January 26th, 2021

Dear Pre-k Parents,
Thank you for your support over the past few weeks.  As we all work together to get through these difficult times.  I have appreciated during the school year when you have kept your children home when they have been sick or possibly exposed.  I am also  following appropriate protocol to ensure that our class remains safe.  Please know that keeping my classroom safe and your children safe is a top priority for me and for our school.  I have been exposed to the virus and I have continued to test negative.  I have taken a third test and as long as it also is negative and the appropriate amount of days has passed that the CDC and the County of Merced Public Health Department recommends, I will return.  Please know that I am working from home and I am continuing to teach my online class from home.  Mrs. Mary and I are in contact daily as I had laid out the lesson plans for her in advance.  She is doing a great job and enjoys being back in the classroom.  I have been able to Zoom into the classroom on a few occasions and talk with the children and lead them in music and movement exercises as well as prayer.  What a blessing Zoom has been during this time.
This week in the classroom, the children continue to learn about weather.  We are focusing on snow and ice.  They are learning about snowflakes and playing with ice, watching how  it melts with the addition of water and salt.  This is a review week and Mrs. Mary will be reviewing letters and sounds as well as basic concepts that the children have been working on throughout the year.  Syllables, beginning sounds, blending, math skills, pre-reading skills and all the things they need to prepare for kindergarten.  In our social emotional curriculum, we are learning about Managing Disappointment this week.  In handwriting, we are working on the letter Cc.  In religion, we are preparing for Catholic Schools week next week.  We are reminded that we are blessed that we are a part of a school where we can practice our Catholic Faith and share God’s words.  We continue to talk about how God wants us to love him with our whole heart and God wants us to love others.  We have also been learning about the Golden Rule.  Mrs. Mary says they are doing such a great job and really understand it.  
I am preparing for our next theme, Awesome Animals.  I am also planning for our Valentine's day celebration.  Our celebration will take place on Thursday, February 11th.  I have sent the snack sign up list to Mrs. Mary and she will have it posted by Wednesday.  We will be making Valentine’s day bags in class, if your child would like to bring in Valentine cards to share with their friends.  This is a great time for your child to practice writing their name.  Please have them write their own name on the cards they wish to share.  Please do not have them write names in the To: spot.  We leave this blank so it is easier for them to share in class.  There are 11 children in our class.  
Looking ahead,  school will close on Friday, February 12th for winter break.  School will resume on Monday, February 22nd.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected]  I am always happy to hear from you.
Most sincerely
Mrs. Veronica