MESSENGER: Preschool FallIssue

Welc

ome. Welcome to “The Preschool quar-

terly Newsletter”. These newsletters are designed to give you insight on what your children are working on, thinking about and creating while participating in the Preschool Program. Aware that it is difficult to keep up with all the happen-ings, due to your busy schedules, con-sider this one way we can help you remain informed of the happenings in the Preschool Program.

We have had a great start to Pre-school this year; adjusting to our new routine, meeting new friends, exploring fall colors and the changes of the season, plus we even had a visit from the Firefighters of Manassas Park!

This “Messenger” updates as well as provides tidbits of information to keep you up to date on all of the Preschool happenings. On p.2, Mini Movers pro-vides a variety of activities for your child to participate in that helps them strengthen and develop physically. Fol-lowing on p.2, Social Sprout highlights opportunities to spend more time with friends and develop our social skills.

The Community Matters

One p.3, Parenting Preschoolers dis-cusses helpful hints and tips to encour-age continued learning outside the classroom. Our Center Stage section is a small feature section populated by the thoughts of the participants, teachers or a parent. Here you will find photos, arts and crafts and insight straight from the program!

Thank you for taking a moment to catch up on the Preschool Program and please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time via email at s.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov or by phone at 703.335.8872.

Sincerely, Sue Jurjevic

703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com2

MiniMovers Preschoolers love to imitate parents and

older siblings; however they are at a different stage of development to accomplish all that those older than them can do. We provide activities that are based on their development level to either grow or strengthen them physically, and socially.

There are many benefits to being active as a Preschooler:- Body Awareness- Balance- Locomotion- Gross and Fine Motor Skills- Coordination- Spatial Relationships- Rhythm and Timing- Flexibility- Safety Rules and Etiquette in Play

It is important to make time for play. High energy activities get children’s heart rates up and muscles flexing, which in turn helps keep them awake and more active as well as more attentive when it comes to learning!

Our preschoolers have been learning how to use their words to interact with each other through play, lessons, games and more. One of the best ways to help your little one develop their social skills is for them to participate in a variety of activities.

Our extra programs are designed to build on their developmental founda-tion they are building in Preschool and home and to provide you as parents and opportunity for you to meet with friends, other moms, read a book, exer-cise- the list is endless.

Social Activities For Kids:Lunch Bunch

Ages 3-5. Fridays 11/2-11/3011:30a-1p

$40/M; $45/R; $50/NR

Story Power HourAges 3-5. Wednesday 11/7

10a-11a$8/Class

Biddy BallAges 4-5. Fridays 12/14-3/1

6p-9p$65/M; $70R; $75/NR

Social Activities For Parents:Monday “Me” Time

Mondays 12/3, 12/10, 12/1711a-12:30p

$20/M; $25/R; $35/NR

“To Do List” TuesdayTuesdays 12/4, 12/11, 12/18

11:30a-1p$20/M; $25/R; $35/NR

Social Activities For Families:Fall Cornucopia

Sat 11/17 - 9a-2p at MPCC

Dough OrnamentsThurs 12/6 - 7p at MPCC

$3/Participant

Light ParadeThurs 12/6 - 7p at MPCC

$3/Participant

Gingerbread HouseDecorating

Thurs 12/13 - 7p at MPCC$5/Participant

Breakfast with SantaSat 12/15 - 9a-11a at MPCC

$5/Participant

SocialSprouts

Physical ActivitiesSwim Lessons

4 Day/Week, 2 Day/Week and 1 Day/Week Classes AvailableOnly $45/ 8 week Session!

Biddy Ball Registration is OPENRegistration Ends Last week of Nov.

$65/M; $70/R; $75/NR

Preschool Power PlaysBasics of Hockey - Begins 1/8-2/14

$55/M; $60/R; $65/NR

703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com 3

CenterStage

Since the start of the school year, my son, Ethan, has been raving about how much he loves his class and teachers. We visited eight different schools before choosing this one and we couldn’t be more pleased!

The teachers are very profes-sional and great with the kids, the classroom provides such a warm and hospitable atmosphere and the kids are always happy and playing around when it’s time to pick my son up.

Ethan loves being a part of the Fabulous Fish and so do we! We couldn’t be any more grateful for the things he has learned, thus far. We are looking forward to the rest of the school year.

Social Activities For Families:Fall Cornucopia

Sat 11/17 - 9a-2p at MPCC

Dough OrnamentsThurs 12/6 - 7p at MPCC

$3/Participant

Light ParadeThurs 12/6 - 7p at MPCC

$3/Participant

Gingerbread HouseDecorating

Thurs 12/13 - 7p at MPCC$5/Participant

Breakfast with SantaSat 12/15 - 9a-11a at MPCC

$5/Participant

Incorporate reading in your everyday life and routine. Here are some helpful tips and fun ways to encourage your child to develop the love of reading.

