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Upcoming Events:

May 29 - Music and Tap Performance 9:00 am

June 4 - Field Day (PreK 9am-10am)

June 4 - Awards Ceremony 2:15 in the Tot Lot

June 6 - Last day of school for students

June 24 - ESY (Extended School Year) Summer Program Begins

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

May 26, 2024

Signs of the day:

Helpful Verbs

Happenings:

Lala had a baby! The students voted on the baby’s gender before we knew what she had.

We were able to meet baby Irma and see Lala on Friday afternoon via FaceTime.

The students have been making rhythms with Ms. Sally and learning dance moves with Molly

for many months. We look forward to performing this week and hope to see you in the audience!

Our class led the school at the Pride Parade last week which ended with a dance party on

the turf with our very own DJ Noah Duncan!

We are growing butterflies! We will be releasing them some time next week.

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Ways You Can Help:

If anyone is interested in taking home our hermit crabs for the summer, let me know! They are very easy to care for and your child can help.
Follow through with rules and consequences, and be consistent regarding discipline.
Make sure you’re allowing your child to speak and answer for him/herself when out in the world. You may need to provide some language modeling, but then expect them to imitate.
Check out the ASL kids app. It allows kids learn signs for words they can select! Good for the whole family.
This is the last newsletter of the year. I hope to see you all at the performance and/or the awards event (see calendar on previous page for dates/times). I hope your children feel as lucky as I to have spent the year learning and growing with one another. I am intensely proud of them. Thank you once again for all you do! Best of luck to our future Kindergarteners!!!

Clockwise from top: What seems to be the problem, Officer?; Olivia reads over her (dictated) journal entry while Angel works nearby; Bianca helps Jimena put her shoe back on; Jimena sorts coins and then feeds them to Bob the Bank.

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Upcoming Events:

May 13 - Fine and Performing Arts Night

May 27 - No School Memorial Day

June 6 - Last day of school for students

June 24 - ESY (Extended School Year) Summer Program Begins

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

April 28, 2024

Signs of the day:

Our Earth

Happenings:

What a busy couple of weeks! We participated in Spirit Week; helped the Earth by clearing up around the school; saw a performance by Deaf Storyteller Peter Cook; went on not one, but TWO field

trips; and cheered on our fellow students in the Deaf Department as they participated in

the annual Fingerspelling Bee.

We also saw a Bell School performance of Shrek the Musical.

Congrats to Angel, Kyra and Gianna (pictured) on their performances as narrators.

Mr. Lendechy, on dress-like-a-teacher day, spells his name using sign language pasta.

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Ways You Can Help:

When the kids are given some TV time, consider PBS Kids! They now have some shows you can stream with ASL interpreting. Check it out here.
Check out Bell’s STEAM class featured on WGN News! Your child will love to see it again with you because it featured the Putt Putt Golf course that was made by the 7th graders.
One more round of snacks should do us until the end of the year. We could use some Veggie Straws, Pirate Booty, oranges, and/or clementines. Thank you!

Clockwise from top: Peter Cook with some volunteers; scooting around on the playground; making potions with Ms DuBose; Angel writes his address; and Jimena shows the number one in various ways.

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Upcoming Events:

April 15-19 Spirit Week - See flyer for details

April 17 - Fingerspelling Bee

April 19 - Peter Cook - Deaf Storyteller @ 10:15 All Welcome.

April 23 - Clerk Appreciation Day

April 24 - Frog and Toad @ Chicago Children’s Theater

April 25 - Waveland Bowl

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

April 14, 2024

Signs of the Day:

FAMILY

Happenings:

We have been comparing groups and choosing which one has more and which one has less.

We do this during our routine math time but we also do this while eating and playing as well.

We started tap dance class with Molly! It’s another wonderful class that allows us to

practice paying attention, taking turns, following directions, and recalling.

Bell School’s 7th Graders designed and made a Putt Putt Golf course and we were able to

play with the big kids.

