From Kathy’s Desk
April 2016
What fun our kids had on a recent field trip to Rock Spot and how it reminded me of just how much they have all grown or “climbed” this year: constantly curious, energetic, and wanting to do more. I love their enthusiasm! There is so much to see, hear, and experience…
APPLICATIONS FOR 2016-17
Next year’s program is filling up fast. If your application is not in yet and you plan to use PEDP next year, I would suggest you contact me ASAP.
CURRICULUM
Our Brazil theme is just finishing up. There have been some really creative projects going on around here with rainforest animals, musical instruments, and Brazilian foods just to give you a taste. April’s theme is Colonial Times. New England is rich with ideas for this theme!
FIELD TRIPS
There are no field trips scheduled for this month. The Explorers group will be hosting a few members of the Temple Shalom Garden Club (former PEDP parents) who will give them a lesson in flower arranging.
CLASSES
Kids Cooking Green for the Minnows (Grades K/1) is underway as well as the NASA Learning League basketball program.
We’ll offer a 5-week session of Kids Cooking Green for Barracudas in May. Registration for that will open this month.
MUSICAL
Come to a night at the theater! We have a cast of over 50 students that have been rehearsing for three months now and they are ready to perform Grease! Shows will be held on Friday, April 8th and Saturday, April 9th at 7:00 PM in the Peirce Auditorium. Tickets are $8 each and they are available now at PEDP—please ask for Joanne or Kathy to purchase tickets. This is a super fun evening! Flower bouquets and concessions are available for purchase both evenings. NEW this year—you can also send a “Break a Leg Wish” to actors or stage crew in the show by buying a card to fill out prior to the beginning of the evening performances.
PROGRAM CLOSURES
NO SCHOOL OR PEDP on Monday, April 18th in observance of Patriots Day.
SPRING VACATION PROGRAM
We have an unbelievable schedule of activities planned! The deadline to sign up, however, is fast approaching. The program would run from April 19-22 and would be open daily 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM. Morning and afternoon snacks AND lunch provided. Field trips and fun activities are planned for each day. Note that we must have a minimum of 16 children per day in order to do this program. The deadline to sign up is Monday, April 4th.
MINNOW MESSAGE from Kim Ryan, Minnows Coordinator
Another month gone by in a flash! Time certainly flies when you are having fun! We say goodbye to March and our theme of Brazil. We had so many fun activities, food and games with this theme. We made Brazilian headdresses, Brigadeiros (a Brazilian dessert), coconut rice, and so much more. This month, get ready for butter churning, learning a game called “the Graces” and making whirligigs! Learning League Basketball is in full swing and the Minnows have been really enjoying their games against other after school programs, especially with Mr. Derek as their coach!
Tennis has ended and I have heard nothing but great things from all the Minnows that participated.
Next up for the Minnows is Kids Cooking Green, starting off with making homemade noodles!
Keep an eye out for those April Fools Pranksters! Feel free to contact me at kim@peirceedp.com
P.S. Did you know that the custom of setting aside a day for the playing of harmless pranks upon one’s neighbor is recognized everywhere? Some precursors of April Fools’ Day include the Roman Festival of Hilaria, the Holi Festival of India, and the Medieval Feast of the Fools.
BARRACUDA BUZZ from Joanne Malouf, Barracudas Coordinator
March was a busy month for us at PEDP. The Barracudas and Minnows had a great time at the PEDP Olympics. They worked as individuals as well as a team to complete each activity. There was plenty of cheering and laughter, as they had to toss, putt, throw and crab walk through the various stations. The Brazil theme brought a lot of colorful crafts to PEDP. The kids worked hard with Rachel to create sparkling masks. In science with Chris, a popular activity, the kids made their own magnifying glass. Laurie introduced the Barracudas to a new activity, Role Play Reader. The children read stories, written in play form, with each child reading a different part. They are encouraged to add tone and feeling to their role. There have been some very dramatic readings so far. I had cooking this month. The muffin cup lasagnas were a big hit. It’s amazing what you can make in a muffin tin! April, as with all the months at PEDP, looks to be full of fun activities. As always, you can reach me at joanne@peirceedp.com
SHARK TALES from Rachel Bastarache, Sharks Coordinator
The sharks are cruising through March and quickly heading into April. This past month the Sharks were doing a lot of cooking projects with Ms. Maggie. She has introduced many different types of foods from Brazil. I’m not sure if the kids had more fun cooking it or eating it! I know I’ve enjoyed many of the delicious samples. Did any of the Sharks mention at home about the 150 balloons covering the gym floor for our St. Patrick’s Day special event? It was a fun time watching the 4th verse the 5th grade as they raced to pop balloons and collect as much of the gold as they could. It was a close race but in the end the 4th graders pulled out a win by only 10 more coins! As we swim into the month of April, the Sharks will be celebrating Opening Day for the Red Sox on Monday April 11th. We encourage all the Sharks to wear any of their favorite baseball team’s apparel. Mr. Sean has a Green Monster game in the works. Keep a lookout for more details to come. Watch out for those pranksters on April Fool’s Day! I heard some of their ideas and I hope they aren’t coming my way. Contact me anytime with any questions or concerns at rachel@peirceedp.com
Go Sox! (Opening Day is almost here!)
Kathy
