The first day of Gan

What a full day! I wonder if your children are as exhausted as I am.

We began with a very smooth drop off. Thanks to all of you for helping get your children settled and organized this morning. We strive for independence in our morning routines, but during the first weeks of school it's so helpful to have your extra hands to help children learn what to do when they arrive. In a nutshell, it goes like this:

• put lunch and water in top of cubby
• put backpack and jacket (if any) in the big section
• put folder in mail slot
• wash hands
• choose an activity on one of the tables

This morning at meeting we sang Aikendrum, Hevainu Shalom Aleichem and Peace Like A River, and then read the daily message and the schedule. We played a name game and then reviewed bathroom procedures. After that, we began a tour of the school, starting with the main floor. By this time, we were all ready for some outdoor play.

Alas, at our first recess, one of the Gan students, Rebecca Marks, fell from the climbing structure and hurt her arm. She needed to be taken to the doctor and will return tomorrow with a sling. Her classmates were quick to ask "are you ok?' and offer a kind word. We wish her a speedy recovery.

After recess, children were given kippot. Morah Andrea talked about how we wear special clothes for special activities (soccer cleats for soccer, swim suits for swimming) and how a kippah is like special clothing for prayer or "thank you's to God." Children were excited to try their kippot on and wore them for snack, when we recited the blessing "hamotzi."

After snack we did some exploration with crayons, drawing together on giant sheets of paper taped to the tables. Our creations are hanging up in the classroom. We then went outside for a second recess. Finally, we came in and took a first look at our monarch caterpillar tank. When children return to school tomorrow they'll be greeted by our first chrysalis!

Most of the first weeks are school are focused on the social/emotional curriculum and learning how to work and play together safely and respectfully. We'll be doing lots of games and activities toward that end, while also beginning to delve into studying monarch butterflies and Rosh Hashanah.

Please remember to pack snack AND lunch tomorrow. Some parents like to pack snack and lunch separately to avoid having their children eat everything in their lunch box at 10 am. Believe me, it happens more often than you might imagine.

Lastly, here are the smiling faces of the Gan today:

See you tomorrow!