Students at the Soboba Tribal Preschool had a busy week from March 10-14 as they celebrated Silly Week alongside a Scholastic Book Fair. Each day had a different theme, and students stepped up in responding to the fun challenges.
They were asked to dress up as their favorite Disney character on Monday, their favorite book character on Tuesday and their favorite superhero on Wednesday. Thursday was designated as Decades Day and they dressed up in gear that reflected their favorite decade. Friday was reserved for them to dress up as to what they want to be when they grow up.
Preschool Administrator Lenora “Ponie” Mojado said they saw lots of princesses on Monday and Spider-Man lookalikes on Wednesday. Dressing up as a favorite book character showed their interest in many of the book titles that were being offered at the fair. From Paw Patrol to Bluey, there were a lot of book characters represented. The decades spanned from the 1970s to the 2000s among the students who attended school on Thursday.
Preschoolers, who are three to four years old, were encouraged by their teacher Julissa Garcia and aide Jess Thompson to participate in the different activities. Professional sports is the future goal of a few of the boys in the class with one wanting to play for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL, two for major league baseball teams and one on the motocross track.
Garcia said the children have been learning about the importance of community helpers such as firefighters, police officers, doctors and veterinarians, so it was not a big surprise to see many of the students donning white coats and stethoscopes on March 14.
“We took a poll as to who their favorite community helper is between police and doctors and it was a tie,” she said. “We had the firefighters visit our classroom a few months ago so it was nice to circle back to that as a conversation starter.”
Pre-K students in the classroom with teacher Ana Garcia and aide Alaina Adkins range from four to five years old and they got to discuss their career decisions during carpet time first thing in the morning. There was chef Marcie Brane, firefighter Kut Vega-Castello, veterinarian Love Salgado-Flores, rock star Mav Vega, a police officer, and even a make-up artist among others.
Ana Garcia said the teachers and staff got into the spirit of Silly Week as well. She said she wore a Disney shirt and Mickey Mouse ears on Monday, joined her aides as ladybugs on Tuesday and wore a T-shirt on Wednesday that said “Pre-K teacher of superheroes” – something she can wear anytime. She threw herself back into the 80s on Thursday and wore a fancy dress on Friday to convey being a sophisticated teacher.
Teacher Laura Aldrete and aide Elena Vega-Castello kept kindergartners busy with a pre-St. Patrick’s Day activity of building leprechaun traps. The traps will be left out over the weekend and on March 17, the kids will get to see if they had any luck capturing one of the diminutive, mischievous fairy-like creatures of Irish folklore.
The five- to six-year-olds really got into the career day theme as they are already looking toward graduation in just a couple of months. Although Loovi Burton came dressed as a chef, she said she also wants to be a ballerina who teaches children how to dance. Jeffrey Vallez likes to play video games but plans to become an astronaut when he grows up. Jensen Hamilton wore a Winco hat, apron and name badge to depict the fact he wants to be a butcher one day, just like his father.
Lupitah Miranda has her sights set on being a veterinarian and Notoowish Velazquez wants to take dirt bike riding to the professional level. “They are always kind of talking with their friends about what they want to do when they grow up,” Vega-Castello said.
Laura Aldrete shared the fact she had intended to become an artist and wore an appropriate outfit to show that. She also majored in psychology before switching to early childhood development to become a teacher. Now she can use what she learned in all those fields as she continues to prepare her students for first grade. Her aide, Elena, always wanted to be a teacher so she’s right where she always hoped to be.
Mojado loves animals and recalls wanting to be a veterinarian when she was little and Preschool Administrative Assistant Maria Hernandez thought she would have a nursing career. Preschool teacher Julissa and her aide Jess both recall wanting to be either a pediatrician or teacher. Pre-K’s Ana Garcia thought she’d become a secretary, and her aide Alaina was eyeing a career as a doctor when she was her students’ age.
Mojado said the Scholastic Book Fair, which is held in the fall and spring, is very popular with students and their families, which is also a benefit to the school.
“The preschool benefits from the Book Fair, as we receive a portion of the proceeds, which goes back to the preschool to help teachers to get books for their classrooms,” she said. “Occasionally, the book fair generates a significant amount of funds, allowing us to purchase books for the end of the year. This past fall, teachers were able to get books for their students as Christmas gifts. Overall, the book fair is successful and enables us to provide classroom books and gifts for the children.”
A wide variety of titles are offered, laid out on tables in the school’s hallway. There are chapter books for older siblings that are in first and second grade on display at the register, should parents want to buy those too. Mojado said that some of the most sought-after titles are the “Paw Patrol” books which often feature pop-up elements, squishy textures, and rolling features that engage children’s senses.
“These interactive features make these books popular purchases,” Mojado said.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
