A Message From The Principal:
Dear Merryhill families,
It is with such excitement that I welcome you to our new school year! This year is certain to be filled with new milestones and experiences for your child.
Through this journey, you can count on us to keep you informed about your child’s day and about the special events and activities taking place at our school. Make sure to read the school monthly newsletter, check out our school website, the Bulletin Board Activity Descriptors, and of course, keep up our daily conversations when you drop off or pick up your child. You can also contact us directly at the school at (916)575-9603 ext. 2 or by email at 1042adminteam@nlcinc.com
I believe that the best way for our students to thrive in a school environment is through forming strong relationships between staff, parents, and administration. We are always available to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to either call, stop by, or email us anytime.
Our school mission is to provide every child under our care with a fun, safe, and educational environment. I know the importance of having one’s child in a place where you know your needs are being met and where they are being loved and cared for. Please let the teachers know of any information or changes that will help us transition your child to their new class environment.
Thanks again for entrusting us with your child’s care and education. We look forward to another successful and rewarding year together!
Warm regards,
Yvonne Valenzuela
Principal
School Closure Dates & Reminders for the 2021-2022 School Year
July 5 – School Closed for 4th of July observance
July 19 to August 6 – Kids helping Kids Project
August 13 – School Closed for Teacher-in-Service Day
September 6 – School Closed for Labor Day
September 15 and 16 – School Picture Days
November 11 – School Closed for Veteran’s Day
November 25-26 – School Closed for Thanksgiving
December 24 – School Closed for Christmas day
December 31 – School Closed for New Years Day
January 17 – School Closed for Marthin Luther King
February 21 – School Closed for President’s Day
March 4 – School Closed for Teacher in-Service Day
May 30 – School Closed for Memorial Day
June 17 – End of the 21-22 School Year
Keep in mind…. *
Extra Clothing Reminder
If you’ve not already done so, please send in an extra set of weather appropriate clothes for your child. Extra clothing must be brought to school in a ziplock bag. No loose items can be stored in your child’s cubby.
If you’re not currently receiving photos and daily reports for your child you can easily change this by downloading the Links 2 Home app on your phone. Just type ‘Links 2 Home’ in the search bar for the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. After downloading Links 2 Home you can register with the same email address that you used to enroll your child in our school.
Online Parent Communication
In addition to our newsletter the ‘For Parents’ section of our website also includes links to our menu, monthly calendar and school year calendar. We update these items frequently to ensure you’re always in the know. Though we send information through Links 2 Home, our calendar can be printed or even downloaded directly to your device. Our menu and school year calendar can be printed or saved for easy reference as well.
- Monthly Calendar
- Menu
- School Year Calendar
Updating your Information in Alma
Do you have a different email address or phone number? Need to add or remove an emergency contact? You can do this at any time in Alma. If you need help logging in or accessing the system please let us know.
Love Our School? Review Us!
In today’s connected world, many families turn to online reviews to learn more about the reputation of schools. Just a reminder that you can find our school on Facebook, Google, Yelp and other online directories. We’d love more families like yours, so please consider spreading the word about our school.
News From our Education Department
5 Fun Family Activities to Do Before the Summer Ends
August can be bittersweet. Summer camps are coming to an end and the school year is starting soon. However, there’s still time to cross off the rest of your summer bucket list before the season ends.
Make great new memories by trying some of the activities below with your family.
Make Your Own Bubbles
Making bubbles is a fun science experiment for children of all ages. Gather 4 cups water, ½ cup sugar and ½ cup dish soap. Encourage your child to measure, whisk and pour the ingredients into a large bowl or tray. For additional fun, add a few drops of food coloring. Use this as an opportunity to discuss how colors combine to form new ones. Ask your child which color is their favorite.
Build a Backyard Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are a great way to practice gross motor skills and balance. Use hula hoops, chairs, pool noodles, jump ropes and other materials found around your home. Ask your child to perform a certain task at each obstacle. For example, say “Hop over the pool noodle” or “Jump rope 10 times.” Set a timer and see which family member can complete the course the fastest.
Set up a Lemonade Stand
A lemonade stand allows your child to practice creativity, money skills, following directions and giving back to those in need. Set out art supplies and ask them to make a colorful sign for their stand. Work together to make and sell the lemonade to your neighbors and friends. When the sale is complete, donate the proceeds to a charity of your child’s choosing.
Grow Fresh Herbs
Decide which herbs you’d like to grow and take your child with you to purchase the seeds. Plant the seeds in mason jars, plastic cups or cans and place them on your porch or windowsill. Ask your child to help you water the herbs and measure how tall the plants are growing each week. Harvest the herbs together and use them in an upcoming family meal.
Picnic in the Park
Gather a blanket, your family’s favorite lunch and a frisbee or ball, and head to a nearby park. Set up a picnic with your family’s favorite fruits and veggies. Take time to sample them and describe each flavor. Enjoy the fresh air and quality time with your loved ones and have fun!
