Putnam Early Learning Program

Regular newsletters are a great way to keep families engaged, excited for what is coming up,

and updated on any changing policies or procedures.

It is hard to believe spring break is over and the end of our school year is fast approaching. We have so much to do before the year is over. If your child will be returning next year please be sure to complete and return and packets sent home regarding next year’s program. Listed below are several things for parents to do to help us wrap up the program year.

There are more than 187 children that will be transitioning from Pre-K Classrooms this year to Kindergarten, and you may have heard about the kindergarten transition event that was held April 2nd at the Putnam County Recreation Department. It is important to attend those different transition events and/or meetings to learn about any changes in the registration process and the expectations for Kindergarten. Our helpful staff will support your family throughout the transition process so that it will be smooth and successful for your child. We are excited for those moving on, not only to Kindergarten, but the children headed to Pre-K4 from our Head Start 3 classrooms. It is a big step and, though change can be hard, it is an exciting part of life! Your family’s advocate and the teaching staff will work with you to lessen the stress that comes with change and make this a positive experience for everyone.

Tell People About Putnam County Early Learning Head Start/Pre-K. Enrollment is underway and we want to encourage parents to spread the word with your friends, family members, and neighbors that have children that will be 3 or 4 years of age on or before September 1, they can locate a pre-enrollment application on our website.

The Putnam Education Foundation supports students and teachers in the Putnam County Charter School System by providing funding for innovative classroom projects and learning experiences. Through grants and community partnerships, the Foundation helps bring creative, hands‑on opportunities to our schools that go beyond traditional classroom resources and inspire a love for learning. Congratulations to Janice Daniels and Za'Keriyah Sanders both of Putnam County Head Start on receiving funding in the amount of $1,500 for "Math Through Play:Counting & Shapes” & "Movement & Motor Skills Play Zone".

We are excited to share that our classroom has been approved for a Math Through Play grant! This grant allows us to add new hands‑on materials that make learning math fun and engaging. With these resources, students will practice early math skills such as counting, sorting, patterns, measurement, and number recognition through play. These activities also help build problem‑solving skills, creativity, confidence, and social interaction. Overall, this grant will help create a more interactive and exciting learning environment. We would like to thank the Putnam Education Foundation for awarding our class this grant!

I would like to thank Putnam Education Foundation for awarding the $1,500 grant to support the development of our Movement & Motor Skills Play Zone. Your generosity and commitment to early childhood development will have a meaningful impact on our students. This funding allows us to create an engaging and supportive environment where children can strengthen their gross and fine motor skills through purposeful play. With these resources, we are able to provide materials and activities that promote physical development, coordination, confidence, and overall well-being.

We are proud to recognize and celebrate our outstanding staff members for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to our students and school community. Your passion and teamwork make a difference every day, and this recognition is truly well‑deserved. Thank you for all that you do, we are grateful to have such an amazing team!

Overall Staff Person Of The Year! – Mrs. Sandra Riley-Lawson

Pre-K Lead Teacher Of The Year! - Mrs. Amy Coxwell

Head Start Teacher of the Year! – Mrs. Hannah Schwartz

Pre-K Lead Assistant Teacher Of The Year! - Ms. Kyra Daniels

Head Start Assistant Teacher of the Year! – Ms. Kortne Cobb

A BIG thanks to Putnam County Recreation Department and Jimmy Davis Park for hosting our students Annual Egg Hunts. Our students had an egg‑cellent time during our annual Egg Hunt! With excitement in the air, they searched high and low to find colorful eggs hidden all around. Smiles, laughter, and lots of happy moments filled the day as students enjoyed this fun tradition. It was a wonderful way to celebrate together and make special memories!

Our students had a wonderful time on their field trip to Washington Farms Strawberry Patch! They enjoyed exploring the farm, learning where strawberries come from, and picking fresh strawberries straight from the field. The day was filled with smiles, hands‑on learning, and lots of excitement. It was a sweet experience our students won’t forget!

Our students enjoyed a very special visit from Kaite Morgan, a beekeeper who owns Morgan Manor Homestead! They learned all about bees and had the exciting opportunity to observe an observation beehive up close. Students also examined real honeycombs and learned how bees work together to make honey. This hands‑on experience sparked curiosity and excitement as students discovered the important role bees play in our world. It was a buzz‑worthy day of learning!

These students are having a blooming good time learning about plants! They kicked off the lesson by reading How a Seed Grows, which helped them discover the different parts of a plant and learn what seeds need to grow which is soil, water, and plenty of sunshine. Students then got their hands dirty by planting their own flower seeds, which they’ll lovingly care for over the next few weeks. To top it all off, the class took a walk to the school’s Flower Garden to explore and observe all the beautiful flowers already growing there.

Our class has been getting hands‑on while learning about liquids and solids! Students explored this concept using heavy cream, baby food jars, bread, and plastic knives. They were excited to shake the liquid heavy cream and carefully watch as it changed before their eyes. After lots of shaking, the final result was butter! To celebrate, the bread was toasted, and students spread their freshly made butter on top to enjoy a tasty and well‑earned snack.

We are looking for help from parents and community to help us celebrate “Teacher Appreciation Week”, May 4th – 8th. Our teachers are awesome and we need your help in letting them know how special they are to you and your child. If you wish to help or donate towards this cause, please call 706-485-8081 or email beverly.whitmire@putnam.k12.ga.us to find out how you can help.

• Student of the Month Celebration - April 29 @ 9:15am
• Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-8
• Child Mental Health Week - May 4-8
• Last day of School - May 22 (Early Release)

Website: https://pcpk.putnam.k12.ga.us/
Location: 162 Old Glenwood Springs Road, Eatonton, GA, USA
Phone: 706-485-8081
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCELCProud