Meet your teachers!

I asked the teachers these questions so you could get to know them better. 

1.     Where are you from? Briefly describe your family.

2.     What was your favorite food when you were a child?

3.     What is one of your favorite quotes?

4.     What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

5.     What is your favorite season of the year?

6.     What do you enjoy most about working with young children?

7.     What are your plans after Hesston College? What do you hope to be doing in 5 years?

Ms. Larisa:

1.   I grew up in Western Oklahoma, and have lived in Oregon, Colorado and now Kansas! I am married to Vic and we live in Wichita.

2.  Pizza (and still is!)

3.  Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it. (Anne of Green Gables.... Lauren Carns)

4.  Hiking/exploring nature

5.     Fall

6.  I have always enjoyed young children and their curiosity, creativity and imagination!

7.  I am currently completing my Masters in Early Childhood Education with a teacher certification B-K through K-State’s online program. It has been a work in progress and I hope to have this completed in 2 years. I have an AA from Hesston College and a BA from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Co. I have worked with younger (and older) children in various capacities for the past 23 years. This is my 12 year at Hesston College Preschool.

Ms. Naomi: 

I'm from Colorado (near Colorado Springs). I have a younger brother who is 12, my dad is a firefighter at the Air Force Academy, and my mom works as a substitute teacher at the local daycare center where we live. 

2. My favorite food when I was a child my favorite food was peaches. 

3. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson

4. My favorite indoor activity is any art activity. My favorite outdoor activity is swinging on the swings. 

5. I like fall and spring both equally. 

6. I really enjoy being able to share the moment when they are finally able to do stuff and they have that light bulb moments. 

7. After Hesston I plan to go back to Colorado to finish my degree. I am looking at going to either UCCS or UNC for colleges. In 5 years I hope to be teaching in a preschool somewhere back in Colorado. 

Ms. Renee

 1.  I am from Wellman, Iowa. I have a twin sister who studies at Goshen College, a dad who is a car used car dealer, and a mom who is a Kindergarten teacher. 

2.    Any type of pasta! 

3.   "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." -Mark Twain

4.   My favorite outdoor activities are running and hiking. 

5.    My favorite season is Fall. 

6.   I enjoy seeing children grow and change throughout the time I work with them. 

7.   I plan on getting my Bachelor's degree (although I don't know where yet) and then I will eventually teach in a classroom of my own! 

Ms. Laura

1. I am from Norwich, KS. I am a triplet; I have 2 sisters. My dad is a farmer and takes care of cows, wheat, soybeans, and milo.

2. My favorite food was pizza.

3. Don’t carry your mistakes around with you. Instead, place them under your feet and use them as stepping stones.

4.  Doing ceramics or crafts

5. My favorite season is spring.

6.  To see them get excited about what we are teaching in school.

7.   I am not sure what I am going to do after Hesston. I may go to school at Wichita State or get a job after graduation.  In five years, I hope to be a teacher, teacher assistant or work in a daycare.

First day of TR class!

The first day of preschool can feel exciting and scary at the same time. Often children put on brave faces and cautiously come into preschool, but after a few times they become more comfortable and familiar with the routine, and are all smiles!
There was a lot of activity going on today. Lots of exploring and discovering new toys and materials. It was a good day!!

Ms. Naomi at the sensory table

Ms. Laura down on the floor with us. 

Legos! Always a hit!

Ms. Renee at the art table

Observing the hermit crabs crawl out of their bath.
Very fascinating. Children often give a play by play
of what the hermit crabs are doing. 

Driving the tractor on the road.

Dressed up and driving! Watch out. 

SNACK TIME!!!!

Spin art. Once I show children how to use it,
it becomes very popular.
And you (parents) end up with thousands of circles 
coming home with you. :) 

First day of MWF!

It is always so exciting to be a returning student because you know what to expect and often children have favorite toys and materials they just can't wait to use again! That was definitely the case for this class today. They just jumped right back into the routine and their favorites! And we are very excited to welcome 3 new friends into this session who just followed along with the activities. I encouraged the returning students to welcome and help the new students learn what to do at preschool. 
I didn't catch all of the activity going on, but they were enjoying it and were busy!! 

It was a good first day. 

The main attraction -- scooping and pouring rice or soup
or wedding cake. Whatever you like.

"Ticket makers"
making tickets for whoever wanted to ride a train

Busy with blocks

They discovered some new cars and trucks.

They were building slides for the animals to use.

Looking cool!

Preschool is starting soon!

Hello. It has been awhile since I've posted something here. The summer just flew by and now we are gearing up for another year!!

Here is some important information.

Monday, August 22 – Come and Go Open House at preschool for enrolled preschool children and families.

(Get familiar or re-acquainted with preschool classroom and meet your child’s teachers)

Please note: Come during your designated session - 

TR at 6:30 p.m.

MWF at 7:00 p.m.

Start of preschool -

Wed, Aug 24 – First day of preschool for MWF session

Thurs, Aug 25 First day of preschool for Tue-Thur session

School Supplies -

Each child (family) needs to bring the following school supplies:

1 (one) – 2 pack of glue sticks

2 rolls of high quality paper towels

2 dry erase markers (any color)

1 box of child’s favorite non-perishable snack (Ritz crackers, animal crackers, goldfish, pretzels, Cheerios, etc….) to share. The preschool will supplement the snack with fruit, dip, vegetables, dairy, etc….. You may bring these items to open house or sometime during the first week of preschool.

Tuition payment -

The first tuition payment can be made at Open House or anytime the first week of preschool.

MWF - $150

TR - $100

More information regarding preschool schedule, tuition payments and other general preschool information will be available at Open House.

Let me know if you have any questions.

See you all soon!

Summer Ideas

I'm sure many of you may already have summer plans, but here are some fresh ideas for summer fun!! 

http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2016/ten-rainy-day-activities

http://www.mericherry.com/2015/04/10/let-paint/

https://www.care.com/a/101-fun-things-to-do-with-kids-this-summer-1305030150

www.teachpreschool.org

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/get-ready-summer-ideas-teachers-share-families#online

www.pbskids.org

(We used pbskids.org for computer games this year in preschool and the children really enjoyed it!!) 

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/outdoor-activities/fun-sun-activities


http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/  (added this one on 5/5)

http://www.hwtears.com/hwt (added this one on 5/5)
Excellent resource for handwriting tools - free printables for parents!!

Enjoy your summer. I will try to post things on the blog, but it may not be as frequent. 

Enrolling for FALL!

We have openings in the MWF session (For children entering Kindergarten Fall '17). 

Contact Larisa for more information.  (620) 327-8161 or larisa.lawrence@hesston.edu

Tanganyika!!

Thankfully it was only cold with no rain for Zoo day. 

Great ending to a fantastic year!!

Here are quite a few pictures I took.....

The cheetah is hiding in the grass. He lifted his tail every once in awhile.

What a great turn out!!!

Running around and jumping off of this rock seemed to be
just as enjoyable as seeing the animals. 

 THE HC shirt pics 

(sorry, I didn't catch everyone!)

The giraffes are so amazing and grande!

Beautiful animal!!!

Animals have a mind of their own.
The zoo keeper was holding this piece of lettuce trying
to lure this guy out and then he finally just threw it on the ground
and walked away. The tortoise immediately came out and
promptly munched it all down the hatch!

Thanks for a great Zoo day and year!
Have a most wonderful summer!!