Deerfield Cooperative Preschool
September 20, 2013
This Week
The various stations in the classroom were buzzing with activity today. Some of the kids even stayed that whole morning at a favorite activity!
Monday, September 16and Tuesday, September 17
We explored our creativityat the project table. We chose a piece of construction paper as our canvas. Next we used markers and crayons to draw a picture. We mostly enjoyed adding embellishments like googly eyes, strips of colored paper, sequins and pom-poms.
At the science tablewe experimentedcolors and color mixing. We started the experiment with a tray covered with “white powder” we looked at, touched and smelled the substance. We couldn’t quite guess what it was but we learned that it was baking soda. There were also three containers of liquid in the middle of the table; one red, one yellow and one blue. We took turns with the eye droppers to add small amounts of colored liquid to our baking soda. As soon as the colored liquid touched the baking soda, it started to FIZ and BUBBLE! The parent at the table, told us that the colored liquid was vinegar with food coloring in it. After squirting one color onto the baking soda, we added a second color and saw new colors form: red + blue = purple, red + yellow = orange, and blue + yellow = green.
We sorted colored pom-poms at thetable toy table(Monday Only). To make the activity a bit trickier (and to strengthen hand muscles for writing and cutting) we used clothes pins to pick up the pom-poms and put them in the separate compartments of the sorting tray. We observed that there are many different shades of the same color.
At the playdough tablewe rolled the playdough to make long skinny worms. Next, we molded the worms into different letters. Some of us spelled our whole names with playdough worms!
We practiced name writing at thewriting table. We used a worksheet that had our name (first or last) spelled across the top. The second line had the first letter missing which we had to fill in. The third line had the first AND second letter missing which we filled in. Each line progressed this way until the last line had all the spaces of our name bland and we had to write them all ourselves! (**I do have this made for each child, if anyone would like a copy to have at home to practice name writing, please let me know and I can e-mail or print one for you)
We explored shapes at the square table. We sorted shapes (circles, triangles and squares). We built new shapes with them and also stacked them up and “strung” them on the wooden dowels.
Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19
We chose a classmate’s name from a cup and made him/her a friendship bracelet at theproject table. We chose a colored pipe cleaner that we thought our friend would like. We used straw pieces, foam beads and pony beads to complete a beautiful bracelet. We gave our bracelets to our friends during a circle time activity. It was nice to see how happy our friends were to accept the bracelet we worked so hard making.
We had a “friendly picnic” at the playdough table, complete with plates and silverware. We made picnic food from the playdough and shared it with our friends.
At table toys we played a memory game using pictures of our friends from the classroom. There were 12 cards flipped over upside down on the table. We took turns flipping over two at a time trying to find matches. It was a great way to learn some of our new friends’ names.
The unifix cubes and train were out at the square table. We filled the 10-square train cars with unifix cubes and pushed them around the table.
At the science table(Wednesday only) we made a bar graph to see how many/what type of animals our friendshave.
Friday, September 20
We painted with a friend at theproject tabletoday. One of our hands was actually tied to a friends hand and we painted a picture together! After a while, some of us decided to use out non-tied hand to paint the picture. Great cooperation was done by all!
The mini cutters and rolling pins were out at the playdough table.We rolled out playdough very smooth and flat and used the mini cutters to make various shapes such as a teaddy bear, fish and car.
We used the picture cards from the memory game on Wednesday to sort the pictures at table toys. We sorted by girl/boy, long sleeve/short sleeve, buttons on shirt/no buttons, etc.
The oobles were out at thesquare table. We made fire houses and other fun things out of the foamy, bendable pieces.
Next Week
In preparation for the themed corn maze at Emery Farm, we will learn the story of The Three Little Pigs.
Folders
Each child has been assigned a folder. They are found to the right of the sign-in sheet in two plastic bins. These folders are used for your child’s artwork and any other flyers or correspondence from teachers or other parents. Please check these folders regularly. Some of the projects we make are not flat and will not fit in the folders. They will then be put in your child’s cubby. If you have information that needs to be turned into a teacher or board member, we each have our own folder as well.
Camera Needed
We are looking for a new classroom camera. The school camera has started taking very poor quality pictures. If anyone has a simple to use, point and shoot camera they could donate, it would be appreciated. THANK YOU!
Parking
We have been asked to only use the parking lot on the right side of the building. (we can also use the horseshoe driveway for parking when quickly dropping off) There are other businesses in the building and we need to be respectful of their space as well.
Cubbies
Please be sure to leave a change of clothes in your child’s cubby. If you have an extra pair of shoes, please leave them too! If you have not returned your box because your child has not completed decorating it, please send a change of clothes in a bag and leave it in the cubby until the box is completed.
Extended Day Drop In
Have an appointment in the afternoon or errands to run? As long as enrollment allows, we will offer extended day “Drop Ins”. For a cost of $25, your child can stay at preschool and play with his/her friends all afternoon (until 5pm)!! If you only need a little extra time, the cost is $16 until 3pm. It is requested that sign up is done at least 24 hours in advance, but last minute accommodations may be able to be made if space allows.
Open Board Position
2013-2014 School Year
As mentioned at the first Parent Meeting, we are in need of a DCP Chair-Elect. The chair-elect shadows the chair for the current school year while preparing to become the Chair for the 2014-2015 school year. It is required that the chair have a child here when they are in that position next year but they are not required to have a child enrolled while they are Chair-Elect. The DCP Board meets once a month to plan and organize events for DCP. Being a board member is a great way to be a part of what happens behind the scenes to make the school a great place for our students to learn and grow. If you are interested or have more questions about the position, please see Melissa or any other board member.
