From the Principal’s Office
The month of November reminds me of all the things in my life that I am truly thankful for and for those people I hold close to my heart. At Merryhill, we feel especially thankful for our families who entrust us with their most treasured possession, their child. For that, we thank you form the bottom of our hearts. Take time this month to tell your loved ones how very important they are to you and how much you love them.
Special thanks to our families that joined us and volunteered at our annual Trick or Trunk! The event was Spooktacular!
We will celebrate Thanksgiving with our annual Friendship Feast for our Beginners – Pre-K2 classes. This year our Pre-K2 class will hold their event on Thursday, November 19th at 11:00 am, and our Beginners – Pre-K will be on Friday, November 20th at 11:00 am. Please make sure that you mark your calendar for this very special event. Sign-up sheets will be available in your child’s classroom for potluck. And our children will be providing entertainment that you won’t want to miss.
Our Infants and Toddlers will celebrate Thanksgiving with their annual Pumpkin Pie Social on Wednesday, November 18th at 3:30 pm. We hope to see you there!
The holidays are right around the corner and we know how busy this time of year can be. We want to help you with your holiday photo cards. We have scheduled “Spaghetti with Santa” night at the Spaghetti Factory in Elk Grove. Join us on Monday, November 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm for this jolly event! Santa will arrive at 6:00 pm, so bring your camera for your holiday photo!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa Norris – Principal
Important Dates
11/1 Daylight Savings Fall Back – Set Your Clocks!
11/3 Election Day – Vote!
11/7 Open House 10am-1pm Inquiring Families Only
11/11 Veteran’s Day – School Closed
11/13 Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
11/13 Last Day for Kids Can Food Drive
11/18 Infant/Toddler Pumpkin Pie Social – 3:30 pm
11/19 Friendship Feast – 11 am – Pre-K 2 ONLY
11/20 Friendship Feasts – 11 am – Beginners – Pre-K ONLY
11/26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed
11/30 Spaghetti with Santa 5:30-7:30 pm Spaghetti Factory
Upcoming Events
Election Day!
Election day is Tuesday, November 3rd. Be patriotic by wearing Red, White, and Blue!Our classes will each experience the voting and election day process!
Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
Mickey is having a birthday! Although the exact date is November 18th, we will be having our celebration on Friday, November 13th. Wear your favorite Disney wear and check with your child’s teacher for special sign ups.
Spaghetti with Santa
Join us on Monday, November 30th for “Spaghetti with Santa” at the Spaghetti Factory in Elk Grove. For each paying adult, kids will eat FREE! Your child will have the opportunity to write their letter to Santa and mail it! Bring your camera to capture your child’s special moment with Santa! Please note that this will be our only Santa visit (he will not be here during our December holiday programs this year).
Santa’s Workshop
Santa’s Workshop will be coming to Merryhill during the week of December 7th. This is your child’s opportunity to do their holiday shopping right here at Merryhill. More information will be coming your way as the date gets closer.
Friendship Feasts
During the month of November, the children will be involved in many activities associated with Thanksgiving and the meaning behind the holiday. Those activities will culminate with our traditional Friendship Feast that will take place on Thursday, November 19th for our Pre-K2 class ONLY, and Friday, November 20th, for our Beginners – Pre-K ONLY. Sign up to bring a potluck dish to share. The teachers have special entertainment planned as well.
Infant/Toddler Pumpkin Pie Social
Our Infants and Toddlers will be hosting a special gathering on Wednesday, November 18th at 3:30 pm. We hope to see all of our Infant and Toddler families there to share pumpkin pie and fun!
Kids Can Food Drive
The last day to donate non-perishable food items to the KCRA Kids Can Food Drive is Friday, November 13th.
Open House
Make sure to tell your friends to attend our Open House on Saturday, November 7th from 10-1pm. If your friend registers, you could receive a free week of tuition! This event is for inquiring families only.
Weekly Communication
Please make sure that you are checking your email everyday! We often send out reminders about special events and each Monday you will receive a “This Week At Merryhill” email. This will give you a quick glance at the week!
Reminders!
Please remember to sign your child in and out everyday. We are often audited on this required task. We must have 100% compliance.
Remember to bring in all valuables (purses, cell phones, children) into the school when dropping off or picking up your children. ‘Tis the time of the year for “smash & grabs”.
