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KC Afterschool Activities (October 15-18, 2019)

KC Afterschool is more than just fun and homework!  Each week students rotate through different activities that are designed to continue their academic and personal development after the traditional school day is over.  These include STEAM, social-emotional growth, creativity, fitness, environmental studies and much more!

Here are some highlights of this week’s activities:

Kindergarten

Creepy Crawlers Yoga (Healthy, Happy and Fit)

Students will practice yoga poses inspired by bugs, including worms, bees, and ladybugs in our Halloween themed yoga class!  Yoga gives the body strength and flexibility which is important for long-term health.

Upcycle Trash Becomes Flower Art (Social Emotional Learning/Creativity)

Students will learn about recycling and how we can contribute to the movement to Save the Earth in our own individual ways.  Early recycling habits will be naturally fostered as children grow.  In this project, children will recycle trash and redesign them into flowers.

1st-2nd Grades

Point Painting (Creativity)

Students will learn about the Pointillism technique and create their own artwork using this style of painting.  They will use q-tips to make both small and large pictures, so that they can see how many small dots can create a larger picture.

Roses (Social Emotional Learning)

In a world where we can be anything, we can always be kind!  Students will show appreciation for one another by writing small notes of kindness and compliments to others in their class.  Notes will be read anonymously.

3rd-5th Grades

Art History Research Project (Creativity/Social Emotional Learning)

Students will choose a classic painting to research and prepare a short presentation using PowerPoint.  This activity will serve multiple purposes – to enhance art appreciation skills, practice researching and digital layout skills, and improve public speaking skills.

Emotional Regulation Skills: Think It, Say It (Social Emotional Learning)

In this exercise, students will practice filtering thoughts and deciding what should be spoken aloud and what is better left unsaid.  They will explore their own emotions to determine what might be appropriate to say to someone else.

KC Afterschool Activities (October 7 – 11, 2019)

KC Afterschool is more than just fun and homework!  Each week students rotate through different activities that are designed to continue their academic and personal development after the traditional school day is over.  These include STEAM, social-emotional growth, creativity, fitness, environmental studies and much more!

Here are some highlights of this week’s activities:

Kindergarten

Dot Art (Art/STEAM)

Students will be creative and practice their math counting skills with connect-the-dots fun to expose Fall related pictures.

Emotions with Pasta Faces (Social Emotional Learning)

We will be discussing feelings and emotions while using pasta to make faces to help with self-expression.  These skills are critical for getting along with others and organizing ones own emotions and feelings for positive interactions.

Environmental Friday

This week we’ll talk about gardens and self-sustainability.  We’ll talk about the health, community, environmental, economic, and other benefits to gardening.  We’ll also learn about farming and how does food get from the farm to our tables!

1st-2nd Grades

Kickball (Healthy, Happy and Fit)

We will play kickball to improve our fitness levels, learn about working together to be a part of a team, and how to be gracious in defeat.

Bubble Painting (Art)

The students will create colorful splatter paint artwork using bubbles!  This promotes using out-of-the-box thinking (for both art and everyday life) and makes art in a fun new way.

3rd-5th Grades

My Plate (Healthy, Happy and Fit)

Students will learn about the basic food groups and the components for building a healthy meal for themselves!  This will empower students to make healthy food choices for themselves.

Thank You Notes (Social Emotional Learning)

We will learn about the importance of saying “thank you” by writing notes to family members, peers, and community members.  Students will learn to appreciate what others do for them and how to communicate this appreciation to others.

KC Afterschool Activities (September 30 – October 4, 2019)

KC Afterschool is more than just fun and homework!  Each week students rotate through different activities that are designed to continue their academic and personal development after the traditional school day is over.  These include STEAM, social-emotional growth, creativity, fitness, environmental studies and much more!

Here are some highlights of this week’s activities:

Kindergarten

Bubble Fun (STEAM)

Students will enjoy sunshine with some bubble fun!  We will make bubbles of our own, and learn why they are colored, why they are spherical, and why they pop!

