April Skies
Dear RWA Families,
Welcome to the April edition of the Rollingwood Academy Newsletter! As spring breathes new life into our surroundings, so does it inspire our school community. This issue is packed with the latest achievements, events, and exciting updates from Rollingwood. Dive in to discover the vibrant activities and opportunities this month has to offer, all reflecting the spirit and growth of our students and staff.
Upcoming Events
April 10th- Guest Reader Mr. Kentrell
April 19th- Pizza day
April 26th- Staff Development Day- School closed to students
April 30th- Picture Day
May 1st- Picture Day
May 6th- Assessments Begin
May 6th- May 10th- Teacher Appreciation Week
Sunscreen/Bug Spray
As the weather turns warmer, the teachers will be taking as many of their lessons outside if possible. If your child is sensitive to the sun or bug bites, please remember to put sunscreen/bug spray on them before coming to school. Also, please always check your child for ticks each night, as we do back up to the woods.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6th-10th. Below you will find the calendar of events.
Monday- You Help Us Grow- Bring your teacher a flower or plant
Tuesday- Noteworthy- Bring your teacher a handwritten note, card, or drawing
Wednesday- These Are a Few of My Favorite Things- Bring your teacher in one of their favorite things
Thursday- How Sweet It Is to Be Taught by You- Bring your teacher a sweet treat
Friday- Let's Taco Bout Our Amazing Teachers!- Taco lunch provided by Rollingwood Admin
Spring Pictures
Spring Pictures
Spring pictures will be taken for individuals/class on Tuesday, April 30th and Wednesday, May 1st. Please see your child’s assigned day/s below:
Tuesday, April 30th:
Button Willow- Tuesday/Thursday and Monday-Friday students’ individual picture
Little Bluestem 2’s- Tuesday/Thursday and Monday-Friday students’ individual picture
Little Bluestem 3’s- Tuesday/Thursday and Monday-Friday students’ individual pictures
Honeysuckle- Individual and Class Picture
Wednesday, May 1st:
*** If your child does not attend on their assigned class picture day, you are welcome to bring your child for the picture!
Button Willow- M/W/F students’ and Whole Class Picture
Little Bluestem 2’s- M/W/F students’ and Whole Class Picture
Little Bluestem 3’s- M/W/F students’ and Whole Class Picture
Southern Sundrop- M/W/F students’ and Whole Class Picture
Benefits of Sensory Play
Sensory play is a vital component of early childhood development, recognized for its wide-ranging benefits across cognitive, physical, emotional, and social domains. This type of play involves activities that stimulate a child's senses—touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing—along with movement and balance. It's designed to encourage children to explore and investigate the world around them, fostering a natural curiosity and a love for learning.
-Cognitive Benefits
Sensory play boosts cognitive growth by improving children's thought processes, problem-solving skills, and decision-making abilities. As children engage with different textures, colors, and shapes, they develop an understanding of various concepts, such as cause and effect, sorting, and categorization. This hands-on approach to learning helps cement concepts in young minds, making it easier for them to grasp complex ideas as they grow.
- Physical Development
Engaging in sensory play helps children fine-tune their motor skills. Activities such as scooping, pouring, and molding require precise movements that improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity. For younger children, even the basic actions of grabbing or touching various textures can significantly enhance their tactile responses and overall motor abilities.
- Emotional and Psychological Growth
Sensory play has profound effects on children's emotional health and resilience. It provides a natural outlet for children to express their feelings and can be particularly calming for those with anxieties or sensory processing issues. This type of play encourages experimentation and learning in a stress-free environment, where children can explore without fear of failure, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
- Social Skills
When children engage in sensory play together, they learn valuable social skills such as sharing, negotiating, and cooperating. These interactions are crucial for developing empathy and understanding, as children see things from others' perspectives and work together to solve problems or share experiences.
-Encouraging Sensory Play
Parents and educators can encourage sensory play by providing a variety of materials that stimulate different senses—such as sand, water tables, play dough, scented markers, and musical instruments. It's important to create an environment where children feel safe to explore and experiment, offering them opportunities to engage with the world in a hands-on and interactive manner.
In conclusion, sensory play is much more than just fun and games; it's a fundamental part of children's development that prepares them for complex learning tasks, helps manage their emotional well-being, refines their physical abilities, and enhances their social skills. By embracing sensory play, parents and educators can provide children with a strong foundation for growth and learning.
As this edition of the Rollingwood Academy Newsletter concludes, we express our deepest gratitude to our wonderful community. Your engagement and support make our shared journey towards excellence possible. Let's keep inspiring and uplifting each other. Until the next issue, we wish you a time rich with learning and joy. Thank you for being a vital part of our Rollingwood Academy family.
-Rollingwood Academy