March 2023
The Green Shamrock flag is flying at our entrance, pots of gold, and green shamrocks are featured in the art on the walls – March is here!
Music Week
March brings Music Week! March 20th - 24th we will hold morning assemblies introducing musical families and concepts. Classes are making instruments to play at the end of each assembly. If you play an instrument to share with us, please let us know! It is a great way for our students to see and hear different instruments, and all that is required of you is a scale, a simple piece or two showing loud and soft, slow, and fast. We currently have a flutist, a pianist and a violinist coming in.
March Music
Jigs, hornpipes, reels…St. Patrick’s Day is a coming! On the 17th, Mrs. Hassen will be playing Irish music on her violin in the big room – we’ll even try a little Irish dancing! Later in the month, Sunday March 26 at 2:00pm, the Summit Symphony is playing at Summit High School. Mrs. Hassen plays in this orchestra, and it’s a great opportunity to introduce children to the orchestral sound. There is no admission fee.
WNS Staff Goes to School!
School is closed next Wednesday March 15th! The Westminster staff, along with other area nursery school staff, will be attending a workshop given by Occupational Therapists on Speech and Language and OT Milestones. As teachers, we not only work to nurture a love of learning in our students, we model it as well!
2023-2024 Ongoing Registration
Registration is ongoing for the 2023-2024 school year. For the first time since 2020, we are giving tours! Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested.
Art Show
Mark your calendars! Our annual Art Show is Wednesday April 26th 6:00-7:00. All classes will have art on display and this year we will be adding a basket event! This is always a festive event welcoming all of our families. Details will follow as it gets closer.
Upcoming Dates of Note
March 15th – School closed for Staff Professional Development with other local
area nursery schools
March 20th-24th – Music Week! Morning assemblies featuring musical instruments
April 3rd – 10th – Spring Recess, school reopens Tuesday April 11th
Happy 2023! In January the whole school is united in learning about what is out there up in our sky. The younger students focus on the day and night skies, while older students are introduced to the solar system.
Planetarium The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium has programs designed for preschoolers – check out their website https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium for more information.
Conferences Morning classes are closed Wednesday January 25th and Thursday January 26th for parent teacher conferences. Your child’s teacher will be in touch with you regarding the schedule. If you need childcare during your conference, staff will be available to watch your child in the playroom. Please note that Lunch and Learn and 4’s Enrichment classes will remain open.
Pajama Day! Pajamas at school?? Yes, don’t’ worry about getting dressed on the 30th or 31st, it’s time to get cozy! Mrs. Bocian’s and Mrs. Diaz’s classes will wear pajamas to school on Monday, January 30th. Tuesday, January 31st will be Mrs. Ripps’ and Mrs. Machin’s classes turn. Students and staff love this day when we all wear pajamas to school - and make pancakes! Parents - feel free to wear pjs at drop off!
New Floors! New floors are coming to our downstairs hallway and classrooms over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend (January 14-16)! Westminster Nursery School is a grateful recipient of a NJ American Rescue Plan (ARP) stabilization grant given in part to cover facility maintenance and improvements. We are using a portion of this grant to replace the cracked flooring in our hallway and classrooms downstairs.
Snow Day and Delayed Opening Reminder January may bring some winter weather! Please be sure to check your email! Westminster Nursery School follows Berkeley Heights Public Schools when it comes to closings and delayed openings due to inclement weather. I will send an e-mail between 5:30 am and 6:00 am in the event of a closing or delayed opening. If there is a delayed opening, classes will be in session from 10:00am until 12:00pm with extended day in session 12:00pm to 2:30pm.
2023-2024 Registration! Registration for next year is right around the corner. Current families and alumni will have priority registration. Watch for an email with more information.
Baby Food / Food Collection Thank you for donating to our annual food collection! On behalf of the Morristown Food pantry, it is deeply appreciated!
Early Drop Off Early drop off is available daily at 8:30am for $5.
Upcoming Dates of Note
Monday January 16 – School closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday January 25 – Conferences, morning classes closed, extended day open
Thursday January 26 – Conferences, morning classes closed, extended day open
Monday January 30 - Pajama Day Mrs. Bocian and Mrs. Diaz
Tuesday January 31 – Pajama Day Mrs. Ripps and Mrs. Machin