Elle Belle Works Hard and Plays Hard

How is it the last day of my first year of preschool? Preschool has taught me so much like separating and sharing, mastering circle time, holding jobs, and acquiring essential life skills. I will always treasure my first year of school.

As I am feeling transitional, I want to share all of my unfiltered preschool emotions, intensity of my school experience, and let you in on some outrageous secrets of silly students, talented teachers, and type-A parents but, instead, I will share the top 10 things I learned in my first year of preschool.

Elle Belle is an adorable preschooler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and baby sister. She can be reached at [email protected] or like at facebook.com/ElleBelleNYC.

How to wear a backpack
I put it on at home, wear it to school, and then ask Mommy to take it home for me but not to forget to bring it back for pick-up.
Grown-ups always come back
While I never looked back or shed a tear, it was sad to see my friends cry at drop-off when their grown-ups left. But we learned that grown-ups always come back even when we don’t want the school day to end.
Teachers have songs for everything
I learned a song for the days of the week, the weather, holidays, rain, rainbows, metamorphosis, recycling, and more! And unlike at home, the louder we sing it, the better!
Some jobs are better than others
While I only held each job for one school week, I immediately learned that I am more a line leader and elevator button pusher type of girl than a tissue box holder or snack helper. But don’t worry Mommy, I don’t want to be those when I grow up but these jobs just help me learn responsibility.
They tell parents to leave extra clothes and underwear for good reason
There was no warning saying don’t paint yourself at school or don’t spill water everywhere or you have to wear the awful, extra clothes someone else picked out for you (but my teachers knew it was mine thanks to the labels that school requires with my name on it).
Everyone must use their words
We are always encouraged to use our words especially to share and take turns. But it’s hard sometimes. There are so many toys but everyone wants the same big, red bouncy ball on the rooftop playground. And you won’t believe what some kids will do to get it. But by using my words to ask nicely, I got my turn!
Wash your hands before everything
At school, we wash our hands when we arrive, before we cook, before we have a snack, after art (especially when we paint our hands different colors and then shake hands to make new colors), after the potty, and more. My hands must be sparkling clean!
Teachers are called teachers because they teach us a lot
Teachers are magical! They make learning fun and know something interesting about everything (like how to best build a tower, paint a masterpiece, and when to say "Mamma Mia"). I love my teachers!
Preschool is way fun
From cooking (think rice krispie snow balls!) to science (turning caterpillars into butterflies), we are always doing something extraordinary at school.
Preschool friends are forever
Until now, my grown-ups picked my friends and play dates for me but at school, I made my own friends and naturally, everyone became best friends. I love play dates and park adventures and everything with my school friends. We picked each other and will stick together like crazy glue.

Trinity School

Come join us for another summer of fun, exploration and discovery. Our campers get to engage with each other in the following activities: Swimming, Golf, Chess, Lego Robotics, Art, Dance, Multisports and Storytelling (subject to change)&hellip;and of course, ice cream or ices every day! We will supply our campers with a daily snack but you will need to provide your own lunch. Come join us for a fantastic summer!!! Camp runs from 8:30am - 3pm. Session #1: Tuesday, June 20th - Friday, June 23rd (closed Monday 6/19th) Session #2: Monday, June 26th - Friday, June 30th&nbsp; Session #3: Tuesday, July 3rd - Friday, July 7th (closed Tuesday, July 4th) Session #4: Monday, July 10th - Friday, July 14th&nbsp; &nbsp;Session #5: Monday, July 17th &ndash; Friday, July 21st&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, please contact: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seth Goldberg, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Director of Afterschool Programs &amp; Summer Coordinator&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ph: (212) 932-6849 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E: [email protected] &nbsp; &nbsp;

Artistree Performing Arts

Join us for the most incredible summer of musical theater at CAMP ARTISTREE!&nbsp; If your child loves performing, then Artistree is the place to be.&nbsp; Each day combines the essential components of putting on a show--acting, singing and dancing--with the fun of a traditional camp atmosphere like games, crafts and time outdoors.&nbsp; It's a camp experience like no other!&nbsp; Preschool Camp runs the weeks of June 14th (Descendants) and 21st (Frozen).&nbsp;&nbsp; We then begin our Summer Show Intensives for both Kids, Grades K-4 (Willy Wonka:&nbsp; July 6-23 and Jungle Book:&nbsp; July 26-August 13) and Tweens/Teens, Grades 5th-10th (Shrek:&nbsp; July 6-23 and Into the Woods:&nbsp; July 26-August 13).&nbsp; Teens and Young Adults have their own show (Rock of Ages--July 6-August 5) which rehearses in the evenings and is performed at Harbor Island Park in conjunction with the Village of Mamaroneck.&nbsp;&nbsp; We end the summer with week-long theater intensives the weeks of August 16, 23 and 30.&nbsp; Mention Westchester Family and get $50 off any camp program!&nbsp; Enroll now at artistreearts.com.&nbsp; We can't wait to spend the summer with you at Camp Artistree!

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park & Children’s Zoo

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park &amp; Children&rsquo;s Zoo presents programming for children and families of all ages, animal encounters, zookeeper experiences, VIP tours, season memberships, and much more! Camp Zoo introduces and immerses children in nature through outdoor exploration, games, crafts, and other educational hands-on activities.&nbsp; In partnership with their nonprofit arm, the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, the game farm also offers culture, education, and wellness programs to connect people with wildlife and the natural environment.&nbsp; A critical aspect of the game farm is serving as a sanctuary to animals that&nbsp;have been rescued, rehabilitated, or re-homed, including Sicilian miniature donkeys, alpacas, African Sulcatta tortoises, peacocks, rabbits, goats, sheep,&nbsp;alligators, and our beloved Gomez, a Sulphur-crested cockatoo, and Nala, an African Serval cat!&nbsp; &nbsp;