The Weekly Update #1

Dear Preschool Families,

It is hard to believe that this newsletter is arriving on June 12, just ten days before the last day of school. This time of year is always full of big feelings: excitement, pride, transition, celebration, and, sometimes, a little bit of disbelief about how quickly the year has gone by. Across our classrooms, children are showing us just how much they have grown: in their friendships, communication, independence, confidence, play, and readiness for what comes next.

As we move through these final days, we are continuing to focus on joyful routines, predictable transitions, and opportunities to celebrate growth together. We will also be sending a bonus newsletter on the last day of school, filled with fun, simple activities and ideas to help keep learning going all summer long.

I also want to share a program update we’ve been working on. Recently, we identified a lapse in safety procedures related to supervision and transitions of students. In response, a site-wide staff meeting was held to review expectations and procedures related to supervision, transitions, and student safety. This information was also shared with staff across the preschool program. As a next step, we are reviewing our procedures related to transitions, arrival, and dismissal so that we can strengthen and improve our practices across all sites.

The safety of our students is always our highest priority. Preschoolers are young learners who are still developing safety awareness, communication, self-regulation, and independence, which makes clear adult systems and consistent supervision especially important. We are using this situation as an opportunity to reflect, reinforce expectations, and improve our systems. I remain confident in the care, commitment, and professionalism of our staff, and in our shared responsibility to keep children safe while helping them grow.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we celebrate the final stretch of the school year together.

Warmly,
Cori

This year, through our School Council, parents in the community have been an invaluable support in the work toward establishing a Preschool PTO in response to family feedback requesting additional opportunities for connection and community-building beyond school-based events. We are grateful to the families who have already expressed interest and support for this work.

We have a need for parents/caregivers that are interested in/willing to get involved at any level: to formalize a PTO, we need volunteers to take on roles that range in commitment from Vice President to Commitee member. These roles must be identified to formalize a Preschool Parent-Teacher Organization. If you are interested in becoming involved or have experience with nonprofit organizations, PTO leadership, fundraising, or community engagement, please reach out to founding president Mary Miller at marycrocetti83@gmail.com. Thank you!

During the May 19–May 29 benchmark assessment window, preschool staff gathered information about students’ early literacy skill development and social-emotional growth. These brief screenings and classroom-based tools help us continue tracking the progress of all preschoolers and provide one meaningful data point, alongside teacher observations, work samples, and daily interactions.

For early literacy, the Renaissance Star Preschool Literacy assessment helps us understand children’s developing skills in key areas that support later reading. For preschool students, the assessment looks at oral language, phonological awareness, and alphabet knowledge. Oral language includes children’s ability to speak and understand, know and use words, and use language to communicate; Star Preschool measures this by asking children to identify or name familiar items in pictures. Phonological awareness refers to children’s ability to hear and use the sounds in words; Star Preschool measures this through rhyming and beginning sound tasks, such as identifying that “cat” begins with the /c/ sound. Alphabet knowledge includes children’s growing understanding that letters represent spoken sounds; Star Preschool measures this by asking children to connect letter sounds to written letters.

For pre-kindergarten students, Star Preschool Literacy also measures early comprehension. Comprehension includes understanding and acting on what is heard or read, listening carefully, and beginning to draw conclusions. Star Preschool measures early comprehension by asking children to identify an item within a small group that does not share something in common with the other items.

Information about students’ developing social-emotional skills was gathered using the SSIS Social–Emotional Learning Edition Screening/Progress Monitoring Scales. This tool helps staff better understand students’ growth in areas such as classroom readiness, peer interactions, self-regulation, participation in routines, and the social-emotional skills that support learning within the preschool environment.

Together, this information supports thoughtful planning for whole-group instruction, small-group supports, embedded play-based learning, and any additional practice students may need. Results from the spring benchmark period will be mailed home to families on Thursday, June 18. Families are encouraged to review the information and reach out with any questions, as family partnership is an important part of supporting children’s continued growth.

Across the preschool program, our late May and June learning has shifted from Community Helpers into the wonders of spring and early summer. Classrooms have been exploring plants, insects, and spring animals through hands-on activities, stories, art, songs, and play. Many classrooms have planted seeds and watched them grow, observed the life cycle of butterflies, and even celebrated the release of butterflies back into nature. These experiences have offered rich opportunities for children to build vocabulary, ask questions, make observations, and connect their learning to the changing world around them.

We have also completed another round of benchmark assessments, which help us look at students’ early literacy development and social-emotional growth over time. This information helps us celebrate progress, notice patterns, and plan for instruction and support as we move toward the end of the school year. As spring turns to summer, we are so proud of the curiosity, growth, and joyful learning happening across our classrooms.

I’ve also included links below for anyone who would like to explore more tips and strategies. And as always, please reach out if you have questions or would like additional ideas!

Reads & Videos for Grown-Ups

For Kids: Songs & Clips to Watch Together

Storytime Together

The Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is an all-volunteer organization made up of parents and caregivers of children receiving supports and services in Natick Public Schools and private school settings. With more than 800 students in the district supported through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans, SEPAC offers resources, parent perspectives, and connections for families. Currently, Natick Preschool does not have a formal SEPAC representative. If you’re interested in serving or learning more, please contact SEPAC at the email below.

Learn more: sepacnatick.org
Follow on Facebook: Natick SEPAC
Questions? Email: naticksepac@gmail.com

Intro to our Preschool SEPAC rep (Kim)

• 2025-2026 Natick Preschool Handbook

• Natick Preschool One-Stop resource

• Health Newsletter from our preschool nurses

• How-to Video: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve & Return (Center on the Developing Child, Harvard). 2-minute strategy that strengthens connection. Harvard Center on Developing Child

• How Every Child can Thrive by Five: A TED Talk by 7-year old Molly Wright (2021)

📅 June 19 - Juneteenth - All Schools Closed

📅 June 22 - Last day of Preschool

📅 June 23 - Last day of school for K-12 (half-day)

📅 July 6-August 5 (Mon-Thurs) - ESY and Summer Learning Experience: Preschool

• Weekly story times (Mon-Weds), and music sign-a-longs (Fridays) at the Bacon St Free Library, 58 Eliot St, Natick CALENDAR
• All Together Storytimes (Tuesday ams), and Pajama Time Story (select Wednesday evenings), Morse Institute Library. 14 E Central St Natick CALENDAR
• Kids' Story Time Saturdays 11-11:30 Ten Tree Books. Ten Trees Books. 29 Main St, Natick, MA CALENDAR; RSVP requested.
• Project ABC Playgroups, Morse Institute Library, Fridays 10:00am. 14 E Central St, Natick. Drop-in Playgroup through Project ABC. Registration
• Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham: Storytimes in the Parks (Framingham) Wednesdays in May-June Calendar at the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington St. Framingham, MA
• Wee Farmers ($25/person per session, drop-in) at Natick Community Organic Farm. Saturdays 10-11a. Each session includes seasonal hands-on nature exploration, active movement and play, and a story with a knowledgeable, engaging farm director. Registration required.