Dear Parents,
Spring is here and we are really enjoying the beautiful weather. April is going to keep us busy with many different outdoor activities – we are so excited
This month we will be celebrating the annual: Week of the Young Child. What a great week it will be. We will celebrate with music, healthy eating, exercising, planting, art and reading. We will have different activities planed throughout the week that will involve all classes and there will even be opportunities for the parents to get involved. Mark your calendar for April 11 – 15 – there will be lots of fun for everyone.
We will also be celebrating Earth Day this month with a wonderful Ladybug release scheduled for Friday, April 22nd. We will learn about recycling, planting and how to keep our Earth beautiful.
Ms. Monique will continue to work part time this month as she cares for her mother. Both Ms. Kathy and Myself are here and can help with anything you may need. Ms. Monique will continue her Zumba classes as usual.
We will start a 2nd Spring session of Mini-Kickers soccer this month as well – to start on April 20th. The first session was very popular and filled up very quickly. Please don’t wait too long to register. Go to ChallengerSports.com to register.
As you can see it is going to be a very busy month. As usual, please call or email with any questions that you may have.
Sincerely,
Ms. Susan – Principal
____________________________________________________________________
Merryhill Staff
Ms. Susan – Principal
Ms. Monique – Assistant Principal
Ms. Kathy – Administrative Assistant
Infant Staff:
Ms. Ngan
Ms. Darany
Ms. Debbie
Ms. Khou
Ms. Tammi
Toddler Staff:
Ms. Crystal
Ms. Carmel
Ms. Pearl
Ms. Chandy
Beginner A Staff:
Ms. Perlita
Ms. Mai
Ms. Ruthie
Ms. Linda
Beginner B Staff:
Ms. Rebekah
Ms. Sade
Ms. Cyndi
Intermediate Staff:
Ms. Rosemary
Ms. Sara
Ms. Malki
Ms. Molly
Ms. Benita
Pre-Kindergarten Staff:
Ms. Paulina
Ms. Kari
Ms. Allie
Ms. Ami
Ms. Lisa
Enrichment Staff:
Ms. Erika
Ms. Sammy
Floaters / Cook
Ms. Marisa
Ms. Denetra
Ms. Nimfa
____________________________________________________________________
News from the Education Department
Linking Learning with Nature
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Now is a great time for children to explore these environmental changes happening in the world around them.
Not only are children curious about nature, but research shows that it has a profound influence on their problem solving skills, creativity, imagination and cognitive ability. Because of this, our teachers incorporate nature in all aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum.
Below are ways we connect learning with nature, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: After reading a book about springtime, teachers bring children outdoors to explore and investigate objects in nature. The children have fun crumbling leaves, smelling flowers and looking at clouds.
At home: Take tummy time outdoors and allow your infant to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Encourage him to move and grab things by placing objects just beyond his reach. For toddlers, ask questions like, “Who made that chirping sound” or “Can you point to the flowers?”
Recommended reading: Wake Up! Wake Up! A Springtime Lift-the-Flap Book by Kathryn Davis, Welcome Spring by Little Scholastic
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginners read books about seasonal changes, then bring the story to life by going outdoors to find real-world examples.
At home: Help make your child aware of the seasonal changes going on around him. Talk a walk with him and ask questions such as “Why do we see flowers growing now?” or “What do flowers need in order to grow?” Encourage him to use his creativity when answering.
Recommended reading: Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Students plant seeds in their school garden and learn about the importance of caring for them. Through this activity, they practice math skills such as measuring, sorting, counting and making predictions.
At home: Set up a bird feeder outside a window that your child can easily see. Let him help you fill it with birdfeed. As the birds come to eat, ask your child to talk about them. “What color are they?” “Are they big or small?” “What are they doing?”
Recommended reading: Little Seed by Eric Carle, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Pre-K and Pre-K 2 students explore the sounds they hear in nature while playing outdoors. They then use recycled and natural materials, such as string and pine cones, to make their own wind chime.
At home: Reuse junk mail for a fun arts and crafts activity with your child. Encourage him to look through flyers and magazines to find words and pictures that he recognizes. Then, ask him to create a collage by cutting and gluing them to a piece of paper or poster board.
