The Prouty Voice: July 2021

Summer Happenings

By Chloe Learey, Executive Director

July is here and with it comes the start of the Windham Southeast School District summer camp! The camp will run through July 30th, and we are pleased to be able to support the program. It is wonderful to see so many people enjoying the campus, even if it does mean more traffic. We really knew the world was re-opening when it became hard to find a parking spot on some days.

A Bite to Eat is another reason for increased traffic on campus around lunch time. Typically they are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 until 2:00, although it is good to double-check their Facebook page because they have been very busy catering and sometimes have to adjust their schedule. The creative grilled cheese options are delicious, and the wraps are the way to go if you are very hungry. Grab a yummy treat for dessert, too!

Finally, a big thank you to all who supported our “Par for the Cause” by buying raffle tickets, selling ads, getting prizes, making disc golf holes, and showing up to play and dance. It was a wonderful event, and we are already looking forward to next year. We might even host another picnic this year, it was so much fun – stay tuned!

Happy summer,

Chloe


Early Learning Center News

Willow Room

In the month of June, the Willow class explored many sensory experiences. We explored the stickiness of tape, Jello, water play, and some sensory boards. Our most popular activity this month has been blowing bubbles and popping them!

Elm Room

The month of June we enjoyed doing a fun farm theme. The children all loved playing with the barns and animals making all the sounds! We even made some homemade barns out of cardboard and the kids painted them. We also made a trip to the Retreat Farm and saw Carlos the Ox, some sheep, and even some goats. It was good to be able to do something through this pandemic!

For the month of July, we will be focusing more on the outdoors weather permitting! We hope to be outside most of the morning and into lunch! We will be doing some fun activities with sensory and art as this group enjoys those types of things! Some activities include, water beads, shaving cream and paint, and even some ice cube play!

 

Birch Room

The month of June in the Birch Room was all about All Things Summer! We spent the month talking about the ocean, camping and other activities that you typically participate in during that time. Our science area was all about exploring different seashells and measuring how long they were with unifix cubes or weighing them to see which weighed more than the other. It also included different ocean/shell themed books! Our dramatic play area turned into a campsite where the children could cook food over a felt fire as well as pretend to sleep under the stars. Our sensory table turned into a giant sandbox complete with buckets, shovels and sand molds of fish and boats. Our circle time activities were filled with more learning objectives around patterns and memory games but also some fun, engaging questions such as “What Is Your Favorite Ice Cream?” We enjoyed two different visits with Sueno and look forward to the (hopeful) return of visits on the Bookmobile once summer program starts!

During the month of July, we will be busy exploring and spending most of our days outside! We will continue to visit the pond and visit Mrs. Cranberry at her fort. We will also frequently visit the Salute to The Sun Bridge and the “Swimming Pool!” Also, we will be incorporating more water play and sprinkler days into our weekly routines and those will typically occur on Fridays! We also will be welcoming our friend Josephine back to the program for the summer, so we are very excited about that! Happy Summer!

Oak Room

The Oak Room spent June gearing up for summer even though the summer program had not officially started. We started our water play with sprinkler play and exploring the mud at the pond and getting wet with water bottles. Some of the students used the water bottles to pretend to wash and style their hair. During Circle and Choice Time we discussed animals and mystical creatures. We created zoos in the Block Center and played rhyming games at Small Group. Before rest, each day we read a book about dragons. Then we used pool noodles to create “jousting stick” and had several jousting matches with specific rules on one rainy morning. The students developed the rules in circle, so everyone was prepared for the activity. In July we are looking forward to lots of water play, campus exploration and more jousting matches.


Celebrations

  • July 2 – Happy Birthday Sally, CIS Nurse
  • July 3 – Happy Birthday Alex, Facilities Assistant
  • July 14 – Grant is 1!
  • July 15 – Thatcher is 2!
  • July 19 – Happy Birthday Amy H, Willow Room Teacher
  • July 26 – Jack is 2!
  • July 27 – Happy Birthday Tonya Kangas, CIS Specialized Child Care Coordinator

Dates to Remember

  • August 25 – ELC closes at noon/PreK graduation
  • August 26 – ELC closed for In-Service/prep
  • August 27 – Center closed for all-staff in-service
  • August 30 – Start of the 2021-2022 Program Year
  • September 6 – Center closed for Labor Day
  • September 10 – Center closes at 12:00 for In-Service

Resources & Events for families

2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments begin this month

Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments starting July 2021. Eligible families will receive monthly payments of $250 or $300. Most families will not need to take any action, others may need to submit information to begin reciving payments. More information

RiseVT & Department of Health hosting Scavenger Hunt at Retreat Farm

Join RiseVT and the VT Dept of Health at Retreat Farm to put your super-slueth skills to the test! Scavenger hunt clues will be hidden at locations on the farm that will guide you through locating where Carmen is hiding.  Saturdays: July 10th, 17th and 24th from 10:00am – 2:00pm at 45 Farmhouse Sq. Brattleboro, VT 05301. More information