Pleasant Hill Preschool

Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. AM Session 8:15-11:30 PM Session 12:15-3:30

What is the Preschool Curriculum?The Des Moines Public Schools Curriculum follows the Iowa Early Learning Standards and includes activities in the following areas:Social-EmotionalPhysicalCognitive LanguageLiteracyMath

What Will My Child Learn?Through play and large and small group activities, preschoolers will learn:To take turnsTo listenTo follow directionsTo make friends To shareTo imagine and createTo use self-control

What Will My Child Learn?Preschoolers will also develop these skills and concepts:Letter names and soundsNumber concepts Pre-reading skillsWriting skillsCutting and fine motor skills

What is a Preschool Day Like?Everyday will include:outside recesssnack timestoriesmusic center/zone timelarge group activitiessmall group activities

Center/Zone TimePreschoolers choose from these centers at zone time:librarysand/water sensory tablesciencemath blocks writingdramatic play art

Library/TechnologyPreschoolers will visit the school library each week and check out a library book.

They will have a weekly time in the computer lab and the use of 2 classroom ipads.

Recess20 minutes daily (weather permitting)Students should wear shoes that are safe for

running. NO flipflops.Please send appropriate clothing for the

weather. It’s better to have a jacket that you don’t need than to be cold.

Label all clothing with name or initials.

What Color Were You On?In the preschool room as in kindergarten and many other classes a color system is used for classroom management. All students start on GREEN.

2 warnings = BLUE. Continued problems = YELLOW.

How is behavior managed?Redirecting students Modeling expected behaviorProviding a predictable, structured program

We will work with families if a child is having difficulty following routines and expectations.

Our goal is a positive, fun learning experience.

PANTHER PAWS As a Pleasant Hill Panther your child will be receiving Panther Paws, colored slips of paper given to students who are following the school rules:BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL, and BE RESPONSIBLEStudents on GREEN at the end of each day will receive a PANTHER PAW.At the end of the month there is a celebration for students who have earned the required number of PANTHER PAWS.

What Does My Preschooler Need?a backpacka change of clothes(top, bottom, underwear,

socks labeled with name or initials) to be kept in the backpack

comfortable clothes for play (girls may want to wear shorts under dresses)

shoes to run and jump inFriday folder emptied and returned on Monday

School SuppliesA folderHeadphonesBackpackBox of Kleenex to share Clorox wipes Dry-erase markersGlue sticks

School supplies are OPTIONAL.

Family InvolvementParent Child Activity Time or PACT is every Thursday 11:10-11:25 am. 12:15-12:30 pm.Parents or another important adult may attend. A different activity is planned for each week.

Giving the Gift of IndependenceYour child is growing up and will feel very proud if he/she is able to do the following independently:Zip/button coats and pantsBe self-sufficient in the bathroom

What Can I Do at Home to Help My Child?

Read to your childTalk to your child about schoolWrite with your child (lists, notes, texts, email)Play card games and board gamesPretend and imagine togetherCook together Do crafts and puzzlesPlay outsideWork on letter/number namesCountLet the teacher know of any changes in your child’s life or

concerns

Dismissal and Pick-upPlease stay in your vehicle and pull into the circle drive when picking up your preschooler. We will load the students into the vehicles.The front vehicles will move forward as far as possible and the students will be helped into the next set of vehicles. It’s like a fast food drive-thru.

NOTE: PM families please wait until 3:30, K-5 dismisses at 3:20 and needs to also use the circle drive.

CommunicationPlease contact us with any questions or concerns by note, phone call, email or in person.

School: 515-242-8432

julie.bulver@dmschools.org julie.harrison@dmschools.org