Kyrene Preschool Program at Mirada Kyrene School District 2018-2019

Speech Language Technician Speech Language Technician Meet Our Staff Mirada Preschool Staff Classroom Teacher Ms. Amanda Speech Language Technician Ms. D Classroom Assistants Ms. Vera Ms. Kay Classroom Teacher Ms. Jen Speech Language Technician Ms. D Classroom Assistants Ms. Lisa Ms. Karel

More about Ms. Jen… 24th year of teaching, I taught 3rd grade for 19 years, then moved to preschool 5 years ago, and this is my 1st year here at Mirada. Married to my husband, Steve, for 12 years. 4 terrific sons, Justin (24), Tanner (10), A.J. (9), and Lucas (6) I love spending time with my family and friends, outdoor activities, going to the movies, and traveling.

More about Ms. Amanda… Started in Kyrene in 2000, taught first grade for 14 years at Sierra and Milenio. Moved into preschool 4 years ago. Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Married my husband, Curtis in 2014, three step children!

More about Ms. Deb… Been in the Early Childhood field for 36 years. Speech Therapy for 7 years. This is my 3 year in Kyrene. Married to Steve, for 36 years. 2 beautiful daughters Sarah (33) and MaKayla (30). My handsome son-in-law Chaz joined our family 3 years ago. Currently we have 3 grand- dogs, Lucy, Hoya, and Emma. We are patiently waiting human grandbabies. In our spare time we enjoy hiking, bike riding, camping, movies, and a good book.

Why Kyrene Preschool? Provides children and families with a positive first experience in school. Creates a smooth transition from preschool to kindergarten.

About the Program Focus: *School Readiness Skills for all students Perks: *Language & Play Based *Ages 3-5 *Integrated Program *Range of abilities Provides: *Early Intervention Services

Staff Ratio and Hours Each day there are three adults for approximately 16 students 1 classroom teacher certified in both Special Education and Early Childhood Education 2 instructional assistants with extensive training Speech Language Technician 1 day a week (Thursday-with Ms. Amanda) (Friday-with Ms. Jen)

Daily Schedule Outside/Gross Motor Play Circle Time Snack Time Child directed Play (1 hour) Story Time Art Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning, but for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. -Fred Rogers

Classroom Centers Art Center Sensory Table Library Area Puzzles and Manipulatives Math Center Science Center Dramatic Play Center Music Center Writing Center Blocks and Building Center

Arizona State Standards for Early Childhood (Standards Guide our Instruction) Social/Emotional Approaches to Learning Language and Literacy Mathematics Science Social Studies Physical Development Health and Safety Fine Arts

Preschool Curriculum Handwriting without Tears (Writing Program) Our curriculum is divided into the following 8 themes. 1. Ready for School 2. My Family 3. Our Community 4. Awesome Animals! 5. Imagine It, Make It 6. Growing Up Healthy 7. Nature All Around Us 8. Moving On Handwriting without Tears (Writing Program)

https://auth.tgds.hmhco.com/login/bdport/login.php?bffs=N Preschool Curriculum The Big Day program has a parent portal. Please take the information on your chair home with you. https://auth.tgds.hmhco.com/login/bdport/login.php?bffs=N Username: Password:

Speech/Language Services Language activities done whole group Small groups and 1:1 working on specific speech sounds Consults with preschool staff on ways to implements speech and language goals. Collects language samples during play time Facilitates peer interactions and expressive language

Focus on Readiness Skills Number Sense/Math Focus on skills to prepare students for math in kindergarten. Activities Include: Counting Comparing Numbers and Amounts Identifying one more/one less Patterns Sorting Measuring

Focus on Readiness Skills Phonemic Awareness Focus on skills to prepare children for reading. Activities Include: Letter Recognition Sound Recognition Identifying beginning sounds Breaking words into syllables Rhyming Words Playing with sounds to create new words (changing beginning/ending sounds. Show & Tell/Letter of the Week-more information from individual teacher in newsletters.

What Parents can do at Home to Support Learning Read to your child daily. Reading is the single most important activity leading to literacy. Talk to your child, use big vocabulary words, ask lots of questions, and describe things in detail. Encourage independence (even though it might be easier to do things for them, children really want to be self sufficient) Sing songs and play games with your child.

Progress Reports Assessments are ongoing and are conducted in large or small groups, as well as individually. Conferences in October and in the Spring. Parents will receive a written report of progress in January and May. Parents will either be receiving a Teaching Strategies Gold Report or a Progress Report similar to the Kindergarten Report Card.

Click on “ Subscribe to Newsletter” ListServ Go to www.Kyrene.org Click on “ Subscribe to Newsletter” Check box next to Kyrene de la Mirada Click submit

Parent/Teacher Communication Newsletters Phone Calls or Emails Student Progress Reports Curriculum Night and Conferences

Ways to Support Preschool Program Art Masterpiece Party volunteering PTO Opportunities Volunteer Guest Reader Preparation Work Donations of requested items

Remind Text Message Sign Up We have setup classroom REMIND Accounts for us to share brief information with you and photos. IF YOU WISH TO SIGN UP FOR REMIND: Text 81010 AM Ms. Amanda – enter @msamandaam PM Ms. Amanda – enter @msamandapm AM Ms. Jen – enter @msjenam PM Ms. Jen – enter @msjenpm

Mirada Mission Statement Inspiring Academic Excellence While Celebrating Strengths, Developing Leaders, and Honoring Diversity

7 Habits Habit 1-Be Proactive (you’re in charge) Habit 2-Begin with the End in Mind (have a plan) Habit 3-Put First Things First (work first then play) Habit 4-Think Win-Win (so everyone wins) Habit 5-Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood (listen to others ideas and feelings, try to see things from their point of view) Habit 6- Synergize (work together) Habit 7-Sharpen the Saw (have a balance, take care of yourself)

Closing We feel that teachers and parents are a team in a child’s education. We are looking forward to a great partnership with you this year! Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns, via email or Remind.  Thank you for coming!