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Ways You Can Help:

Thank you for coming to Parent Teacher conferences! Your involvement in your child’s education helps them thrive.
Allow plenty of opportunities for your child to practice whatever they’re learning.
The students have been learning their home address. Show them the numbers on your house/apartment and your street name. Have them practice saying/signing and writing your address. Show them the address on a piece of mail.

Clockwise from top: Jimena working with Lala; Firefighter Jimena in the driver’s seat; Angel and Olivia at tap class; drumming on the big drum with Ms Sally.

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Upcoming Events:

March 19 - STEAM Family Night

March 21 - Field trip to the Chicago Children’s

Museum

March 23-31 Spring Break

April 1 - No School for Students - Teacher

Directed Day

April 2 - Tap class starts

April 8-12 - Book Fair

April 10 - Parent Teacher Conferences - No

School for Students

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

March 17, 2024

Signs of the Day:

Let’s go look at buildings!

Happenings:

As you know, having DHH children exposed to Deaf adults can be so beneficial! The adults are

positive role models; they often know ASL; they can offer support; and they may have shared life

experiences. This week, we had two Deaf adults, Michael (my brother) and Tracy (my sister-in-

law), come to visit our classroom! They enjoyed a snack with us and then read a story to us (see

photo above).

We have been measuring in our classroom. We have used a growth chart to measure ourselves;

Unifix cubes to measure classroom objects; and we put objects in order from tallest to smallest.

We will continue measuring this week using pennies and a ruler.

Just like the characters in a story, we made a chocolate pudding pie. First we made a plan and

created a shopping list. We then followed a recipe, measured, poured and mixed. Finally we ate

the pie.

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Ways You Can Help:

Be aware that a case of head lice has been reported. Please check your child for lice or nits.
Consider using a calendar with your child. Add important family events. Count days until the event. Have your child cross off the days as they go by. Point out the date and the day of the week.
When reading with your child, consider talking about the pictures rather than reading each word since attention spans are developing and you may be developing your ASL skills.
Make sure your child is looking at you before you speak/sign to them.

Clockwise from top: Angel displays his sign-in sheet; Jimena helps Lala put together a new set of drawers; Olivia adds illustrations to her journal entry.

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Upcoming Events:

March 4 - RED OUT (dress in red) to celebrate Bell’s Girls Basketball City Champs!

March 19 - STEAM Family Night

March 21 - Field trip to the Chicago Children’s

Museum

March 23-31 Spring Break

April 1 - No School for Students - Teacher

Directed Day

April 2 - Tap class starts

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

March 17, 2024

Signs of the Day:

Happenings:

To work on staying focused, we formed a pizza assembly line and worked on staying focused on our own work and not the work of others.
We learned a poem about a dog’s

missing bone and then pretended

to be the dog looking for the

bone.

We’ve been comparing groups of

objects to determine which has

more or less.

The big kids pull/push Angel and Jimena in the blue wagon.

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Ways You Can Help:

Interacting with Deaf adults is wonderful for both you and your child. We are very lucky to have three Deaf classroom assistants right at Bell School! Let me know if you’d like to be connected with any one of them.
Click here to apply for five free ASL lessons through SignOn.
Why learn ASL? Check out these 7 reasons.

Clockwise from top: Angel helps Ms Lovings make some popcorn; Jimena and Olivia during music class; Angel cuts his banana at breakfast; Olivia walks on stepping stones with her doll; Jimena practices writing her first and last name.

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Upcoming Events:

February 20 - National Comfy Day

March 1 - The Bell Gala

March 19 - STEAM Family Night

March 21 - Field trip to the Chicago Children’s Museum

March 23-31 Spring Break

Happenings:

There has been a lot going on these last few weeks:

The students experimented with color-mixing with paints and baggies and learned that blue + yellow = green; blue + red = purple; etc.! They then used color paddles to find out what two colors make another color.
We made paper airplanes and flew them in the hallway while making the /n/ sound (or visual phonics handshape).
In math, we’ve been making predictions and comparing amounts (which has more?).
We saw a 100 day of school kindergarten parade!
We celebrated Valentine’s Day, Angel’s 5th Birthday and Lunar New Year!

