It's a Good Day in PreK
February
February flew by in a flurry of fun! Between sweet Valentine’s Day celebrations, meaningful learning for Black History Month, and snowy days, our PreK classrooms were full of excitement and discovery. Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us each day, it truly made this short month special. Now we’re ready to march right into March and all the new adventures it will bring!
B is for...Blubber!
B is for...Beaver Bot
Our PreK learners are diving into the world of hands-on STEM with Beaver Bot and they’re buzzing with curiosity! This adorable, programmable robot is helping our youngest scientists explore early coding concepts, critical thinking, and problem-solving through playful experimentation.
Beaver Bot isn’t just fun (though it is super fun!); it’s intentionally tied to NYSED Early Learning Standards and supports the development of key STEM skills. As students design paths, test predictions, and iterate on ideas, they’re practicing communication, collaboration, and creativity, all foundational pieces of our Portrait of a Graduate framework.
From counting steps to sequencing actions and celebrating “aha!” moments together, our PreK classroom is bustling with joyful learning.
Our PreK students in Mrs. MacGiffert's class spent time learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the powerful message he shared with the world. Through age-appropriate stories and thoughtful classroom conversations, students explored his accomplishments and how he worked to make sure people were treated fairly and kindly.
They talked about what it means that people may look different on the outside; different skin colors, hair, families, or traditions and how those differences make our community special.
Through discussion, art activities, and shared reflections, our youngest learners practiced kindness, empathy, and inclusion living out Dr. King’s dream in their own small but meaningful ways every day.
What do you do when the temperatures drop? You lace up your skates and hit the ice!
Our recent field trip to the NYS Skating Rink at the Plaza was the perfect way to embrace the winter season. Families had a wonderful opportunity to get out, stay active, and enjoy some classic cold-weather fun together. There’s nothing quite like seeing our students smiling (and maybe wobbling a little!) as they make their way around the rink.
Although the skate trainers weren’t available this year, that didn’t stop anyone from giving it their all. As for Mr. Mike, let’s just say without one of those helpers, the kids might have been dragging him off the ice!
We may have discovered a few future Olympians during our trip. Ichabod Crane definitely has some impressive skating talent gliding through its halls!
Helpful Resource for Families: SocialWorkersToolbox.com
Even though our preschoolers aren’t navigating social services or heavy life topics yet, it never hurts for us as caregivers to stay informed about helpful supports that benefit children and families of all ages! SocialWorkersToolbox.com is a free online library full of practical tools and resources originally designed for social workers, including worksheets, activity guides, printable posters, social stories, and emotional-wellbeing materials covering topics like social skills, feelings, resilience, and more.
While many of the tools are geared toward older kids and professionals, browsing this collection can spark ideas for guided discussions at home, support siblings with school-aged needs, or simply help you feel more equipped as a parent, partner, or caregiver. The more we know, the more empowered we are!
Check it out here: https://www.socialworkerstoolbox.com/
Online Safety Awareness for Families
While our preschoolers aren’t using social media yet, many of them have older siblings who do and that means it’s super helpful for us as a community to stay informed too! We came across a great resource listing 20 apps parents and carers should know about to help start calm, confident conversations about online safety and digital behavior. The poster covers popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Roblox, Discord and more, highlighting things like privacy, chat features, and why it’s important to check in with your older kids about what they’re doing online.
Why this matters for PreK families:
Building awareness early helps all of us support safe, positive digital habits at home , whether it’s for your preschooler or their siblings.
Check out the full list if you want to learn more and keep the whole family safe online!
Attendance Matters in PreK!
Regular attendance, even in prekindergarten, lays the foundation for success in school and beyond! According to guidance from the New York State Education Department, attending school regularly and on time helps young learners build strong early literacy and math skills, form meaningful relationships, and feel confident and ready to learn each day. Missing even just a few days every few weeks can make it harder for kids to keep up with early learning routines and opportunities.
PreK is a time for exploration, friendship, and habit-building, and consistent attendance supports children in maximizing all of those experiences. Establishing good attendance routines now, like regular wake-up times and joyful good-morning routines, helps children feel confident and excited about coming to school every day.
Every day counts! Your child’s presence at school each day helps them stay engaged, connected, and ready to thrive, not just now, but as they grow into kindergarten and beyond. https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/early-learning/attendance-tier-1.pdf