Early Childhood
Pre-Primary
What a wonderful time we had during the month of October! Our littlest Bulldogs loved the opportunity to explore fall during our Harvest Fest! We hope you enjoyed seeing pictures of the fun on Seesaw.
As we head into the month of November, our Pre-Primary programs are going to be exploring different thematic learning.
In Pre-Primary 1, we'll begin the month exploring the five senses and the body parts connected to each one. During circle time, we’ll play games that engage our senses—such as guessing scents and feeling mystery items to figure out what they are. We’ll wrap up the unit with a fun taste test to see if we prefer sweet, sour, bitter, or salty flavors. As we move closer to Thanksgiving, we’ll shift our focus to the things that make our hearts happy. Our book selections will include Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland and The Thankful Book by Todd Parr. We’ll also enjoy some lighthearted poems, such as “A Turkey is a Funny Bird” and “Hello Mr. Turkey”.
In Pre-Primary 2, we will be exploring family, food, and the five senses throughout November! We’ll discover how our senses help us connect with the world around us—smelling cozy fall scents like cinnamon, orange, and cloves, and tasting fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, grapefruits, and even tart lemons. We’ll sing favorite songs including “Mr. Turkey, The Five Senses, Ten Little Children,” and “The Turkey Pokey.” Our book selections this month will include The Leaf Thief, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey, The Scarecrow, Ten Fat Turkeys, and Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks.
In Pre-Primary 3, our students will explore a joyful unit on weather and family! Through songs, stories, and hands-on activities, they will learn about the changing seasons and celebrate the special people in their lives. They will sing favorites like “What’s the Weather?” by Nancy Kopman and “Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down”, and enjoy finger plays such as “Some Families” and “These Are Grandma’s Glasses.” Storytime will feature All About Weather by Huda Harajii, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, and family favorites by Todd Parr and Suzanne Lang.
It will be a wonderful celebration of nature, family, and the world around us!
Pre-Primary Specials Spotlight:
This month in PE is all about movement and fun! We're having so much fun exploring all the ways our bodies can travel. You should see the focus and pride on the students’ faces as they walk carefully across the balance beam, hop between colorful spots, and crawl through the tunnel. We're now starting a new activity: tossing beanbags into hula hoops! All of these playful activities are helping your child build important skills like balance, coordination, and control. It’s wonderful to see them growing stronger, braver, and more confident with every class. We are so proud of our little athletes!
In music, students are on an exciting journey of musical discovery, developing essential skills that lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of the arts. We will continue to explore rhythm and melodies by using simple instruments like tambourines, floor drums, rhythm sticks, scarves, shaker eggs, and more. As they prepare for their Winter Holiday Showcase on Friday, December 12th, these bulldog pups find joy in rehearsing festive songs and dances. Their winter showcase provides an invaluable opportunity for these students to perform confidently in front of an audience. Even at such a young age, the experience of standing in front of an audience helps build their self-assurance and instills a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
Primary
We had such a wonderful time celebrating our Harvest Fest! A big thank-you to our Upper School students who helped make the day extra special by pulling wagons for our little ones. We hope you enjoyed seeing pictures of our fun on Seesaw. We also hope you loved seeing our Primary students all dressed up for Halloween—they had an absolute blast!
As we head into November, we’ll be exploring themes of friendship, food and nutrition, and the five senses in our classrooms! Children will learn about caring for others and being a good friend and use their senses to explore the world around them through hands-on, engaging activities.
In language arts, students will explore a variety of early phonological awareness skills this month. They will identify beginning and ending sounds, and practice blending and segmenting words into syllables. Students will also listen to and repeat rhyming words through poems such as “One, Two, Three, Four, Five,” “Hey Diddle, Diddle,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Later in the month, they’ll be introduced to manipulating parts of words by adding and deleting syllables. Additionally, we will focus on the letters U, S, P, X, K, V, W, Y, and Z.
In math, we will be wrapping up our first module, where children have been exploring early number concepts through fun, hands-on activities! This unit focused on sorting and counting—important skills that build the foundation for number sense. The children will practice matching written numbers with groups of objects up to 10 and counting out sets of 10 items with increasing accuracy and confidence.
Primary Specials Spotlight:
Students have been hard at work in PE building their balance, jumping, and crawling skills. These activities help strengthen coordination, body control, and confidence in movement. Next, we’ll be introducing tossing - a fun way for students to practice aiming, timing, and hand-eye coordination. They’ll have the chance to toss bean bags into hula hoops, working on accuracy while learning to control their throws and celebrate each other’s success. We’re excited to see our students continue building their skills and confidence as they explore new ways to move, play, and have fun in PE.
In music, Primary students have enjoyed learning songs that celebrate pumpkins, falling leaves, and the changing weather. This thematic exploration not only enhances their understanding of music but also connects them with the natural world. Using instruments and materials like a stretchy band, students engage in activities that emphasize the connection between music and movement. Their upcoming Winter Showcase on Friday, December 12th also provides the Primary classes with the chance to demonstrate their new skills and knowledge. By learning and performing holiday music, students experience the joy of sharing their talents and gain confidence in presenting in front of an audience. This performance not only celebrates their achievements but also brings a touch of winter magic to Florida, creating memorable moments for students and their families.
Bulldog Outreach
Lower School families are invited to participate in these community service projects:
Thanksgiving Project: Monday, November 3 - Monday, November 10
Help us create a memorable Thanksgiving for the families of Glades Academy by participating in PBDA’s Thanksgiving food drive! Together, we can spread joy and make a positive impact this holiday season. Click here to see what your grade level is assigned to collect.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Saturday, November 22
Stay tuned for more info.
Key Events
PSC Townhall Meeting: Tuesday, November 4 from 8:30-9:30 AM
All PBDA parents are invited to join us for our first PSC meeting of the year hosted on the Flagler Campus. Hear updates from members of the PSC Executive Committee and the school's Administrative team. Coffee and light breakfast bites will be provided starting at 8AM. Meeting will begin at 8:30AM.
Yearbook Photo Make-Up Day: Friday, November 7
Dress Uniform required.
Early Dismissal for Professional Development: Friday, November 7
Dismissal will take place from 12:30-1:00 PM. Students will eat lunch prior to dismissal.
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Friday, November 14
Please join us for a meaningful discussion about your child's progress this year during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your child's classroom teacher or advisor will send you a link on to schedule your conference appointment. Please note that there is no classes on Conference Day. Pre-Primary - Primary students do not attend conferences. Childcare for Lower School students will be available during your conference.
Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 24 - Friday, November 28
Classes resume on December 1.
Golf & Racquet Classic: Wednesday, December 10
Join our Co-Chairs, Holly Cardinale and Robyn Tannenbaum, at The Breakers by registering now. Whether you shine on the court, excel on the course, or prefer a lively fitness class with friends, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And if playing isn’t your style, join us in the evening for a festive Cocktail Reception set against the stunning backdrop of the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. Click here to register.
Winter Showcase (Pre-Primary-Kindergarten): Friday, December 12
Mark your calendar for this festive holiday celebration featuring our youngest Bulldogs hosted on the Flagler Campus!
Spirit Shop Hours
Visit the Spirit Shop, located at the end of the Flagler Campus parking lot, on these upcoming dates:
- October 31: 10AM-12PM
- November 4: 9:30-10:30 AM
- November 21: 8-10AM
- December 12: 10AM-12PM