ECO EXPLORERS DAY

Today we had Ms. Bev from the Cleveland MetroParks visit our preschoolers.  She taught us the difference between living and non living things.  We learned that living things need water, air, food, and sunshine to grow.  Living things such as butterflies and plants change as they grow too!  Ms. Bev had a turtle that she shared with us!  We used our "Eco Tools" (eyes, ears, hands) to observe some living things outside and even had our own pair of binoculars to help us see.   Ms. Bev gave everyone a sticker to put on their light switch at home to remind us to turn off our lights so we can help protect our beautiful Earth!

**Check back on Friday and I hope to upload some pictures from today's Eco Explorers Adventure!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you to all of our families for making our Thanksgiving Feast such a wonderful event.  Pictures and the video have been uploaded.  

You can view/print/download the pictures from the November Class Picture Album or click here to open the album.

You can view the video here.  Feel free to share it with your families by sending them the link:  http://vimeo.com/80477042.  It can be viewed on any phone/tablet/computer with internet access. 

Also, THANK YOU for all of your Coins for Cornerstone donations.  Our preschoolers earned/donated $69.55 to help provide ornaments for the Cornerstone of Hope's Ornament Decoration Event next month.  

PEER APPLICATIONS FOR 2014-2015

2014-2015 Peer Information

**Peers who are currently enrolled/attending the Independence Preschool Program do not need to re-apply.

Deadline for application is Jan 31st, 2014. 

Click to download:

Preschool Peer Flyer
Preschool Peer Pamphlet of Information

Peer Application

If you have any questions, please contact Tara Kieser: 
216-642-5870 x 1412 

 tkieser@independence.k12.oh.us

Turkey Talk

This week is Thanksgiving in Preschool.  We are busy getting lots of things ready for our Feast next week....singing songs, learning the Turkey Tango, and making crafts.  

Ms. Karen (a grandparent of a student) was kind enough to bring in a real turkey for us to see.  Tom the Turkey made a guest appearance on Monday.  It was fun listening to his gobble and seeing what a real turkey looks like.  Don't worry...Tom is not a turkey that you would he.  He is a pet turkey.  

Check out the photos from Tom the Turkey and Firefighter Frank in our November picture album.  

Feast Reminder

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

Tuesday, November 26th

IPS Cafeteria

AM:  10:00-10:45

PM:   2:00- 2:45

**Please arrive at least 10 min prior to start as we will begin our singing promptly at the scheduled time.

Looking for Some Fine Motor Help?

Check out these fine motor ideas......

• 30 Activities to Promote Fine Motor Skills

• Ultimate List of Fine Motor Activities

• Power of Tracing the Alphabet

• Helping your Child with Pencil Grip

• Activities to Promote Scissor Skills

• Info on Scissor Skills (scroll past first few pages)

• Let's Talk Scissor Skills

• Fine Motor in Play

DOWN ON THE FARM

Moooo-ve over ghosts and goblins, the farm animals are here!

This week we began our unit on farm animals and harvest. 

Our letter of the week is Cc for cow. Old MacDonald is our song of the week as we learn about farm animals and the sounds they make. During centers on Tuesday we will be working on sequencing (Three Little Pigs), writing letter Cc, and playing Farmyard Memory (concentration game). This week the children will be doing their chores to help take care of our farm animals using the iPad. A few of our chores include shearing the sheep, washing the picks, hatching the chick eggs, & feeding the cats. What fun!! If you have an iPad or iTouch check out Injini. It is a little pricey but a great APP for preschoolers.


**Firefighter Frank was not able to come last week.  He will be visiting us this Thursday to talk to us about Fire Safety.  

Reminder: Parent Teacher Conferences continue this Thursday PM and Friday AM.  

POTTY TRAINING SEMINAR

Establishing a Positive Bathroom Routine: 

The “POOP” on Toileting

Are you struggling with toilet training your young child with special needs?

Bring your questions and concerns to this parenting SERIES featuring Jene Wilson, former behavior specialist with CCBDD and currently a faculty member at Notre Dame College. Jene will help parents understand the signs of toileting readiness, the challenges of teaching toileting, and some strategies for success. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and seek strategies specific to your child. A commitment to both sessions is highly recommended!

Wednesday, November 20 &

Wednesday, December 4

Sign-in: 5:45 pm – 6:00 pm Program: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Family Connections at Shaker Family Center 19824 Sussex Road, Shaker Heights

-REGISTRATION REQUIRED, BY Friday, November 15 -Free Childcare Provided-

To register, send an email to hpalda@familyconnections1.org, or call Family Connections at 216-921-2023.

(Please indicate if you will need childcare) 

Great Resource for Families!

READ BELOW TO SEE WHAT FAMILY CONNECTIONS HAS TO OFFER.  ALL OF THEIR SERVICES/SUPPORTS ARE FREE!  CHECK IT OUT THERE WEBSITE:  www.familyconnections1.org/programs/familysupport.php

FAMILY SUPPORT PROJECT

SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT - November

Raising a preschooler with disabilities poses unique child rearing challenges.  You begin a journey that takes you into a world filled with strong emotion, interaction with countless professionals and specialists, financial burdens you hadn’t anticipated, and sometimes isolation from friends and relatives whose journey does not parallel yours.  Your life includes Individual Education Programs (IEPs,) Multi-factored Evaluations (MFEs,) and special education laws that you never knew existed.

The Special Needs Family Support Project is here to support you as you travel different roads and learn new skills.  Thanks to a generous grant from United Way, the Special Needs Family Support Project is able to provide information and support to families raising preschoolers with disabilities.  Choose from a comprehensive menu of services listed below.  All services are provided at no cost to participants.  See monthly calendar for details.  For additional information, contact Holly Palda at (hpalda@familyconnections1.org) or call 216-921-2023. 

Family Fun Fridays

•  A facilitated playgroup that meets on a drop-in basis EVERY Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Shaker Family Center located at 19824 Sussex Road in Shaker Heights.  An opportunity for children to socialize with other preschoolers and families to meet other families raising preschoolers with special needs.

•  Special activities include music and movement with a board certified music therapist every 2nd and 3rd Friday from 1:30 to 2:00 PM and a monthly interactive story time one Friday per month from 2:00 to 2:30 PM.

Parent Support Group

•  A parent to parent group offering opportunities to share information and emotional support with other families raising preschoolers with special needs.

Pizza and Play

•  An evening of Pizza and Play in our all-abilities large muscle playroom and our multi-use family playroom.  An opportunity for dedicated parent/child playtime as well as peer to peer interaction.  For preschoolers with special needs.  Every 4th Monday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Parent Education and Discussion Series

•  Ongoing parent education programs on topics of interest to parents raising preschoolers with disabilities. 

•  Establishing a Positive Bathroom Routine: The "Poop" on Toilet - Are you struggling with toilet training your young child with special needs? Bring your questions and concerns to this parenting SERIES featuring Jene Wilson, former behavior specialist with CCBDD and curently a faculty member of Notre Dame College. Wednesdays, November 20th & December 4th. Registration Required by November 15th.

Quarterly Newsletter

•  Current issue: August, 2013 

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Consultation 

Designed to help families make informed decisions about their child’s education. One to one assistance with all aspects of the IEP process.

RED WHITE AND BLUE DAY!

Monday, Nov 11th is Veteran's Day.  Please wear RED, WHITE, or BLUE to honor all our veterans.  Thank you!