From the Principal…
Dear Parents,
October is here, such a fun and exciting time for the children. Fall has arrived and the holidays are just around the corner.
We have quite a busy month ahead of us. Please make sure you pick up the October Activity Calendar in the front office and keep it handy…you won’t want to miss a thing.
Our annual Merryhill pumpkin patch is just around the corner. The morning of Friday, October 16th we will transform our yard into a pumpkin patch. The children will all go outside to “pick” a pumpkin and will get to visit a real live petting zoo. Parents are welcome to attend, but all children in all classes will participate in this great event. Each class will be making a scarecrow for this event and may need some help with supplies. Please ask your teacher if they need anything.
To end the month, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat event. The children (and even some parents) will dress up in their costumes as they go from Trunk to Trunk, getting treats along the way. If you would like to participate in this wonderful event, please see Ms. Monique to sign up – we will need about 16 “Trunks”. If you can’t be a “trunk” we will need donations of different “treats” for each trunk. Watch for more information on this event coming soon. On this same day the classes will continue the fun in their classrooms. Please see individual sign up sheets for any potlucks that the classes may be having.
Thank you to everyone for participating in all of our fundraisers. We are putting all the money raised into upgrading our yards this year. I know we do a lot of fundraisers – in hopes that you will find one that will fit for you and your family – Fundraisers are not mandatory, but are always appreciated. Be on the lookout for our Yankee Candle Fundraiser to kick off soon, followed by a fabulous popcorn fundraiser in November.
Looking forward to a great month.
Ms. Susan
Upcoming Events:
Monday, October 5th Picture Day: Infants, Toddlers, Beginner A’s
Tuesday, October 6th Picture Day: Beginner B, All Intermediate Classes
Wednesday, October 7th Picture Day: Pre-Kindergarten, Pre-Kindergarten 2 & Siblings
Week of October 12th Scholastic Book Fair
Friday, October 16th Merryhill Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 30th Trunk or Treat Event
Friday, October 30th Links to Learning Folders and Parent Reports go home
Wednesday, November 11th School Closed – Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 25th Family Feasts in individual classrooms
Thursday, November 26th School Closed, Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27th: School Closed, Happy Thanksgiving
News from the Education Department
Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play
This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain
We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
October New
From the Principal…
Dear Parents,
October is here, such a fun and exciting time for the children. Fall has arrived and the holidays are just around the corner.
We have quite a busy month ahead of us. Please make sure you pick up the October Activity Calendar in the front office and keep it handy…you won’t want to miss a thing.
Our annual Merryhill pumpkin patch is just around the corner. The morning of Friday, October 16th we will transform our yard into a pumpkin patch. The children will all go outside to “pick” a pumpkin and will get to visit a real live petting zoo. Parents are welcome to attend, but all children in all classes will participate in this great event. Each class will be making a scarecrow for this event and may need some help with supplies. Please ask your teacher if they need anything.
To end the month, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat event. The children (and even some parents) will dress up in their costumes as they go from Trunk to Trunk, getting treats along the way. If you would like to participate in this wonderful event, please see Ms. Monique to sign up – we will need about 16 “Trunks”. If you can’t be a “trunk” we will need donations of different “treats” for each trunk. Watch for more information on this event coming soon. On this same day the classes will continue the fun in their classrooms. Please see individual sign up sheets for any potlucks that the classes may be having.
Thank you to everyone for participating in all of our fundraisers. We are putting all the money raised into upgrading our yards this year. I know we do a lot of fundraisers – in hopes that you will find one that will fit for you and your family – Fundraisers are not mandatory, but are always appreciated. Be on the lookout for our Yankee Candle Fundraiser to kick off soon, followed by a fabulous popcorn fundraiser in November.
Looking forward to a great month.
Ms. Susan
Upcoming Events:
Monday, October 5th Picture Day: Infants, Toddlers, Beginner A’s
Tuesday, October 6th Picture Day: Beginner B, All Intermediate Classes
Wednesday, October 7th Picture Day: Pre-Kindergarten, Pre-Kindergarten 2 & Siblings
Week of October 12th Scholastic Book Fair
Friday, October 16th Merryhill Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 30th Trunk or Treat Event
Friday, October 30th Links to Learning Folders and Parent Reports go home
Wednesday, November 11th School Closed – Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 25th Family Feasts in individual classrooms
Thursday, November 26th School Closed, Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27th: School Closed, Happy Thanksgiving
News from the Education Department
Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play
This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain
We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education