Friendship Fruit Salad
The kids in our classroom are like a fruit salad, with different colors and different tastes. We each have our families and houses and meals and customs and colors and shapes. On Monday, November 19th and Tuesday, November 20th (just before Thanksgiving) each class will prepare a friendship fruit salad for snack. Each child will bring in one type of fruit, which will be put into a big bowl to be shared with the other children in the class. Look for sign -up sheets on the classroom doors. Only a small amount (i.e. one banana or pear or apple; a small bunch of grapes, etc…) of fruit is needed from each child. All fruit should be washed, cut up and ready to serve.
Scholastic Book Order Reminders/Fundraising
We have tried many fundraisers at WNS. Most are an unnecessary and an expensive burden on the parents. If we may propose buying a book from Scholastic each month (some are just $1), that would be so helpful. Westminster earns “points” from book sales that we can redeem for items to be used in the school. In the past we have received books, language aids (i.e. flannel board stories), classroom items (multicultural figures), kindergarten games and laminating supplies. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. ... Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you to read aloud together. When placing a Scholastic Book Order, please be sure all order forms are completely filled out. Include your child’s name and the teacher’s name. You may write one check for the total of all order forms. As the holiday season approaches, you may be ordering books that will be used as gifts. If this is the case, please note on the order form that it is a gift and the books will be bagged so your child doesn’t see them.
Extended Day/Stay and Play
Invoices for September and October will be distributed in the next two weeks. Please check for them in your email.
Flu Shot Documentation
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) requires children entering pre-school to have an annual influenza vaccine. We have until December 31st to collect documentation that children enrolled at Westminster have received the vaccine. This documentation will be verified by local representatives of the Department of Health and Senior Services. Please arrange for your child to have the flu vaccine and have your Pediatrician/Primary Care Provider complete the form from your summer packet or provide a scrip. Completed forms must be returned to the office by December 20th. Failure to return the form will result in your child not being able to return to school after winter break (until the completed form is returned).
Outdoor Play
We continue to go outside as much as possible for play. Please be sure your child has a LABELLED warm jacket, mittens (if necessary) and a hat. Teachers will always take the time to help your child get ready for outdoor play.
Back to School Night Slide Show
If you missed the Slide Show at Back to School Night, they are on our website, www.westminsternurseryschool.org.
Calendar Dates
Thursday, November 8th – School Closed
Friday, November 9th – School Closed
Monday, November 19th – Friendship Fruit Salad
Tuesday, November 20th – Friendship Fruit Salad
Wednesday, November 21st – School Closed
Thursday, November 22nd – School Closed
Friday, November 23rd - School Closed
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Thanksgiving Wishes
The staff at Westminster wishes each of our Nursery School families a happy Thanksgiving. This is the time of year to reflect on and be thankful for the many wonderful things we have in our lives. At Westminster Nursery School we are thankful for each and every child whose lives we touch and their families.
“Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded.”
Author unknown
Back to School Night
Back to School Night is on October 1st from 6:30-7:30. It is for adults only.
Come and socialize, visit your child’s classroom, enjoy a snack made by your children and see a slide show of your children in action.
Flu Shot Documentation
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) requires children entering pre-school to have an annual influenza vaccine. We have until December 31st to collect documentation that children enrolled at Westminster have received the vaccine. This documentation will be verified by local representatives of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Please arrange for your child to have the flu vaccine and have your Pediatrician/Primary Care Provider complete the form from your summer packet or provide a scrip. Completed forms must be returned to the office by December 20th. Failure to return the form will result in your child not being able to return to school after winter break (until the completed form is returned).
Extended Day/Stay and Play
We want to remind parents that Extended Day (11:30 -1:00) and Stay and Play (1:00-2:45) has begun and this program of art work, games, stories and playtime is available Monday through Friday afternoons. What a great opportunity for play dates! It’s cheaper than a babysitter. Sign-Up sheets are located on the bulletin board by the door to the playground.
Early Drop-Off
Arrival time for all morning classes is 9:00 AM. If you need to arrive early, you are welcome to participate in our Early Drop Off at 8:30 a.m. for $5 per day. No reservation is needed.
Tee Shirt/Sweatshirt/Car Magnets
Our annual Tee Shirt, Sweatshirt and Car Magnet sale will begin shortly. Flyers will be sent home in your child’s school bag. Order forms and money should be dropped in Mrs. Sang’s mailbox by Friday, October 31st.
