School Cleaning

     SMART START students do a phenomenal job taking care of their indoor and outdoor classrooms. They gladly assist in weekly tasks around the school. This aspect of our curriculum fosters independence, raises self-esteem and teaches basic life skills. Last year, we focused on cleaning our academic environment inside and this year we highlighted the maintaining of our outdoor space. 

Read below to learn what our cleaning crew accomplished this and last year.

     2019

     Our young learners thoroughly embrace their nature classroom and the responsibilities it comes with. Each week peers participate in nurturing their outdoor class pets which includes: feeding, watering, egg collecting and grooming. In addition, all tend to our school garden and yard space by planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. These chores provide experience in being held accountable, caring for something other than themselves, respect for their surroundings and so much more.

     Recently, a Landscaper came to our outdoor classroom for a fall cleanup. The group assisted in removing debris, leaf blowing, raking leaves and gathering sticks. All were excited to witness the professional at work and attempted to mimic his cleaning expertise. The class was informed on how to safely operate equipment such as, a lawn mover and received other useful tips on how to properly care for their outdoor area. 

2018

     With many friends in and out of our facility each day, there is a lot of cleaning to be done! Due to this, last year we implemented an indoor cleaning unit. This served as the perfect opportunity to explain and demonstrate how to keep playing, eating, napping and learning areas clean and sanitary. Classmates put on their uniforms and diligently washed, dusted, scrubbed, swept, mopped, wiped and folded. All were thrilled to participate in the cleaning process and were very proud of the sparkling outcome of their hard work. 

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     SMART START's weekly custodian came to teach the class about the concept of germs and how to prevent them from spreading. Topics included the proper way to blow your nose in a tissue, hand washing, covering up a sneeze and proper use of hand sanitizer.  She discussed products commonly used to disinfect and clean different surfaces and objects and materials such as, sponges, paper towels, cloths, cleaner, broom, duster, dustpan and mop. Afterwards, all assisted in her weekly cleaning regime. 

🧼SMART START🧼

Kinsley's "All About Me" Book and 3rd Birthday!

     Miss Kinsley Rose was the star student during the month of October. She radiated confidence as she showcased her "All About Me" book to her classmates. Each page included special pictures and facts about herself. All were most proud of their dear friend and gladly observed the presentations. Marvelous demonstration, Kinsley!

Here are some details from the chapters in Kinsley's book:

• Loves butterflies 🦋
• Dreams about ponies and princesses 🐴👑
• Going to be (now is!) a big sister 👧👶
• Favorite color is purple 💜
• Is best friends with her big brother, Cody 👫

     The class was eager for Kinsley's 3rd birthday party at school. She brought in pink and purple cupcakes and goody bags to share. Peers gifted Kinsley with a book and sang, "Happy Birthday" to her in both English and Spanish.

     Kinsley has been attending SMART START since she was just a few months old! It has been truly a delight to witness and assist in her development over the years. Kinsley is loving, bright and quite mature for her age. We know you will accomplish great things as a preschooler, Kinsley!

💜SMART START💜

Thanksgiving 2019

     Throughout the month of November, all embraced the Thanksgiving season here at SMART START. Students learned about the history of the holiday while reflecting on the many things they are grateful for through a variety of hands-on activities.

Follow along to experience the festivities with our young learners!

     Studies commenced with a special project- thankful books! This entailed a four step process:

1. decorate the cover of a pumpkin shaped book at school

2. bring the book home

3. fill each page with things to be thankful for

4. bring back to school to share

     The finished products turned out wonderfully and all were eager to showcase them. Aspects of appreciation included: family, friends, food, houses, toys, pets and more! This assignment provided the opportunity to thoughtfully and creatively detail things to be thankful for while also promoting public speaking skills and parent/family involvement.

     Peers took turns contemplating at a themed display. An assortment of books and décor were available to explore. Prekindergartners identified a few of our seasonal spelling words such as, corn, apple and ship while preschoolers noticed the letters "P" for pumpkin and "T" for turkey.

