April was certainly a roller coaster weather month for us here in the Boston area—75 degrees one day and then 40 degrees just a few days later. However, I think that Spring has finally arrived! Tulips, daffodils, and other flowers like pulmonaria from my garden are popping up everywhere! May is going to be one busy month at PEDP …
CURRICULUM
Our “Colonial Times” theme is just finishing up. Children attending our vacation week program got a glimpse of what this life was like when they visited Sturbridge Village. PEDP staff have also planned fun projects like making butter, dipping candles, silversmithing and basketweaving to teach of our students about life in Colonial times. May’s theme is “The Wild, Wild West”. Keep an eye out for horses, cactus, and outlaws! Yee Haw!
STAFFING CHANGES
This month, we said, “goodbye and good luck” to Rachel Legault as she prepares for the arrival of her baby. She promises to stop by and show him off sometime before the end of the year. Meanwhile, we are thrilled to welcome back Susan Alport who was a teacher in our program several years ago. As an artist, Susan brings a love of all types of art to PEDP. I know that the children, staff and you all will enjoy her.
FIELD TRIPS
May 5th is an early release day. Trips are planned as follows:
- Minnows (K/1) are going to Boston to ride the Swan Boats.
- Barracudas (2/3) are also traveling to Boston to visit Castle Island.
- Sharks (4/5), too, will be in Beantown at the Franklin Park Zoo.
The cost for each of the above trips is $15.00.
NOTE: In case of rain, all groups will go to the West Newton Cinema to see a movie.
The Explorers Program will be getting a tour of Fenway Park on Tuesday, May 17th. NOTE: We realize there is a conflict for some Explorers who are also signed up for Kids Cooking Green. Sometimes life presents tough choices. Please let us know which activity your child will participate in that day. Unfortunately, they cannot do both.
CLASSES
Kids Cooking Green for the Barracudas (Grades 2/3) is starting May 3. There are still two spots open in the 5-week class. Sign up online if your child is interested.
A 4-week Yoga program will begin on May 4th. There is still space in this class for all ages. If interested, sign up by the end of the week.
MUSICAL
Thanks to all who attended one or more of our “Grease” performances! It was a fantastic show! We appreciate all the support from parents. If you have not ordered your DVD yet, there is still time to do so. What a great memento of the show!
PARENTS NIGHT OUT!
We are making one last attempt this year to offer this fun event. It will be held on May 20th. We’ll be sending out the info by tomorrow and asking you to let us know by the 13th if you are going to sign up. We need about 20 kids to make it worthwhile to run. Have a date night!
PROGRAM CLOSURES
NO SCHOOL OR PEDP on Monday, May 30th in observance of Memorial Day.
MINNOW MESSAGE from Kim Ryan, Minnows Coordinator
As we get closer to the end of the school year, time seems to move so much faster. It is amazing to be able to watch the growth and successes of your children as they mature and learn.
Early Minnows:
The theme for April was Colonial Times and the Early Minnows experienced many activities and games. They made their own butter using heavy cream, marbles, jars and a whole lot of shaking! Then they tested it out on corn muffins…they loved it! They learned about George Washington, and even made a three cornered hat. We played a game called The Graces where they learned to toss a ring to their partner using only two sticks! The Early Minnows will have a field trip on June 1st (Group B) and June 3rd (Group A) to the New England Mobile Book Fair where we will do a scavenger hunt and each child can pick a book to take home! Permission slips for that trip will be going out soon!
Late Minnows:
The Late Minnows finished up their Kids Cooking Green class and they said how delicious everything they made was! This month a Yoga class begins which should be a lot of fun! The Tuesday Minnows will also be doing clubs this month: Book Club with Mr. Derek, Group Games/Teambuilding with Miss Heather, Walking Fun with Miss Kathy, Gardening with Miss Kim and TBD with Miss Laurie F. There are a lot of great choices and it should be a lot of fun!
The Minnows have teamed up with the Sharks for the last couple of months for big fish/little fish activities. The Sharks surprised the Minnows with an impromptu dance party! This is a great opportunity for the kids to get to know other kids outside of their age group and also a wonderful experience for the Sharks to mentor and assist their Minnow buddies!
Did you know? In 1856, the U.S. Camel Corps was established at Camp Verde, Texas. Sixty-six Camels were imported from the Middle East, despite their objectionable qualities(they spat and defied orders) the experiment was a success. After the Civil War, most of the camels were sold(some to Ringling Brothers’ Circus) and others escaped into the wild. The last reported sighting of a wild camel was in Texas in 1941!
As always, feel free to contact me at kim@peirceedp.com
BARRACUDA BUZZ from Joanne Malouf, Barracudas Coordinator
Another month that flew right by! April saw us say goodbye to Rachel L. and hello to Susan who is rejoining us at PEDP. We are excited to have her filling in with the Barracudas. April saw many colonial times crafts from candle making with Chris to quilling with me. Laurie kept with them busy during cooking when the group made delicious homemade gingersnaps. Mondays in May are club days for the Barracudas. Chris will be doing a Soccer Club. Laurie will help the kids create Changing Pictures (check out her sample in the Clubhouse). I will be doing some Sewing with the kids in my club. The Thursday Barracudas will have a teambuilding day as we head outside for some group games. Happy May! As always, you can reach me at joanne@peirceedp.com
SHARK TALES from Rachel Bastarache, Sharks Coordinator
April started off as a very busy month for the Sharks. The first weekend was the Musical… Bravo to all! April 11th we had our “opening day” special event. Due to high winds that day, whiffle ball was out of the question. We switched gears and had a very intense kickball game between the 4th and 5th grade. It went into overtime and with only one out left, the 4th grade pulled out a win! Swimming into May, the sharks will be having clubs on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:00.
For the last two months, the Sharks and Minnows will be joining forces to create a buddy program between out big fish and little fish. Last month, the Sharks invited the Minnows to a Dance party! It was a lot of fun to watch the different ages mesh together. I will send more on “big fish little fish” events soon. Keep a look out for Shark’s Cove! Here you will find Shark information, Shark artwork and any upcoming Sharks events. If you ever need to contact me, please don’t hesitate to send me an email to rachel@peirceedp.com.
“Happy Mother’s Day” to all the moms out there!
Kathy