Brushing Your Teeth

Students will participate in a happy teeth/sad teeth project teaching the importance of having healthy teeth.  Dental hygiene is of utmost importance to good health!  Students will learn about the importance of brushing and flossing which helps to reduce germs/bacteria and also prevent gum diseases and cavities.

1st-2nd Grades

Perler Beads (Creativity)

Students will explore their creativity while enhancing fine motor skills as they create their own perler bead masterpieces!

Relay Fitness (Fitness)

Physical fitness is an important part of any child’s development!  It’s important to incorporate exercise into daily routines in order to stay healthy.  Students will be participating in a relay race with exercises at different stations (which they can also try at home!)

3rd-5th Grades

Name-It Ball (Fitness)

The students will be participating in a fun game of Name-It ball  where they will complete fun physical challenges, show their creativity, and develop their social skills.

Four Square Techniques (Fitness)

Students will learn how to play Four Square, techniques and strategies, and the primary muscles used for the game.  They will practice and apply these techniques as well as learn proper warm ups and stretches to prepare for the game and prevent injury.

KC Afterschool Activities (September 23-27, 2019)

KC Afterschool is more than just fun and homework!  Each week students rotate through different activities that are designed to continue their academic and personal development after the traditional school day is over.  These include STEAM, social-emotional growth, creativity, fitness, environmental studies and much more!

Here are some highlights of this week’s activities:

Kindergarten

3D Sculptures (STEAM)

Students will touch on their engineer skills by using cotton swabs and glue to create 3D houses.  This teaches the basics of creating strong structures.

Team Towers (STEAM)

Students will work within groups to create a free standing structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti which can support weight. Students will learn about the planning and design process as they create blue prints to build a strong structure. This activity also teaches about team work through planning, leadership, and communication.

1st-2nd Grades

Yoga (Fitness)

Students will learn age appropriate yoga poses to promote calmness and flexibility.

4 Square Practice (Fitness)

Students love to play 4 Square, but it’s also a great way to improve coordination, agility, and practice sportsmanship.

Math Fun! (STEAM)

Students will explore the concepts of equivalence using number lines in the context of frog jumping. Students will also practice teamwork and speaking skills by delivering presentations as a group about their math problem-solving process while providing feedback to their peers.

Environmental Friday!

3rd-5th Grades

Balloon Rockets: (STEAM)

Students will use old water bottles (recycling) to build a rocket that launches using a balloon.  This activity helps to teach basic physics and movement.

Team Towers (STEAM)

Students will work within groups to create a free standing structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti which can support weight. Students will learn about the planning and design process as they create blue prints to build a strong structure. This activity also teaches about team work through planning, leadership, and communication.

Math Fun! (STEAM)

Students will practice knowledge of factors, generalize and practice the commutative and associative properties by designing (rectangular prisms) chocolate boxes.  Students will also practice teamwork and speaking skills by delivering presentations as a group about their math problem-solving process while providing feedback to their peers.

KC Afterschool Activities (September 16-20, 2019)

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KC Afterschool is more than just fun and homework!  Each week students rotate through different activities that are designed to continue their academic and personal development after the traditional school day is over.  These include STEAM, social-emotional growth, creativity, fitness, environmental studies and much more!

Here are some highlights of this week’s activities:

Kindergarten

Fall Painting (Art Adventures)

Students will be painting images related to Fall to welcome the new season. At the end of a busy day of learning, art and creativity nurture well-being and assist learners in creating connections between subjects and improving fine motor skills.

Math Fun! (STEAM)

In this age appropriate Math activity, students will be introduced to the concept of doubling and halving using egg trays.  Students will also practice teamwork and speaking skills by delivering presentations as a group about their math problem-solving process while providing feedback to their peers.

Environmental Friday!

This week students will learn about sustainability and resource usage through Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.  Students will learn about general themes in the story related to big business (Onclers) and how they impact the natural resources in the land of the Lorax.

