Summer is here again and another school year has flown by. It seems like just yesterday,
the teachers were organizing their classrooms and getting ready for the school year.
The children have matured, learned many new things and new skills have emerged over
the past year. PreK children have been prepared for Kindergarten: letters, numbers,
writing skills, science, math skills, some sight words, listening skills, following directions
and have absorbed discussions about various themes all year.
The Toddler’s, 2’s and Preschoolers have been developing social skills, stretching their
attention span, manners and ways of learning how to get along with each other. We have
been engaging in a lot of music and movement activities, which is a pre-requisite for
development of their brain. Sorting and matching are activities that they enjoy. Language
has started or has emerged, giving them another tool for communication. They have
learned about many themes and how to manipulate materials for art, play, science or other
activities.
Last, but not least, many of the Infants and Waddlers have learned how to feed themselves,
cruise, crawl, walk, and follow directions. They have learned about different senses and to
trust our environment. Some of them have learned to communicate through words or by
actions. They have become very social and know what the routines are each day. They
love going out and participating in circle time, art activities, story time and gross motor
activities.
Among all of the classes, tremendous problem solving and critical thinking skills have
emerged. Together, our partnership has helped to develop these children. We have given
them knowledge and hope. Through this knowledge, they have developed a sense of
morals, values and aspirations. We have encouraged self-confidence, self-discipline and a
cooperative spirit in which to take with them through their future.
Some of our children will be going onto elementary school and the rest will be with us for
longer. For those of you who are leaving, we have enjoyed having you and your children
in our program. It has been a wonderful opportunity for us and we appreciate the trust you
have had in us. For those who are staying, thank you for continuing with us. We pledge to
give our best to you. We also thank you for another year in which to participate in your
lives.
So, what's a parent hack? It's any tip, workaround, or bit of
wisdom that makes your life as a parent a little easier. It can be as
simple as putting the ketchup under your toddler's hot dog to
minimize the mess; trapping your baby into a forward-facing carrier
when you need to trim her fingernails; or 
