Some reminders and a request!

We have welcomed all of our new JK students into the Hummingbird class, and have started to settle into our daily routine. We hope that the transition is going smoothly for you as well - if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to give us a call here at the school (613-592-4371), or leave a note in the note tote (remember to leave the book open so we know there is a note for us)!

Just a reminder that your child's Note Tote (the large ziploc bag with the small communication book inside) should be returned to the school with your child every day. We use this to communicate important information with you, and to help keep you informed about the upcoming dates and events being held at our school.

Also, with the warm weather, our classroom can sometimes be very hot. We do have a water fountain in our classroom, however sometimes it can be in high demand. We encourage all of the students to bring a reusable water bottle in their backpacks.

We are also looking for some donations of play dough for our class! Play dough is fun for investigation and exploration, as well as helping children build up the tiny muscles and tendons in their hands, which helps them get ready for pencil and scissor control later on. Play dough can be squashed, squeezed, rolled, flattened, chopped, cut, raked, poked and shredded! Each one of these different actions aid fine motor development in a different way, not to mention eye-hand coordination and general concentration. If you would like to make some play dough for our class, please leave a note in your child's note tote!

Here is a great, easy recipe for homemade play dough:
1 cup white flour

1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoon cream of tartar (find it in the spice section)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil **Due to allergies, please no peanut or sesame oil!
1 cup water
food coloring

Mix first 4 ingredients in a pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 – 5 minutes. Dough will become difficult to stir and form a “clump”.  Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes–add food coloring during kneading process. Play dough will keep for a long time stored in a covered plastic container or plastic sandwich bag.