Parent Connection
Independently Accredited with SAC CASI through AdvancEd
January 2014
KIDS R KIDS LAKES ON ELDRIDGE
“ THE FIRST STEP TO HIGHER EDUC ATION”
Helping a Hero
Family Home Project:
Fill Someone’s Bucket
Today!
Our 2013 Charity
Family Project
We’re so thankful for all the toys that piled high in the lobby for us to bless our country’s wounded heroes! As a commu‐
nity, we were so delighted to see the families come together to make this project happen so successfully. One family no‐
ticed the change this brought to their holiday with their own daughter. “This project was so meaningful to my family. Not only were we able to brighten someone’s holiday and honor a wounded warrior, but this was also a great way to teach community involvement to our daughter. She really felt care and concern for the child we were buying for. This was a life‐lesson for her to be able to give gifts to another child her age.” The New Year is here and time to make new resolutions for this year. This time of year makes us reflect on how we can be better people to be better models for our students and for our own children. If you consider making a change for the new year, I highly recom‐
mend this piece of literature that has impacted my family’s life and the way we interact with each other in our home. These small “drops” can ripple and impact the lives of others you may know at work, others you may not know in line at the store, and beyond. How full is your bucket? for Kids by T. Rath, M. Reck‐
meyer, and illustrated by M. J. Manning, is a good message to read to our four year olds and school agers, and even paraphrase to our A total of 75 toys were collected from 29 Kids R Kids families. older 3’s. The toys were distributed to 25 children of 12 military fami‐
lies. Priceless smiles and 1 BIG wonderful Christmas for these families on fixed incomes! We want to thank the following families for their generous support and commitment to this charity: Lopez, Senties, Bressler, Zamora, Wise, Hernandez, Ngo, Bar‐
nard, Villarreal, Lee, Whisenhunt, Rios, Stith, Abounohra, Lucero, Awa‐Gabriel, Anders, Hammond, Fraser, Jainsky, Patel, Castillo, Hernandez, Chavez, Barnickle, Cummings, Hroch, Legregeois, and Coimbra. We are looking forward to mak‐
ing this a tradi‐
tion at Kids R Kids, as well as finding other ways through out the year to bring change to our community and help our students develop a sense of giving and taking care of others in a positive way. Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this charming book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’ grandfather ex‐
plains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the oth‐
ers leave him feeling bad — and how Felix himself is affecting oth‐
ers, whether he means to or not. This adaptation takes the original book’s powerful message — that the way we relate to others has a profound effect on every aspect of our lives — and tailors it to a child’s unique needs and level of understanding. YOUR ASSIGNMENT: As a family, we’d like for you to talk about how you can make some else’s day better. What can you do or say to someone else that may impact that moment in a positive way? Write down some ideas your family produced and practiced at home on a droplet you can pick up at the front desk. Please bring it for us to fill our school’s bucket in the lobby. I am convinced we can work together with all our families and continue to make this world a better place. JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER
“EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AT EVERY AGE”
PAGE 2
Starting the Year Out Right:
Making this year’s goals for your child’s development
We are excited to begin a new year with each one of our students– to see contin‐
ued growth and development in very special ways. Each stage of devel‐
opment has it’s chal‐
lenges, and then achievements surely follow, as we work in tandem for the bene‐
fit of the students, partnering with the families & teachers of each unique and special one. 
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We love to sit down with all of our fami‐
lies to offer feedback on the individual growth of their young learner, as well as offer support through each stage of this learning taking place in these critical years. 
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If you choose, please see a member of management to set a conference time with your child’s teacher. 
If you are wondering how to you can support specific growth in your child in target areas, we’d be happy to share that with you in a conference. Other‐
wise, here are some basic themes you should mold into your daily routines to promote your own child’s success in learning. It is something that can be easily done by being present to your child and en‐
gaging them in conversation and pre‐
tend play, and new learning as it arises in new experiences with you. Most im‐
portantly, sitting down with your child to read aloud to them every day. A strong literacy foundation is the key to all other learning. This list of developmental milestones is from Starting Out Right: A Guide to Pro‐
moting Children’s Success. The Texas Education Agency regards this fre‐
quently. Birth to Three Year Old Accom‐
plishments: 
Recognizes specific books by cover. 
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Pretends to read books. Understands that books are handled in particular ways. Enters into book sharing routine with primary caregivers. Vocalization play in crib gives way to enjoyment of rhyming language, non‐
sense word play. Labels objects in books Comments on characters in books. Looks at pictures in books and realizes it is a symbol for a real object. Listens to stories. Requests/commands adult to read or write. May begin attending to specific print, such as letters in names. Uses increasingly purposeful scrib‐
bling. Occasionally seems to distinguish be‐
tween drawing and writing. Produces some letter‐like forms and scribbles with some features of Eng‐
lish writing. Three to Four Year Old Accomplishments: 
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Knows that alphabet letters are a spe‐
cial category of visual graphics that can be individually named. Recognizes print in the local environ‐
ment. Knows that it is the print that is read ins stories. Understands that different text forms are used for different functions of print (a list for groceries is different than the list on a menu) Pays attention to separable and re‐
peating sounds in language & rhymes (ex: Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater: Pe‐
ter Eater) Uses new vocabulary and grammatical constructions in own speech. 