Recommended reading: And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, About Springtime, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around them. By setting this foundation, children build confidence in their own unique thoughts and maintain a thirst for learning as they enter elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
April News
Dear Parents,
Spring is here and we are really enjoying the beautiful weather. April is going to keep us busy with many different outdoor activities – we are so excited
This month we will be celebrating the annual: Week of the Young Child. What a great week it will be. We will celebrate with music, healthy eating, exercising, planting, art and reading. We will have different activities planed throughout the week that will involve all classes and there will even be opportunities for the parents to get involved. Mark your calendar for April 11 – 15 – there will be lots of fun for everyone.
We will also be celebrating Earth Day this month with a wonderful Ladybug release scheduled for Friday, April 22nd. We will learn about recycling, planting and how to keep our Earth beautiful.
Ms. Monique will continue to work part time this month as she cares for her mother. Both Ms. Kathy and Myself are here and can help with anything you may need. Ms. Monique will continue her Zumba classes as usual.
We will start a 2nd Spring session of Mini-Kickers soccer this month as well – to start on April 20th. The first session was very popular and filled up very quickly. Please don’t wait too long to register. Go to ChallengerSports.com to register.
As you can see it is going to be a very busy month. As usual, please call or email with any questions that you may have.
Sincerely,
Ms. Susan – Principal
____________________________________________________________________
Merryhill Staff
Ms. Susan – Principal
Ms. Monique – Assistant Principal
Ms. Kathy – Administrative Assistant
Infant Staff:
Ms. Ngan
Ms. Darany
Ms. Debbie
Ms. Khou
Ms. Tammi
Toddler Staff:
Ms. Crystal
Ms. Carmel
Ms. Pearl
Ms. Chandy
Beginner A Staff:
Ms. Perlita
Ms. Mai
Ms. Ruthie
Ms. Linda
Beginner B Staff:
Ms. Rebekah
Ms. Sade
Ms. Cyndi
Intermediate Staff:
Ms. Rosemary
Ms. Sara
Ms. Malki
Ms. Molly
Ms. Benita
Pre-Kindergarten Staff:
Ms. Paulina
Ms. Kari
Ms. Allie
Ms. Ami
Ms. Lisa
Enrichment Staff:
Ms. Erika
Ms. Sammy
Floaters / Cook
Ms. Marisa
Ms. Denetra
Ms. Nimfa
____________________________________________________________________
News from the Education Department
Linking Learning with Nature
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Now is a great time for children to explore these environmental changes happening in the world around them.
Not only are children curious about nature, but research shows that it has a profound influence on their problem solving skills, creativity, imagination and cognitive ability. Because of this, our teachers incorporate nature in all aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum.
Below are ways we connect learning with nature, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: After reading a book about springtime, teachers bring children outdoors to explore and investigate objects in nature. The children have fun crumbling leaves, smelling flowers and looking at clouds.
At home: Take tummy time outdoors and allow your infant to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Encourage him to move and grab things by placing objects just beyond his reach. For toddlers, ask questions like, “Who made that chirping sound” or “Can you point to the flowers?”
Recommended reading: Wake Up! Wake Up! A Springtime Lift-the-Flap Book by Kathryn Davis, Welcome Spring by Little Scholastic
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginners read books about seasonal changes, then bring the story to life by going outdoors to find real-world examples.
At home: Help make your child aware of the seasonal changes going on around him. Talk a walk with him and ask questions such as “Why do we see flowers growing now?” or “What do flowers need in order to grow?” Encourage him to use his creativity when answering.
Recommended reading: Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Students plant seeds in their school garden and learn about the importance of caring for them. Through this activity, they practice math skills such as measuring, sorting, counting and making predictions.
At home: Set up a bird feeder outside a window that your child can easily see. Let him help you fill it with birdfeed. As the birds come to eat, ask your child to talk about them. “What color are they?” “Are they big or small?” “What are they doing?”
Recommended reading: Little Seed by Eric Carle, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Pre-K and Pre-K 2 students explore the sounds they hear in nature while playing outdoors. They then use recycled and natural materials, such as string and pine cones, to make their own wind chime.
At home: Reuse junk mail for a fun arts and crafts activity with your child. Encourage him to look through flyers and magazines to find words and pictures that he recognizes. Then, ask him to create a collage by cutting and gluing them to a piece of paper or poster board.
Recommended reading: And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, About Springtime, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around them. By setting this foundation, children build confidence in their own unique thoughts and maintain a thirst for learning as they enter elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education