11/29/2010
Dear Preschool Families,
Today there were some staffing changes made to your child’s preschool classroom. Due to increase enrollment we have had some staffing movement. The following are the changes in your child’s preschool classroom:
Shannon Conroy, who was a teaching assistant in the Lucky Duck room, is now a full time teacher in the Puppy Pal classroom. Shannon just recently finished her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Northeastern University. As many of you may already know Shannon has been with us for two years. Last year she was our permanent substitute where she had the pleasure of working in every classroom and got to know all of the children. When she returned in September she became the instructional assistant in the Lucky Duck classroom. Shannon is an extremely knowledgeable development specialist and will be an asset to the Puppy Pal room. Shannon and Tiffany will co-teach the Puppy Pal room. If your child was already a Puppy Pal Tiffany will continue to be your contact person for all educational needs. If your child is new to the Puppy Pal classroom then Shannon will be your contact person. The Puppy Pal classroom will continue to run in the same manner and there will be no disruption to the high quality of instruction students were and will continue to receive. We have just put another very talented set of hands in that room to support the needs of the students. Lori and Liz will continue to be in that room on a daily basis as well. The only change to the Puppy Pal room is that we have added a second teacher.
I would like to welcome Amanda Nasta to the Lucky Duck Classroom. Amanda will take over Shannon’s spot in the room and will work with Katie and Moira. Amanda has her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Needs and has several years experience working with Thom Mystic Valley Early Intervention. Julie Elios who is a teaching assistant in the Cub Cadet classroom in the morning will now work full time and she will become the teaching assistant in the afternoon session of the Lucky Ducks. Just to recap in the morning session of the Lucky Ducks will be Katie, Amanda and Moira. In the afternoon the staffing will be Katie, Amanda and Julie. Meghan, permanent substitute, will also be in the classroom from time to time but will also help to support other rooms.
I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful and highly qualified team of developmental specialist that will continue to provide the highest quality of education to all students. .
If you have any concerns or questions about the staffing changes please don’t hesitate to give me a call.
I can be reached at 781-273-7632 or d’amato@burlington.mec.edu
Louise D’Amato
jpg" width="300" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Being ready for kindergarten is more than just learning letters and numbers. Children also need social and emotional skills to succeed in school. Kindergarten teachers tell us that it is hard to teach children who are not interested in learning, lack confidence in their own abilities and have trouble cooperating and controlling themselves.
When you ask almost anyone what children need to be able to do to be successful in school, they will say ABCs, colors and numbers. Surprisingly, you’ll hear a very different answer if you ask a preschool or kindergarten teacher.
Kindergarten teachers say it is the social and emotional skills that children need to be a success in school. More and more children are entering school without these critical skills. States across the nation report that between 20 and 49 percent of children entering school are not ready to learn.
Kindergarten teachers tell us that it is hard to teach children who are not interested in learning, lack confidence in their own abilities and have trouble cooperating and controlling themselves. Intellectual skills are less of a problem, they say, because they are more easily solved. To succeed in school, children need a sense of personal well-being that is created from stable, caring relationships at home and in child care in the early years. Quality child care can make a difference. Studies of school achievement have consistently shown that high quality child care can get children off to the right start.
Child care providers can help preschool children need to develop these social and emotional skills in order to be ready for school:
- Ability to follow directions
- Ability to focus attention
- Ability to take turns
- Ability to control themselves
- Ability to solve problems with words rather than through aggression
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work in a group
- Age-appropriate social skills and ability to make friends
- Skills communicating with other children
- Skills communicating with adults
The best way to help children develop these skills is to offer them a balance of “child choice time,” such as free play, and time to be in small groups when they’re asked to work together. Children learn important social and emotional skills when they have to solve problems that arise in play with others. With the guidance and support of their caregivers, children can face these problems and learn the skills needed to be successful in school and in life. While you should give some time to large group activities that you lead, keep this time active and short.
http://www.extension.org/pages/Children_Need_Social_and_Emotional_Skills_for_School_Success
