Our Lower School Director ,Crissy, Visits Pre K

The excitement and joy that the children have been experiencing as family members visit our classroom to share their jobs and roles in the community is so wonderful to observe. One of our thoughts in exploring community with the children this year, was to build and develop a sense of community within our very own classroom as well as with our community of families. The connections and relationships between home and school are so very important for the children, for families and for our AFS community at large. We have had so many fantastic experiences with families visiting to share with our children and the pride and joy that the children feel when their families are involved in their world of PreK is quite remarkable to witness.

At this point, the children are asking and initiating invitations for their family member to come into our class and share! We welcome the time and so appreciate the support and enthusiasm for our program. We are building relationships and developing the closer connections that we value so dearly at AFS. Thank you...Thank you.....

Today, Crissy, Kailyn's mom and our Lower School Director visited with our PreK to talk about her job and responsibilities at AFS. Before her visit, we read the book Principals by Melanie Mitchell and learned about some of the responsibilities of principals. The children practiced listening skills during the read aloud and learned a few new facts about the role of a principal. We thought this would be a good way to prepare for our visit with Crissy.

Crissy's visit was wonderful! The children loved listening to Crissy describe a typical morning in the life of a director of Lower School at AFS. We realized early on that there is never a really typical day and that Crissy's schedule changes according to the needs of the children and families all day long! We learned that Crissy loves children and she loves working with children and families.

One of the questions the children asked was, " What do you like the best about your job" to which Crissy responded;

" In my job I talk alot

I walk alot

I write alot

I care alot

I laugh alot"

We really enjoyed Crissy's visit and the time she shared with us in the classroom!

A free digital scrapbooking design by Smilebox

PreK 2 Celebrates Community Helpers In Our School Halloween Parade

The children arrived at school very excited about participating in their first Lower School Halloween parade! The children confidently changed into their community helper clothing and they instantly became immersed in their role as a community helper! The children had used their props several times over the past few weeks so transforming into the helper they had been studying seemed so natural and easy!

The children loved seeing all of their friends in Lower School dressed up in costumes and thoroughly enjoyed the parade. After the parade, Margaret set up an art project where the children decorated picture frames. The children loved using the really fun stickers, markers and colored pencils to create their own special design for their frames. Thank you for bringing such a great project for the children to work on! We had a buffet snack and enjoyed the delicious foods, pretty paper goods and juice and had a fun time serving ourselves from the buffet table.

The children had the choice of staying in their dress-up community helper clothing all day if they wanted to. The play that emerged was so wonderful to observe. The children were role-playing the role of their community helper and it was apparent how much they have learned and identify with their helper. The collaborative work was also very noticeable; children shared their props and were eager to help each other.

Kathy's Kindergarden class invited us to tour their Haunted House! It was sooo much fun! A kindergarten partner guided each Prek friend and the shared experience was wonderful! The connections that the children establish with each are important components in developing meaningful relationships throughout the year. Children learning from children and the experiences that the children glean from the mixed age grouping is invaluable!

Enjoy our slideshow of Halloween 2011!