Welcome to a new school year in ELP!  Our classroom this year consists of myself, Kristin Iorio, and three paraprofessionals: Donna Bruno, Caitlin Feighan and Megan Roman.  We are beginning with 11 students and I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and your children to develop a wonderful community of learners!   

Our units center on storybook themes, and the first is going to start right away!  We are starting the school year with activities related to the book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  This book is about Chester, a raccoon who is afraid to go to school, preferring  to stay home with family and friends.  His wise mother tells him the secret of the Kissing Hand.  She kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that he will be able to feel the warmth of her love any time he is feeling lonely by simply putting his hand to his cheek.  He feels better about going to school when he can take his mother’s love with him, so he kisses her hand in return, and goes off to make new friends. 

This book will allow us to discuss our feelings about going to school, to talk about our favorite things at home, and to explore the fun activities that will be available in preschool.  During the first two weeks of school, we will be listening to the story, acting it out, doing lots of fun things with hearts and hands, and sharing our thoughts about home and school.  As one of our projects, we will be making cards to send home our own Kissing Hands to our families, and we invite you to make cards to your children in return! 

We are so excited for this new school year and being able to spend it with your children.  We hope you all enjoy the Kissing Hand story and beautiful crafts that your children will be working very hard on for the next two weeks!  Just a quick peek to the future… after The Kissing Hand, we look forward to learning our letters through Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!  Please feel free to email/call with any questions you might have: kiorio@darienps.org or 203-655-9666 ex. 4191.