This month's newsletter topics

Special Guests and Winter Fun  – Themes This Month – Dates to Remember –  Valentine Celebrations – Summer Camps and Fall Preschool Registration – Parent Teacher Conferences – Kindergarten Round-up

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January

January went by fast!  It was really nice to talk with so many parents during our conferences, what a great group of families we have at Hands On!
Last month we had fun learning about footprints, animal tracks, Alaska and the story of Balto, the sled dog.  The students also enjoyed building and playing with and ice. We wondered why polar bears don’t get as cold as we do when we have our “paws” in ice even though our body temperature is the same?  We used some blubber(Crisco) to help keep our paws warm and it was really fun! The students were amazed to see how the blubber  kept out the cold.

We also loved having Loann visit our school and share a special Chinese New Year lunch with our families!

Our students had the opportunity to participate in music programs with Paper Tooth, Bobby Torres and well as Chuck Cheeseman! And a new line up of afternoon enrichment classes started in January.  Music on Monday with Tallulah’s Daddy, Northwest Children’s Theater on Tuesday, Spanish on Wednesday and Thursday dance class!

We also learned about Martin Luther King JR and why we celebrate his birthday. Our class had some really nice conversations about being fair and treating people equally and with kindness no matter what they look like, where they come from, or if they are a boy or girl. These kids are great and have many thoughtful things to say.


 

 
Looking ahead, March 3rd 9:30-11:30,we will have a group of Japanese college students visit our class.  They will be visiting several preschools while they are in Portland. They will help our class learn about Japan while sharing crafts and stories with our students.  The program joined us last few years and it was a very fun and memorable part of the year.  Parents feel free to join us, and of course, if your child doesn’t attend that day you and your child are welcome to join us.
 

Themes this Month

• Groundhog’s Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Friendship and Valentine’s Day
• Where do you live? What are your parents’ names? Addresses and learning about Portland, OR

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, February 4th- Music-World Fusion Events
February 10-14th – Bring in Valentine’s Day cards (more details below)
Wednesday, February 12th- Music-Paper Tooth
February 13, 14 &15th-Valentine’s Day parties, we will make friendship fruit salad for snack, pass out our cards and celebrate friendship!  Look on the classroom door to see how you can help!
Monday, February 17th-NO SCHOOL – President’s Day
Tuesday, February 18th -Music -Zazzy Zoe
Wednesday,February, 26th -Music-Chuck Cheeseman

Valentine Party

Please bring in Valentine’s cards  Feb. 10th-13th.

We will celebrate Valentine’s Day a little bit each day during February 10-14 to make sure everyone gets in on the fun.
Please do not address cards to specific children having all the cards the same and signed by your child really helps when they are passing them out. Bring in as many cards are feel comfortable making.  We have about 50 families, 24 kids each morning and 13 in the afternoon preschool, so everyone will have plenty!  Cards can be store-bought or homemade.

Summer Camps and Fall Preschool Registration

Hands On is currently accepting registration from current students and younger siblings.
Current students will know the camps and classes they are in by Feb. 1st. Camps and classes fill up fast, so turn in your registration soon for your first choice of days.
New students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please feel free to call us at 503-239-8521  or email us with any questions you have, as always.

Kindergarten Round-up

Kindergarten Round-Up is an opportunity for you to learn about the school your child will attend for kindergarten.
At Round-Up, you will likely tour the school, meet the kindergarten teachers, and register your child for school. Take this opportunity to ask questions about parent involvement and school events you and your child can attend before the start of school.
Schools schedule visits every winter in February through early March. For more information about your school and to register your child, go to https:https://www.pps.net/Page/11877