1st-2nd Grades

All About Me Jigsaw Puzzle (Social-Emotional Learning)

Students will create their own jigsaw puzzles that are centered around themselves. They will write about their own characteristics on each piece of the puzzle and present their finished work to the group. This activity helps students to gain confidence in public speaking and helps everyone to get to know each other.

Clean the Planet Art Project (Environmental Studies)

Students will learn about how our actions impact the Earth. They will learn about different ways they can contribute to help clean up our planet by focusing on implementing an effective recycling system. Students will learn what materials should be in each recycling bin so that they can successfully participate and help others.

3rd-5th Grades

Salt Painting (Art Adventures)

Students will be creating their own paint and using it to make beautiful textured, 3D masterpieces.  Students will see how science and art come together to create amazing artwork.

Water Color Painting (Art Adventures)

We’ll switch paint mediums and students will be using water colors to create their own paintings.  Water color painting is a great form of self-expression and outlet for creativity. 

KC Afterschool Activities (September 9-13, 2019)

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KC Afterschool is more than just fun and homework!  Each week students rotate through different activities that are designed to continue their academic and personal development after the traditional school day is over. These include STEAM, social-emotional growth, creativity, fitness, environmental studies and much more!

Here are some highlights of this week’s activities:

Kindergarten

Yoga (Fitness)

Students will learn age appropriate yoga poses to promote calmness and flexibility.

4 Square Practice (Fitness)

Students love to play 4 Square, but it’s also a great way to improve coordination, agility, and practice sportsmanship.

1st-2nd Grades

Partner Interviews (Social-Emotional Learning)

Students will interview classmates in order to learn more about each other while practicing their presentation and communication skills.

“Get to Know Me” Group Game (Social-Emotional Learning)

Students will play a game designed to share personal characteristics of themselves in order to get to know their classmates and improve communication and public speaking skills.

Clean the Planet Art Project (Environmental Studies)

Students will learn about how our actions impact the Earth. They will learn about different ways they can contribute to help clean up our planet by focusing on implementing an effective recycling system. Students will learn what materials should be in each recycling bin so that they can successfully participate and help others.

3rd-5th Grades

Positivity Flowers  (Social-Emotional Learning)

Each student will create a paper flower and write on each petal something that they like about themselves.  This gives students the platform to proudly share their positive attributes in a way that is not bragging, but self-appreciation.  Students will then have the opportunity to write on each other’s flowers, learning how to support/lift each other in more ways than just “I like you” or “you’re cool.”  Giving and receiving compliments helps boost confidence and build relationships.

Partner Interviews (Social-Emotional Learning)

Students will interview classmates in order to learn more about each other while practicing their presentation and communication skills.

Environmental Friday!

The topics of this week’s Environmental Friday are flower pollination, ecosystem roles, life cycle of bees, and endangered species.  Students will be learning the academic vocabulary term “symbiotic relationships” and learning through hands on activities to simulate the process of pollination.

Spotlight: Kids Connection’s 30th Anniversary

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Spotlight: Kids Connection’s 30th Anniversary

 

In September 1988, Kids Connection opened in the big two story stone building that is now home to our preschool. The name Kids Connection was used for the preschool because our school is about connections – connection between the students and teachers, between the faculty and the families, and the connection between our school and the community at large.

In September 1989, we opened our kindergarten with a huge waiting list. Our preschool parents had been asking to add the kindergarten, because they responded very well to our mission statement of taking the best parts of many educational philosophies and blending them together, from which developed our 4 pillars:

  1. the safe, secure, loving environment provided by our school
  2. the strong academic program that encourages lifelong learning
  3. the emphasis on character development that helps children learn to be quality individuals and ethical leaders
  4. the importance of the partnership between parents and teachers in these endeavors

Each year, when our students graduated from kindergarten, the parents would ask us to expand to a full elementary school grades kindergarten to fifth. However, we had no space.

Eventually, the Winery Restaurant located next to the preschool came up for sale. In 1995, we moved into the restaurant that had been converted to a school. We grew very quickly adding one grade at a time.

