played fetch.

Getting to meet all of the kids.  

Throwing the ball to Addie while Zoe watches.  :)

Highway Department Field Trip

In the beginning of May we ventured to the Taylor County Highway Department to learn about all the machines that the men and women use to make sure our roads are kept up.  Mr. Rick showed us all sort of equipment and explained what each piece was used for.  We learned how to be safe around these big machines if we see them on the roads and to be sure to stay out of the way if we see them coming.  Our favorite part was hearing the L-O-U-D horn on the snowplow truck!  

Below you will find each class in front of the snowplow.  You can click on the image to enlarge it.  :)

M/W Class with the big snow plow.

T/TH Class at the Highway Dept.

May 2016

May is just around the corner!  I can't believe how fast the months continue to fly by.   I keep telling the kiddos they're almost ready for Kindergarten...most of them have decided they are going to stay back in Pre-K with me.  :)  The month of May is packed full of fun and exciting things.  Please remember to check the blog or the Classroom Newsletters each week to find dates, times and information about upcoming events and field trips.  Below you can find a brief description of events in May!

May 2-5

*Our theme this week is Mother's Day and Transportation.

*On Monday and Tuesday we will be making our moms some special Mother's Day gifts.  

*On Wednesday and Thursday we will focus more on Transportation as we take a field trip to the Taylor County Highway Department.  There, we will get to hop in some big machines and learn how the Highway Department keeps our roads safe and clean.  Please have your child dress in older clothing this day.

May 9-12

*Our theme this week is Farm.

*We will learn about farm animals and make some fun projects.  

*On Wednesday and Thursday, Beth from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board will be coming to school to read us a story and to make a special snack with us.  Beth will help the students learn how things that are grown by farmers are turned into the foods we eat.  Each child will get a copy of the book to take home with them!  

May 16-19

*Our theme this week is Caterpillars and Butterflies.

*We will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly through many different activities.  

*Students will also be introduced to the term "symmetry" as they work to create their very own butterfly projects.

*On Wednesday and Thursday of this week we will be going to the Kuse Nature Trail at 1:45 P.M. for our PBIS Scavenger Hunt.  Please send students to school with rain boots in case the trail is muddy and wet.

May 23-26

*Our theme this week is Bugs and Frogs.

*On Wednesday and Thursday we will be taking a trip to the school forest.  There, we will look for bugs, frogs, plants, colors, shapes, etc. as we walk to the pond.  We will explore the woods and the pond and will finish up back by the hall for a snack!  Please dress your child for "the woods".  You may also spray them with bug spray before sending them to school.  To learn more about the school forest, click the link! School Forest Information

May 30 - June 3

*There is NO SCHOOL for all grades on Monday, May 30th due to Memorial Day.

*Our theme this week is Goodbye Friends. 

*We will work on cleaning up our classroom and sending home projects and belongings.

*We will also make some Father's Day projects for our amazing dads!

*On Wednesday and Thursday morning, we will be taking our final field trip to the City Park for some fun at the park and a picnic lunch.  We will be walking to and from the park so please have your child wear tennis shoes!  More information will be coming home to inform you about bag lunches provided by the school.

April 2016

Welcome to April!  Hopefully soon we start to have more spring-like weather!  I am amazed at how fast the months are flying by.  It is hard to believe in a few short months these kiddos will be heading out my door and onto Kindergarten!  :)  We have a busy April, followed by an even busier May!!  Be sure to check the Classroom Newsletter to find dates, times and information about upcoming events and field trips.  Below you can find info for the month of April!

April 4-8: Pets

*We will be learning about pets this week.  We will talk about animals that make good pets and how to take care of these animals.  Students will get to share stories about their own pets or about a pet they wish they could have.

*Our letter is Xx.

*We will be reviewing number 8.

*Our field trip to the Medford Veterinary Clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th and Thursday, April 7th in the morning.  If you need to know specific times for the field trip, please contact me.

April 11-15: Seeds and Flowers & WOTYC

*We will be celebrating The Week of the Young Child (WOTYC).  Dress up days are as follows:

--Monday - Crazy Sock Day

--Tuesday - Sports Day

--Wednesday - Wear an Animal Day (wear a shirt with an animal on it)

--Thursday - Beach Day

--Friday - Wear your Favorite Color Day

*We will be learning about Seeds and Flowers. 

*Our letter is Uu.

*We will be reviewing number 9.

*On Wednesday and Thursday of this week we will be going to the MAES gym for a special presentation of Hairy and Company.

*Thursday, April 14th is Pre-K registration from 3:30-5:30 PM.  This is also the evening of the Beach Party- Pre-K Pot Luck Dinner and Dance.  The dinner will be from 5:00-5:30PM and the dance will be from 5:30-6:00PM in the MAES Commons/Cafeteria.  If your family hasn't sign up, but would like to please do as ASAP.

April 18-29: Oceans

*Oceans is a two week theme where we will be learning all about the world under the sea.  

*Our very last letter of the year will be Bb.

*We will be reviewing number 10.

*Ms. Brittany will have a sub on Wednesday, April 27th and Thursday, April 28th for PALS testing.