Come Tour the P.A.T. Building

by Vicki Wright

September 25, 2007

I would like to welcome you to the Diamond Parents As Teacher's Building. We are located on the north end of the school campus, in a small yellow building. A few years ago we were fortunate enough to have a chain link fence donated to keep our little ones from running into the street that runs in front of the building. They kids have really enjoyed going out and playing on the Rocket, Teeter-Totter, Merry-Go-Round and running in the yard. We are also excited about using the yard for our Wet and Wild party during the summer. The kids get to have all the water fun and Mom and Dad enjoy not having to clean up a large mess. We have a great time playing in the water and then enjoy a picnic lunch of Hot Dogs.

Last year the local Girl Scoot Troop beautified our yard with flowers and a brand new sign for our fence. This was extra special with several of the girls being former P.A.T. kids that have since started school. I know they spent several days planting over 100 bulbs in the yard and this summer they were beautiful.

When you enter the room you will see our new and improved Baby area. We have installed a colorful, foam square floor, to help cushion little knees while exploring and to keep the little bum's from hurting while learning to walk. The greatest addition is the new gate to keep the younger children from being stepped on by the 3 to 5 year old crowd. We no longer will have little ones tripped over or little fingers stepped on. I know the mothers will feel better knowing their precious bundles will be safe now. We also have a area for those little siblings to sleep in the baby crib or for the not so advanced crawlers in the play saucer.

Big Kids Play Area

The big kids have a area of their own. We have a large assortment of dresses and coats to play dress up. The girls love trying on the old prom dresses and prancing around in the clunky shoes. We also get a large assortment of pea soup and hamburgers from our budding chefs in the kitchen. While others play mom and dad with the baby dolls. The big boys enjoy building with the large blocks, building the train track or racing cars on the rug.

This year we have added classroom time. Each week we study a letter and learn how to write it. The kids have really enjoyed learning this. At the end of the year we will have studied and made a letter animal for each letter. So far we have made a "A- Alligator", "T-Turkey", "R-Rabbit" and "P-Pig". We are also touching on the primary colors. We would love for you to join us, each Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:00.