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July news

6/25/2019

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Summer Schedule:
Mondays – Messy Monday
Tuesdays – Splash Day (on hold until further notice)
Wednesdays – Walk Together Wednesday
Thursdays – Splash Day (on hold until further notice)
Fridays – Fun Fridays

As our summer program continues, parents will need to keep a close eye on our schedule so that you will know what is in store for your child on any given day. Our summer activities include:
  • Messy Monday – We’re getting down and dirty on Mondays, so please be sure to send your child in clothes that are okay to get dirty/stained up.
  • Splash day - Splash Days are every Tuesday and Thursday and will require a swimsuit, flip flops/water shoes, sunscreen and towel in a SEPARATE bag. (Please make sure all of your child’s belongings are marked with their name to avoid mix-ups!)
  • Walk Together Wednesdays – We will be taking one field trip every week over the summer that will be within walking distance.  On walking field trip days children need to wear tennis shoes/socks for optimal comfort.  Sandals and flip flops are not recommended.
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​​Dates to Remember:
July 3 - Walking field trip to Boswell Park
July 4-5 – No School! Happy Independence Day!!
July 10 - Walking field trip to the Washburn waterfall
July 12 – Trike-A-Thon, 10:00 AM
July 17 - Walking field trip around Washburn campus 
​               (it's a Sculpture hunt!)
July 24 - Walking field trip to Boswell Park
July 31 - Walking field trip to Boswell Park
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​Themes:
July 1-5 – Stars & Stripes
July 8-12 – Bicycle Safety/Trike-A-Thon
July 15-19 – Opposites
July 22-26 – Sports
July 29-Aug 2 – Picnic
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Show-and-Tell:
July 5 - No School
July 12 - No Show-and-Tell! Trike-A-Thon!
July 19 - FREE CHOICE!
July 26 - Something to do with SPORTS!
Aug 2 - Something you would take on a PICNIC!
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​Trike-a-Thon:
Our students will be joining St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in the fight against childhood cancer by participating in a Trike-a-Thon the week of July 8-12!  This is a week-long event and it teaches our students that they have the power to help others.  They will also learn trike safety through fun lessons. We’ll end the week with a celebration on Friday, July 12, and you’re invited to come!
 
This event is extremely important to me personally, as my daughter Aislynn lost her best friend Ariya to cancer just last year, 3 days before she would have celebrated her 6th birthday.  We’ll be riding for Ariya, and we encourage you to choose a loved one or family member to raise money for in their honor. 
 
Your involvement is a big part of making this fundraiser a success, and participation is easy!
 
REGISTER at stjude.org/trike
  • Click “Find Your School” and then “Register”
SHARE via email and on social media
  • Additional resources available in your online fundraising center
  • Use @stjude and #stjudetrikeathon
TRACK your progress
  • Encourage friends and family to donate online
  • Log any offline donations (cash & checks) in your online fundraising center
EARN prizes!
  • Return offline donations to your teacher (checks only)
  • Select your prizes via the link sent to you via email post event
CELEBRATE with us!
  • Join us as we practice what we’ve learned
  • Bring your child’s helmet and riding toy!
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June News

5/21/2019

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​Summer Schedule:
Mondays – Messy Monday
Tuesdays – Splash Day
Wednesdays – Walk Together Wednesday
Thursdays – Splash Day
Fridays – Fun Fridays
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​​Dates to Remember:
June 5 – Field Trip to the Topeka Zoo
June 12 – Boomer & the Library Lady visit,
                   10:00 AM
June 17 – Father’s Day Celebration
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​June Themes:
June 3-7 – Zoo Animals
June 10-14 – Life on the Farm
June 17-21 – Summer Fun
June 24-28 – Under the Sea
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Show-and-Tell:
Fri, June 7:  Something to do with
                     ANIMALS!
Fri, June 14:  Something to do with a
                       FARM!
Fri, June 21:  FREE CHOICE!
Fri, June 28: Something to do with the
                      OCEAN!
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A Peek at our weeks:
As our summer program starts, parents will need to keep a close eye on our schedule so that you will know what is in store for your child on any given day. Our new summer activities will include:
  • Messy Monday – We’re going to get down and dirty on Mondays, so please be sure to send your child in clothes that are okay to get dirty/stained up.
  • Splash day - Splash day will be every Tuesday and Thursday and will require a swimsuit, flip flops/water shoes, sunscreen and towel in a SEPARATE bag. (Please make sure all of your child’s belongings are marked with their name to avoid mix-ups!)
  • Walk Together Wednesdays – We will be taking one field trip every week over the summer that will be within walking distance and at least one per month that will require a car ride and parent volunteers.  On walking field trip days children need to wear tennis shoes/socks for optimal comfort. Sandals and flip flops are not recommended.
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Nap Time:
Starting in June we will be decreasing nap time for our future-Kindergarteners by half an hour every two weeks.  This will aid in preparing them for new schools with little or no resting time.  Children not preparing for kindergarten will be keeping the same nap schedule.
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May News

4/24/2019

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​Dates to Remember:
May 1 – Spring Pictures!
May 2 – UCD Annual Meeting, 5:30 PM*
May 6-10 – Testing week
May 8 – Boomer & the Library Lady visit,
               10:00 AM
May 12 – Mother’s Day
May 13 – Muffins with Mom*
May 17 – KR Graduation, 4:00 PM*
May 24 – Last Day of School!
May 27 – Memorial Day! NO SCHOOL!*
May 28 – 1st Day of Summer care
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Themes:
April 29-May 3 – Outer Space
May 6-10 – Testing
May 13-17 – Bugs & Insects
May 20-24 – Pond Life
May 27-32 – Camping
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Show-and-Tell:
May 3 – Something to do with OUTER SPACE!
May 10 – FREE CHOICE!
May 17 – Something to do with BUGS or INSECTS!
May 24 – Something to do with FROGS or POND LIFE!
May 31 – Something to do with CAMPING!
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Upcoming Events:
UCD Annual Meeting:  Our Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2nd at 5:30 PM.  As shareholders of UCD, all parents are encouraged to come to the annual meeting.  We will be voting on the slate for new board members and reviewing the year and our goals for the upcoming year.  Please let us know if you will be attending and if you will need child care for the meeting.

Muffins with Mom:  Calling all Moms!!  Come enjoy a tasty breakfast with your son/daughter to celebrate Mother’s Day!  Monday, May 13, 7:35-9:30 AM.

Graduation:  “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Disney” Kindergarten Readiness Graduation will be at 4:00 on Friday, May 17th in the Fellowship Hall (gymnasium).  All children that will be attending Kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year will take part in the graduation ceremony.  The entire KR class will be performing a few songs and a skit, so please come and support our graduates!
 
Memorial Day:  UCD will be CLOSED Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. 
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Upcoming Changes at UCD:
​A Note from Ms. Alex: We have a few changes coming up in the next couple weeks that I wanted everyone to be aware of.  Miss Maddie R and Miss Alicia will be leaving UCD and their last day will be May 3rd.  This year we have a couple staff members graduating, as well as one leaving UCD to do an internship.  Miss Nicole's last day will be May 10th, Miss Maddie S's last day will be May 16th, and Miss D'Mya's last day will be May 24th.

We are very sad to see them go but they all have great reasons for leaving and will all leave on good terms.  Miss D'Mya might be back this fall but she is unsure at this moment. 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you and have a great day!

​Alex Renyer
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Super Student of the Month:
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April News

2/3/2019

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Dates to Remember:
​Apr 8-12 – The Week of the Young Child / Take 5*
Apr 9 – Happy Bear visits, 11:00 AM
Apr 10 - Boomer and the Library Lady visit,
               10:00 AM / Crosby’s birthday!
Apr 18 – Easter Egg Hunt at Washburn*
Apr 19 – UCD Closed for Teacher Inservice
Apr 23 – Track and Field Day*

*See "What's New at Superhero Headquarters" for details.
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Themes:
Apr 1-5 – Weather
Apr 8-12 – Plants/Seeds
Apr 15-19 – Easter
Apr 22-26 – Recycling/Earth Day
Apr 29-May 3 – Outer Space
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Show-and-Tell:
Apr 5 – Something to do with the WEATHER!
Apr 12 – Something to do with PLANTS or
               SEEDS!
Apr 26 – FREE CHOICE!
May 3 – Something to do with SPACE!
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What's New at Superhero Headquarters:
Can you Take 5??
The week of April 8th-12th is the Week of the Young Child. WOYC is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to recognize the importance of the early childhood years.  As part of our celebration we will be giving parents the opportunity to “take 5 minutes” to spend with their child in the form of a short activity to do together each afternoon at pick up.  We will end the week with Pancakes for Parents on Friday, April 12th.  If you are free please join us!  If you have any questions about the Take 5 activities please contact the school office at (785) 232-0263 or email us at ucdpreschool@sbcglobal.net. 
 
