Dental Health Month

 Cody was her patient. 
He showed the class how to open wide! 

 Sally Naberhaus, dental hygentist, visited Mrs. Grieme's preschool room to talk about Dental Health Month.  She brought in tools, various flavors of toothpaste, and her uniform to show the students. They learned about taking care of their teeth, healthy foods that they should eat, and what it will be like when they visit the dentist.  Sally showed them her uniform, mask, and goggles so they won't be scared when they go.  Sally left every student with a toothbrush, toothpaste, sugarfree gum and candy.

Sally shows the kids her tools and uniform 

Thursdays class:  Front row:  Kristina , Blake , Ava Jo, Marissa, Connor 

Middle Row:  Blake , Ethan, Eli , Jasmynne , Cody 

Back Row:  Bo , Raelynn , Claire, Sally Naberhaus, Alex 

Wednesday's class:  Front row:  Kristina , Evan ,Ava Jo, Jordan , Piper 

Middle Row:  Valeria , Connor , Leslie , Peyton , Sophia , Marissa

Back Row:  Jasmynne , Blake , Callie, Alyssa , Alex , Sally Naberhaus

Valeria and mom, Alma take time to pose for a picture 

On Thursday, February 2nd the preschoolers and their parents enjoyed a fun night of Math!  They came into the classroom and listened to the story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  From there the children and their parents enjoyed many activities.  There was a cookie tasting station where they graphed their favorite cookie, they counted chocolate chips and found the correct number, colored a moue paper for a class book, made a mouse puppet, read Math books in the library, played with playdough and cut out various shapes, and enjoyed a yummy snack of milk and cookies.

John and Eli Franken enjoy a Math game with Justin and Ethan Wandrey

 Desmyn and Shallene Kragel count out chocolate chips. 

Jess Biede helps Alyssa count chocolate chips 

 Bo and Kris Bloyer are playing a game 

 Blake and Jill Myrtue are playing the chocolate chip game 

Leslie, Martha adn Leonardo Avina also take time to make a puppet 

McGruff the Crime Dog visits TK on Feb 1st

Time spent in child care is “prime time.” Time spent in early childhood programs is "prime time."
The time spent in child care is the time when young  
children’s brains are actively developing their intellectual, 
social, emotional, and physical skills.  
Some programs offer part-time preschool followed by  
“child care” in the afternoon, but the reality is that  
children are growing and learning throughout the day, 
regardless of where they are located. Early care and 
education are inseparable. All of the time spent in early care  
and education should be “quality time” and in the company of  
adults who are skilled, knowledgeable, and nurturing. 


For the 2012-2013 school year your child may be ready to join one of our programs.
Please start thinking as round up is around the corner.


We will be sending out letters and posting more information when we have a date set for round up!


We are the STARS----ask our staff----


Daycare---4 out of 5 STARS-QRS
PK- 5 STAR Rating-QRS
TK- 5 STAR Rating-QRS


We value the early education and well being of your child!  Ask us...stop by and visit....and you will know!


Principal Pickhinke

Download Science of Parenting Podcasts

The Science of Parenting offers research-based parenting advice from experts across the country. The monthly podcasts are available for free download from the Science of Parenting website, www.scienceofparenting.org or can be subscribed to in iTunes[EM1] . Each month a new, 30-minute Science of Parenting program, as well as previous programs, will be available, as well as blog posts and other research-based parenting information.

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 [EM1]http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id423619021

Parents---we are all busy but I heard a great podcast on parenting and the use of technology.  Check it out if you have time!  Principal Pickhinke

When Siblings Fight, Teach Healthy Ways to Handle Conflict

With winter’s cold, snowy weather, children will be spending more time indoors with their brothers and sisters. Sometimes this forced closeness may cause an increase in disagreements, arguments and all-out fights. However, with good parent modeling, ground rules and a little help, children can learn to deal with conflict in healthy ways, said Lori Hayungs a family life program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Hayungs suggests parents use the following tips to cope with sibling conflict:

·         Work with children to establish some family rules for safety, such as, hitting and name-calling are not acceptable.

·         Let children settle their own differences when possible. When children need guidance or the situation is at a stalemate, offer some suggestions or choices for compromise.

·         Set a good example. If parents model good ways to deal with conflict, children will use the same skills. If parents do lose their cool, admit it and talk about what could have been done differently.

·         Individual attention can reduce sibling rivalries. Let the children know how they are special to you as a parent.

·         Children can learn empathy. Teach children to listen to the thoughts and feeling of others and repeat them so others know they heard correctly. This way they learn to appreciate someone else’s point of view.

·         Change the mood. Stop what you are doing and spend some time with the children to assess their needs. Playing some soothing music or reading a story may help young children get past the angry feelings.

“It is normal to disagree with someone when there are strong feelings, and children are no exception,” Hayungs said. “Parents can help children learn about wants and needs of others, how to talk calmly through a disagreement and how to compromise. These skills will benefit your children for their lifetime.”

For more information on how to deal with sibling fights, look for these ISU Extension and Outreach publications from the online store, https://store.extension.iastate.edu/:

·         Sibling Fights – Getting Along, PM 1651 (free download)

·         Things to Do When I Am Angry, PM 2075 ($3.25)

·         When I’m Angry, PM 1653 (free download)

·         Sibling Rivalry, PM 1529I (free download)

Thank you for saving box tops for education

With all the clipping, bagging, and counting of the box tops for education we have raised over $450.00 as of January 1st.  This money helps our school to buy books, recess items, and presentations such as FAX Gilbert, which was this falls presentation on Bullying and Harrassment.

FAX, as many of you read earlier on in the blog came to Schaller-Crestland Elem and so did Galva-Holstein.  Mr. Richard and I are working hard to share these type of events so our students are getting the same message, creating unity amongst us, and sharing resources to make our schools a better place to be.

Thank you community members, grandparents, and parents for clipping, cutting and saving BOX TOPS for our students EDUCATION!

A few pictures of FAX this fall.