If you child attends MWF morning they will begin Wednesday September 8. Please come in for your orientation on thier first day. The orientation lasts about forty five minutes, after which we ask you to return at 12:00 noon for pick up in the morning and 3:30 p.m. for the Pre-K.

We will have lunch bunch for the morning available the first day of school. Lunch Bunch for the morning children is from 12:00 p..m. until 2:00 p.m. and we charge $10.00 an hour. Pre-K Lunch Bunch is from 12:00 noon till 12:30 p.m. and we charge $5.00.

The staff and I are looking forward to seeing your children soon:)

There are many new children who are just getting to know us and they are doing extremely well. Coming to a new school is a big adjustment away from home. With Mr. Tony, Miss Rosemary, Miss Debbie, Miss Elizabeth and  Miss Olivia the children are getting lots of one on one care and love.  Our teachers have twenty years of experiance dealing with seperation and we handle it with respect for you and love for your child.

Summer Fun is available for five more weeks, from Monday through Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon.  The cost is $145.00 per week. We have extended care till 2:o0 p.m. for $10.oo an hour. Come on in for some summer fun at preschool> next week is Family Week:)

This coming week

This week we have been asking the children about their dads on honor of Father's Day, and the adage seems to be true that kids say the darndest things:

My Daddy was born in the ocean. He swimmed and fell on the rocks.

My Dad was born in Bakersfield. He played a game called staring at the floor. It's a good game.

My Daddy kisses Mommy.

My Daddy met my Mommy at my house.

Daddy and Mommy met at the hospitol cause her sick. Just married, no date.

Daddy was born in Las Vegas. He got stiches. He met Mommy when she was working down the street.

Daddy married Mommy at Chuck E Cheese.

Happy Fathers day:)

Energy: what is the energy of the school say? Are there lots of rules, is it quiet or loud, does it feel open or closed?Spend a few minutes observing the feelings you get.

Education: What is the education of the staff, as well as the director of the preschool? Some directors have a Masters degree while some have taken as few as 12 units in early childhood education.

Environment: It has been said that environment dictates behavior. Are children allowed lots of freedom, are they moving freely though a relaxed setting, are there lots of materials? Observe the environment quietly for a few minutes.

Eyes: look in the eyes of the children. Are they engaged, connected and communicating?

Energy, education, environment and eyes of the children. That is a good place to start:)

Please note that Wednesday June 16 is our last day of preschool for the school year. We will begin our summer fum program Monday June 21. Thank you to all our families for a great year filled with happy memories, joyful moments, and a rich experiance that will stay with us all:)

Who knew that walking down the street in La Canada could evoke such feelings of belonging to a community, being part of something bigger. Parents were able to feel that their being a part of our school is also being a part of a neighborhood where we all all accepted for who we are, with their beautiful young families looking to make sense of the world we live in.

As I marched in the parade for the thirteenth year I was reminded how blessed I feel to be here, in the moment, with each family, seeing there smiles and hearing the excitement amongst the children that we, La Canada Preschool, were part of a parade.

Please come out and march with us at the La Canada Memorial Day Parade on Monday May 31 at 10:00 a.m. School is closed,

and this is an amazing event for the children to be a part of the local community and their school. We carry balloons, a banner,

teachers ride in vintage cars, and it is just a blast.

Last week one of the children asked me if they could bring books outside to read in the yard. At first I was hesitant, thinking that the books would wind up strewn all over the yard. At the same time my instincts are to always listen to the children, as they are my best resource for curriculum. If the children feel they have a say in our school, what ownership that creates.

So now we have a new outside space we are calling the quiet area. We have placed a small table with chairs, some pillows and books. Here the children can sit and read, lay on a pillow with a book, underneath our beautiful elm tree. This morning there were children that wondered in and out of this space, taking time to look over a favorite story .

In the shade of the quiet area children can take a break from all the action in the school yard and have a time to enjoy a book. All this from a belief I have that the best curriculum is what we call emergent curriculum. We practice this when we listen carefully to the children's interests and implement school activities based on those interests.

"Miss Pam I like the quiet area. Now we can read books outside too." That made my day:)

Everyday we serve what I think is the best school snack in a school community. Snack also creates unique time of communication and gathering that goes on at the table. Today I was having snack with the children, watching them ask for what they needed, "More grapes please", as well as talking to each other and laughing over a silly conversation. Over food the children are learning to try different things, to pass items around the table, and to eat away from home with a group.

Today  our menu consists of crackers and cheese with grapes. The children delight in making their cracker sandwiches and talking about how sweet the grapes are. Tomorrow we will have strawberry yogurt and fresh strawberries from Oxnard. Wednesday we will have pears and pirates booty, Thursday is casadias and peaches.

We have started serving Nutella on Ritz Crackers and fruit on Fridays. How excited the children are over nutella. We say it is our fun friday treat and everyone agrees it is a tasty way to end the week. When we have an extensive healthy snack we are teaching the children the importance of nutrition along with how to enjoy food. They are encouraged to take their time, relax, and visit with their friends while eating.

In being mindful of the food we serve we are modeling healthy eating. We also ask the children what they like for snack and we make every attempt to adapt our menu to their preferences. We include spaghetti, sandwiches, bagels and many kinds of fruits in our menu.

How fun to have snack at La Canada Preschool.

When we feel this type of outreach from the parents we serve, educators are inspired and rejuvenated. It reaffirms why we come to out little school every morning. Suddenly the work is more meaningful and again we are reminded why we are valued. None of my teachers make enough money for the work they do, yet when we feel the love of the parents it lets us know why we choose this profession; because it is more than just a job. It is an extension of the families we work with, and a collaboration in child development with the parents at the helm and the teachers as partners.

Thank you to everyone who reaches out and thanks a teacher. It sustains us.