February 6h–10h Snowflake Adventures Early Learning Guideline Alignment: Social and Emotional:

Children will begin to develop empathy for others and

work cooperatively in a group.

February 1, 2017

Volume 16, Issue 7

Morning Star Preschool

& Child Care Center

Inside this issue:

February Themes 1

February Calendars 2

Classroom Chatter 3

Directors Notes 3

Staff 4

Bits & Pieces 4

February Breakfast/Lunch 5

February Snacks 6

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 1, 2017

� Feb. 6-10, Valentine

Serve Project-Hillcrest

Care Center

� February 14thj-

Valentines Day-Parties

� February 20-Favorite

Authors-Guest Readers

� March 1st-Wacky

Wednesday

� March 2 Read Across

America Day

� March 3—World Day of

Prayer

2016-2

017

Love and friendship will be the focus of this inviting

two-week theme. For this month’s service project we will

be busy creating Valentines for church members who

would benefit from something special in their mail! Val-

entine’s Parties will be Tuesday, February 14th, so watch for information from classroom

teachers!

Parent Tip: Ask your child what they know about friendship…. Their answers will be as

“sweet” as they are!

This week will once again focus on our favorite authors and storylines!

We will be looking for guest readers this week! Sign-up sheets will be lo-

cated outside your child’s classroom!

Parent tip: Statistics show children who are read aloud to nightly will do better overall in

school! Keep reading!

As a yearly favorite, we will enjoy the silly rhymes of Dr.

Seuss and get Wacky with Wednesday on March 1st! Read

Across American Day will be celebrated March 2nd, and we will end the week with

World Prayer Day on March 3rd.

Parent Tip: Do you remember nursery rhymes? Recite them with your children. Nursery

rhymes are the foundation for beginning to understand sounds and phonics!

February 27th-March 3rd –Rhyme Time Early Learning Guideline Alignment: Language & Literacy; Children will

begin to recognize and recite rhymes.

February 20th-24th- Favorite Authors Early Learning Guideline Alignment: Language & Literacy; Children will

show interest in literature and begin to recognize print and book

characteristics/characters.

“Children are our First PriorityChildren are our First PriorityChildren are our First PriorityChildren are our First Priority””””

FEBRUARY 14TH,

3:30

Director’s Note:

SusanSusanSusanSusan

With the weather changing daily, not only are children confused, teachers are too! Teachers

come to the office daily to ask the temperature. “Can we go outside?” Our policy for Outside

Play is,

The children go outside several times throughout the day year-round as long

as it is not raining and it is between 28 and 89 degrees (including wind chill

or heat index). Always dress your child appropriately for the weather.

Best Practice for children recommends 60 minutes of exercise everyday for your child. This can be

tough, but it is necessary. Going outside helps prevent stir-crazy children and teachers! Of course,

exercise can be done inside, but it’s a lot more fun to get our exercise outside.

Wind chill is the best way to determine if it’s too cold or too hot to go outside. When outside, our

children take routine breaks every 20-30 minutes, water and bathroom breaks. Office staff monitor

changing temperatures and weather reports.

The best way to prepare your child for outdoor play is stock your child up with proper clothing and

warm weather gear. Children should be equipped with hats, mittens, or gloves. Boots are optional

and greatly appreciated. If there are no boots, please send an extra pair of shoes to school.

I am writing this message on Monday, the temperature is 51 degrees. This morning the Green Stars

wore snowsuits and boots this morning and learned how to make snow angels. This afternoon, we

are struggling to keep coats on the children….51 degrees, in two day the predicted temperature is

16 degrees.

No wonder our children and teachers are confused!

Date Themes Events Event Dates Class

February Service Project Valentines for Hillcrest Residents

Jan. 30-3 Alike & Different TBA G,R,O

Feb. 6-10 Love & Friendship Valentine Service Project TBA CW

Feb. 13-17 Love & Friendship Valentine's Day Parties Feb. 14 CW

Feb. 20-24 Favorite Authors President's Day Feb. 20 CW

Feb. 27-3 Rhyme Time Wacky Wednesday

Read Across America Day Mar. 2 CW

World Day of Prayer Mar. 3 CW

Our Service Project for February is to make Valentines for someone that needs a little cheering up!

