From the Principal…
Wow, what an end to October! Thank you so much to everyone for helping us to put on a “spook”tacular Trunk or Treat event. We had 26 Trunks this year – all looked great! The children looked great in their costumes and everyone had a wonderful time. I can’t wait until next year!
November is not going to slow down for us. Remember we will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in honor of our nation’s Veterans. We will also be celebrating Thanksgiving with a family feast on Wednesday, November 25th. Please see individual classrooms for sign up sheets for their celebrations.
This month you will also receive your child’s Parent Report. This report will help you to see how your child is developing so far this year with all the skills we are introducing in their classrooms. You will see some areas that the children are developing and some areas that we are just beginning to introduce. This is a great tool to understand what is happening in the classrooms and to see where we will be focusing our attention in the months to come. Many of you have already received them, with a few more due out early next week. Please do not hesitate to ask your teacher or myself if you have any questions about what you are seeing.
The weather has finally begun to get cooler…Has Fall finally arrived? Please keep in mind that we still take the children outside, so make sure that you bring a jacket for you child (always label your child’s coat) and that any extra clothes you have for your child are weather appropriate.
Save the Date: The annual Breakfast with Santa will be upon us very soon – mark your calendar now for Wednesday, December 9th for this cheerful event. All plates will be $5.00 this year with money earned going to celebrate our staff at our annual Holiday Party.
It’s going to be a great month – Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Ms. Susan
School Calendar…
Wednesday, November 11th: School Closed – Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 25th: Classroom Friendship Feasts
Thursday, November 26th: School Closed – Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27th: School Closed – Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 9th: Breakfast with Santa
Giving Without Walls…
We are helping our community this month as we kick off our annual Giving Without Walls projects.
Used Coat Drive: Ms. Ami’s Class is asking us all to donate any “gently” used coats that we may have in our closets for homeless children in the community. Starting Monday, November 9th please bring in any coats/jackets that you wish to donate – there will be a box up front to put your donation into.
Canned Food Drive: Ms. Monique’s Zumba class is asking all families to bring a donation this month of at least 1 canned food item, for the area’s homeless families or families in need. There will also be a box up front on Monday, November 6th for the cans.
These activities help our children to understand the importance of giving back to our community and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Thank you in advance for your donations.
From our 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 News
From the Principal…
Wow, what an end to October! Thank you so much to everyone for helping us to put on a “spook”tacular Trunk or Treat event. We had 26 Trunks this year – all looked great! The children looked great in their costumes and everyone had a wonderful time. I can’t wait until next year!
November is not going to slow down for us. Remember we will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in honor of our nation’s Veterans. We will also be celebrating Thanksgiving with a family feast on Wednesday, November 25th. Please see individual classrooms for sign up sheets for their celebrations.
This month you will also receive your child’s Parent Report. This report will help you to see how your child is developing so far this year with all the skills we are introducing in their classrooms. You will see some areas that the children are developing and some areas that we are just beginning to introduce. This is a great tool to understand what is happening in the classrooms and to see where we will be focusing our attention in the months to come. Many of you have already received them, with a few more due out early next week. Please do not hesitate to ask your teacher or myself if you have any questions about what you are seeing.
The weather has finally begun to get cooler…Has Fall finally arrived? Please keep in mind that we still take the children outside, so make sure that you bring a jacket for you child (always label your child’s coat) and that any extra clothes you have for your child are weather appropriate.
Save the Date: The annual Breakfast with Santa will be upon us very soon – mark your calendar now for Wednesday, December 9th for this cheerful event. All plates will be $5.00 this year with money earned going to celebrate our staff at our annual Holiday Party.
It’s going to be a great month – Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Ms. Susan
School Calendar…
Wednesday, November 11th: School Closed – Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 25th: Classroom Friendship Feasts
Thursday, November 26th: School Closed – Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27th: School Closed – Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 9th: Breakfast with Santa
Giving Without Walls…
We are helping our community this month as we kick off our annual Giving Without Walls projects.
Used Coat Drive: Ms. Ami’s Class is asking us all to donate any “gently” used coats that we may have in our closets for homeless children in the community. Starting Monday, November 9th please bring in any coats/jackets that you wish to donate – there will be a box up front to put your donation into.
Canned Food Drive: Ms. Monique’s Zumba class is asking all families to bring a donation this month of at least 1 canned food item, for the area’s homeless families or families in need. There will also be a box up front on Monday, November 6th for the cans.
These activities help our children to understand the importance of giving back to our community and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Thank you in advance for your donations.
From our 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