From the Principal’s Office
Dearest families,
Welcome back to school families! Our wonderful Merryhill Elementary School (Kindergarten – 5th grade) will start their academic year next week, so I would like to welcome them all back to school! We will continue to inspire and develop the minds of our infants through preschoolers as we continue through this fantastic school year.
Get your calendar ready for some exciting events in the next month! On September 10th and 11th we have our back to school pictures that will be taken by LifeTouch Photography. On Saturday, September 26th we have our annual Back to School Pancake Breakfast from 10:00 am – 11:00 am in your child’s classroom. Please come and visit with your child’s teachers and enjoy some yummy breakfast with us! I am sure you have been anxiously waiting for your child’s quarterly progress report! These will be completed by the teachers, reviewed by the Principal and past out to the parents by September 28th. The parent and teacher conferences will follow. We will post the sign-up sheets for the conferences in your child’s classroom by Sept 14th.
Homework will start for the Intermediate and Pre-K classrooms next week. You will find your child’s personalized homework folder in the take home bin for some fun learning together at home. If you would like to know what your child is learning throughout the week please take a look at the “Links to Learning curriculum” on the parent board in the classroom. We have a very structured curriculum here at Merryhill School that strives to develop the whole child. This “Links to Learning Curriculum” will show you all of the subjects and skills the children will learn in that week. You can also review the teacher’s lesson plan on the parent board to see the learning activities the teachers have planned to incorporate the subjects and skills from the “Link to Learning curriculum”. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us.
Quick reminders:
Please remember to sign in and out every day in the classroom binder! This is extremely important because we use this binder in case of an emergency!
Please put your child’s name on all sippy cups and water bottles. We do not want the children drinking from other children’s cups.
Please make sure you fill out a sun screen form in the office before dropping off the sunscreen with the teachers. The children are not allowed to keep sun screen in their cubby or back pack. This is the same for any lotions and medication. Please make sure all medications get checked into the preschool office. Medication and lotions need to be kept out of reach of children. One last reminder, please put your sheet and blanket for nap time in a bag labeled with your child’s name. If it does not have a name on it, then we do not know who it belongs to 🙂 Thank you for your cooperation!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns my door is always open. We are here to help you and “our” children in any way we can. Everyone at Merryhill is special and important to us. Let us make this a great school year!
Heather Bilbro/Palmer
Preschool Principal
heather.bilbro@nlcinc.com
408-254-1280
“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds we sow today.”
Calendar of Events
• August 14th- School Closed for Teacher’s In service Day
• Sept. 7th- School Closed for Labor Day Holiday
• Sept. 10th & 11th – LifeTouch Pictures will be taken at the school. Schedule for the classrooms will be posted
• Sept. 26th- Saturday Back to School event…Pancake Breakfast from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
• Sept. 28th- Progress reports passed out to the parents and parent teacher conferences begin (look for sign up sheets in your teacher’s classroom)
Join us for our next Open House!
November 7, 2015 10:00 am – 1:00 pm **Tell a friend and if they register you will receive one free week of tuition!**
________________________________________
Extra Curricular Activities here at school!!!
- Piano Class by My First MusIQ program – Held on Wednesdays
- Tuff Tumblers Class – Held on Fridays
- MiniSoccer – Held on Tuesdays
Merryhill San Jose is proud to offer Challenger Sports NEW MiniKickers Program in association with the Challenger Soccer Academy.
________________________________________
Parent Referral Program:
If there’s one thing parents love to do, it’s talk about their children’s successes.
When friends ask you about your child’s experiences at Merryhill School, what type of success stories do you share? Do you mention the personal and educational discoveries your child is making thanks to our advanced curriculum? Do you talk about the new levels of self and social confidence your child has gained thanks to our encouraging atmosphere?
*For every new child you refer who enrolls at our school for three months, you’ll receive one FREE week of tuition for your child*.
It’s our way of saying thanks for doing what comes naturally – singing the praises of your child and sharing your experiences with the Merryhill School difference!!
________________________________________
Reestablishing Routines for Your Preschooler
Maintaining Order & Staying on Track
As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.
Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.
At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.
Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.
At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.
Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.
At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.
At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.
Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
________________________________________
PARENT INFO
Participate in our new Automatic Payment Program
Tired of having to remember weekly tuition payments? Save time and avoid late fees with this program. Contact your school principal for more information on how to join.
August Newsletter
From the Principal’s Office
Dearest families,
As always, if you have any questions or concerns my door is always open. We are here to help you and “our” children in any way we can. Everyone at Merryhill is special and important to us. Let us make this a great school year!
Heather Bilbro/Palmer
Preschool Principal
heather.bilbro@nlcinc.com
408-254-1280
“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds we sow today.”
Calendar of Events
• August 14th- School Closed for Teacher’s In service Day
• Sept. 7th- School Closed for Labor Day Holiday
• Sept. 10th & 11th – LifeTouch Pictures will be taken at the school. Schedule for the classrooms will be posted
• Sept. 26th- Saturday Back to School event…Pancake Breakfast from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
• Sept. 28th- Progress reports passed out to the parents and parent teacher conferences begin (look for sign up sheets in your teacher’s classroom)
Join us for our next Open House!
November 7, 2015 10:00 am – 1:00 pm **Tell a friend and if they register you will receive one free week of tuition!**
________________________________________
Extra Curricular Activities here at school!!!
Merryhill San Jose is proud to offer Challenger Sports NEW MiniKickers Program in association with the Challenger Soccer Academy.
________________________________________
Parent Referral Program:
If there’s one thing parents love to do, it’s talk about their children’s successes.
When friends ask you about your child’s experiences at Merryhill School, what type of success stories do you share? Do you mention the personal and educational discoveries your child is making thanks to our advanced curriculum? Do you talk about the new levels of self and social confidence your child has gained thanks to our encouraging atmosphere?
*For every new child you refer who enrolls at our school for three months, you’ll receive one FREE week of tuition for your child*.
It’s our way of saying thanks for doing what comes naturally – singing the praises of your child and sharing your experiences with the Merryhill School difference!!
________________________________________
Reestablishing Routines for Your Preschooler
Maintaining Order & Staying on Track
As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.
Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.
At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.
Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.
At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.
Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.
At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.
At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.
Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
________________________________________
PARENT INFO
Participate in our new Automatic Payment Program
Tired of having to remember weekly tuition payments? Save time and avoid late fees with this program. Contact your school principal for more information on how to join.