The children attending Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas are celebrating several special days and learning a great deal at the same time.
In February, the children celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party of love and each gave a special picture in a Valentine’s card. They learned about Groundhog Day, George Washington and Abe Lincoln. The children also learned about taking care of their teeth by brushing and not eating too many sweets. Everyone received a new toothbrush.
In March, we are learning about Dr. Seuss and the season of spring. They also learned about shamrocks, or three-leaf clovers, and St. Patrick’s Day.
April will be a month of discovery, with spring flowers, birds and insects. We will continue to learn about the seasons and the changes that occur.
Progress Reports
Progress reports were sent home for the parents to review. We continued practicing our cutting and learning about opposites. We did lots of patterning and sequencing by making bracelets. We are working hard on making sure the children learn to recognize all the letters of the alphabet and numbers from 1 to 20. They are learning to write letters and numbers. With ongoing practice, they also are recognizing their names.
Math Game—Count to 10
Write a different number from 1to10 on 10 small paper plates. On the back of each plate, draw a set of dots equal to the number on the front. Place the plates in a paper bag, along with a set of 10 to 12 plastic counters. Ask the children to remove a plate and place it on the table with the dots facing upward. Have them put a counter on each dot and then count the counters. They can check the back of the plate to see if they named the correct number. For practice in creating sets to match numbers, have the children place the plate in the bag with the numbers face up, name that number, and count out that many counters. Then, have them turn the plate over and put the counters on the dots to check their answer.
Class Registration
Registration will start in March, and it will be ongoing until May. You must fill out a registration form and include a $25 registration fee. The registration fee is nonrefundable. If you are interested in the summer camp, please indicate accordingly at the top of the registration form. An additional $25 registration is required. The summer session will start on June 10, and will run until Aug. 2 (eight weeks). Only 22 students will be accepted for this session.
All students must have immunizations up to date, and the information must be included on the registration form.
Next Year’s Classes
Morning and afternoon sessions, Monday through Friday, are available for all ages, 3- to 4-year-olds and children going on to kindergarten the following year. You choose the days.
• Half-day sessions— 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• Lunch Bunch— 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Full-day sessions— 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For pricing, call (480) 654-4223, or send an e-mail to jbuttitta@cox.net. I will work with you to make sure we accommodate your needs. You also can call or send an e-mail to make an appointment to visit Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas. Either call the phone number listed above, or call (480) 586-8431.
I would like to thank you for all your support, and for telling your friends and neighbors about Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas. With all the phone calls and e-mails I receive, we are still one of the most popular preschools around. We are the only school for Las Sendas residents only.
In our own community, you can go workout, take a walk or go to the store while your child is in the neighborhood. Playgroups are formed at our parks, and parents get to meet other new neighbors. I work hard to give each child the attention and support needed to be successful in the future at elementary school.
Kindergarten Readiness
This is the time of the year when parents ask me if their children are ready to go to kindergarten. Historically, the chronological age of 5 was the sole determinant in deciding when children should enter kindergarten. Today, we recognize the fact children with identical chronological ages vary widely in their social, intellectual and emotional maturity.
Studies show older kindergarteners have a higher percentage of success in school than the younger children. As a group, younger children also experience more adjustment problems, which are apt to carry over to later grades. Generally, girls adjust more successfully than boys. When there is doubt about your child’s readiness, delaying entrance for a year is a preventive measure, which can increase the chances for a successful kindergarten experience.
Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas is not a day care, but a curriculum-based preschool, which is housed at the Trailhead Members Club. It is only for Las Sendas residents. If you have questions, call Rose Buttitta at (480) 654-4223, or send an e-mail to jbuttitta@cox.net.