Field Trip
There is a sign up sheet for the Emery Farm field trip at DCP. The cost for the field trip is $6 per child and $2 per adult. The kids will enjoy a hayride that will bring them to a field where they will choose their own pumpkin. They will also take part in a walk through a “3 Little Pigs” themed corn maze and will have a pumpkin shaped sugar cookie after lunch. Please sign your child up BEFORE Friday, September 20. It takes a long time to figure the carpooling and we need to have a final count for the farm. If your child is not signed up, he/she will not be able to attend! Also, please consider carpooling with other people as there are other groups at the orchard the same day and parking can get tricky if we bring 20-30 cars!!! It also makes it harder to stay together when we have more vehicles.
(This field trip is open to ALL classes. Even if your child does not attend on Thursday mornings, we hope everyone can make it. It is a great chance to get to know the other families and make new friends.)
Pumpkin Recipes
With our pumpkin picking field trip in the near future, I would like to put together an electronic “DCP Pumpkin Recipe Book”. If you have a favorite pumpkin recipe to share, please e-mail it to me. I will compile them all and send the document to everyone so we can enjoy the scents and tastes of fall together.
DCP AUCTION Information/Update
Thank you to our 3 Current Sponsors-
Abbey Run Construction LLC Deerfield Veterinary Clinic Christine Driscoll Photography & Design
Please remember to LIKE & SHARE with friends, family, co-workers both our links: and
For more information including our ever-changing donation catalog, interest in donating or sponsoring Websites
ORDER/SELL PRESALE TICKETS NOW: We listened to last year's membership and we're conveniently offering ~EARLY DISCOUNTED TIX~
$20~‘til September 30th
$25 or 2/$45 October 1st-at the door?
LIMITED 100 AVAILABLE
Ticket Price INCLUDES: expansive hot/cold and passed appetizers, FREE 4x6 PHOTO from CHRISTINE DRISCOLL PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN, laughs with friends~ new and old, pre holiday shopping !
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This fundraising event was so successful last year, not only because of the donations that we received from businesses in our community, but also because of the generous donations made by our DCP families. Please consider supporting our school this year by donating an item or service to the auction. Your tax-deductible contribution will help raise the money our school needs to continue offering our children an exceptional preschool experience.
When considering what to donate, please feel free to be creative! We would most definitely appreciate something that you pick up from one of your favorite shops or artisans, but you may also be able to contribute your time or talents. Here are a few suggestions for auction items:
Tickets to sporting eventsWeekend or overnight get-away
New children’s clothing Theater or movie ticket
American Girl Doll items Children’s birthday parties
Home-cooked dinner partyRestaurant or spa gift certificates
**Use your frequent flyer or Credit card points to "Buy" items
Gingerbread House Sign Ups
The sign-up sheet for Gingerbread House Teams is on the counter next to the attendance sign in sheet. Please sign up for your team ASAP!
I am sure many of you remember collecting Campbell’s Soup labels to bring to your school when you were a child. Now, the list of participating merchandise is HUGE and goes WAY BEYOND tomato soup!! Please pass this link onto family and friends and ask them clip labels for DCP!! We will earn FREE products and supplies for our classroom!
Snack
Each week the snack is listed so you can see what your kids are eating—they maytry new things with their friends at school that they won’t try at home!! Also, this gives parents ideas of what to bring for snack during their POD day!
Monday: Apple slices, zucchini bread and milk
Tuesday: Applesauce, pretzels and juice (We also celebrated Alexis’ 3rd Birthday with delicious PINK (raspberry) rice krispie treats.)
Wednesday: Apple wedges, gluten free cheese biscuits and juice
Thursday:Sliced cucumbers with greek yogurt dip, sliced strawberries and apple juice
Friday: Tomato wedges, sliced cucumbers, “Planes” pretzels, and apple juice
Car Insurance
The sign up sheet has been out for the field trip this week. We try VERY hard to carpool as much as possible. We do need a copy of insurance information on file if you plan to drive other DCP students or parents during a field trip. I like to get a copy of insurance on file at the beginning of the year and have it all year. Even if you are not planning on driving for this field trip, please bring in a copy of your information for future trips throughout the year. PLEASE bring a copy of your vehicle insurance before Tuesday, September 24.
Copies
Here at DCP, we have always tried to keep all classroom costs to a minimum in order to keep tuition down. Often times, we need to make a number of copies for our group meetings and classroom projects. If you are able to help make copies at home or your place of business, please let Melissa know.
Recycled Items Wanted
Please continue to save items over the summer!
~wrapping paper tubes
~wine corks
~small mirrors (from make-up compacts, etc)
~juice can lids
~bread tags
~baby food containers (plastic and/or glass)
~old plastic colanders
~old keys (luggage, house, car, etc.)
~Styrofoam trays from produce
Reminders
Tuesday, September 24th- Parent Meeting at DCP – 6:30 pm.
Thursday, September 26th- Field Pumpkin Picking, EmeryFarm-- Durham, NH
Friday, September 27: No School-Deerfield Fair
Thursday, October 4th and Friday, October 5th- Class Pictures
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If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please feel free to contact me. My e-mail address is and my phone number is 496-3928. I also have a folder in the classroom where notes can be left.
The DCP board can also be contacted with questions, comments or concerns. The DCP Board e-mail is
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