September Studies- Circles

I used an art project to practice circle cutting, as I have in the past. This year, we combined that with a "following directions" exercise over the span of four 15 minute sessions. We started with the background in cool colors, drawing the brush "top to bottom, top to bottom" repeated until a whole page was covered in blues, greens, violets. Next, we used warm colors to make swirls and waves over and over until that page was covered. The 3rd session involved cutting various sized circles from the sheet painted in warm colors. For some Pre-K students, this was their first time handling scissors, and was a perfect opportunity to discuss the correct way to hold scissors and give one-on-one instruction. Lastly, we glued parts together to make a collage of flowers that resemble a Hundertwasser painting. And even though they are all alike because it was a "following directions" exercise, they are also all individual, and I really like how they turned out.

WELCOME TO THE SPPS PRE-K CLASSROOM!

I'm really looking forward to the 2014-15 school year! We have some exciting activities planned. Mrs. McCarthy and I are honored to spend this time with your children, and we strive to make learning fun!

Be sure to check the monthly newsletter sent home with your child around the 1st of each month. Post it someplace you can easily check it, like the refrigerator or family bulletin board. Sometimes, (usually!) there is a Scholastic Book Club catalogue attached. Your newsletter will also tell you how to contact me should you have questions or concerns. Maybe you will need to double-check which day you signed up to either bring snack or volunteer. Also, get in the habit of going through your child's book bag or backpack nightly to make sure you aren't missing important events, deadlines, or other information.

Let's keep our communication open! I will need to know if someone other than you or an adult from the list you provided will be picking up your child. Please let me know by either sending a note with your child or telling me in person during drop-off. Should an emergency arise, call Mrs. Leitch at the front office to let her know. She will pass the info along to me. She can also help answer any questions you have about school functions and activities.

It's going to be a great year!
                                                                                           Sincerely,
                                                                                                            Mrs. Phillips

                                    2014 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
                                                    March 1, 2014

Well, we did it. Thanks to the students at St Paul Parochial School, enough money was raised for the staff to take the plunge in the icy waters of the Columbia River this last weekend. It was C-O-L-D!!  All for a good cause, though, the Polar Plunge is a major fundraiser for Special Olympics Oregon.
Check out these pics-

 Mrs. Koch, Me, Miss Benson, Mrs. Merrill and Mikayla waiting near a "heater" before the plunge.

Here we are, taking the plunge! In my defense, I was already very cold before I got wet!

Mrs. Routon and I (and another plunger from another team).

                                  Mrs. Merrill is way too into it, it my opinion...!
                            Mr. Williams, Mrs. Merrill, Miss Benson, and Mrs. Montanez.

Afterwards, I couldn't feel my feet and couldn't wait to change out of my clothes.

Yay Team SPPS MUSTANGS!!

 Feb. 13, 2014

 

A spontaneous project in the month of February. We wanted to see what it would look like to form our collective bodies in the shape of a heart...

 

 

...and here it is!

Catholic Schools Week
Grandparent's Day January 29, 2013

We loved having our Grandparents join us in designing Valentine's for Doernbecher's patients! This has become an annual tradition. It's just one of the ways we give to our community. 

Thanksgiving Turkey Craft

 

 

 

 

A Mom taught us how to make these adorable turkeys that could be used on the Thanksgiving table as place markers or favors.

 

They were super easy to make!