Welcome back!!!  It’s been a short but productive week for us!  We were able to celebrate Niko’s ½ birthday with him on Thursday!  Yeah, cupcakes for the first day back!!  

     We read a book called, “Be Kind” and discussed ways we can be kind.  Some ideas about being kind were: sharing, listening, playing together, giving hugs and holding an umbrella for someone.  We will really try to implement this throughout the year.  

     We also started our journey on our way to getting a class pet…a fish!  (I’m sorry if your child thought we were getting a pet alligator…a little miscommunication there!)  We got a fish tank from a friend of mine who graciously donated it to our group!  We put water in the fish tank and just enjoyed getting used to the fish tank being in our room!  Monday, we will get fish from the aquarium in the Library and we will acclimate the fish to our aquarium!  What a joy this will be!  The kids are SO excited!

READ IT AGAIN: We did not have RIA this week!  That will start up next week!

SNACK:  This week, Shepherd brought snack!  Goldfish are ALWAYS a favorite go to for this group!  And, how fitting since we are getting a fish.Thank you Shepherd!  Next week, Ymbrace and family will bring our snacks!

STAR OF THE WEEK:  We did not have a Star this week!  Next week, Misty Mei will be our Star of the Week!

PROJECT APPROACH:  For our next project, we will be doing a buildings project.  This project will start the week of January 14th.  We will be looking at many different buildings, exploring how they are built and what materials work best!  This is a project where we let the kids take the lead and we follow and provide information and experiences as we can.  My goal is that the kids will build a building out of the paper towel/wrapping paper tubes.  Thank you to those that have sent in boxes, tubes and pictures of your homes. If you have not done so, please send in those pictures. (You can email them to me at  slovesmith@stjameswashington.org.)

We are still in need of:
            Any experts on building or construction.
            Construction or caution tape

STUDENT TEACHING:  I have completed the book portion of my Early Childhood Special Education certification and now, I need to complete the student teaching portion.  I will begin this January 14th in our classroom!  During this time that I have to student teach, I will be observed by Christy Yetley on 2 different occasions.  She is my student teaching supervisor.  She has been in and out of our classroom and assists with the Project Approach study I am in.  She may also be in the classroom to assist with the Buildings project that we will be completing!  There will not be any disruption in the classroom during my student teaching time!I am blessed to be able to do this in my own room and not have to take a leave of absence!  

GRADUATION:  Yes, I’m looking ahead to MAY!  It will be here before you know it!  Just so you can get it on your calendars, graduation for the preschoolers will be on Thursday, May 23 at 10:30am.  Mark your calendars!

UPCOMING DATES:
Monday, January 7—Bring your water bottles
                                    Gym with Miss Lamb
Wednesday, January 9—Happy ½ birthday Misty!
Thursday, January 10—St. James School Library day.  Please return your books if
you haven’t already.
Friday, January 11—Flouride Varnish
                                   Music with Miss Elisabeth
                                   Home Connections Library Day
Sunday, January 13—Happy 5th birthday Ymbrace!
Monday, January 14—Ms. Sonya starts student

                                    teaching
                                    Buildings project starts
                                    Bring water bottle back
Wednesday, January 16—Happy 5th Birthday Hinckley!
Thursday, January 17—St. James Library day
Friday, January 18—Happy ½ birthday Harper!
                                    Music with Miss Elisabeth
                                    Home connection library day
Saturday, January 19—Happy 5th birthday Addison!