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Understands and follows oral direc‐
tions. Is sensitive to some se‐
quences of events in stories. Shows an interest books and reading. When being read a story, connects information and events to real life experiences. Questions and comments demon‐
strate understanding of literal meaning of story being told. Displays reading and writing at‐
tempts, calling attention to self: “Look at my story.” Can identify about 10 alphabet let‐
ters, especially from own name. Writes scribbles/messages as a part of playful activity. May begin to attend to beginning or rhyming sounds in salient words. Spanish Instruction:
What your child will be learning this
month?
Each week our Spanish lessons will bring this language to life as we study our Fundamental Focus, “Winter Hap‐
penings,” or Actividades de Invierno. Our objectives for this month include language and songs that highlight this season and vocabulary to link meaning to language about this wintery time of year. We will learn the following vocabulary with hands on materials and engaging tunes that help us recall the new infor‐
mation about winter. Vocabulary: Winter ‐ Invierno Jacket – la chaqueta Cold ‐ frio Hat – la gorra Snowing – nevado Gloves – los guantes JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER
“EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AT EVERY AGE”
PAGE 3
Meet our Feature Family– The Wests
Date
Names
Classroom
1/2
Christian L.
200
1/3
Roman R.
500
1/5
Avery T.
500
1/11 Mia O.
300
1/13 Victoria M.
Gym
1/14 Nitya B.
Gym
1/14 Emerson B.
600
1/15 Abram T.
500
1/17 Elizabeth P.
200
1/20 Hannah T.
Kinder
1/21 Aiden W.
450
1/22 Averi M.
400
1/22 Sebastian S.
Gym
1/23 Cooper H.
Gym
1/23 Jet K.
300
1/23 Charly S.
450
1/25 Ethan V.
550
1/26 Isabella R.
550
1/26 Rianna W.
Gym
1/27 Kendall J.
Gym
1/27 Brandon V.
350
1/28 Andrew D.
150
1/28 Aaron M.
400
1/29 Libby H.
Kinder
1/31 Sebastian A.
150
1/31 Logan A.
350
Mr. and Mrs. West have been active supporters of their precious Ethan in classroom 300, since start‐
ing with us this year. We value the relationship with their family and would like to honor them this month to highlight their commitment to their son’s growth and develop‐
ment. Here is what they had to say about Kids R Kids Lakes on Eldridge in their own words: “ Six years ago, when we lived in Houston, we searched and searched for the best place for our old‐
est son, Braeden, to go to school. That is when we first learned of Kids R Kids. Braeden learned so much while attending Kids R Kids. He loved going to school everyday, and we could tell that his teachers genuinely cared about him and we were all so sad when we had to move to Las Vegas. Upon our re‐
turn to Houston, it was a no brainer that we would want our youngest son to attend Kids R Kids as well. much in such a short amount of time. With the help of his teachers, he is doing great with his potty training and turning into such a little man. Ethan has a big heart and a con‐
tagious smile, and we are happy that he is being We were ecstatic when an nurtured here.” Read more about this opening became available special family on the dis‐
for Ethan! He loves it here at Kids R Kids! His teachers play board they created in our lobby! are great and Ethan loves Thank you to Mr. and going to school here eve‐
Mrs. West! ryday. He is a quick learner and has learned so Sharing in the Vision- Awarded to Ms. Blerina
Ms. Blerina Hasani of Classroom 450 is being highlighted this month because of her dedica‐
tion to all of our students and families. She brings with her an uncommon work ethic to our school each day. She is an educator who prioritizes student achievement and team work with her Classroom 450 teachers. She helps in other areas of the school to make our environments efficient and care with a smile! Congratulations to Ms. Blerina! JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER
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“EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AT EVERY AGE”
Nursery Rhyme Celebration Day
Friday, January 31
Nursery rhymes are fun chants for all children. Because of their famili‐
arity, it also creates a successful ex‐
perience with print for our pre‐
schoolers. No need to go over board for this ac‐
tivity. Besides the fun part of these rhymes, they also offer a critical foundation for reading readiness. One of the benefits of rhyming is the way it strengthens phonemic aware‐
ness, which is hearing and manipu‐
lating spoken sounds, thus building a foundation for reading readiness. the rhyme pairs aloud! We’ll cele‐
brate with some more nursery rhyme choruses and a special cook‐
ing treat to extend the rhyme “Little Jack Horner.” It will certainly be good fun and so beneficial for your child’s academic success! So we’d like to extend on these rhymes during the month of January and really add to the fun of our pre‐