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

February 18, 2024

Signs of the Day:

Prepositions Video with Lala

Jimena makes a pattern with blocks.

Angel adds 6 playdough candles to a cake and practices writing the number 6.

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Ways You Can Help:

Many thanks for sending in snacks when you are able!
Give your children many opportunities to wait, try again, and be independent.
If you want your child to tell you about their day or to tell you stories, model that for them. Tell them about your day or stories about your life.
Children love to be helpful and it’s good for them! What kind of chores can they do at home? Water plants, set the table, wash dishes, match socks? Others?

Clockwise from top: Dr. Jimena examines Ms. Lovings; Angel and Olivia paint some hearts; Jimena works on a button board; Jimena matches number magnets to numerals; Olivia and Jimena follow directions using arcs and lines; Angel tries a bow and arrow; Olivia volunteers to do some martial arts; Olivia washes dishes.

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Upcoming Events:

February 8 - Jersey Day

February 9 - Professional Development Day. No school for students.

February 16 - Angel’s 5th Birthday!

February 19 - President’s Day - No school.

February 20 - National Comfy Day

Happenings:

We’re so happy to be back in our classroom after ! Thanks to Ms Cheyenne for taking us in and to Ms. Millot for giving us a place to nap every day.
Just like Ms Giggle, Pete and Kate, we had a tea party on Friday! We spent the week learning/reviewing some vocabulary; making a plan; and making a list of the items we need. We also learned that the words tea and eat have the same sounds!
One of our words of the week was heavy so we made categories of things that are light and things that are heavy.
We’ve been doing some wonderful social-emotional activities like yoga and breathing exercises with counselor Ms. DuBose.
In math, we’ve enjoyed playing a game called What Number is Missing?

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

February 4, 2024

Signs of the Day:

Birthday vocabulary

Jimena watches as Lala reads a story.

Angel and Jimena differentiate between words bow and boat.

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Clockwise from top: Jimena does a yoga cat pose; Olivia finds a purple bow hidden around the classroom; Angel works on a puzzle; Jimena practices some prewriting skills.

Ways You Can Help:

Remember to have your children wear (or bring) gym shoes on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Have your child dress for the weather. Unless it’s extremely cold and/or rainy, we go outside for recess.
Help your child solve their own problems by teaching them how to get what they want and need. For example, when they grab (which is age appropriate), have them try again after you model an acceptable way to get it (“doll, please”). *Note, if the person with the wanted item tells your child no or wait, your child should learn to accept that.

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Upcoming Events:

February 8 - Jersey Day

February 9 - Professional Development Day. No school for students.

February 19 - President’s Day - No school.

February 20 - National Comfy Day

Happenings:

As you may have heard, our classroom was one of the three at Bell School that was affected by a frozen pipe bursting. There is water damage in our room and we have been temporarily displaced. We are now sharing a classroom with the DHH Kindergarten-1st grade class. I am proud of our students for handling this change without much difficulty. It is not easy for young children (or their caregivers) to have their routine thrown off but we’re trying to look at all the positives: the transition to kindergarten will feel familiar and less scary; we can learn from the older students while we’re in their classroom; and though it feels crowded in a much smaller classroom, there are plenty of helpers when we need them.
Students will participate in a Title IX Training this week. The training will provide them with developmentally appropriate information to prevent and report sexual harassment and/or bias-based harm. A letter was sent home on Friday giving you links to access the materials and/or to have your child opt out.
We learned about polar bears last week. We watched them on a live webcam and then painted them. We found out where they live and what they eat. We know they are good swimmers and have black skin that helps them stay warm.

