2026-27 Hoffman Highlights

It is hard to believe we already have two weeks of school under our belts! Each day, Doris Hoffman is feeling a little more like home for our Little Indians. Routines are becoming familiar, goodbyes are getting easier, friendships are beginning to form, and we are seeing more and more of those wonderful little personalities shine through!

One of the best parts of these first few weeks is watching our students grow in confidence and independence. Things that seemed really BIG on the first day—walking into school, hanging up a backpack, cleaning up, joining the group, or saying goodbye to a grown-up—are already becoming part of their everyday routines. For our littlest learners, those are BIG successes! 👣✨

Thank you for continuing to celebrate those Little Steps right alongside us. We are so grateful to have your family as part of our Doris Hoffman community!

Little Steps. Big Successes. Lots of learning along the way! 👣💜🤍

Amy Huson
Principal

Tuition Programs - Full Day Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 4:00 PM

Tuition Programs - Half Day (AM) Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 11:15 AM

Tuition Programs - Half Day (PM) Drop-Off 11:15 AM & Pick-Up 4:00 PM

ADA Full Day Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 3:40 PM

ECSE AM Session - Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 11:15 AM

ECSE PM Session - Drop-Off 12:40 PM & Pick-Up 3:40 PM

Next week, we are moving into Unit 2 of our Emerging Language and Literacy Curriculum (ELLC), and our classrooms are headed to the CIRCUS! 🎪 Our main story will be Olivia Saves the Circus, along with Paddington at the Circus and Put Me in the Zoo. Through these stories, students will build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and practice talking about what they hear and see in books.

Our literacy learning will focus on the /t/ sound and the letter Tt, and students will also begin exploring rhyming words. Throughout the week, they will plan a classroom circus, create circus signs, sort items for a three-ring circus, and practice early writing and alphabet skills.

The circus fun will continue into our learning centers! Students may build circus tents with blocks, create their own circus books, explore popcorn kernels and clown pictures in the tactile center, pretend to paint faces in dramatic play, and explore circus and animal books and matching activities.

We will also be introducing lots of fun new words, including lion, elephant, clown, trapeze, ringmaster, juggling, applause, popcorn, and ticket. Students will practice positional words such as on, through, around, behind, and in front, as well as answering “what” questions and using action words in sentences.

Our character focus this week is “We Are a School Family.” Students will talk about the question, “How are we alike and different?” and learn that even though every person in our classroom is unique, everyone has something special to contribute.

Classes will read Our Class is a Family and create a classroom family tree, using each child’s picture or handprint as a leaf. 🌳💜 It’s a sweet way to help our Little Indians see that everyone belongs and everyone is an important part of our school family.

Even our Gross Motor Room is joining the circus this week! Students will become circus performers as they rotate through our Circus Training Academy. They’ll practice walking the “tightrope” on a balance beam, knock down pins at Clown Bowling, toss beanbags at targets at the Juggling Station, and bounce on hopper balls as our Strong Performers.

While these activities feel like play (and they definitely are!), students are also developing balance, hand-eye coordination, core strength, motor planning, confidence, and social skills. They’ll also practice our school expectations to Learn, Lead, and Care by cheering for friends, helping classmates, and even having opportunities to show others how to complete a station. 💜

There is so much learning packed into a preschool day! Whether our Little Indians are listening to a circus story, practicing the letter T, balancing on a “tightrope,” creating their classroom family tree, or simply learning how to be a good friend, every experience is another little step toward a big success.

SACC is our before and after school care program.

If your child needs morning childcare before 8:15 am or after school care, contact the school office at 636-271-1464 or visit the School Age Child Care Program website to register.

For more information please see the flyer below:

If you plan to volunteer, attend field trips, or help at school events, you will first need to complete the background check process. Two background checks are now required, and the process takes up to 10 days to complete.

We suggest families plan ahead and complete the process prior to the start of each school year or 10 days prior to an off campus field trips. Volunteers should review the links below. Please contact your child's school office if you have any questions.

• Volunteer Process

• Volunteer Handbook

Did you know that our Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is a wonderful—and FREE—resource available to families in our community? PAT supports parents and caregivers as their child’s first and most important teacher through personal visits, developmental screenings, family activities, helpful resources, and fun ideas for learning at home. And yes—you can absolutely participate in Parents as Teachers even if your child already attends one of our early childhood programs at Doris Hoffman! In fact, we encourage it! PAT is a great way to add another layer of support, resources, and connection for your family.

This week, we’re sharing a special Rhymes and Songs resource from Parents as Teachers! 🎶 Rhyming, singing, clapping, and moving together are not only fun, but also help young children develop important early language and literacy skills. Be sure to check out the linked resource and choose a few favorites to sing and play together at home! 💜🎵

We are excited to continue partnering with our wonderful Doris Hoffman PTO this school year! Our PTO plays an important role in supporting our students, staff, and families by helping host fun events and creating memorable experiences throughout the year. Some of the exciting events families can look forward to include Trunk or Treat, a Christmas event, the Sweetheart Dance, and several other special activities.

Our PTO is led by President Kellie Cowsert, and we would love to welcome new members! Whether you have a lot of time to give or just want to help when you can, there is a place for everyone. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Kellie at kcowsert@mvr3.k12.mo.us or follow the Doris Hoffman PTO Facebook page for updates, event information, and volunteer opportunities. We hope you will consider joining us as we work together to make this school year extra special for our Little Indians!

Looking for a fun way to show your Doris Hoffman pride? Our online Spirit Wear Store is open! 🎉 Families can shop a variety of items for both kiddos and grown-ups, including T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tumblers, kids’ water bottles, decals, stickers, and more! Many items are available with different logo and color options, so there’s something for everyone in the family. Grab some Hoffman gear and help us show off our purple and white pride! 💜🤍

September 7th- Labor Day - No School

September 11th - Red, White & Blue Day

September 14th - DIAL Screenings

September 16th - Board Meeting

September 25th - Johnny Appleseed Day & PTO Movie Night at 6 pm

September 28th - DIAL Screenings