We are partnering up with Hillcrest Health Services in Bellevue, Nebraska. One of our parents

works at Hillcrest and he is going to make sure that our Valentines go to very special people

that need some extra TLC this time of the year!

Morning Star Classroom Chatter by Your Child’s Teacher White Stars A- White A has really

enjoyed January! They love

their snowman on the wall

and they have been deco-

rating him/her with shapes

almost every day. We have played

lots of Winter games inside like

pushing teddy bears on their sleds,

throwing paper snowballs, making

cotton ball snowmen, and of

course, dancing to our favorite

snow songs!

The biggest news in our classroom

is our kitchen! Our babies just love

cooking and playing with the

dishes and food. It’s the first thing

they run for in the morning!

February will bring lots of adven-

tures and I’m sure Valentine’s Day

will be the highlight!

White Stars B-January was a

busy month….we celebrated

Margaret and Hadley’s 1st

birthdays.

We all wore our pajamas on pa-

jama day. Pajama party songs

were played and danced to.

Indoor snow day kept us moving all

day; snowballs that light up, a

snow pit to play in and finger paint-

ing our own snow pictures.

Our Hop A Thon for MDA was a

“hopping” good time. Our teach-

ers helped us show off our hopping

skills in a bounce house, on an ex-

ercise ball and in the jumperoo.

We can’t wait to see what hap-

pens in February.

White Stars C- We made the

best of Winter by bringing the snow

and other activities inside! The chil-

dren loved the paper snowball

fights and the sensory of pretend

snow. We learned all about snow-

men and even had a giant one in

our room!

As you know, White C, loves their

music and dancing. We had lots of

Snow songs! Frozen, of course, is

one of our favorites. The books and

art projects were also a big hit!

We are now starting to learn about

how we are different, and yet the

same. The Hop-a-Thon is always a

big day and lots of fun!

We are looking forward to all the

activities planned for February

now!

Green Stars– Caterpillars

The Caterpillars have had a

blast all through January,

but the favorite topic is defi-

nitely, “Frosty the Snow-

man!” You will hear them

singing every word of this as you

walk by each day. And, I’m pretty

sure their favorite day was Indoor

Snow Day! We had so many snow

activities to choose from and our

children loved them all. They espe-

cially loved the snow fort slide and

the incline slide, but a lot of our

friends really enjoyed the sensory

of playing with the ice in the pans.

They could let their ducks pretend

to skate on the pond.

We are now learning about “Alike

and Different.” Don’t be surprised if

they are comparing the color of

hair or eyes at your next family

party!

Green Stars– Butterfly January

brought a lot of paper snowball

fights in the Butterfly room! Our chil-

dren loved the Indoor

Snow Day and even told

their teachers, “This is so

fun!” They skated on pa-

per plates, pushed bears

in bobsleds, built snow forts, drank

hot chocolate, played hockey,

and more. I don’t think they ever

sat down to rest! In the classroom,

they really enjoyed the sensory of

pretend snow and making water

into ice.

Their favorite song of the month

was “Let it Go” from our Snow

songs CD. They were singing and

dancing all over the Fellowship

Hall!

Now, we are looking for-

ward to February festivi-

ties, like Ground Hog Day

and Valentine’s Day.

Red Stars– Cubs & Bears

Even though the first part of Janu-

ary did not bring us any snow out-

side the Red Stars dove into winter

by making snow forts and shovel-

ing snow (fiberfill) inside. They also

had some great (pom pom) snow-

ball fights. They enjoyed Penguins

in the Antarctic dramatic play with

a pool and stuffed penguins. They

did get the opportunity to play in

the snow in the sensory table at the

end of the month. Plastic animals

and container lids were added to

enhance the experience.

One of the large motor activities

was the Build It Race. Two groups

of children ran across the room,

one at a time, with a block to build

a structure and then observed the

structures and their differences.