It was now necessary to add a new addition to the building. The new addition housed three new classrooms upstairs, three new classrooms downstairs, and our lobbies and offices. The ribbon cutting ceremony was in 1998. Now our elementary school was complete.

Over the last three decades we have graduated students who are exceptionally well prepared academically, but also those who are also engaging and caring individuals with a quest for learning and with a desire to contribute to our world. This is a priceless gift that we give to our students. Our graduates have gone on to graduate from the finest universities in the country. They return for our reunions to recount their successes, and we are very proud of all of them.

At Kids Connection, we believe that the purpose of education is not just to teach, but to inspire – to not just instruct our students about what is already known, but to inspire them to discover what is not yet known. This has been our creative inspiration for the last thirty years, and this is the inspiration that will fuel the very future of our society. As we reflect back on an exceptional 30 years, we are so proud of what we, and most importantly our students, have accomplished. We are filled with hope and excitement as we look into the future about how our vision will continue to grow for the next 30!

Spotlight: Brandon Liu (1st Grade) – Award Winning Pianist

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Brandon Liu
brandon_performance

Brandon Liu is in the 1st grade in Kids Connection. In February 2018, Brandon competed in the United States Open Music Competition (USOMC). The USOMC was founded in 1992 and is an extremely comprehensive piano competition that both challenges and rewards students of all ages. Brandon took first place (gold medal) and third place (bronze medal) with his two piano pieces! This is the second year that Brandon attended, also winning a gold medal in 2017.

Brandon started playing piano just two years earlier, when he was five. He loves music. Piano is considered a foundation instrument which allows the musician to more easily segue into other instruments. This is the first instrument which Brandon learned and loves. He loves the accomplishment of learning a new piece and tries to tell the story of its history, culture and emotion through his playing.

Brandon likes challenges and is very competitive.  He has taken private lessons from the start and tries to improve himself daily by practicing for a minimum of 45 minutes.  Brandon participates in international music competitions (USOMC) and takes piano exams through the United Kingdom’s largest world leading music education body ABRSM (Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music).  The competitions motivate him to work hard on his piano skills.

Even though practicing piano takes long hours and a lot of dedication, Brandon is still very advanced in academics, with help from Mrs. Barbi, Mrs. Robinette, Mrs. James and all of the teachers from Kids Connection. They have showed him how fun learning can be and he gets to connect his history and geography knowledge to the music that he plays. He also tries to link the stories and emotions in the books that he reads to the piano pieces that he plays. Kids Connection helped Brandon to grow into a self-motivated, curious and confident child, who understands that accomplishment in academics, music, and life can only come from hard work.

Albert Einstein said that “Life is like a piano, what you get out of it depends on how you play it.” Brandon has just started his journey in music and has a lifelong path in front of him.

brandon_practice
brandon_stage 1

Kids Connection Open House (Thursday, February 15, 2018)

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Open House is a spectacular night when Kids Connection opens the doors to families and friends of our students. All are welcome to enjoy the display of projects, assignments, and art born from the curriculum of each classroom. Students are very eager for their families to see their work and meet their teachers. There are no formal teacher presentations at Open House. Likewise, this is not an opportunity to have a private discussion about your child’s academic performance with his/her teacher. Open House is about enjoying the fruits of the students’ labor. All classrooms are open, and we encourage families to visit each one.

Kids Connection Information Night (Thursday, Jan 18, 2018)

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Kids Connection Elementary opens its doors to prospective and current families for Kids Connection Information Night. This is a parents only event where each grade will present their program so that parents can meet their child’s future teachers and also get a formal presentation about what to expect and what to be excited about in the year ahead! This is a good opportunity to ask questions and learn how our program continues to grow with each new grade.

Next Information Night
Thursday January 18, 2018
7:00pm
A parents only presentation

We hope to see you at our Information Night, but if not, please contact us to find out more about us or to schedule a tour.

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