October 14th-18th, 2019

 During our prayer service this week, we  honored Cornelia Connelly's mission of "actions not words". Students were commissioned  to use their gifts for the sake of serving their community. Each grade's service partner for the year was announced and the entire school community prayed for them.  The Nursery 2 and 3 students will be making cards of thanks for community helpers .  

You are never to young to learn about service!  

HCA will be participating in "Camp Out for Hunger" led by our Pre-K and Kindergarten students. 

We will be collecting nonperishable food items (peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, canned tuna or meat, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups, oatmeal, cereal, pasta, juice, rice) as well as both wet and dry cat and dog food.   Items will be collected through October 31.

Help us help those in need!

Please remember to send in TWO napkins in your child's lunch box.  The children use one as a place mat and the other to wipe their face and hands.  If your child has something in their lunch that requires a fork or spoon, please be sure to pack one.  We do not always have access to utensils at school.  Just as a reminder, lunches are not heated up.

We are really working hard on table manners during snack and lunch times.  Students are expected to sit in their seat until all friends are finished eating.  When lunch/snack is over, students are expected to throw out their trash and pack up (if it is lunch time).  They are doing a great job!  Children can continue to work on these skills at home by :

1. Being asked to sit at the table until the whole family is finished.

2. Carry their plate to the counter/sink.

3. Throw out napkin

4. Push in chair

5. Do not talk with your mouth full.

6. Say please and thank you

The HCA Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled from 10/26/19 - 10/31/19. Come and discover some terrific books for your family! We invite you to join us at our Family Event on Sunday, October 27 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.​  The Book Fair will also be open during the Mission Party so stop in and check out all the boo-tiful books!  Our class will shop on Wednesday, October 30 at 9:30.  More information will follow.

There is a nasty head cold working its way through our classroom.  In efforts to not share our germs, we have been practicing coughing into our elbows, using hand sanitizer after wiping/blowing our noses, and washing our hands as often as possible.  The surfaces and materials within our classroom are also wiped down daily.

Just a reminder, the HCA sick policy is that children must be fever, diarrhea, and/or vomit free (without meds) for 24 hours.  I will do my best to make sure our classroom is wiped down and sanitized each day. I ask that you use your best judgement when your child is not feeling well too.   

The HCA Parent Association will be hosting a Trunk or Treat!

This will take place on Friday, October 25th from 5-7 p.m.

For more information, contact Joslyn Danifo at jozdanifo@gmail.com.

TRUNKS WANTED:-)

More Mission Party information coming soon!

Please remember to empty folders each night!

Have a great Weekend.

Mrs. Devenney

October 7th - 11th

Last Friday, we had the Blessing of the Animals.  Many of our older friends brought their turtles, cats, dogs, reptiles and bunnies.  Thank you to Alexandra for sharing her dog Abby with us.

In the Nursery 3 class we spend a lot of time developing our fine motor skills.  Each activity helps to strengthen a child's skills, develop hand-eye coordination and refine the pincer grasp.  All things that will help them learn to write!

This week we did spider stacking.  Children were given a handful of spiders and then had to stack them one by one onto straws.

At home, you too, can provide fine motor opportunities.  Some easy things to do are:

• Playing with Play Doh
• Cutting and Pasting
• coloring
• knobbed puzzles
• Zippering coats (you engage the zipper and have the child pull it up)

On Thursday, We had a Pep Rally to support the HCA Cross Country Team.  GO DRAGONS!

Things to do at home

• Go on a color or shape hunt when you are driving in the car.
• READ! READ! READ!
• Color
• Build with blocks or legos
• Look at family photos together
• Cook or Bake together

Fostering a child's independence is an important aspect to development.  In Nursery 3 the children begin their independence journey.  Many of the children are struggling in pulling up their pants after using the bathroom.  I am always willing to assist after they have given it a good try; I ask that you do the same.  Encourage them to try themselves and then praise them for the attempt/completed task.

SPECIALS

GYM is on days 2, 5 and 6 - CHILDREN MUST HAVE SHOES THAT LACE/VELCRO TO PARTICIPATE. THIS IS FOR THEIR SAFETY. 

Music is on days 1 and 3

Library is on day 4

STEAM is on day 6

Art is day 1



HALLOWEEN MISSION PARTY
10-31-19      8:15 am - Noon

Children should wear their costumes and sneakers to school. They will not be changing.  Please keep all costume "weapons" , small accessories, and fancy shoes at home.  

Morning schedule: 

• 7:50 a.m.: Students arrive at regular arrival time.
• Parents are welcome to arrive with their children and wait in the cafeteria for the parade to begin.
• 8:15 a.m.: Costume parade
• Approximately 9 to 11:30 a.m.: Students play Halloween games and activities with their teachers and classmates.
• Parents are welcome to stay while students enjoy these activities; however, they are not required to stay.
• There will be breakfast foods available in the cafeteria as well as a bake sale.
• The Book Fair also will be open during the Mission Party for shopping.
• Spirit wear will be available for purchase. Cash or check will be accepted.
• 12:00 p.m.: Dismissal

NOTE: Due to the half-day schedule on Oct. 31, there will be no lunch period or lunch service.

Please be on the lookout for a signup genius from the Parents' Association. The Parents' Association will be looking for volunteers to help with some Halloween activities and make baked goods for the bake sale.

Thank you for your continued support!

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Devenney

September 30 - October 4

One of my favorite sensory activities to do with three years old is shaving cream!

They love to squish it around in their little hands.  Using shaving cream allows a child to engage more then one sense; touch and smell. After some free time of manipulating the shaving cream we practiced drawing circles.  This is a great pre-writing activity as well.

For our service projects this year, the Nursery 2 and 3 students will be thanking members in our HCA community that help us daily. Our first honoree is Bernie Capuano; otherwise known as "Mr. Bernie".  Bernie helps take care of our school campus and is ALWAYS willing to lend a helping hand.  The Nursery students decorated his door to remind him just how special he is to our school community!  Thanks Mr. Bernie!

Mr. Bernie

We have been working really hard during our Montessori Work period.  At this point we work about 40 minutes before needing a break.  Sometimes individual work takes place, other times the children may work with a friend.  The children are eager to learn the Montessori lessons in our classroom.

Amelia and Alexandra working with the dressing frames.

Vienna working on the Maple leaf puzzle.

Kin and Alexandra are making block patterns.

Madison is working on 1:1 correspondence matching.

Lily is working on 1:1 correspondence matching.

Kin matched all her letters.

Elle and Alexandra made a pattern with the pink tower and brown stairs

Learning a NEW lesson: the number rods.

Charlie and Elle matching objects.

Things to do at home

• Go on a color or shape hunt when you are driving in the car.
• READ! READ! READ!
• Color
• Build with blocks or legos
• Look at family photos together
• Cook or bake together

Fostering a child's independence is an important aspect to development.  In Nursery 3 the children begin their independence journey.  Many of the children are struggling in pulling up their pants after using the bathroom.  I am always willing to assist after they have given it a good try; I ask that you do the same.  Encourage them to try themselves and then praise them for the attempt/completed task.

SPECIALS

GYM is on days 2, 5 and 6 - CHILDREN MUST HAVE SHOES THAT LACE/VELCRO TO PARTICIPATE. THIS IS FOR THEIR SAFETY. 

Music is on days 1 and 3

Library is on day 4

STEAM is on day 6

Art is day 1




The HCA Early Childhood Division has its own Instagram account!  Follow us @hcadrexelhillec!

Our class photo will be taken on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9th.  Individual pictures will be taken THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10th.  More information to follow. 

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Devenney