Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Give to the Max!

Thanks to everyone who donated yesterday! We exceeded our goal and are waiting to hear what kind of matching we'll receive!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Scholastic Book Orders

Urban Arts Preschool families can now place scholastic book orders online by clicking here or by following the link on the right side of the page to Scholastic's website.

Our preschool's login information is as follows:
user ID: UAPreschool
password: bookorder

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Welcome to Preschool, Aaneesah!

With the busy start of the year, many of you know that we have been in the process of hiring a new preschool teacher. Thanks for all of your patience and all the hard work our staff has put in, in order to continue offering quality programming to you and your children.

Urban Arts would like to introduce you to Aaneesah Amatullah, our new preschool teacher in the afternoon and to thank Elisa McBryer for all her hard work filling in for preschool the last month. Joanne and Anna, will be teaching every morning except Wendnesday when Teresa and Anna teach. Aaneesah and Anna will be teaching in the afternoon Monday thru Friday. If you have any questions about the changes please contact Teresa at 827-1641. And here is Aaneesah...

Hola, my name is Aaneesah Amatullah and I am super excited to be a part of the Urban Arts Preschool Team! I'm equally excited to be teaching your child and to incorporate Spanish into the preschool day. I have worked within the School System and Early Childhood Education for over 10 years. I will teach in the afternoons with Anna, Monday thru Friday and I can't wait to meet you all. Adios, Aaneesah

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Wrapping up the Summer

FALL PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE!
September 8, 4-5:30pm
Fall preschool classes start on September 9

What an amazing summer we have had at Urban Arts Summer Preschool Camps! We used our imaginations to take us to fantasy lands, circuses and outer space. We got messy with water, clay and paint. We cooked, we built castles and cities, we moved our bodies in new ways, we spoke Spanish and made lots of new friends! But a picture is worth a thousand words, so see for yourself:



































Monday, May 18, 2009

Last Day of Preschool

Our last day of preschool is this Friday, May 22nd. We will be having an end of the year picnic celebration at Phelps Park from 5-6:30 p.m. (We will move inside to the fellowship hall if it rains. ) Please bring a dish to share and we will provide the beverages. There will be a small graduation ceremony for all students. Hope to see you and your family there!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Swine Flu Information

I'm sure that you have heard about the swine flu outbreak that has been reported in Mexico and has spread to some cities in the U.S. In the event that this becomes a serious threat, we will follow any recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Department of Public Health.

If Minneapolis Public School closes the district, Urban Arts will be closed. At this time we don't anticipate making any changes to the school day or school related activities. We will keep you updated by posting information in the building, on our website and through email.

In the meantime please follow these guidelines for staying healthy and preventing the spread of flu-like illnesses.
* Wash your hands. Yes, hand washing is the best protection. Alcohol-based hand cleanser does work. Encouraging your child to sing the ABC’s while washing hands is a great trick to hand washing the full two minute recommendation.
* Cover your cough and stay away from sick people as much as possible.
* Students and employees who have the flu should not come to school.

For more information and updates: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html or www.codeReady.org

Friday, March 6, 2009

PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS

Cost $88.00 a week for either am or pm session. Contact the UAA office for more information and to sign up for one of our exciting camps! 612.827.1641

Please bring a lunch and/or an afternoon snack for all camps.

June 1-4th
Castle Building and a hundred other things to do with cardboard- What can you make with a giant refrigerator box? What if you had ten? In this class we will build a giant castle out of boxes, make crowns and be kings and queens, create our own unicorn to ride around the room and more. A fantasy camp designed especially for your preschooler’s imagination. 9am-12:30 Ages 3-6

Hola’. The Explorer – Yes, this is the preschool Spanish camp where you get to be Dora the explorer and Diego. We will create bug jars, binoculars, make our handmade paper and investigate the world in which we live. A perfect summer camp for the young explorer. 12:30-4 p.m. Ages 3-6

June 8-11th
Fantasy Art Camp- A world full of fairies, unicorns and dragons—a summer arts camp focusing on increasing creativity in children through the arts. We will make paper, tie-dye t shirts and more. We will focus on all the wonderful things you can build, paint and draw which live in your imagination. 9-12:30 p.m. Ages 3-6

Preschool Yoga, Dance and Art Exploration- The preschool art class that moves, twirls and bounces. In this summer camp we will explore movement through dance and yoga as well as creating art with our bodies….paint with your toes, create a musical mural and more. 12:30-4 p.m. Ages 4-6