Easter Egg Hunt
We will begin taking donations of pre-filled  plastic easter eggs starting the beginning of April.  Our all-school Easter egg hunt will take place on Washburn campus on Thursday, April 19th.  Don't forget your easter basket!

Track and Field Day
UCD’s annual Track and Field Day is Tuesday, April 23 at Washburn’s Yager Stadium.  Please dress your child in weather-appropriate, easy to be active in clothing.  Tennis shoes with socks are important, too!
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Super Student of the Month:
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March News

2/3/2019

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Dates to Remember:
​Mar 4 – Bruce’s Birthday!
Mar 13 – Boomer and the Library Lady visit,
               10:00 AM
Mar 14-15 - CLOSED for Spring Break
Mar 15 – Lennox’s Birthday!
Mar 17 – St. Patrick's Day
Mar 19 – Isabelle’s Birthday!
Mar 20 – First day of Spring
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Themes:
Mar 4-8 – Dr. Seuss
Mar 11-15 – St. Patrick’s Day
Mar 18-22 – Rainbows
Mar 25-29 – Spring
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Show-and-Tell:
Mar 1 – Something to do with DR. SEUSS!
Mar 8 – FREE CHOICE!
Mar 15 – Something GREEN!
Mar 22 – Something COLORFUL!
Mar 29 – Something to do with SPRING!
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What's New at Superhero Headquarters:

That’s a BIG Hat!
In celebration of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (March 2) the UCD classrooms take part in a little competition throughout the month of March.  We place the head of the Cat in the Hat (minus his hat) on the bulletin board in the hallway and invite parents to help us make his hat grow!
 
How do you do that?  By reading to your child at home!  We will be sending slips of red and white paper home with each family to fill out every time a book is read.  After the slips have been filled out, bring them back to school for us to hang on the hallway bulletin board!
 
Spring Break:
Washburn University’s Spring Break is the week of March 11-15.  UCD will close only that Thursday and Friday.
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​Super Student of the Month:
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February News

1/23/2019

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Dates to Remember:
Feb 13 – Boomer and the Library Lady visit, 
               10:00 AM
Feb 14 – Motor Development
                 – Valentine’s Day Party, 3:30 PM
Feb 18 – UCD Closed for Parent/Teacher 
               Conferences
Feb 19 – Motor Development
Feb 21 – Motor Development
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Themes:
Feb 4-8 – TESTING
Feb 11-15 – Valentine’s Day
Feb 18-22 – Dental Health
Feb 25-Mar 1 – Dr. Seuss
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Show-and-Tell:
Feb 1 – Something to do with DR. SEUSS!
Feb 8 – FREE CHOICE!
Feb 15 – Something RED or something to do with 
               VALENTINE’S DAY!
Feb 22 – Something WHITE or something to do with 
​               TEETH!
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​What’s New at Superhero Headquarters:

Staffing changes – As many of you know, Ms. Jennifer is no longer with us.  In her absence Mr. Bruce Davies, Ms. Sammy Strecker, and Ms. Rachel Frakes will be my rotating Assistant Teachers.  Mr. Bruce, whom we have already nicknamed “Batman,” is a new to UCD, but Ms. Sammy and Ms. Rachel are familiar faces and the children are adapting well to these most recent changes!
   
Parent/Teacher Conferences – Parent/Teacher Conference appointments will be pre-arranged by Ms. Alex and I.  If you cannot make your appointment, please see one of us and we can get you rescheduled!
   
Motor Development – Each year the KR room pairs with Washburn University’s Motor Development class for an hour of physical education fun!  Motor Development takes place from 9:30–10:30 AM on campus in the Petro building, so a short walk is necessary.  Due to February’s cold mornings, we ask that all children are dressed warmly, in clothing easy to move in, with coats/hats/scarves/gloves etc. and wear tennis shoes and socks.  
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Super Student of the Month:
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January News

12/17/2018

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Dates to Remember:
Jan 1 - UCD Closed!
Jan 16 - Boomer and the Library Lady visit, 10:00 AM
Jan 17 - Jack's Birthday
Jan 19 - Aislynn's Birthday
Jan 21 - UCD closed in observance of Martin Luther    
​               King, Jr. Day