School Holidays
As a reminder, Merryhill will be closed on the following days:
Wednesday, November 11th – Veteran’s Day
Thursday & Friday, November 26th & 27th – Thanksgiving Holiday
From the Education Department
4 Ways to Instill Thankfulness in Young Children
It’s never too early to teach your child about thankfulness. By learning concepts of generosity and compassion, children strengthen their connection to their community and become sensitive to the feelings of others.
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so now is a great time to reinforce the importance of thankfulness and giving back to those in need.
Below are age appropriate activities that we implement in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS: Be a good role model
In the classroom: Our teachers introduce “please” and “thank you” to our toddlers by using sign language and verbal communication. Students practice good manners with their dolls, stuffed animals and each other.
At home: Modeling positive behaviors is a great way to teach your child good manners. Say “please” before asking him to do something, and always follow with “thank you.”
Recommended reading: Little Critter® I Am Helping by Mercer Mayer
BEGINNERS: Share your gratitude out loud
In the classroom: Our teachers encourage our Beginner students to name a few of their favorite toys and games, and bring one in from home to share with friends. By sharing their belongings, children nurture connections with their classmates, and build necessary problem-solving skills.
At home: Talk with your child about the things in your life for which you are thankful, and ask him to name a few as well. Extend the discussion beyond physical possessions. For instance, if he is thankful for a favorite toy, say “Grandma bought you that toy, and we are thankful for her.”
Recommended reading: Spot Helps Out by Eric Hill
INTERMEDIATES: Show appreciation through actions
In the classroom: By age three, children begin to understand the concept of appreciation. They create birthday cards for their teachers, make art projects for friends, and write thank you cards for classroom visitors.
At home: Go shopping with your child, and buy a small token of appreciation for a friend or family member. Ask your child to draw a picture or write a thank you note to accompany the gift.
Recommended reading: Clifford’s Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell
PRE-K/PRE-K2: Give back to those in need
In the classroom: During the holidays, many of our schools host donation drives for organizations in need. Our older preschoolers discuss why they are participating, count the items donated, and sometimes have the opportunity to deliver the donations.
At home: Donate canned goods to a local food pantry, and allow your child to choose the food that he would like to donate. Explain to him that you are thankful to have good food to eat, and that you want to make sure that others have the same.
Recommended reading: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to develop thankfulness and show gratitude towards others. By setting this positive foundation, your child will be more appreciative and generous as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
November Newsletter
From the Principal’s Office
The month of November reminds me of all the things in my life that I am truly thankful for and for those people I hold close to my heart. At Merryhill, we feel especially thankful for our families who entrust us with their most treasured possession, their child. For that, we thank you form the bottom of our hearts. Take time this month to tell your loved ones how very important they are to you and how much you love them.
Special thanks to our families that joined us and volunteered at our annual Trick or Trunk! The event was Spooktacular!
We will celebrate Thanksgiving with our annual Friendship Feast for our Beginners – Pre-K2 classes. This year our Pre-K2 class will hold their event on Thursday, November 19th at 11:00 am, and our Beginners – Pre-K will be on Friday, November 20th at 11:00 am. Please make sure that you mark your calendar for this very special event. Sign-up sheets will be available in your child’s classroom for potluck. And our children will be providing entertainment that you won’t want to miss.
Our Infants and Toddlers will celebrate Thanksgiving with their annual Pumpkin Pie Social on Wednesday, November 18th at 3:30 pm. We hope to see you there!
The holidays are right around the corner and we know how busy this time of year can be. We want to help you with your holiday photo cards. We have scheduled “Spaghetti with Santa” night at the Spaghetti Factory in Elk Grove. Join us on Monday, November 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm for this jolly event! Santa will arrive at 6:00 pm, so bring your camera for your holiday photo!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa Norris – Principal
Important Dates
11/1 Daylight Savings Fall Back – Set Your Clocks!
11/3 Election Day – Vote!
11/7 Open House 10am-1pm Inquiring Families Only
11/11 Veteran’s Day – School Closed
11/13 Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
11/13 Last Day for Kids Can Food Drive
11/18 Infant/Toddler Pumpkin Pie Social – 3:30 pm
11/19 Friendship Feast – 11 am – Pre-K 2 ONLY
11/20 Friendship Feasts – 11 am – Beginners – Pre-K ONLY
11/26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed
11/30 Spaghetti with Santa 5:30-7:30 pm Spaghetti Factory
Upcoming Events
Election Day!
Election day is Tuesday, November 3rd. Be patriotic by wearing Red, White, and Blue!Our classes will each experience the voting and election day process!
Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
Mickey is having a birthday! Although the exact date is November 18th, we will be having our celebration on Friday, November 13th. Wear your favorite Disney wear and check with your child’s teacher for special sign ups.
Spaghetti with Santa
Join us on Monday, November 30th for “Spaghetti with Santa” at the Spaghetti Factory in Elk Grove. For each paying adult, kids will eat FREE! Your child will have the opportunity to write their letter to Santa and mail it! Bring your camera to capture your child’s special moment with Santa! Please note that this will be our only Santa visit (he will not be here during our December holiday programs this year).
Santa’s Workshop
Santa’s Workshop will be coming to Merryhill during the week of December 7th. This is your child’s opportunity to do their holiday shopping right here at Merryhill. More information will be coming your way as the date gets closer.
Friendship Feasts
During the month of November, the children will be involved in many activities associated with Thanksgiving and the meaning behind the holiday. Those activities will culminate with our traditional Friendship Feast that will take place on Thursday, November 19th for our Pre-K2 class ONLY, and Friday, November 20th, for our Beginners – Pre-K ONLY. Sign up to bring a potluck dish to share. The teachers have special entertainment planned as well.
Infant/Toddler Pumpkin Pie Social
Our Infants and Toddlers will be hosting a special gathering on Wednesday, November 18th at 3:30 pm. We hope to see all of our Infant and Toddler families there to share pumpkin pie and fun!
Kids Can Food Drive
The last day to donate non-perishable food items to the KCRA Kids Can Food Drive is Friday, November 13th.
Open House
Make sure to tell your friends to attend our Open House on Saturday, November 7th from 10-1pm. If your friend registers, you could receive a free week of tuition! This event is for inquiring families only.
Weekly Communication
Please make sure that you are checking your email everyday! We often send out reminders about special events and each Monday you will receive a “This Week At Merryhill” email. This will give you a quick glance at the week!
Reminders!
Please remember to sign your child in and out everyday. We are often audited on this required task. We must have 100% compliance.
Remember to bring in all valuables (purses, cell phones, children) into the school when dropping off or picking up your children. ‘Tis the time of the year for “smash & grabs”.
School Holidays
As a reminder, Merryhill will be closed on the following days:
Wednesday, November 11th – Veteran’s Day
Thursday & Friday, November 26th & 27th – Thanksgiving Holiday
From the Education Department
4 Ways to Instill Thankfulness in Young Children
It’s never too early to teach your child about thankfulness. By learning concepts of generosity and compassion, children strengthen their connection to their community and become sensitive to the feelings of others.
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so now is a great time to reinforce the importance of thankfulness and giving back to those in need.
Below are age appropriate activities that we implement in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS: Be a good role model
In the classroom: Our teachers introduce “please” and “thank you” to our toddlers by using sign language and verbal communication. Students practice good manners with their dolls, stuffed animals and each other.
At home: Modeling positive behaviors is a great way to teach your child good manners. Say “please” before asking him to do something, and always follow with “thank you.”
Recommended reading: Little Critter® I Am Helping by Mercer Mayer
BEGINNERS: Share your gratitude out loud
In the classroom: Our teachers encourage our Beginner students to name a few of their favorite toys and games, and bring one in from home to share with friends. By sharing their belongings, children nurture connections with their classmates, and build necessary problem-solving skills.
At home: Talk with your child about the things in your life for which you are thankful, and ask him to name a few as well. Extend the discussion beyond physical possessions. For instance, if he is thankful for a favorite toy, say “Grandma bought you that toy, and we are thankful for her.”
Recommended reading: Spot Helps Out by Eric Hill
INTERMEDIATES: Show appreciation through actions
In the classroom: By age three, children begin to understand the concept of appreciation. They create birthday cards for their teachers, make art projects for friends, and write thank you cards for classroom visitors.
At home: Go shopping with your child, and buy a small token of appreciation for a friend or family member. Ask your child to draw a picture or write a thank you note to accompany the gift.
Recommended reading: Clifford’s Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell
PRE-K/PRE-K2: Give back to those in need
In the classroom: During the holidays, many of our schools host donation drives for organizations in need. Our older preschoolers discuss why they are participating, count the items donated, and sometimes have the opportunity to deliver the donations.
At home: Donate canned goods to a local food pantry, and allow your child to choose the food that he would like to donate. Explain to him that you are thankful to have good food to eat, and that you want to make sure that others have the same.
Recommended reading: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to develop thankfulness and show gratitude towards others. By setting this positive foundation, your child will be more appreciative and generous as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education