Kids helping Kids Project
Kids Helping Kids is a project that teaches our children the importance of helping others and coming together to support those in our community that are not as fortunate as we are.
Merryhill Karitsa – July 19th to August 6th.
See attached flyer for details of our school project!
kids helpping kids project
A few friendly reminders …….
Illness Policy Reminder:
Our parents are vital partners in helping us to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the students in our school. The most important thing you can do to assist us in creating a healthy environment is to keep your child home if they are ill. This reduces the spread of illness and allows your child to fully recuperate. Children may not attend school until they have been symptom free for 24 hours if they display any of the following:
- Fever of 100 degrees of more—must be fever free for 72 hours with no fever-reducing medicine before returning to school
- Vomiting, diarrhea or stomach upset
- Heavy nasal discharge requiring wiping every 3-5 minutes
- Persistent, non-productive or barking cough
- Sore throat
- Skin rash, including diaper rash
- Head lice
- Symptoms of a communicable disease
- Fussy, cranky behavior unlike child’s normal demeanor that may indicate illness
For more information please see our Parent Handbook or reach out to a member of our administrative team.
Parking Lot Safety
Please remember not to leave any valuables in your car (including your children) when entering our building or any other location. With the slump in the economy, thieves are getting BOLD! They are taking part in a practice refer as “Smash and Grab”. They target mostly women’s cars who leave without a purse in hand who have left their purses, lap tops, etc. sitting in plain view in their locked vehicles! The “locked vehicle” does not stop them as they come prepared with a special glass breaking tool! They break your window, grab what they want and speed away!
Rules for Vehicles While On School Grounds: Because the safety of our children is of paramount concern to us, we require all parents to adhere to the following rules of the road while on campus:
- There is a 5 miles per hour speed limit at all times while on school property.
- Park in designated parking spaces only.
- While on school grounds, pedestrians always have the right of way.
- Vehicle ignitions MUST be turned off, and the keys removed, while parked on school grounds.
- Children may NOT be left unattended in a vehicle at any time or for any reason.
- Violations of these rules may result in a warning. If a violation is serious, or if violations continue, school personnel are authorized to take a tag number for a report to the local police.
Tuition Policy Reminder:
- Tuition is due no later than Friday prior to the week of attendance. Tuition is considered delinquent at 12:00 PM on Monday. A $25 late fee charge will be assessed at that time and should be included in your payment. Tuition is continuous throughout the year. There are no deductions in tuition for absences, illness, or the holidays that are observed throughout the year. Each child is entitled to one week of vacation credit for each school year after attending school for six months. Requests for vacation credit must be presented in writing to the office at least two weeks in advance.
- A charge of $1 per minute will be assessed for children picked-up after 12:00 PM for half-day students, and 5:30 PM for full-day students.
- Sign up for our Automatic Payment Program and avoid late fee charges via your parent portal, ALMA! You can also use this portal to submit payments via credit card.
- We encourage you all parents to sign into your parent portal, ALMA, to view your account, print statements, make payments, and update contact information. ALMA is an online platform that can be reached from this website from the “For Parents” tab. Please see an administrative staff member if you need help setting up your account or a password reset.
Additional Reminders:
- Please make sure that your child has a crib-sized fitted sheet to cover his/her mat, a blanket, and at least two spare set of clothing in his/her cubby. On Fridays, you must take blankets and sheets home to be laundered and return them on Mondays. Please check your child’s cubby everyday for soiled clothing or other items that may need to be taken home. Please also make sure all items are clearly marked with your child’s name (clothing, sheets, blankets, sweaters and jackets, towels and bathing suits, etc.).
- We ask that your child wear appropriate shoes to School in order to protect them for potential injuries. Flip Flops are not permitted at school.
- Merryhill School is a NUT FREE environment, we ask that you not bring any food items into the school that contain nut products.
July 2021 Newsletter
July 2021 Newsletter
A Message From The Principal:
Dear Merryhill families,
It is with such excitement that I welcome you to our new school year! This year is certain to be filled with new milestones and experiences for your child.
Through this journey, you can count on us to keep you informed about your child’s day and about the special events and activities taking place at our school. Make sure to read the school monthly newsletter, check out our school website, the Bulletin Board Activity Descriptors, and of course, keep up our daily conversations when you drop off or pick up your child. You can also contact us directly at the school at (916)575-9603 ext. 2 or by email at 1042adminteam@nlcinc.com
I believe that the best way for our students to thrive in a school environment is through forming strong relationships between staff, parents, and administration. We are always available to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to either call, stop by, or email us anytime.
Our school mission is to provide every child under our care with a fun, safe, and educational environment. I know the importance of having one’s child in a place where you know your needs are being met and where they are being loved and cared for. Please let the teachers know of any information or changes that will help us transition your child to their new class environment.
Thanks again for entrusting us with your child’s care and education. We look forward to another successful and rewarding year together!