     Classmates collaborated to color a Thanksgiving tablecloth. All discussed their family traditions, special memories and holiday plans while working on holding their markers in proper writing position. The table cloth turned out beautifully!

     Each year, a Friendsgiving feast is held at SMART START! All participated by bringing in a food item and assisting with additional tasks at school. Our grateful group gathered to enjoy the delicious meal they arranged. The table displayed an array of traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as, turkey, cranberry sauce, cornbread, mashed potatoes, pumpkin bread and stuffing. One by one they declared something they were extra thankful for this year.

       Prior to the feast, friends fashioned rainbow macaroni necklaces that they wore for friendsgiving!

    Budding bakers put their culinary capabilities to work making bread and butter. 

Butter recipe goes as follows:

1. fill a jar about halfway with whipping cream
2. add salt to taste 
3. place a marble inside 
4. vigorously shake the jar- (the marble will eventually not be heard, but keep shaking!)
5. stop shaking the jar once there is a solid cube of butter surrounded by liquid (buttermilk)

     Although through a different process, we discussed how the pilgrims also made their own butter. All were quite proud of their efforts and expressed how they enjoyed their bread and butter with their families.

Click below to hear our enthusiastic chefs!

      Pupils challenged their fine motor skills, hand to eye coordination and concentration while crafting pomanders. These classic scented decorations consist of piercing clementines with cloves. Once complete, the finished products were wrapped in tulle and tied with a ribbon.

     SMART START's colony engaged in an informative storytime in our outdoor classroom. The class wore themed hats while learning the context of the first Thanksgiving.

Here are a few facts learned:

• The pilgrims sailed on a ship called the Mayflower and voyaged to North America/New World
• They established a colony in Plymouth, MA 
• A tribe of Wampanoags helped the pilgrims adjust to their new land 
• Samoset and Squanto were the first two Native Americans to visit the pilgrims
• All enjoyed a harvest celebrations feast/first Thanksgiving

We hope you enjoyed reading about our Thanksgiving unit! 

Click below to view our Thanksgiving highlights

🦃SMART START🦃

Fire safety and prevention

     October is Fire Safety and Prevention month! SMART START students celebrated here at school both this and last year. Emergency awareness is crucial and we are pleased to incorporate it into our curriculum. Each year as an extended unit of study, a local fire department visits our school for an on-site field trip! 

Read below to see what our 2018 and 2019 fire safety and prevention units entailed:

     Our themed display featured an assortment of items supporting fire safety and prevention. The table was host to fire engines, firefighter figurines, informative books, magnetic scenes and more. This served as the ideal spot for our young learners to begin comprehending the essential components of fire safety.

2018 

2019

     Fire safety friends focused their attention on themed reading materials. Our prekindergartners were able to sound out and identify numerous words such as, fire and truck while preschoolers grasped the subject matter through illustrations. We are grateful to our local libraries for supplying our school with an abundance of books- an excellent resource for fire safety and prevention!

2018

2019

     Firefighter Francesca, gathered the crew for a safety storytime. Pupils listened intently and their minds were ablaze. The group acquired an exorbitant amount of knowledge from the literature.  

Here is some information we learned:

• There should be a smoke detector on each floor of a building
• An escape route and safe meeting place should be established at school and at home
• In an emergency you should call 911
• Leave a building immediately if you see smoke or fire
• Stay low to the ground if there is smoke in order to breathe

2018

    2019

     Future firefighters free played with a variety of related toys. This designated time provided students the freedom to creatively build on the curricular content, choose which classmates to interact with, express their thoughts and emotions and so much more!

2018

     2019

    

     Students engaged in a pretend play activity in our outdoor classroom.  SMART START firefighters left the station to act on an emergency "fire". All cooperated to safely handle the situation by taking turns using fire hats, fire chief costume, hose, megaphone, fire extinguisher, ladder and school made fire engine. Imaginations were ignited throughout this realistic hands-on scenario. 