June 15th-18th
Circus Art Camp- Build your own tin can stilts, perform tricks in the center ring and bring your pet elephant home at the end of the week. We will be clowns, acrobats and jugglers. Join us under the “big top” for summer adventure. 9-12:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Summer Solstice Art Adventure- Fairies, gnomes and other elemental beings come to celebrate the longest days on midsummer’s eve. We will prepare for this celebration by constructing garden fairy houses, papier-mâché lanterns, fairy boats and more. Folktales, songs and dances will complete our celebration. 12:30-4 p.m., Ages 4-6

June 22-24
Outer Space Adventure- Come ride a giant rocket ship to the moon, build your own robot or alien, create some of the most exciting art in the universe. A science camp designed to build and foster your preschooler’s imagination through the arts. 9-12:30 pm. Ages 3-6

Spanish: Vivan Los Animales! A Spanish Camp especially designed for preschoolers. Children will learn Spanish while creating, art, plays, songs and puppets about their favorite animals. All classes are taught by a native Spanish speaker and offer fun multi-sensory approaches to learning. Come join the animal Fiesta! 12:30-4 pm. Ages 4-6

June 29-July 2
Play with Paint: Drip, drop, splat, and swish. How many ways are there to explore with paint? We'll turn everyday objects into paint brushes, make prints and t-shirts, and spray and splatter paint for colorful, messy fun. 9-12:30 pm. Ages 3-6

Spanish: Around the World…Al rededor del mundo: A Spanish Art Camp which travels around the world! We will explore art, music, food and games from different cultures. All classes are taught by a native Spanish speaker and offer fun multi-sensory approaches to learning. 12:30-4 pm. Ages 4-6

July 6-9
Make It! Shake It! Take It! The summer camp that makes noise!!! Each day we will take home original instruments for our one of a kind kid band. Drums, tambourines, guitars, and more. Let the music play. 9-12:30 pm. Ages 3-6

Spanish: Nuestro Mundo! A Spanish Camp specially designed for children who have little or no experience with a second language. Children will learn Spanish while creating art,singing songs, dancing and playing games. All classes are taught by a native Spanish speaker. 12:30-4:30 pm. Ages 3-6

July 13-16
City Building & Exploration- The summer camp that can only happen in the city. We will create our own city bus out of a giant cardboard box and build our own cities in this summer camp. We’ll use papier-mâché, hammers and nails, clay and glue to build a variety of interesting 3-D objects. 9-12:30 Ages 4-6

Little Hands Cooking Class – Do you love to bake bread or cook pancakes. This is the summer camp full of food and wonderful books and art about food. We will do veggie prints, make chef hats and cook stone soup. Bon Appetite, let’s eat. 12:30-4:30. Ages 4-6

July 20-23
Let’s Pretend- Puppets, masks, costumes will help us transport ourselves to faraway lands and fanciful stories. This is a summer camp to introduce children to the theatre through drama games and play. We will also create a puppet show to perform for our families on the last day. 9-12:30, Ages 3-6

Toys from Mother Nature- Mother Nature is abundant with material for art & play. This week we will create colorful kites using woven willow branches and papier-mâché. We will also felt wool into flying streamer balls and fuzzy toy animals. Join us for summer time stories, songs, games and we will fill the week full of memories. 12:30-4 pm., Ages 3-6

July 27-30
Wacky Water and Summer Fun- This is the summer camp where we can get wet! We will build sharks, be pirates sailing out to sea and mermaids. We will look at all the wonderful art you can make with water and a little bit of sun. Please bring or wear your swim suits. 9-12:30 pm., Ages 3-6

Spanish: The Jobs We Do -We will increase our Spanish vocabulary by looking at all the different jobs people do. We will be astronauts, fire fighters, veterinarians, doctors and explore each job through art and Spanish. We feature art, music and dramatic play, all while learning Spanish. 12:30-3:30 pm.

Aug 3-6
Bajo el Mar…Under the Sea- A Spanish Camp that dives into the ocean. We will explore the world of sea creatures, sunken ships and watery arts while learning new and exciting words, songs and sea creatures in Spanish. All classes are taught by a native Spanish speaker and offer fun multi-sensory approaches to learning. Veronica 9-12:30 pm.