Warm regards,
Yvonne Valenzuela
Principal
School Closure Dates & Reminders for the 2021-2022 School Year
July 5 – School Closed for 4th of July observance
July 19 to August 6 – Kids helping Kids Project
August 13 – School Closed for Teacher-in-Service Day
September 6 – School Closed for Labor Day
September 15 and 16 – School Picture Days
November 11 – School Closed for Veteran’s Day
November 25-26 – School Closed for Thanksgiving
December 24 – School Closed for Christmas day
December 31 – School Closed for New Years Day
January 17 – School Closed for Marthin Luther King
February 21 – School Closed for President’s Day
March 4 – School Closed for Teacher in-Service Day
May 30 – School Closed for Memorial Day
June 17 – End of the 21-22 School Year
Keep in mind…. *
Extra Clothing Reminder
If you’ve not already done so, please send in an extra set of weather appropriate clothes for your child. Extra clothing must be brought to school in a ziplock bag. No loose items can be stored in your child’s cubby.
If you’re not currently receiving photos and daily reports for your child you can easily change this by downloading the Links 2 Home app on your phone. Just type ‘Links 2 Home’ in the search bar for the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. After downloading Links 2 Home you can register with the same email address that you used to enroll your child in our school.
Online Parent Communication
In addition to our newsletter the ‘For Parents’ section of our website also includes links to our menu, monthly calendar and school year calendar. We update these items frequently to ensure you’re always in the know. Though we send information through Links 2 Home, our calendar can be printed or even downloaded directly to your device. Our menu and school year calendar can be printed or saved for easy reference as well.
Updating your Information in Alma
Do you have a different email address or phone number? Need to add or remove an emergency contact? You can do this at any time in Alma. If you need help logging in or accessing the system please let us know.
Love Our School? Review Us!
In today’s connected world, many families turn to online reviews to learn more about the reputation of schools. Just a reminder that you can find our school on Facebook, Google, Yelp and other online directories. We’d love more families like yours, so please consider spreading the word about our school.
News From our Education Department
5 Fun Family Activities to Do Before the Summer Ends
August can be bittersweet. Summer camps are coming to an end and the school year is starting soon. However, there’s still time to cross off the rest of your summer bucket list before the season ends.
Make great new memories by trying some of the activities below with your family.
Make Your Own Bubbles
Making bubbles is a fun science experiment for children of all ages. Gather 4 cups water, ½ cup sugar and ½ cup dish soap. Encourage your child to measure, whisk and pour the ingredients into a large bowl or tray. For additional fun, add a few drops of food coloring. Use this as an opportunity to discuss how colors combine to form new ones. Ask your child which color is their favorite.
Build a Backyard Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are a great way to practice gross motor skills and balance. Use hula hoops, chairs, pool noodles, jump ropes and other materials found around your home. Ask your child to perform a certain task at each obstacle. For example, say “Hop over the pool noodle” or “Jump rope 10 times.” Set a timer and see which family member can complete the course the fastest.
Set up a Lemonade Stand
A lemonade stand allows your child to practice creativity, money skills, following directions and giving back to those in need. Set out art supplies and ask them to make a colorful sign for their stand. Work together to make and sell the lemonade to your neighbors and friends. When the sale is complete, donate the proceeds to a charity of your child’s choosing.
Grow Fresh Herbs
Decide which herbs you’d like to grow and take your child with you to purchase the seeds. Plant the seeds in mason jars, plastic cups or cans and place them on your porch or windowsill. Ask your child to help you water the herbs and measure how tall the plants are growing each week. Harvest the herbs together and use them in an upcoming family meal.
Picnic in the Park
Gather a blanket, your family’s favorite lunch and a frisbee or ball, and head to a nearby park. Set up a picnic with your family’s favorite fruits and veggies. Take time to sample them and describe each flavor. Enjoy the fresh air and quality time with your loved ones and have fun!
Kids helping Kids Project
Kids Helping Kids is a project that teaches our children the importance of helping others and coming together to support those in our community that are not as fortunate as we are.
Merryhill Karitsa – July 19th to August 6th.
See attached flyer for details of our school project!
kids helpping kids project
A few friendly reminders …….
Illness Policy Reminder:
Our parents are vital partners in helping us to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the students in our school. The most important thing you can do to assist us in creating a healthy environment is to keep your child home if they are ill. This reduces the spread of illness and allows your child to fully recuperate. Children may not attend school until they have been symptom free for 24 hours if they display any of the following:
For more information please see our Parent Handbook or reach out to a member of our administrative team.
Parking Lot Safety
Please remember not to leave any valuables in your car (including your children) when entering our building or any other location. With the slump in the economy, thieves are getting BOLD! They are taking part in a practice refer as “Smash and Grab”. They target mostly women’s cars who leave without a purse in hand who have left their purses, lap tops, etc. sitting in plain view in their locked vehicles! The “locked vehicle” does not stop them as they come prepared with a special glass breaking tool! They break your window, grab what they want and speed away!
Rules for Vehicles While On School Grounds: Because the safety of our children is of paramount concern to us, we require all parents to adhere to the following rules of the road while on campus:
Tuition Policy Reminder:
Additional Reminders: