Rachel Atherton, author and Assistant Director at AOFC

 AOFC is so honored to have our very own children's book author, Rachel Atherton, our Assistant Director as part of our school. Rachel has written three of her own children's books; Ostriches Can't Fly, Hip Hip Hooray, A Hippo Parade and finally Mamma Meerkat which were all inspired by her time as both Program Coordinator and the Enrichment teacher for the Academy and the interactions that she had with the kids. What was a dream soon became a reality with her books being published and available to the public just a few weeks ago and, as her school family, we couldn't be more proud of her. To learn more about Rachel and her books, please visit her website, rabookclub.com , and, as she likes to say, Welcome to the club! 

The very first book Rachel wrote! 

A hundred and one hippos in a parade

The last of the series and one all moms can relate too

With her website on display

All three amazing books! 

Reading Ostriches Can't fly

Showing off the amazing illustrations! 

The kids were at rapt attention listening to Ms Rachel read! 

He got a bookmark!

Her second book! 

Another bookmark for answering a question about the story!! 

We love Ms Rachel and are so very proud of her! 

Grandparent's Day

 Last Friday we celebrated one of our favorite days, Grandparents Day! Grandparents are a huge part of our school and we love seeing them pick up, drop off  or even come for a visit. We especially love seeing the faces of all the kids when they look at their grandparents as well as the faces of the sweet Mimi's and Pop's as the pick up their sweet grandchildren for the first time or the hundredth time! AOFC is lucky to have such and awesome group of grandparents that our kids love and learn from each day.  Celebrating them with a pancake breakfast and a sweet gift was just a small token of appreciation for all the love, treats, wisdom, hugs, kisses, high fives and play time that they give each and every day! 

We love our Grandparents! 

Yes!! 

 So sweet! 

He loves his grandparents! 

Grandmother of boys ! 

Sweet girl and her grandparents! 

Cheese! 

Hooray for Grandparent's Day! 

Play

 What is play?! The actual definition is to engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.  Why do we play?! For fun, for enjoyment, to learn,  to be silly and to use our imaginations. Play is one of the most important aspects of preschool as it teaches our kids conflict resolution, it helps with socialization but mostly it allows the kids to be free to play, pretend and enjoy all of the things around them. I asked several kids, What are you playing? and I got several amazing answers like, " I am a Pirate", "We are pretending that she is a kitty and I am chasing her"., " I am putting my babies to sleep" and finally " I don't know what I am playing I just like it"!  The importance of play in classrooms is evident by smiling kids that learn and grow with us each day! Hooray for play! 

This is my house! 

Pretending to take an order at McDonalds!

Playing music!

Peek a boo with friends! 

She is a kitty and I am chasing her! 

I am a Pirate! 

Putting my babies to sleep! 

Awesome me

 This week we started our Frogstreet curriculum in all of our classes and one of themes the kids are learning about is called Awesome Me.  We love having friends that are tall, short, curly haired, and everything you can think of because those traits are what make us Awesome and also what make AOFC a special place to be.  Celebrating differences and even things that are alike is what it is all about and teaching the kids that no matter what you enjoy doing or what you look like doesn't make you different when it comes to playing and learning at school.   Our kids love being Awesome and being themselves and that is what makes AOFC the place to be! 

I am Awesome with my curly hair and glasses!

They are Awesome in Preschool 2!

She is Awesome with her dark eyes and dark hair! 

Preschool 1 is Awesome with all their different faces! 

He is Awesome with curly red hair! 

Toddler 3 is representing Awesome as well! 

 

Mad Scientist Week

 Did you know: Gitanjali Rao at the age of 15 is the youngest scientist in the world. When Gitanjali was 10, she heard about the Flint, Michigan water crisis and became interested in ways to measure lead content in water. This led to her developing a device called Tethys based on carbon nanotubes that could send water quality information via Bluetooth.  This week at AOFC our budding young scientists got to conduct lots of cool experiments like, magic milk, a lemon volcano, the Coke and Mentos experiment and finally on Friday everyone gets to take home their very own home science experiment kit and come up with the best experiment with the material provided. This week there were lots of  squeals as well as ooh's and ahh's when the experiments were happening and finally that was awesome once the kids saw then end results! We hope this week sparked lots of young scientist to conduct their very own experiments using their imaginations and materials they find both in the classroom and at home! 

Getting ready for the Coke experiment! 

Add the Mentos for the coolest results!! 

Look at it bubble up?! 

Add baking soda for the experiment  to work! 

This is so awesome!! 

Squeezing the lemon to make the volcano work! 

Watch it bubble! 

I love being a scientist! 

Pre K Graduation

 It was a big day last Friday as our Pre k 2 class graduated from AOFC and most are on their way to brand new Kindergarten classes ! Each child dressed like what they wanted to be when they grow up and we had everything from teachers to astronauts make their way on stage! We had so much fun celebrating with a picnic afterwards for the graduates and their parents that included lots of laughter, some tears but mostly excitement for all the new adventure the kids would have.  We are so excited to hear about all the wonderful experiences of our new graduated Pre k 2 class and we are honored to have been a part of their journey along the way! 

Anxiously awaiting the graduates! 

Accepting her diploma! 

She wants to work in an office! 

Future vet! 

We have an astronaut in training! 

Presenting the class of 2021!

Celebrations and tears!

Chopped week

 It is Chopped week here at AOFC and that means apple skins flying, soup bubbling and lots of full tummies! This week each classroom got to make their own applesauce for snack and soup for lunch plus there was painting with citrus fruits just to make things a little sweeter ! From the Toddlers to the Pre K 's all the kids loved being able to pour, stir and finally eat the delicious recipes they made in each classroom.  Chopped week inspired all the classes and brought out the inner chef in each one! 

Cute Chef making applesauce! 

Delicious ! 

Ready to eat the soup they made!

Yummy! 

Loving the healthy and nutritious

Helping make the soup for lunch! 

Pouring in the veggies! 

Cinnamon and sugar for the applesauce! 

This is going to be so good! 

Taking stirring very seriously! 

This looks so good! 

Such a good helper! 

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