Scholastic Book Club
Connect your child to books they’ll want to read.
All of your purchases directly benefit your child’s school.
Monthly reading club flyers keep reading fresh and fun.
Low priced books.
Picture Days
School pictures (individual and class) will be taken on Wednesday, Oct. 16th and Thursday, Oct. 17th. If for any reason you are not happy with how your child’s picture turns out, Positive Image will re-shoot. If your child was not here on picture day you may contact Positive Image and they will arrange an appointment at their studio in New Providence.
Outdoor Play
Fall has officially arrived and the weather is getting cooler. We will go outside to play as much as possible. Please remember to send a jacket, sweater or sweatshirt on cool days. Long pants are also a suggestion. Teachers will always take the time to help the children put on jackets and sweaters.
Halloween
Children do not wear costumes to school for Halloween, nor do we have a “Halloween Parade”. Through experience, we have found some costumes unsafe on the stairs and playground and uncomfortable to wear for the entire school day. There just is not enough time to dress and undress an entire class during one class session. In addition, it is not uncommon for some children at this age to be fearful of costumes, no matter how “friendly” they seem.
Don’t forget to “like us”on Facebook and visit our website www.westminsternurseryschool.org. Betsy Harriott, our webmaster, puts up new pictures frequently for you to enjoy.
Calendar Dates
Monday, Oct. 1 – Back to School Night 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 8 – School Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 16 and 17– Picture Days
The days seem just a bit shorter and the nights are getting darker earlier. Acorns are already falling from the trees, all to remind us that September is here bringing with it a brand new school year. As every teacher knows, it truly marks a new beginning because each child who comes into your class is starting a journey that they haven’t been on before, a journey that the two of you will take together; a journey marked by growth, learning and lots of fun.
Parent Meetings I will be conducting informal parent meetings on Monday and Tuesday, September 24th and 25th, after drop off at 9:15 a.m. These meetings are for any parent who has any questions about the Westminster (WNS) program. Extended Day Extended Day begins Thursday, September 13th! This program is offered to 3 and 4 year olds from 11:30-1:00 p.m. Children bring lunch (nut free) and then explore different topics throughout the year. These topics include: dinosaurs, traveling around the world, science, cooking, books, and art. Please call Kathy if you are interested in signing up. Stay and Play We want to remind parents that Stay and Play (11:30-2:45) or (1:00-2:45 following extended day) begin on September 13th. These programs of artwork, games, stories, and playtime are available on Monday-Friday afternoons. Signup is available one week prior to the scheduled session. Signup sheets are located on the bulletin board by the back door. Pick-up time for Stay and Play is 2:45 PM. Pick-Up and Drop-Off Arrival time for all morning classes is 9:00 a.m., doors open at 8:55 a.m. Teachers are preparing their classrooms prior to these times. If you arrive early, you are welcome to come at 8:30 a.m. for Early Drop Off for $5 per day. This program is offered every morning and you don’t need to call or sign up early. We would also like to remind you to use care in the parking lot when picking up or dropping off children. The parking lot is a busy place at these times, and we have had some “near misses”. It is imperative for the safety of all the children that drivers slow down, proceed with caution and obey the entrance and exit driveway signs. First Field Trip for our 4 year old classes Our fours will be taking their first field trip to Melick Farms in Oldwick on Wednesday, October 3rd. The children will take a tour of the farm, pick apples, and watch how apple cider is made. A separate notice with additional details will be sent home. Movement Our “experienced” 4s will be coming up to visit Mrs.Gonzalez in the “big” room from day one. Our 2 1/2s and 3s will be visited by Mrs.Gonzalez in their classrooms in September. They will begin making the “long” trip upstairs for Movement at the end of September. As usual, the Parachute is the highlight! Picture Days Individual student pictures will be taken on Tuesday, October 16th, and Wednesday, October 17th. Positive Image Photography has taken our pictures for many years and one picture is cuter than the next! If for any reason you are not happy with how your child’s picture turns out, Positive Image will re-shoot. We will not be painting on picture day, so put those special outfits on! Calendar Dates
Friday, September 7th - Meet and Greet 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 11th - First day of school
Thursday, September 13th – Extended Day and Stay and Play Begin
Monday and Tuesday, September 24th and 25th - New Parent Meeting 9:15 a.m.
Monday, October 1st - Back to School Night for Parents Only
PLAY is not a four-letter word! It comes from “toil” which means “to work”.