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

January 21, 2024

Signs of the Day:

Daily Routines

Jimena and Ms Cara observe the new hermit crabs.

Olivia paints a polar bear with a cotton ball.

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Clockwise from top: Jimena works on a puzzle with her construction gear on; Angel makes numerals with Unifix cubes;Olivia helps Ms. Cara make puffy paint; Jimena brings the crab fresh water; Jimena draws with the big kids.

Ways You Can Help:

Have your children count out a specific number of items as they help out around the house. “Can you bring me four forks please?” “I need 12 buttons.” This will give your child wonderful math practice.
Ask your child questions while reading with them. Ask them both open-ended questions (what do you think might happen if…) as well as questions with right/wrong answers (what is the boy doing?).
Help replenish our soggy snacks! We really love fruit snacks and clementines these days. Thank you!

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Upcoming Events:

December 18-21 - Spirit Week!

Monday the 18th: Soccer Parent/BBQ Parent (Winner of the most votes! Please Google it for ideas)
Tuesday the 19th: Anything But a Backpack
Wednesday the 20th: Ugly Sweater
Thursday the 21st: Holiday PJ Day
Monday, January 8: Slow Start (Pajamas!)

December 22 - Professional Development Day; No School for students

December 25 - January 5 - Winter Break

January 8 - School resumes

Happenings:

We’ve been making patterns in math! Patterns can be found everywhere! There are patterns in books, in songs, and in our environment. On clothing, blankets, and art. Point out patterns with your child and watch them start to find them too! Make patterns at home with objects (fork, spoon, fork, spoon) or with movement (jump, twirl, jump, twirl). See if your child can complete a simple pattern at home.

We’ve invited a few kindergarteners from the neighborhood department to come to our room each week during play time. This gives us an opportunity to make new friends as well as practice interacting with others. During these precious times, I find myself observing our students and facilitating conversation. What I strive to not to do is to speak for anyone. I may offer ways to say what I think our students might want to say. I may show the kindergarteners ways to sign phrases they may want to try when playing with our students. But empowering children to speak for themselves is my goal.

We’ve been learning prepositions in language. We’ve been getting in the tub; next to the tub; behind the tub, etc. Try using some of these words at home. Signs for these will be coming soon!

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

December 17, 2023

Señales del día:

Pattern

Finding shapes around school.

MSI 2023

Jimena makes patterns with penguins.

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Clockwise from top: Angel and Olivia listening during storytime; Jimena matching shapes; scarf-dancing; Angel leading calendar time.

Ways You Can Help:

Check out the ISRC Newsletter sent out earlier this week.
Insist that your children use words/phrases to get what they want. If they can’t yet, model it for them and then expect them to imitate.
Use lots of descriptive words like hot, cold, big, little.
Looking for gift ideas that support language development? Check out the helpful handout in your email inbox!
We will be having a DHH holiday party on Thursday at 1:30. If you’d like to contribute, we could use the following: Icing, sprinkles or other christmas cookie decorations, and/or whipped cream.

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Upcoming Events:

December 8 - Holiday Market

December 11 - Walking field trip to Henry’s House Preschool

December 14 - Field Trip to Museum of Science and Indurstry

December 21 - School-wide pajama day; End of Quarter 2; First day of winter

December 22 - Professional Development Day; No School for students

December 25 - January 5 - Winter Break

January 8 - School resumes

Happenings:

These last several weeks have been busy for PreK! Right before the Thanksgiving break we celebrated with a feast for the whole Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) department. Each class prepared a dish to share. Our class made a delicious sweet potato casserole. Cooking with young children is a wonderful experiential learning activity that develops language, math skills (measuring, counting), literacy, turn-taking and more!