school. A special activity to engage our young learners in the meaning of these rhymes will take place on Fri‐
day, January 31. Parents, here is your part: Say and read rhymes at home and when you see them posted throughout the building with your child. Then, for our Nursery Rhyme Dress Up day, you and your child should pick a rhyme they can recite and bring a small prop to “be” that character. Each class will have a turn to parade through the school and present themselves and recite their own rhyme. (If help is needed, of course we will help them remember their rhyme.) Now parents, no need to go over The most important part is increasing your child’s rhyming skills to further their literacy foundation. If your child chooses “Little Boy Blue,” you can dress him in a blue shirt and bring a toy horn or even simply draw a horn on a small piece of cardboard to use as a prop. A “Little Miss Muffett” might have a small bowl and spoon and pretend spider. A “Little Jack Horner” could simply carry a tin pie pan. We’ll have a list of simple ideas for families that need a little inspiration at the front desk soon. After the dress up parades, we will host a Rhyme Party throughout the school. You and your child should find two pictures that rhyme in a magazine or two small objects that rhyme and wrap them in a box. On our party day, each child will open a “rhyme pair” and the class can say Be Part of
Your Child’s Learning
We are entering Winter Happenings Fundamental Focus throughout the school. As you spend time with your child, take time to discuss what winter is. How has the season changed in your world? Are you pulling out winter wear and viewing the trees and plants with less green. What have you noticed the animals doing lately? Offering rich language to connect topics at school to home can be reaffirming for your child’s understanding and a benefit to their literacy foundations. Please keep reading and applying the family connection letter information to gather more information on spe‐
cific learning goals and extended ac‐
tivities for home. Activities Calendar
January 2014
KIDS R KIDS LAKES ON ELDRIDGE
Mon Tue 30 31 Cy‐Fair School Holiday Cy‐Fair School Holiday “ THE FIRST STEP TO HIG HER EDUCA TION”
Wed 1 Thu Fri Sat 3 4 Cy‐Fair School Holi‐
day Gymnastics 300– 600, K Classroom Themes: Snowflakes Falling(100‐200); Season of Wishes(250); Snowflakes (300‐350); Winter Wonderland(400‐450); Closed for New Year’s Day 2 Cy‐Fair School Holiday Snow friends(500‐600) 6 7 Cy‐Fair School Holiday Soccer Tots: 400—600, Kinder Spanish: 250, 300 Spanish mini lesson Spanish: 200, 550 topic: Introduction Technology Time: of new vocabulary 450 8 9 Dance Adventures Technology Time: 550 Spanish: 400, 450 Spanish: Kinder, 600 Technology Time: 500 10 GymStation: Gymnastics 300– 600, Kinder Spanish: 500, 350 Technology Time: 600 & K 11 CDA Training Classroom Themes: Keeping Warm in Winter(100‐200); Bundle Up(250); Warm & wooly(300‐350); Animals in Winter(400‐450); Life in the Tundra(500‐600); The 3 Snow Bears (Kindergarten) 13 14 15 Technology Time: 400 Spanish: 250, 300 Soccer Tots: 400—600, Kinder Spanish: 200, 550 Technology Time: Spanish mini lesson topic: What do ani‐
450 mals do in the winter? Dance Adventures Spanish: 400,450 Technology Time: 500 16 Technology Time: 550 Spanish: Kinder, 600 17 GymStation: 300‐600, Kinder Technology Time: 600 & K Spanish: 500, 350 18 Kinder Report Cards Go Home Classroom Themes: Winter Animals(100‐200); Mittens and Scarves (250); Winter Animals(300‐350); Talk about Penguins(400‐450); Over in the Arctic Where the Cold Wind Blows(500‐600); Adventures in Alaska (Kindergarten) 21 20 Cy‐Fair School Holiday Spanish: 250, 300 Spanish: 200, 550 Spanish mini lesson Technology Time: topic: Winter 450 Wear‐ables 22 23 Dance Adventures Spanish: 400, 450 Technology Time: 550 Spanish: Kinder, 600 24 25 GymStation: Gymnastics 300‐600, CDA Training Kinder Technology Time: 600 & K Spanish: 500, 350 Classroom Themes: The Mitten (100‐200); Puffins and Polar Bears (250); High Flying Circus(300‐350); Water, Water Every‐
where!(400‐450); Pet Adoption(500‐600); The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly (Kindergarten) 27 Technology Time: 400 Spanish: 250, 300 Spanish mini lesson topic: Snowflakes song “El copo de nieve” 28 Spanish: 200, 550 Technology Time: 450 29 Dance Adventures Spanish: 400,450 30 31 Technology Time: 550 Nursery Rhyme Dress Up Day! Technology Time: Spanish: Kinder, 600 600 & K GymStation: Gymnastics 300– 600, Kinder Classroom Themes: High Flying Circus (100‐200); Snowflakes(250); Jack and the Beanstalk(300‐350); Circus, Circus! (400‐450); The Adventures of Taxi Dog(500‐600); I Can Save the Earth (Kindergarten)