Thanksgiving

Child Development and Preschool Programs will be closed Wednesday November 23-Friday November 25. We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. This year, our staff at Barnes took a moment to reflect on what they were most grateful for. Staff members wrote notes of gratitude on a feather for our Thankful Turkey. Our teachers were grateful for opportunities to work with young children and build relationships with families and co-workers... and of course coffee and pumpkin pie! We hope you enjoy this holiday season.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the GPPSS Child Development and Preschool Program. Our students have been busy decorating pumpkins, trick or treating through the school, and participating in the Costume Parade. Each year we look forward to the Halloween celebrations and this year was one to remember.

Half Day Preschool

 Half Day Programming is new for the 2016-2017 school year! Our half day programs will give early learners an opportunity to gain confidence in an Elementary setting while learning at an appropriate level and pace. Teachers will create play based activities that support each learning domain. Some favorite activities in the half day programs this year have been dramatic play and the sensory table. Classes have also had opportunities to attend school assemblies. Children must be fully potty trained to enroll in half day programming. Children will return to their neighborhood elementary school for K-5. For more information, please visit our website. 

Play With Purpose

This week our program was featured in the Grosse Pointe News. The article called 'Play with Purpose' by staff writer Mary Anne Brush detailed the history of our program and our philosophy on play based learning. We believe that play provides a natural opportunity for teaching, learning and exploring. The article can viewed online: click here

We thank the Grosse Pointe News for their time and interest in our program.

Photo by Renee Landuyt

First Week

We had a wonderful first week at Barnes, Ferry, Maire, Monteith, Richard and Trombly! It was great getting to meet new students and their families. We also have many new staff members who have joined our programs across the district. Head Teacher biographies are posted on our website. We truly feel all of our head teachers, lead teachers and caregivers are an exceptional group of early childhood educators.

First Day of School

The first day of school will be Tuesday September 6, 2016. Full Day programs will open at 7:15am, and Half Day programs will begin at 8:30am.

If you have not received a welcome email from your child's teacher, please call the preschool office. 

As a reminder, updated enrollment forms are due by the first day of attendance. Forms can be found online, under First Day. 

The Preschool Office will be closed Monday August 29- Monday Sept 5. 

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.