As you know, young children learn through play. Play time is especially important for children with language delays. Through play, children get to make choices, learn from each other, and develop independence. But they also learn to communicate their wants and needs. They learn to share. They learn patience. They learn to be self-sufficient. They learn to problem solve. It is the job of the adults to guide, model, and make suggestions. We can create an environment in which this important stuff can happen. This includes providing toys that promote interaction and imaginative play. It means trying not to interrupt or control the play. It often means getting out of the way (within reason), which can be hard for us grown-ups! As the gift-giving season gets underway, I thought I’d share this list of toys to support language development for you to consider.

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

December 3, 2023

Signs of the Day:

Tips on reading with your Deaf child found here.

Finding shapes around school.

Jimena signs “I love you” for the camera on the way to the theater.

Olivia mixes ingredients for our casserole.

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Clockwise from top: Jimena paints during play time; Angel matches upper and lower case letters; Jimena is “in” the tub; chatting during play time; Olivia and Jimena row, row, rowing a boat; Angel counting how many flowers are on the board.

Ways You Can Help:

If you’d like your child to do some shopping at Bell School’s Holiday Market, please have them bring in small bills in a labeled bag, a shopping tote, and a list of who to buy for.
Whenever possible, please use ePay to pay for field trips or school fees. And please let our clerk, Ms. Ramos, know if you need any financial assistance.
Have your child wear or bring gym shoes on gym days (Wednesdays and Fridays).
Set out various writing tools (markers, crayons, colored pencils and various kinds of paper) for your child to explore. Consider rotating them periodically to keep things exciting. Some alternative writing tools include a dry erase board and markers, dot markers, chalk, etc.

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Happenings:

Halloween was very exciting! We carved a pumpkin, made cookies, went trick or treating around the school, and performed in the school assembly! Check out the clip of our performance!

We enjoyed another great field trip – this time at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. We watched fish, frogs, snakes, bugs, and butterflies in their habitats. There was so much to see and do that next time we hope to stay a little longer!

In language, the children have been clapping syllables for vocabulary words; learning new songs; and hearing new stories about Kate, Pete and Ms. Giggle. Now that they know the sounds of a few letters, they will begin putting the sounds together to make words.

In Math, we have been immersed in shapes! We looked for them around the school, traced them, and made them using Wikki Stix. There is still a lot to do with shapes but we’re off to a great start!

Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

November 5, 2023

Signs of the Day:

Holiday vocabulary found here.

Finding shapes around school.

Upcoming Events:

November 10- No School- Veteran’s Day

November 13-17- Scholastic Book Fair

November 20-24- Thanksgiving Break

November 28- Picture Retake Day

Making pumpkin cookies with Ms Cheyenne

Pumpkin, Pumpkin performed at the Halloween Assembly

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Clockwise from top: At the Nature Museum: Olivia finds a fish; the children play in a giant bird’s nest; looking for butterflies; Jimena builds a dam using plastic barriers.

Ways You Can Help:

Whenever possible, please use ePay to pay for field trips or school fees. And please let our clerk, Ms. Ramos, know if you need any financial assistance.
If you’d like to donate to our snack selection, we could use some fruit snacks, popcorn, and/or clementines or oranges please.
Have your child wear or bring gym shoes on gym days (Wednesdays and Fridays).
Set out various writing tools (markers, crayons, colored pencils and various kinds of paper) for your child to explore. Consider rotating them periodically to keep things exciting. Some alternative writing tools include a dry erase board and markers, dot markers, chalk, etc.

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Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

October 22, 2023

Signs of the Day:

Halloween vocabulary found here.

Finding shapes around school.

Happenings:

We had a great time at our first two field trips of the year! Firefighter Marcus did an amazing job sharing his expertise with our students and showing us around the fire station. Please share any photos with me that you may have taken that day. I’d love to include them in a Thank You card.

Horner Park always provides us with a day to explore outdoors as well as cheer on the big kids as they engage in the baseball clinics. It also gives the DHH students all around Chicago to meet each other and interact. Their classes are often small and their exposure to Deaf adults can be minimal. This event opens up their world, especially as they continue to run into these kids as they grow up.