Orange Stars

January has been full of excite-

ment in the Orange Star room! We

have been loving our new small

groups for learning! We've been

practicing our letters, counting,

and sorting! We learned a

lot during our Arctic

themes, and absolutely

loved our in- door snow-

day! We "trained" really hard for

our hop-a-thon and were pretty

proud of the work we did to help

others! We've been learning a lot

about opposites and how we're all

alike, but all different too.

We've been talking a lot about

Kindergarten round-up and are

getting excited to start these ad-

ventures in the next few months!

We're also looking forward to our

Valentines Day celebration when

our much loved Mr. Bear-bear (our

sweet classroom stuffed animal) is

going to get married! Our little stars

are getting excited for a fun filled

month!

331 S. 85th Avenue

Omaha, NE 68114

(402) 393-8215

preschool@MorningStarOmaha.org

www.preschoolMorningStar.org

Parent Advisory Committee

*Pastor Chris Hawkins

*Susan A. Snow

*Joel Rhode

*Rod Anderson

*Judy Hollander

*Brett Carver

*John Levy

Morning Star Preschool & Child Care Center

Green Star Caterpillars

*Kathy Gardner-

*Brenna Rosenberg

*Kayla Johannes

Green Star Butterflies

*Lindsay Ferguson-

*Cheyenne Aguilar

*Bette Dunn

Red Star Cubs

*Melissa Lary-

*Shannon Harmston

Red Star Bears

*Brian Weaver-

*Holly Tharp

Orange Stars

*Stephanie Johns-

*Jayden McAtee

Administrative Assistant

*Dawn Finley

Book Keeping

*Cherie Schnack

Director

*Susan A. Snow

Program Coordinator

Itty Bitty Baby Room

Marilyn Sander

Program Coordinator

Toddlers

Cindy Evans

Program Coordinator

Preschool Age

Kathy Widdershoven

Itty Bitty Babies-B

*Lucy Flott

*Donna Michaelis

*Jessica Flynn

*Nicole Saner

Walkers & Crawlers-A

*Alex Bluvas-

*Holly Schmidt

*Jessica Flynn

Walkers & Crawlers-C

*Caresa Endorf-

*Megan La Malfa

*Jessica Flynn

Resource Teachers

*Bri White

*Teresa Saab

Support Staff

Sue Harm

Kitchen

*John Finley

Kitchen

*Ashley Miller

Kitchen

*Jayden McAtee

Spanish

*Bette Dunn

Fine Arts

*Kathy Widdershoven

S.T.E.M.

*Liz Sampson

Cooking

*Brian Weaver

Music

*Pastor Chris Hawkins

FEBRAUARY 14TH

Red Star Bears-9:15-10:00

Orange Stars-10:00-10:45

Red Star Cubs-10:45-11:30

Green Caterpillars & Butterflies– 3:30-4:15

Teachers will be sending you more information!

GUEST READERS NEEDED

Please see the sign up

sheets in classrooms. Please invite Grandparents to read.

February 20-24 (or any time!)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

February ~ Healthy Bones

Skills We Will Learn:

To drink milk or water instead of sugar- sweetened beverages.

Fine motor control and gross motor development, developing body awareness and coordi-

nation.

That although bones are stiff they can still break. Bones are strengthened by the nutrients in

our food and one important nutrient is calcium.

Calcium is a building block of bones.

Milk is high in calcium and Vitamin D, which is also important for bone growth and health.

Calcium and Vitamin D can also be found in vegetables and other foods.

Weight bearing physical activity such as walking, running, climbing stairs and dancing are

best for building bone structure.

February 1 ~ Intro/ Calcium Filled Snack

Introduce kids to the skeletal system, describing how bones are stiff, but can still break! Explain

to children how bones are constantly repairing and building and they need proper nutrients to

act as building blocks, helping them with this process. We will have a calcium filled snack while

discussing the importance of incorporating foods with high levels of calcium and vitamin D into

our diets.

Parent Tip: Calcium should be in you and your child’s diet daily!

