Hello all,
The students kicked off Community Week by defining the word, “Community”. Through a discussion, it was determined that a community is a group of people who live in one place called a neighborhood. The teachers explained that the students would spend the week discussing, learning about and even meeting some of the people who help make our community so special! Well, “Community Week” has come and gone and boy, was it great! Read on below to learn all about the fun that was had and learning that took place!
Monday and Tuesday morning both proved to be very exciting as they were the first two Sprinkler/Water Park days of Summer Camp! With a week of camp already under their belts, the students threw on their pinnies and headed out to enjoy some wet fun in the hot sun! Take a look below to see the students splishing and splashing! Do you think they enjoyed it?!? 🙂
As if the Sprinkler/Water Park was not exciting enough, the fun continued inside the PPA classroom as it was also an Art Day on both Monday and Tuesday! After toweling off and changing into dry clothing, the students got right to work. On Monday, the students created a glittery butterfly art project to help them get excited for Friday’s field trip to the World of Wings Butterfly Museum! Take a look at how lovely the butterflies turned out!
For Art Day on Tuesday, the students created a special craft relating to Thursday’s field trip! Can you guess from the following clues which community helper was the inspiration for Tuesday’s craft?
1. These community helpers drive on a big, red truck!
2. These community helpers wear special uniforms including helmets.
3. These community helpers can be reached by calling 9-1-1!
Do you know who these community helpers are?
If you said, “Firefighters” then you are correct!
The students created their very own firefighter puppet – complete with a fire hose, of course! Look below to see the students in action!
The community theme continued on Wednesday as the students were visited by two representatives from Jersey City Medical Center – Paramedic Sabine and Dispatcher Mike! As their names suggest, Paramedic Sabine and Dispatcher Mike are part of the Jersey City Emergency Medical Service team! The students loved hearing about the important job Paramedic Sabine and Dispatcher Mike do in our community to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Paramedic Sabine and Dispatcher Mike explained the importance of how and WHEN to call 9-1-1. They also discussed many life-safety tips including this very important one – NEVER touching medicine or cleaning products! The students could hardly believe it when they learned that Paramedic Sabine and Dispatcher Mike had brought their ambulance along with them! The students all took turns hopping aboard and seeing what the inside of an ambulance looks like. What an amazing experience! The PPA students are so fortunate to have such amazing and friendly helpers in their community! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this blog post to view all of the photographs from Paramedic Sabine and Dispatcher Mike’s visit to PPA. 🙂
Speaking of community helpers, the students, teachers, and some PPA parents spent Thursday morning with some of Jersey City’s bravest Firefighters at the local Firehouse! The firefighters really pulled out all the stops for the PPA kids! Firefighter Todd and his firefighting pals did a phenomenal job explaining the various ways that firefighters help in our community. Did you know that firefighters do not just put out fires? They help with nearly everything because they are also “First Responders”. The students had the opportunity to tour the fire station and even meet a moving robot that firefighters can use when a situation is too dangerous for a person to go in and help! The students also had the chance to hop aboard the fire engine! Could this field trip get any better? Yes it could – and it did! The children were led to the back of the firehouse where the ladder truck was held and watched a firefighter climb up the ladder (nearly ten stories high) and wave to them! Just as everyone thought the trip was wrapping up, the firefighters brought out gifts for each of the children!
Now, the firefighters were not the only ones giving gifts on Thursday – the PPA students proudly presented the firefighters with two firemen puppets from earlier in the week to express their gratitude! With a big “Park Prep Thank You”, the students said goodbye to the firefighters and then headed back to school. What an wonderful trip it was! Be sure to look below for some of the photographic highlights from the incredible and important field trip!
Before long it was Friday and the students hopped aboard the PPA school bus to begin the first bus trip of the summer! As always, the children were nearly equally excited to ride the school bus as to attend the field trip to the World of Wings Butterfly Museum! From animal exhibits and butterfly atriums to ball pits and more – the students (and parent guests) sure had a blast! What a fun day of exploration it was! Be sure to view all of the photos from the W.O.W. field trip by clicking the link below!
Wow! Talk about an AMAZING week of camp! We cannot wait to see what next week – Zoo Week – has in store! A special PPA Thank You to all of the PPA parents and community helpers that were such an integral part this past week! Your time and efforts are appreciated more than you realize! Well, that is all for this week of camp. As always, thank you for reading. Have a fun and safe weekend!
-PPA
REMINDERS:
Next Week – Zoo Week!
Monday and Tuesday– WATER PARK and ART DAY!
Students must arrive dressed for outdoor water play! Please pack a towel and an EASY TO PUT ON change of clothing.
Wednesday – Bakery Field Trip!
Due to space limitations at the bakery, this is a student only event.
Thursday – Turtle Back Zoo Field Trip! Parents welcome to attend!
Friday – Mystery Guest Visits PPA!