We are learning that each letter has a name and a sound (and sign and a visual phonics handshape!). The first letter we are learning about is the letter M. The sound it makes is mmm. A sound we often use when something tastes good. And just like Ms. Giggle and her friends (from our literacy curriculum), we made ice cream sundaes… Mmmmm!

Upcoming Events:

October 24: Pumpkin Farm Field Trip!

October 26: Parent Teacher Conferences - No School

October 27: Professional Development – No School

October 31: Halloween

Jimena draws a circle in the dirt.

Olivia and Bianca get some shade under Nurse Jackie’s umbrella.

Saying hello to the dinosaur who showed up at the Bell Walk.

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Clockwise from top: Jimena asks for more pushing; Team Bell smiles for a group photo; holding the foam “I Love You” hand out the bus window; sharing a laugh on the bus ride back.

Ways You Can Help:

There are viruses going around. I ask that you help your child work on the following at home: wiping/blowing own nose, throwing away the tissue and using hand sanitizer or washing hands right after; coughing and sneezing into arm (not hands please); and letting someone know when they’re not feeling well.
Following an illness, your child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.
As the weather changes, remember to send warm clothing, including hat and mittens, for recess. We play outside when the weather is above 30 degrees and dry.
Some items are easy to lose (as is evidenced by Bell School’s Lost and Found). Consider labeling items like water bottles, jackets, hats, and mittens for a more likely return home if lost.
If you’d like to donate to our snack selection, we could use some fruit snacks, popcorn, and/or clementines or oranges please.

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Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

October 8, 2023

Happy Fall!

Signs of the Day:

Sign names of the Bell School Staff. Coming soon!

Finding shapes around school.

Happenings:

As we prepare to learn that names and sounds of letters, we learned the names and sounds of animals, which works out perfectly as we gear up to visit the animals at the pumpkin farm! The students listened to sounds played on the computer and we named the animals that make those sounds. We also sorted pictures into animal sounds and animal names (for example, moo vs. cow).

In math, we have been counting, patterning, describing attributes, and working with shapes. The students decided what kind of pumpkin they wanted to paint (tall and thin; short and fat). They chose the paint color for their pumpkin and the shapes of their pumpkin’s facial features. They worked on painting inside the lines and cutting along the lines.

Thank

Thanks to Lala and Mr. Guzman for the amazing Hispanic Heritage month cooking demonstration! We watched their presentation on how to make elote and Mexican hot chocolate. We got to do a tasting (YUM!) too. But first, we learned the names and signs for many South American countries.

Upcoming Events:

October 24: Pumpkin Farm Field Trip!

October 26: Parent Teacher Conferences - No School

October 27: Professional Development – No School

Crossing items off a fall scavenger hunt list with Ms. Cara.

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Clockwise from top: Angel watches a worm on his hand; Jimena and Elena play in the sandbox; Angel reports on the weather and holds up the rain card he selected; Jimena shows everyone her photo for Photo Friday; and Olivia shows her shape fire truck.

Ways You Can Help:

Use the daily Remind photo to support your child’s language learning. Talk about what you see in the photo. What is the child/teacher doing? What materials are they using? Where is the picture taken? Ask questions if you’re child is able to answer.
Did you know that Total Communication (TC) and Simultaneous Communication (Sim Comm) are not the same? Click here for more information. “The goal [of TC] is to optimize language development in whatever way is most effective for the individual child.”
Role playing can be very effective when teaching your child something new; when communication becomes difficult; or when relaying expectations or rules. I recommend having another adult or older do child what is expected of your child.

Reading together quickly becomes a cherished time.

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Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

September 24, 2023

Happy Fall!

Signs of the Day:

Field trip vocabulary video. Coming soon!

Finding shapes around school.

Happenings:

We have a birthday coming up this week! To prepare, we have been working on answering the question, How old are you? The students then practiced counting that many candles to add to our cake. They will make cards for the birthday girl and work on telling her Happy Birthday! And then she’ll have many opportunities to practice saying Thank you!