2018

2019

Click below to watch our 2019 dramatic play fire emergency!

     Peers practiced what to do if their clothing ever catches fire..."Stop, Drop (cover face) and Roll!" 

• STOP where you are
• DROP to the ground and COVER eyes and mouth with hands
• ROLL over and over and back and forth until flames are out

Click below to view our young learners executing how to stop, drop and roll!

2018

   2019

     Last year, Andover Fire Department arrived in a fire engine eager to participate in Fire Safety and Prevention. The professionals instructed on the technicalities of the truck and allowed the children to wear their gear, sit in the engine and hear the sirens!

    This year, Matt Davis from North Andover Fire department came to teach an educational fire safety and prevention course. The class learned firefighter specifics such as, the effects of smoke and how to formulate an evacuation plan. All were amazed as firefighter Davis demonstrated how quickly the crew needs to put on their uniform! A few weeks later, members of the N.A.F.D. crew brought a fire engine for all to explore!

     Both of these on-site field trips reinforced aspects of our learning here at school. It is an honor to have community heroes share their expertise and resources with us. Thank you to our SMART START families for the continues support of our on-site field trip program. 

2018

    2019

     We hope you enjoyed our Fire Safety and Prevention journey at school and continue the learning process at home. It is the duty of educators and caregivers to teach children how to remain safe in an emergency situation.

🔥Click below to see more fire safety highlights🔥
2018

   2019

   

🚒 SMART START 🚒 

SMART START Community Drives

     Throughout each year, SMART START participates in charitable drives for local organizations. This provides our school the opportunity to support and give back to the community while also promoting family involvement within the classroom. We hope these gestures of service foster in our students a sense of compassion, connection to their surroundings, high self-esteem, group cooperation and that they can make a difference in even the smallest of ways!

Read below to see our young learners engaging in acts kindness.

     Recently, we had the opportunity to partner with Cradles to Crayons. Molly, a representative from this organization visited our school and explained about how clothing was needed for children. Molly also read an inspirational story to the group and provided them a large box to decorate. She gave each student a purple donation bag to take home to fill with clothing that they may have outgrown or no longer wore. Future humanitarians brought back their generously filled bags of clothes and placed them in the decorated box.
     Once the box was entirely full, Molly came back to bring the multitude of bags to their Giving Factory. Older prekindergartners assisted in piling the bags into Molly's "Cradles to Crayons" vehicle. Molly was amazed at the class effort and grateful for all of the items gathered.
   

     Last year, pupils brought in gently used towels and blankets from their homes to give to Nevins Farm MSPCA in Methuen. Our collection assisted animals awaiting adoption living at this animal shelter. SMART START welcomed MSPCA staff member Danielle and her adopted dog, Tucker for an on-site field trip! Miss Danielle enthusiastically shared her love and knowledge of animals and animal safety with the class through an informational story and activity. She taught how to properly approach and pet strange/unknown dogs. Students were able to practice these new skills with Tucker.

     Miss Danielle was most impressed with the abundance of towels and blankets the children so thoughtfully gave. She explained how they would be used to provide warmth and comfort to the animals. 

     Last Holiday season, we discussed the importance of helping those less fortunate. Classmates used wrapping paper, ribbon, tulle and more to decorate a "Friends in Need" box to store non-perishable items they brought from home. 

     It was an honor to host Maureen from Lazarus House Ministries for an on-site field trip. She enlightened the children about community service and acting compassionately to those in need. Maureen was so touched by the genuine acts of kindness from our students and thanked them for their donations. She explained how the food collections will be used by families in order to celebrate the holidays. All were quite proud of their dedication to community service and agreed that sometimes giving is more rewarding than receiving!

Thank you to our SMART START families for supporting and participating in our community drives! We greatly appreciate your involvement and contributions! 

💙 SMART START 💙