Summer

Our summer session is in full swing! We are enjoying the outdoors as much as possible this summer with sprinkler days and playground fun. The fresh air and large open spaces provide great fun, and great opportunities for physical development. The last day for summer preschool is Thursday August 22. We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

End of the School Year Wrap Up

3 weeks are left in our 2018-2019 school year. We know they are going to fly right by! This school year has been a great adventure in play, exploring, problem solving and acquiring new skills. Our 10 week summer program begins on June 17th and runs through August 22nd. Our summer will be spent enjoying water days, outdoor experiences and play based learning. Thank you for a wonderful school year!

Summer Session

The first week of summer preschool is in the books! We had a fun first week with water days, the Kona Ice truck and meeting new friends! Summer is a great time to be outside and learn from our natural environment. On the play ground children have the opportunity to jump, slide, climb, swing and move their whole bodies. Socially, they create their own pretend roles and games with their peers.

As a reminder, we will be closed on Wednesday July 4, and Thursday July 5. 

Summer

The Summer Program at the Barnes Early Childhood is in full swing! Our students have been busy playing and learning both inside and outside!  Weekly water days are enjoyed by all ages. Our summer program runs through August 24, 2017.

Last Days of School

Goodbye 2016-2017 school year! You flew by! We can't believe today is the last day for our elementary programs, and tomorrow is the last day for our Barnes program. What an awesome school year! Thanks for learning and laughing with us.

For those joining us in the summer, we will see you on Monday June 19th at the Barnes Early Childhood Center. Our program hours will remain the same, 7:15am-6:00pm. We are looking forward to soaking up the sun with you this summer.

Sunshine

We have been enjoying the sunshine and warm weather by making the outdoors an extension of our learning space! In addition to free play time where students can run, climb, swing, and hang out with friends, we have been bringing our learning centers outside. Outdoor learning activities include things like a nature scavenger hunt, the sand and water table, drawing pictures at the picnic table, using the parachute and playing large group games. Throughout the rest of the school year and summer, we will be maximizing our time outside. Please be sure to send in sunscreen and a water bottle for your child!

Winter Break

This is a reminder that GPPSS will be closed December 24th-January 8th. Preschool and Child Development Programs will re-open on Monday January 9th. We want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

Enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year will open on Monday January 9th and continue through Friday February 3rd. Please visit our website for more information and for an online application. If you have questions about enrollment, please call the preschool office.

Tot Tree

The Tot Tree has been installed in our infant and toddler play yard! Thank you so much for all of your support and fundraising efforts! We could not have provided this climber and grass cover without the generosity of our school families and the support of the district.

The playground is an extension of our learning environment. We know that important skills develop outside while climbing, running, jumping and exploring which makes us even more excited for the Tot Tree. Toddlers will have new opportunities to strengthen motor skills and social interactions. This will be a great addition for our upcoming school year. 

Summer Session

It is hard to believe that another wonderful school year is coming is close. We have enjoyed spending this year with the families in our program and watching the children grow. Summer session will begin on June 20th and run through August 25th. Please refer to the school calendar for specific summer closings.

Each class will have a schedule for water days this summer. Children will be able to spend extended time outside running through sprinklers and splashing in water tables. We will also have a few visitors throughout the summer including Wally's Custard, The Merry Music Maker and Rosco the Clown.

We are looking forward to a fun summer!

National Month of the Young Child

April is the National Month of the Young Child! This year our month long celebration is focused around healthy living! Each week will have a different emphasis. Topics include the importance of healthy eating, physical activity and hand washing. Classes will have opportunities to plant seeds for our school garden, taste test different foods and participate in active games and outdoor play! 

A few healthy ideas to try at home include:

• Taking a family walk. Enjoy the spring weather and walk, run, or skip around the community.
• Limiting screen time. Kick a ball in the back yard, or have a dance party instead!
• Getting children involved in cooking healthy recipes. Let your child help you pack their lunch or prepare dinner. 

We are excited to celebrate the National Month of the Young Child and learn about healthy living. We hope you are excited to celebrate with us!

Winter Play

Winter is here! Children at the Barnes Early Childhood Center will continue to play outside as long as the weather is 20 degrees or above, including the wind chill. Please send in boots, snow pants, hats and gloves labeled with your child's name. Outdoor play provides benefits for children year round! In the winter months, germs and bacteria can grow in the stale indoor air. Getting outside provides a refreshing break for our bodies and our immune systems. The winter also provides for outdoor play activities which are not available in the summer.

Physical activity and having fun is always in season!!