Speaking of counting… we’ve been counting how many boys came to school; how many girls came to school; and how many students. Next we’ll add how many teachers and how many people. What a great way to work on number sense as well as adding new words to our ever-growing vocabulary. What can you count at home? Almost anything provides an opportunity to count. How many plates will we need on the table? How many rooms in the house/apartment? How many steps to the bathroom?

We’re learning how to use a calendar. It can be used for counting days but also looking at what’s ahead; and for identifying days of the week, the month, and the year. We’re also talking about the weather each day. Consider using a calendar at home with your child!

Upcoming Events:

October 6: Hispanic Heritage Month Cooking Demo with Lala and Mr. Guzman

October 9: No School - Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 10: Walking field trip to the fire station

October 11: Field trip to Horner Park

October 16: Picture Day

October: Pumpkin Farm Field Trip!

Details coming soon.

Jimena decides if the pictures are the same or different.

Angel adds four candles to his birthday cake.

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Clockwise from top: Angel traces an A with his finger, then a marker, and then writes it himself; ask your child to tell you who this is (it’s Ms. Cara, our speech pathologist - sign name “C” handshape from hairline middle to right shoulder); Olivia playing outside.

Ways You Can Help:

Add Bell’s Deaf Culture page to your Bookmarks and check it regularly! In addition to Deaf culture, it features student artwork, ASL stories, and themed vocabulary!
When someone asks your child his/her name, age, or any other age-appropriate question, expect him/her to answer. If they don’t, reiterate the question and/or sign it. Then try getting down to their level, modeling the answer, and giving them an “expectant look” so they will imitate your words or signs. If they don’t, that’s okay. Try again next time!
Photo Friday! Every Friday, the students will share one photo taken outside of school. Please use the Remind app to send a photo of your child involved in a home routine. They will each have the opportunity to share their photo with the group and explain what their doing (with help if needed). Please include a short caption. For example, Jake swings at the park.
Blankets and water bottles will be sent home biweekly/weekly. Please wash and return.
Check out ASL Nook and whyisign (click cc for captions)!

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Bi-Weekly

Newsletter

September 10, 2023

Signs of the Day:

Click here to see an Animals on a Farm video.

Finding shapes around school.

Happenings:

Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year! We have spent the last few weeks getting (re)acquainted with each other, our school and classroom routines, and expectations. We have been learning each other’s names as well as practicing saying/signing our own names (and clapping our names, shouting our names, whispering our names, etc.).

We are using a wonderful curriculum called Foundations for Literacy, which has been made specifically for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. We will read stories each week with characters that the students will get to know. We are already working on answering who questions pertaining to these characters. If you’d like to talk to your child about the characters, you can find them here. So far, we know Kate, Pete, and Ms. Giggle.

You may have figured out already that we only have three students in our PreK class so far (I expect more will come as the year goes on). In the meantime, to interact with more students in the building, I have asked a kindergarten teacher to send over three students each week to play with our students. We had our first play day on Friday and I would say it went really well! Fun was had by all!

Upcoming Events:

September 13: Curriculum Night 5:30 pm

October: Pumpkin Farm Field Trip! Details coming soon.

Jimena works on letter tracing.

Angel shakes the language box before guessing what’s inside.

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Clockwise from top: Angel asks for goldfish for his snack; Angel and Jimena at music class; Jimena rolls and cuts playdough.

Happenings, con’t.

The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is providing Music Classes for our PreK and Kindergarten classes this year. Each session is made up of songs, stories, movement and instruments. Stay tuned for information on some assemblies to showcase what we’ve learned!

Ways You Can Help:

Routines are great for building good habits. Make time each day for reading together; put your child’s devices on each morning at the same time; encourage sitting on the potty a few times each day at the same time.
Check out our breakfast and lunch menus here. If you think your child may not eat what’s offered, consider sending some food from home.