Our day has a simple structure that gives kids confidence and security, and provides for many types of experiences. But our school isn't driven by the schedule—we also adapt to changes and moods—it's spring, the sun is shining, let's play outside.
8:30-9:00 Kids arrive. Morning at Agassiz start with see-you later kisses from parents and hanging up of jackets. This is a relaxed time for free play. Paint, play with blocks, dolls, and trains, and climb into lofts to play with friends.
9:50 All-school meeting to play games, sing songs, and meet the day's parent helpers. Children learn to participate in a group—listening while others speak and standing up to speak themselves.
10:15 At snack time everyone sits at long tables for conversation, a drink, and a parent-selected snack. On birthdays, we have cake and sing to our guest of honor. A bathroom break follows snack.
10:30 Unless it is raining or snowing hard, we spend the next hour or so outdoors in the play yard. We test new skills on the monkey bars, make sand cakes, and practice swinging.
11:10 Small group time is a chance to take part in a special project or activity—a story, dancing, or the making of muffins.
12:00 Part-time children are picked up.
12:20 It's time for lunch. This is a favorite social time. We often discuss what we did during the day, or what we might do next time.
1:00 After lunch there is rest time, a long story, maybe a soft song, and finally some snuggling down in a corner for a nap in the sun.
1:45 Some kids wake up! Time to go outside again.
2:30 Pick-up time. The napping stragglers awake. A chance for a quick chat with a teacher, see new artwork on the walls, and pick up messages in your mailbox. See you next time...
Agassiz Preschool retains preschool storytellers and music and dance specialists who teach weekly classes to all three groups.
Agassiz's play yard is one of the largest and best equipped in all of Cambridge. There is space for children's gardens, a rabbit hutch, numerous climbing and play structures, room for tricycles and basketball, a large covered sandbox, sprinklers and wading pools in summer, and hedges and wild borders filled with interesting bugs and flowering plants.
Several fundraising activities benefit the scholarship fund and help create connections to the local community. These events include Cambridge's very popular holiday tree sale (Santa included), an annual raffle or art auction, school yard sales, and fairs.
Look at the calendar of events for the Agassiz Year...