February 8 ~ Broccoli Salad with Blueberries & Apples

Reinforce idea that calcium and physical activity build and maintain strong bones. Calcium

can be found in milk, milk products and other foods like broccoli!

Children will help prepare salad and dressing made with Greek yogurt.

Parent Tip: Children that are allergic to milk still need calcium. Some non-dairy calcium rich

foods are broccoli, almonds and soybeans.

February 15 ~ Tuna Melts

Start class by telling children that along with calcium their bodies need exercise to keep them

healthy. Lead them in a jumping activity – explaining that walking, running and jumping are all

forms of exercising. Then each child will prepare their own tuna melt using whole grain English

muffins, tuna, tomato, avocado, covered with calcium rich cheese.

Parent Tip: Children ages 1-3 years of age need 500mg of calcium daily, Children 4-8 years

needs 800mg. And grown-ups, remember you need calcium too!

February 22 ~ Banana Smoothie

Our last class focused on our healthy bones will give us a chance to review. We will start class

with a little exercise to help our bones stay strong – jumping jacks, jumping, etc.

Then the kids will all get to help create a healthy banana smoothie made with milk.

Parent Tip: Use milk instead of water when making oatmeal! Words to ask your kids about at

home include; bones, calcium, vitamins, milk and exercise!

Ms. Liz teaches cooking to the Red & Orange Stars every Wednesday.

Liz is the mother of 3 children, her youngest, Nate is a Orange Star. Ms. Liz has been at Morning Star ONE

year longer than her mother, Ms. Susan.

Ms. Liz is a certified Fitness and Nutrition Specialist.

She teaches at Prairie Life, Defy Gravity and is owner of FitMamma Workouts

WEDNESDAY

Spanish

According to census reports, Spanish is the second most-spoken language in the world. Devel-

oping early language skills takes advantage of the critical time in early development when

acquiring language skills comes naturally and easily. A child’s capacity to pronounce unfamil-

iar, foreign sounds and to absorb new grammar rules is highly enhanced prior to age six.

The Arts

This special will explore all aspects of the fine arts. For example, in year’s past, students experimented with

painting in the style of Van Gogh and French Impressionists. Art can enhance children’s sense of self-image

and self-worth, while encouraging creativity and independence.

STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

“Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students

today—especially in science, technology, engineering and math.”

President Barack Obama, September 16, 2010.

BRAIN BUILDING FOR STEM

Science is a way of thinking. Science is observing and

experimenting, making predictions, sharing discoveries,

asking questions, and wondering how things work.

Technology is a way of doing. Technology is using tools, being

inventive, identifying problems, and making things work.

Engineering is a way of doing. Engineering is solving problems, using a variety of mate-

rials, designing and creating, and building things that work.

Math is a way of measuring. Math is sequencing (1, 2, 3, 4…), patterning (1, 2, 1, 2, 1,

2…), and exploring shapes (triangle, square,

circle), volume (holds more or less), and size (bigger, less than).

Young children are naturally curious. They wonder what things are called, how they

work, and why things happen. The foundations of scientific learning lie in inquiry and

exploration—these are the tools of active learning. Fostering young children’s sense of

curiosity about the natural world around them can promote a lifelong interest in it.

TUESDAY

MONDAY

Chapel Time

Red and Orange Stars spend time with Pastor Chris at Chapel bi-weekly. The Pastor offers a

fun perspective on faith, life and Bible stories regarding the theme of the week. As the father

to two young sons, Pastor Chris is able to relate to the excitement of a young child’s mind.

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

Music

We learn so much when we listen to music. Through music children can learn about patterns and

inspires creative movement. Through singing children learn rhymes, fosters listening skills and new

vocabulary. Music ignites all areas of child development: intellectual, social and emotional, motor,

language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Exposing children to

music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to

music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children

and adults, music helps strengthen memory skills.

In addition to the other benefits of music, it also provides us with joy.

