Dear Families,
We hope that many of you have had a wonderful start this New Year! We are excited to have new families starting here at Discovery Isle and thank all of our continuing families that referred them to us.
As many of you know, this last month we have had many children out due to a variety of illnesses. Our teachers have been working hard to clean and sanitize on a daily basis. We have also asked children to wash their hands frequently and to learn how to cough into their arms. We are reminding parents that if your child has a fever, diarrhea, and/or vomiting that you keep them home until they are symptom free for 24 hours to prevent any more illnesses from spreading. We thank you for your cooperation with this.
Melinda Carvalho / Principal & Jen Hayes Assistant
Save the Date!
Feb. 2rd Groundhog Day!
Feb. 4th Dental Day, Dr. Baker’s office will be visiting the classroom beginning at 9:30 am
Feb. 5th Scholastic book order due
Feb. 6th Friday Fitness Day Begins: every Friday Teachers will be conducting a fitness program during their class’s morning recess.
Feb. 10thSpirit Day: Wear your Discovery Isle T-shirt.
Feb. 12th& 13th Valentine’s Day celebrations, See your child’s classroom newsletter for more details.
Feb. 16th President’s Day (Center Closed)
Feb. 19thKindergarten Open House 5-6pm (For current Pre-Kindergarten families)
Feb. 23-27th Teacher Appreciation Week: “Our Superheroes” (Information will be sent home)
Reminders
Please remember to sign your child in and out in the attendance books located in the front office.
If your child will be absent for the day, please call the office to let us know.
Please drive cautiously in the parking lot. We want to protect our little precious ones.
Tuition is due on the first of the month. Payments after the 5th will be charged a $50 late fee.
Has your contact information changed? If so, please stop by the front office to update your emergency card.
News from our Education Department:
Learning About the Uses and Benefits of Technology
Children today have many opportunities to interact with technology for entertainment value and learning. Most often we think of children using computer technology, including handheld devices loaded with games, books, music and movies. In moderation, these devices can aid in children’s learning and development.
Within our academic curriculum, we involve children in activities and reflection on ways that technology can improve our understanding of the world around us, help us do our jobs, and make the world a better place. We help children see how the understanding of science and math moves technology forward, and that someday they too might create new and improved ways to do things.
Below are a few ways that we integrate technology in our classrooms and some ideas to try at home.
INTERMEDIATES
In the classroom: Beginning in our Intermediate program, students learn common technology vocabulary, such as mouse, keyboard and email. Students also explore the double meaning of verbs that describe online and offline activities, such as “tapping” and “surfing”.
At home: Dot. by Randi Zuckerberg is a great book to read with your child to continue the learning at home. Dot, the main character, is a tech savvy little girl who leaves her electronic devices at home while she taps, swipes and shares in the real world.
PRE-K
In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to use technology as a tool to express themselves. For example, students use a camera to take photos of seasonal changes outdoors and write what they observed in their journal. This activity promotes creativity and provides a fun opportunity to practice writing skills.
At home: Allow your child to explore his world using digital photography tools. Ask him to describe his photos and explain why he chose those objects or locations to photograph. Encourage him to use descriptive language and emotion vocabulary.
In summary, we provide numerous opportunities for children to explore technology in our classrooms. Through these activities, children become excited to use technology educationally, and are better prepared to use technology in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
February 2015 Newsletter
Dear Families,
We hope that many of you have had a wonderful start this New Year! We are excited to have new families starting here at Discovery Isle and thank all of our continuing families that referred them to us.
As many of you know, this last month we have had many children out due to a variety of illnesses. Our teachers have been working hard to clean and sanitize on a daily basis. We have also asked children to wash their hands frequently and to learn how to cough into their arms. We are reminding parents that if your child has a fever, diarrhea, and/or vomiting that you keep them home until they are symptom free for 24 hours to prevent any more illnesses from spreading. We thank you for your cooperation with this.
Melinda Carvalho / Principal & Jen Hayes Assistant
Save the Date!
Feb. 2rd Groundhog Day!
Feb. 4th Dental Day, Dr. Baker’s office will be visiting the classroom beginning at 9:30 am
Feb. 5th Scholastic book order due
Feb. 6th Friday Fitness Day Begins: every Friday Teachers will be conducting a fitness program during their class’s morning recess.
Feb. 10thSpirit Day: Wear your Discovery Isle T-shirt.
Feb. 12th& 13th Valentine’s Day celebrations, See your child’s classroom newsletter for more details.
Feb. 16th President’s Day (Center Closed)
Feb. 19thKindergarten Open House 5-6pm (For current Pre-Kindergarten families)
Feb. 23-27th Teacher Appreciation Week: “Our Superheroes” (Information will be sent home)
Reminders
Please remember to sign your child in and out in the attendance books located in the front office.
If your child will be absent for the day, please call the office to let us know.
Please drive cautiously in the parking lot. We want to protect our little precious ones.
Tuition is due on the first of the month. Payments after the 5th will be charged a $50 late fee.
Has your contact information changed? If so, please stop by the front office to update your emergency card.
News from our Education Department:
Learning About the Uses and Benefits of Technology
Children today have many opportunities to interact with technology for entertainment value and learning. Most often we think of children using computer technology, including handheld devices loaded with games, books, music and movies. In moderation, these devices can aid in children’s learning and development.
Within our academic curriculum, we involve children in activities and reflection on ways that technology can improve our understanding of the world around us, help us do our jobs, and make the world a better place. We help children see how the understanding of science and math moves technology forward, and that someday they too might create new and improved ways to do things.
Below are a few ways that we integrate technology in our classrooms and some ideas to try at home.
INTERMEDIATES
In the classroom: Beginning in our Intermediate program, students learn common technology vocabulary, such as mouse, keyboard and email. Students also explore the double meaning of verbs that describe online and offline activities, such as “tapping” and “surfing”.
At home: Dot. by Randi Zuckerberg is a great book to read with your child to continue the learning at home. Dot, the main character, is a tech savvy little girl who leaves her electronic devices at home while she taps, swipes and shares in the real world.
PRE-K
In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to use technology as a tool to express themselves. For example, students use a camera to take photos of seasonal changes outdoors and write what they observed in their journal. This activity promotes creativity and provides a fun opportunity to practice writing skills.
At home: Allow your child to explore his world using digital photography tools. Ask him to describe his photos and explain why he chose those objects or locations to photograph. Encourage him to use descriptive language and emotion vocabulary.
In summary, we provide numerous opportunities for children to explore technology in our classrooms. Through these activities, children become excited to use technology educationally, and are better prepared to use technology in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education