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Themes:
Dec 31-Jan 4 - Things that GO!
Jan 7-11 - Friendship
Jan 14-18 - Dinosaurs
Jan 21-25 - Diversity
Jan 28-Feb 1 - Kansas
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Show-and-Tell:
Jan 4 - Something to do with TRANSPORTATION!
Jan 11 - A small GIFT to share with a FRIEND.
Jan 18 - Something to do with DINOSAURS
Jan 25 - FREE CHOICE!
Feb 1 - Something YELLOW or something to do with
​             KANSAS.
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Notes from Ms. Rachel
Cold weather:  January is notoriously cold in Kansas, but there may days here and there where we will still be going outside for recess.  Unless the temperature dips below 32 degrees (including wind chill) we are required by law to take the children outside for at least 30 minutes in the morning and 30 in the afternoon.  It is a good idea for children to have not only their coats, but whatever layers you feel would be appropriate (i.e. hats, gloves, scarves, etc.)

Reminders: 
Please make sure your child has two complete sets of clothes in their cubby/basket at all times (2 shirts, 2 pants, 2 underwear, 2 socks). 

Every Friday is Show-and-Tell.  Show and Tell almost always has to do with the current week’s theme.  See above or check the calendar outside our classroom to see what the next theme is! 

Please take home your child’s bedding, water bottle, and hand towels every Friday and bring back clean on Monday. 
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December news

11/16/2018

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Dates to Remember:
Dec 1 - Date Day, Noon-4:00 PM
Dec 4 - Santa visits, 10:00 AM
Dec 5 - Boomer and the Library Lady visit, 10:00 AM
Dec 7 - Christmas Program.
Dec 14 - Date Night, 5:30-7:30 PM
Dec 21 - Movie, Pajama Day, and Book Exchange!
Dec 24-Jan 1 - UCD Closed for Christmas Break
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Themes:
Dec 3-7 - Twas the Night Before Christmas
Dec 10-14 - Seasons: Winter
Dec 17-21 - Christmas
Dec 24-28 - No School! Closed for Christmas Break!!
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 Show-and-Tell:
Dec 7 - Something to do with CHRISTMAS!
Dec 14 - My favorite winter HAT, GLOVES, or SCARF!
Dec 21 - FREE CHOICE!
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Upcoming Events:
Date Day - Got some Christmas shopping you still need to do?  Sign up for Date Day, Saturday, December 1st from Noon-4:00 PM!  Price of Date Day childcare is $30/1st child, $15/additional child and will include lunch, nap, and entertainment until pick up.    
 
Christmas Program - ​Friday, December 7 is the big day!  UCD's annual Christmas Program, in which the Kindergarten Readiness class are always the stars!  Together with the Toddler and Preschool classes, we will be performing an adaptation of Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore.

What you need to know:  The program will start at 6:00 PM, so please drop your child off (in costume) in our classroom no later than 5:45 PM.  Family members can then head to the church sanctuary to find their seats.

Costumes are winter pajamas and slippers (unless otherwise stated in the memo sent home.) Refreshments will follow the production in the gymnasium.

Movie and Pajama Day - December 21 is a special day here at UCD!  Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas, bring their favorite snuggle buddy, and spend a day relaxing with their friends while we watch Christmas cartoons!

​Book Exchange: This year our school will be participating in a Holiday Book Exchange activity during our pajama party. If you would like your child to participate, please send a wrapped, gender-neutral book to school no later than Friday, December 21. No purchase is necessary, however, should you choose to buy a new book, please do not spend more than $5. The gift tag should be signed, “To: A Friend / From: (Your Child’s Name)”
 
At the pajama party children will exchange books with their classmates. Every child will take home a new book. 
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Notes from Ms. Rachel
Cold weather: As the weather continues to get colder, I wanted to remind everyone that unless the temperature dips below 32 degrees (including wind chill) we are required by law to take the children outside for at least 30 minutes in the morning and 30 in the afternoon.  It is a good idea for children to have not only their coats, but whatever layers you feel would be appropriate (i.e hats, gloves, scarves, etc.)

The Elf on the Shelf:  Every Christmas I sit down with my students and read to them, "The Elf on the Shelf" by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A Bell.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story, it is an interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition.  We start by reading  the book and naming our stuffed toy elf.  Our elf then sticks around the classroom magically moving to a different lookout every day because, as the story goes, he flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa Claus every night and then flies back by morning.  The kiddos love looking for his new hiding place every day and it becomes a favorite game until our elf "goes home" on Christmas Eve.  