- Make an I Spy book filled with pictures of stop signs, your street sign, stores you frequent, to be used in the car. As you travel your child may spy other things they would like to see in their book.

- Create flash cards of houses, street signs, and things that we see in our com-munity. Then play a game to see how many cards they can match to the item.

- Have your child help with the grocery list have them cut pictures out of the sale paper and glue or tape them to a piece of paper and while at the store they can read their own shopping list.

- Make a photo album of family and friends with their names. This helps if you have family that does not live close.

- Pack books to take to appointments so that while you are waiting to be called, your child can read. Most offices have books on hand for children!

- Bath time is another good time to read. While your child plays in the tub you can sit with them and read.

- And of course, bedtime is the ideal

place and time to read. It helps them wind down from the day and go to sleep.

Children love to imitate us as parents; these tips are to demonstrate to our children how important reading is and just how much reading is a part of our everyday life.

Happy Reading!

My daughter looks forward to preschool every day! She has been learning her letters and really enjoys each new thing she learns at school.

She is excited about all her friends and really loves the socialization, as do I! It has really helped her establish a routine in the morning and I believe that it will help her transition into kindergarten seemlessly.

She is very proud of her arts and crafts. I think it builds self confi-dence. She also really loves her teachers, so I know she feels safe and happy all day, which is some-thing every parent wants to feel!

One p.3, Parenting Preschoolers dis-cusses helpful hints and tips to encour-age continued learning outside the classroom. Our Center Stage section is a small feature section populated by the thoughts of the participants, teachers or a parent. Here you will find photos, arts and crafts and insight straight from the program!

Thank you for taking a moment to catch up on the Preschool Program and please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time via email at s.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov or by phone at 703.335.8872.

Sincerely,

ParentingPrescholersPhysical Activities

Swim Lessons4 Day/Week, 2 Day/Week and 1

Day/Week Classes AvailableOnly $45/ 8 week Session!

Biddy Ball Registration is OPENRegistration Ends Last week of Nov.

$65/M; $70/R; $75/NR

Preschool Power PlaysBasics of Hockey - Begins 1/8-2/14

$55/M; $60/R; $65/NR

703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com

Need to Know

Preschool General Information

One-Time Yearly Registration Fee: $55.00 (Registration Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE!)4&5’s meet M-F 9:00am-11:30am 3 Bears meet M/W/F 12:30pm-3:00pm

Session Fees: 4&5 Years Old: $190/month 3 Bears: $140/month

Orientation Session: Contact Sue Jurjevic to schedule. Prior to orientation, you must bring in the completed registration form, payment agreement, a copy of your child’s immunization record, health physical form and a birth certificate. All children must be potty trained.

Location: Manassas Park Community Center

To reserve your space contact Sue Jurjevic - Preschool Teacher via email ats.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov or by phone at 703.335.8872 x3930

Preschool Calendar:Nov 12th- No School- Veteran’s DayNov 19th- Thanksgiving Celebration (during class)Nov 22nd- 23rd- No School- Thanksgiv-

ing BreakDec 19th – Holiday PartyDec 20th- January 1st No School- Winter BreakJan 2nd- Return to SchoolJan 21st- No School- MLK Day

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want my child to participate in other programs that you offer at the Community Center? i.e. Lunch Bunch, Monday “Me” Time, or “To Do List” Tuesday, or dance. We encourage your child to participate in these extra activi-ties for more socialization and for more time for you. We will be responsible to take your child to the next program and pick them up from their program and take them to class.

What are the requirements for my child to participate in the Preschool Programs at the Community Center? Children must be between the ages of 3-5 not yet enrolled or attended Kinder-garten and must be potty trained.

What if my child wants to bring their own snack to Preschool? We do provide snack following USDA guidelines and that are peanut and tree

nut free. If your child would like to bring their own snack the item must be in its original package with an ingredients label, peanut and tree nut free.

How can I help my child prepare for preschool?Help them establish a routine of laying out clothes for the next day placing their back pack in a place that they will remember. Getting to Preschool and arrival; have them carry their own back-pack and allow and encourage them to follow the routine of arrival to school by taking off coats, turning in notebooks and putting their back packs away.

What do we do in Preschool?We use a child centered approach to early childhood development. We use hands on activities to encourage a love of learning. We also use daily routines to encourage independence and responsibilities.

What is our approach to discipline?Our approach is we discipline through redirection and a focus on self discipline. We focus on teaching empathy and respect for others and their property.