FRIDAY

Morning Star Preschool &

Childcare Center 331 So. 85th Avenue

Omaha, NE 68114

Breakfast Monday Cereal / Fruit / Milk

Tuesday Toast or Bagels/ Fruit / Milk

Wednesday Cereal / Fruit / Milk

Thursday Pancakes or French Toast

Fruit / Milk

Friday Cereal / Fruit / Milk

Each day’s menu is subject to change

February 2017

LUNCH

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THRUSDAY FRIDAY

1

Tater Tot Casserole

Green Beans

Mandarin Oranges

2

Chicken Strips

& Waffles

Broccoli

Cantaloupe

3

Goulash

Mixed Vegetables

6

Cheese & Vegetable

Rice Casserole

Peaches

7

Meat Balls in Gravy

and noodles green

Beans Pineapple

8

Pizza Wiches Spring

Mix Salad Applesauce

9 Cheeseburger Pie

(Ms. Susan’s favorite)

Beef, Corn, Cheese &

Mashed Potatoes

Oranges

10

Build Your Own

Sandwich

Carrots

Pears

13

Fish Sticks

Broccoli and Cheese

Applesauce

14

Black Beans

Beef and Rice

Peaches

15

Mac & Cheese Peas

Pears

16

Taco Salad Mixed

Vegetables

Pineapple

17

Breaded Chicken

Patty on Wheat Bun

Pork ‘N Beans

Mandarin Orange

20

Grilled Ham &

Cheese Sandwich

Sweet Potatoes

Pineapple

21

Beef & Mac Casserole

Green Beans

Peaches

22

Sloppy Joes on Bun

Tater Barrels

Applesauce

23

Chicken & Noodles

Peas

Cantaloupe

24

Build Your Own Wrap

Lettuce w/ Tomatoes

Pears

27

Chicken Nuggets

Mashed Potatoes

Mandarin Oranges

28

Corn Chip & Chili Pie

Applesauce

8011—Meals and Snacks: Morning

Star Preschool & Child Care Center

serves regular meals and mid-

morning snacks or breakfast and

mid-afternoon snacks which meet

U.S. Department of Agriculture

nutritional standards

Ms. Sue uses fresh when available,

brown or wild rice, wheat or multi

grain bread and buns

February 2017 P.M. SNACKS Each day’s

menu is subject

to change

How to Get Your Kids to Ear Almost Anything Although all parents want their children to eat a healthy, varied diet, the fact is that many

children are picky when it comes to food. They are prone to whining, crying or simply refus-

ing to eat when presented with a meal they don't like. It's important not to give in to this

kind of behavior if you want your kids to eat and enjoy a wide variety of foods. These are a

few tips to get your kids to eat almost anything -

Step 1-Understand the importance of developing good habits. Children learn at an early

age and are very easy to influence through the use of routine and the introduction of good

habits. Once your kids get into the habit of being adventurous and trying new foods, you’ll

find it a lot5 easier to broaden their horizons and expand their taste buds.

Step 2-One of the best habits you can teach your kids is that they always have to sit at the

table when eating.

Step 3-Eat without distractions

Step 4– Establish a routine-At school we have breakfast, lunch and snack

Step 5-*****very important one! Introduce new foods alongside old favorites.

Step 6-Reduce the number of snacks your child eats

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THRUSDAY FRIDAY

1

Apple Cake

2

Yogurt

Animal Crackers

3

“Super Bowl”

Nachos

6

GoldFish

Apples

7

Cheese & Crackers

8

Oranges & Cheez Its

9

Kiwi

Oyster Dots

10

Graham Crackers

Milk

13

Cantaloupe

Ritz

14

Vanilla Wafers

Bananas

15

Strawberries

Yogurt

16

Oranges

Animal Crackers

17

Apples

GoldFish

20

Oranges

Cheese Its

21

Banana Boats

22

Quesadillas

23

String Cheese

GoldFish

24

Kiwi

Vanilla Wafers

27

Apples

Cheese Slices

28

Graham Crackers

Milk

8011—Meals and Snacks:

Morning Star Preschool &

Child Care Center serves

regular meals and mid-

morning snacks or break-

fast and mid-afternoon

snacks which meet U.S.

Department of Agriculture

nutritional standards