​As I have worked in childcare for many years, I understand that not every family celebrates Christmas in this manner.  Having said this, please do not hesitate  to let me know if your do not wish your child  to be encouraged to believe in Santa Claus.  It will only take a few moments a day for me to pull your child aside and remind them that we are just pretending.  It will not mess up or interfere with our fun tradition and will allow me to help reinforce your own family's traditions.  Thank you! 
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November news

8/20/2018

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Dates to Remember:
Nov 7 - Boomer visits, 10:00 AM
Nov 12-16 - Testing Week!
Nov 14 - RSVP for Thanksgiving Luncheon
Nov 20 - Thanksgiving Luncheon, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Nov 22-23 - NO SCHOOL!
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Themes:
Nov 5-9 - Scarecrows/Birds
Nov 12-16 - TESTING
Nov 19-23 - Thanksgiving
Nov 26-30 - Manners
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Show-and-Tell:
Nov 9 - Something to do with SCARECROWS or
              BIRDS!
Nov 16 - Something I am THANKFUL FOR!
Nov 23 - NO SCHOOL!
Nov 30 - FREE CHOICE! 
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Upcoming Events:
Thanksgiving Luncheon - Tuesday, November 20th will be UCD’s Family Thanksgiving Luncheon. From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM family members are invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving lunch with their children in the gymnasium, served by our very own G’s Catering.  Please R.S.V.P by Wednesday, November 14th so we can have an accurate head count for the big day!

Thanksgiving Break - Don't forget, UCD will be CLOSED Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. 
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Super Student of the Month:
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October News

8/20/2018

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Dates to Remember:
Oct 4 - Fall Pictures!
Oct 5 - Date Night Fundraiser, 5:30-7:30 PM.
      (Go on a date and leave the babysitting to  us!
      Date night childcare will include pizza and a 
      movie. $20 for the first child, $10 for each  
      additional child. Proceeds raised will go towards
      our playground and building maintenance.)
Oct 8-12 - Spirit Week
                       Monday - Pajama Day
                       Tuesday - Superhero vs Villain Day
                       Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
                       Thursday - Old People Day
                       Friday - Washburn Pride Day
Oct 13 - Washburn University Homecoming Parade
Oct 9 - PTO Meeting, 5:30 PM
Oct 10 - Boomer visits, 10:00 AM
Oct 17-22 - Ms. Rachel gone
Oct 23 - Board Meeting, 5:30 PM
Oct 31 - Trick-or-Treating around Washburn
      (See details below.)
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Themes:
Oct 1-5 - Community Helpers
Oct 8-12 - Colors and Shapes
Oct 15-19 - My Body
Oct 22-26 - Pumpkins & Harvest
Oct 29-Nov 2 - Halloween
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Show-and-Tell:
Oct 5 - Something to do with COMMUNITY HELPERS!
Oct 12 - Something that is your FAVORITE COLOR!
Oct 19 - FREE CHOICE!
Oct 26 - Something ORANGE or something to dow tin PUMPKINS!
Nov 2 -  Something to do with HALLOWEEN!
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Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, October 31st we will be taking the Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness classes to Washburn campus to trick-or-treat.  This is extremely exciting for the kids, but also very tiring, so please be sure to send them in comfortable shoes and weather appropriate additions to their costumes (for instance, tights under a dress or a jacket for a chilly morning).  It would also be beneficial to have all pieces of your child’s costume properly marked with their names or initials to avoid loss and/or mix-ups.  We will change into our costumes after breakfast so please have your child to school no later than 9:30 AM.  We will return to the school in time for lunch and nap time will proceed as usual. 
 
Parents are WELCOME to come and help out!  The more adults we have to help corral our little ones, the less chaotic and more fun the trip! 
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Super Student of the Month:
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    Ms. Rachel is the Kindergarten Readiness Lead Teacher, and Mr. Bruce, Ms. Rachel F, and Ms. Sammy are the assistant teachers.  

    Ms. Rachel has worked with children for 16 years and has been with UCD since 2012.   She attended Highland Community College in 2015 and earned her CDA.  Ms. Rachel is also the assistant director at UCD.

    Mr. Bruce joined the UCD team in January 2019.  He has worked with children as a lifeguard and also as a soccer and basketball coach.  Bruce is a junior at Washburn and plans on taking education classes in order to pursue his teaching license.

    Ms. Rachel F. is a freshman at Washburn University, studying elementary education and middle school mathematics.  She has been with UCD since August 2018.

    Ms. Sammy has been with UCD since 2017 and is in the Nursing program at Washburn University.

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