Environmental Art Camp- Have you ever wanted to build your own nest out of twigs and clay or dye cloth with natural dyes. In this class we learn all about what it means to take care of the planet and create lots of wonderful art out of the natural world in which we live. Ages 4-6 12:30-4 pm.

Aug 10- 13
La Comida del Mundo (Food Around the World)
This is a Spanish summer camp where we will learn Spanish by cooking different kinds of food from around the world. We will increase our vocabulary through games, music, and art while feeding our tummies. 9 am-12:30 pm.

Sculpture Camp for the Young Builder- Can we build it? Yes, we can. In this class learn the basics of sculpture and build with wood, clay, paper and more. We will be builders with blocks, boxes and other fun material while learning the basics of design and sculpture. 12:30-4 pm. Ages 4-6

Aug 17-20
Spanish: Vivan Los Animales Two! All new animals. A Spanish Camp especially designed for preschoolers. Children will learn Spanish while creating, art, plays, songs and puppets about their favorite animals. All classes are taught by a native Spanish speaker and offer fun multi-sensory approaches to learning. Come join the animal Fiesta! Veronica 9-12:30 pm. Ages 4-6

Print It! Environmental Art Camp! Our world is an amazing place full of things you can print, sculpt, and explore. Create a sun print, paint a bird house, go on a bug hunt and find out what butterflies eat for breakfast. Bring out the naturalist in your child!!! Elisa 12:30-4 pm. Ages 4-6

Thursday, March 5, 2009

New fun site for kids

I just found a new fun site for kids called Zooborns. It's all about the newest baby animals born at zoos around the world. I put a link to the site on the right sidebar of this blog.

Here is also a link: http://www.zooborns.com/
Check it out!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

WINNER!

Stacy has won our first blog giveaway! Stacy won $20 off of tuition. Thank you everyone who shared ideas and comments. Please leave comments and ideas of fun things you do with your family whenever you visit our blog. We love to have new ideas of what to do with our families!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

UAA Gala - Save The Date


For more information, please contact the UAA office at 612.827.1641.

Wear your PJs!

Remember to wear your PJs this Thursday and Friday!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Family Night Pictures...Keep Them Coming....

Here are some pictures a mom sent in from Family Night. If you have any pictures you'd like to share from a UAA event please send them to bermuda_green@hotmail.com.


Winter Family Fun

What does your family do when you've been stuck inside for the 3rd week of below zero temperatures? Where do you go? What do you do at home for fun? Let's share some ideas to make the end of winter easier for all of us!

OUR FIRST GIVEAWAY!

I've been reading a blog with a weekly giveaway so I thought I would try one here!

Our first blog giveaway:
Win $20 off of a preschool fee for your child.

3 Ways to enter:
1. Become a follower of our blog. Sign up on the side of the blog under "Follow this Blog". This can be used by parents to connect with each other.
2. Leave a comment on what your family does to make the winter months fun...places you go, things you do...anything. Leave this comment under the entry "Winter Family Fun" just above this entry.
3. Leave a comment on a different entry anywhere on the blog.

BONUS ENTRY:
Be the first to follow the blog!

You can do any or all of the above to enter. Each will count as an individual entry. Winner will be announced on the blog on Friday, February 13.

Good Luck!

Valentine Week

The children have been working on decorating Valentine bags this week in preparation for Valentine's day. Next week your child can bring Valentines to school if desired. It is recommended that your child write his or her name on the Valentine and not the recipient's name. This way your child can just drop Valentine's into friend's bags instead of hunting for names. If your child wants to address some of the Valentine's there is a class list available on the table in the preschool room.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Family Night

We had a wonderful turn-out for our family night on one of the coldest nights of the year. The children sang songs, danced, and performed a play. It was a fun night.

Here are a few pictures. If you have any photos you'd like to have posted on our blog, please e-mail them to bermuda_green@hotmail.com .








Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Free Family Fun

Through January: Ice skate in downtown St. Paul under the white lights of Rice Park and the towers of Landmark Center. Wells Fargo WinterSkate is open for the season. When you're done gliding and spinning, warm up with cocoa in the tent and check out the 90-foot-tall lighted tree in Rice Park. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays; bounded by Market, St. Peter and Fifth streets, St. Paul; free, $2 skate rental (free rental if you show a Wells Fargo check or credit card); 651-291-5608 or www.capitalcitypartnership.com.

Find more fun family activities at
www.minnmoms.com