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
It may not be snowing yet, but there is an undeniable chill in the air letting us know winter is coming! Let’s warm the chill in the air with the warmth in our hearts as we celebrate this month’s holidays. Whether celebrating Hanukkah (Dec. 18th), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26th), Christmas (Dec. 25th), National Llama Day (Dec. 9th), or National Cocoa Day (Dec. 13th) let’s all do our best to find joy amidst the busy-ness this month often brings. Here at Westminster, our hearts are warmed daily by the children entrusted in our care. Thank you for that.
Westminster Staff Westminster would not be Westminster without the genuine care, educational background in early childhood education and extensive experience of our staff! Terry Machin teaches our 2.5s. Susan Bocian, with the assistance of Christina Coler, teaches our 3s. Nancy Ripps, with the assistance of Jaime Andrews, teaches our 4-and 5-day 4s. Mrs. Diaz teaches our 3-day 4s and our 4’s Enrichment. And Donna Marsh leads our 3s Lunch and Learn. Helping our students wash their hands, keeping art supplies clean and surfaces sanitized and too much more to list here, are our helpers in the hall who help everyone: Eileen Vass (daily including every afternoon except Fridays), Ruth Gombas (Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings), Marilyn Klein (Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons) and last but not least, our newest helper Andrea Welsh (Wednesday mornings). For more information, please see our website www.westminsternurseryschool.org.
Culture of Care On behalf of our students and families, this year Westminster Nursery School is making a donation to the Annabelle Forever Young Foundation. This scholarship fund was created in Annabelle’s (Annie’s) name after she passed way too soon in 2019. We have fond memories of the pre-school years she spent here at Westminster and are grateful to honor her memory in this way.
Westminster Swag! Thank you to all of those who ordered sweatshirts, T-shirts, and magnets! We expect them in the week of December 12th and are looking forward to getting them to you in plenty of time for the holidays!
Baby Food / Food Collection We urge your child to bring in their favorite food (no ice cream allowed) as a donation to children less fortunate than themselves – and of course, other foods are welcome as well.
We will be collecting through next week and taking the food to our local Little Flower Pantry. Thank you for your support!
Registration Registration for next year 2022-2023 will begin in January. Current families will be notified first and have a two-week priority registration period.
Extended Day Looking for an extended day for your 3-year-old? Our Monday/Wednesday/Friday Lunch and Learn program meets 11:30am – 2:30pm. Your child is welcome to join us for $30 each day, simply email or call the office in advance to make sure a spot is available.
Early Drop Off Early drop off is available daily at 8:30am for $5.
It Never Hurts to Ask... If anyone is upgrading their vacuum cleaner, we are in need of a working upright vacuum cleaner that can handle glitter and sand. : )
Snow Day and Delayed Opening Reminder Westminster Nursery School follows Berkeley Heights Public Schools when it comes to closings and delayed openings due to inclement weather. Parents will receive 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 noon, with extended day in session noon to 2:30pm. Should you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the office.
Reminders
Universal Child Health Records are past due.
Flu vaccine documentation must be in the office before December 22nd as children without it may not be admitted to school in 2022.
Update your child’s extra set of clothes here at school for the winter months – those shorts and T–shirts are too cold for this weather! : )
Upcoming Dates of Note
December 5 – Final tuition payment is due
December 22 – Flu vaccine documentation due
December 22 – School closed for the winter break
January 2 – School reopens
From our “house” to your house - we extend our best wishes for a holiday filled with peace and joy
The cornucopia is also known as the horn of plenty. What a perfect symbol of Thanksgiving! Here at Westminster, we have plenty to be thankful for. We are thankful for YOU for choosing us to nurture and guide your child(ren) and we are so thankful for your child(ren) who open our hearts and minds with their playful nature and curiosity. On a personal note, I am thankful for our teachers and helpers with their loving hearts, positivity, and joy which they bring to school every day!
Culture of Care: Baby Food/Food Collection We are excited to be collecting food for a local food pantry throughout the rest of November and into December. Giving baby food and your child’s favorite foods to others in need is a tangible way for you and your child to make a difference. Non-perishable favorite foods could include pasta, mac & cheese, spaghetti sauce, rice, cereal, canned soup, etc.
Early Drop 0ff and Extended Day Early drop off – there is available at 8:30am every morning for $5. Early arrivals have extra time in the playroom each morning to play. Extended day (Lunch and Learn 11:30am-2:30pm) - there are a few openings Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for those in our 3-year-old class. Please reach out if you’d like your child to join us for $30/day. Children bring their own lunch and eat together, play together, act out stories, sing, play outside whenever possible and make a project with Mrs. Marsh.
Westminster Fundraiser Please consider showing your school spirit with t-shirts, sweatshirts, and car magnets from Westminster! This is our big fundraiser of the year and your support is greatly appreciated! The deadline for ordering is Wednesday
November 16th. Orders will arrive in time for the holidays! I gave my family sweatshirts for Christmas one year!
Flu Vaccine The State of New Jersey mandates that all children enrolled in pre-school receive a flu vaccine by December 31st. If the office has not received documentation of the vaccine before the winter break (December 23rd) your child will not be allowed to return to school January 2nd. If your child has allergies which preclude administration of the vaccine, please provide the office with documentation from his/her pediatrician.
What to Wear? We try to play outside as much as possible. If the temperature is above 32 degrees, chances are we will be outside. Please dress your child accordingly with a warm jacket, mittens, and a hat if it is cold outside. We understand some students do not like hats, etc. and we will do our best to keep them comfortable, yet warm at the same time!
Upcoming Dates of Note
November 10th and 11th – School closed Teacher’s Convention
November 16th – Last day to order for our fundraiser!
November 23rd, 24th, 25th – School Closed for Thanksgiving
December 5th – Final tuition payment is due
December 23rd – School closed for the winter break Flu vaccine documentation due
January 2nd – School reopens