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December News

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Message from the Principal:

Can you believe it is December already? I am sure you are finding yourselves quite busy getting ready for the Holiday Festivities. We have so many fun activities planned for the children this month. Every child will receive a special December Calendar of daily holiday activities. There will also be some extra special activities taking place this month for the whole family. Take a peek at our December Murrieta Maritime for further details.

On behalf of the entire Discovery Isle staff, we would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

– Renee Espinosa, Principal


Reminders:

  • Lunch Program – Did you know that we offer a yummy, affordable lunch program each month?  You can order lunch 2-5 days a week, or on an emergency, day-to-day, basis. Our lunch options include items such as chicken nuggets, pizza, grilled cheese, spaghetti and meatballs sliders, pasta and mac-n-cheese. All lunches are served with milk or juice, and fruit or a vegetable.  Menus are available on our website. Inquire at the front desk for more information.
  • Internet Viewing System – Receiving access is as simple as requesting an application in the front office. We have grandparents from other states who enjoy watching their grandchild in class, loved ones stationed over seas who enjoy seeing their child everyday, and parents who just like to take advantage of the fact that even though they are at work/home, they can peek in on their child at anytime during the day!
  • Flexible Scheduling – Does your child attend part-time? Are there days that you have appointments, and think your child would much rather be at school instead of running around town with you? Need just a few hours to get things done around the house? We offer additional days (either full or part days, based on availability) for days just like those! Check with the front office for pricing and availability.
  • Check us out FacebookLike us on Facebook to see great activities and learning opportunities that are taking place at our school as well as the various Discovery Isle locations in Riverside and San Diego County!

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Students have the opportunity to sign up for a variety of activities, such as sports, music, and gym. Life outside of school can be hectic, and we’re here to accommodate parents’ busy schedules. Below is a list of the activities we offer:

Tuesday: Busy Bee Cheerleading
Busy Bee is a mobile movement company that offers an action packed enrichment program. Classes are 45 minutes long for 3-5 year olds.

Wednesday: Busy Bee Fitness/Sports
Busy Bee’s Fitness/Sports program will keep children moving! This action packed class will teach children drills, speed, agility, enhance motorskills, and teach the basic technique in several sports. Classes are 45 minutes long for 3-5 year olds.

Thursday: Musical Kids
“All children love to sing and dance. Here’s your opportunity to inspire creative confidence through music, dance, and theater.” Our goal is to give kids another creative outlook in an environment they already feel comfortable in. Our experienced instructor will come to your school four times a month. Classes are 45 minutes long for 3-5 year olds and 30 minutes for 2 year olds.

Friday: Fun-Nastics
Gymnastic Classes for Preschoolers. Fun for Boys & Girls! Fun-nastics is an outreach gymnastics program for children in preschool. The weekly classes are led by Fun-nastic’s highly qualified and dedicated teachers, and incorporate music, games, tumbling, and gymnastics to create a fun and exciting learning experience for your child. The Fun-nastics program strives to promote strength, flexibility, and most important self confidence. Parents are always welcome to observe classes and enjoy the fun with us! Our goals for your child: health & fitness, coordination, self-confidence, social skills, flexibility and rhythm. Fun-Nastics classes are 45 minutes long for 3-5 year olds.


News from the Education Department:

Branching Out with STEM

“Too often we give children answers to remember instead of problems to solve.” -Roger Lewin

There is a wide recognition that American students need broader and deeper science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; however, many schools do not introduce this interdisciplinary approach until middle school. At Nobel Learning Communities, we believe that starting STEM education in preschool is important to help students build problem-solving, reasoning and critical thinking skills, as well as self confidence and self-direction.

This fall, all of our principals and teachers have participated in professional development sessions to create innovative lesson plans featuring STEM activities. Both students and teachers are having fun exploring real world problems together. Below are a few ways that we integrate STEM in our classrooms and some ideas to try at home.

Science: In our classrooms, students participate in various science projects to practice close observation and experimentation. They make volcanos using baking soda, food dye and vinegar, observe the result of soda bottle geysers, and create rain clouds using shaving cream and food dye. Perform a science experiment at home by making a lava lamp using a plastic bottle, water, oil, and food dye. Ask your child to make predictions on what would happen to the ingredients in the bottle. Will the oil and water mix?

Technology: We integrate technology into our academic curriculum by providing opportunities for students to explore changes in technology over time, use technology to express themselves creatively, and learn terminology relevant in this digital age. For instance, they explore sun dials, analog clocks and digital clocks and discuss how each item is used to tell time. At home, have your child look for different forms of technology such as computers, tablets, telephones and cell phones. Ask him to share the differences and similarities he sees.

Engineering: Our students work collaboratively to design and create inventions, while building communication, creativity and cooperation skills. They build boats and cars using cardboard boxes, make containers to grow plants, and build cities out of blocks. Continue the learning at home by asking your child to build a fort using pillows, assemble a tower from magazines, or create a necklace using macaroni and string.

Mathematics: We give children hands-on experience with math concepts such as pattern, size, shape and quantity. For example, student sort and count different types of cereal and graph their favorites. Take a nature walk with your child and have him collect leaves or small rocks in a basket. When you get home, ask him to count the objects and describe the colors, shapes and textures.

In summary, we provide numerous fun and challenging STEM projects to encourage collaboration, problem solving, decision making, creativity and innovation. Through these activities, our students build the foundation they need for a lifetime of learning.

— Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education

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