Welcome to the shortest month of the year – or so it always seems! November appears to go faster than other months, but its special gift to us is one of the best of all holidays – Thanksgiving! Along with learning songs and finger plays about turkeys in sing-a-long, the children will be making turkeys with feathers, tissue paper, brown bags and their hands.
Gratitude is one of the trickiest concepts to teach preschoolers -- who are by nature self-centered -- but one of the most important. Sure, thankful children are more polite and pleasant to be around, but there's more to it than that. By learning gratitude, they become sensitive to the feelings of others, developing empathy and other life skills along the way. Here at school we believe that young children can begin to learn about gratitude when they think about the people that they love and the things that make them happy. Each year, Westminster encourages the students to learn that sharing is a way of saying ‘thank you’. The staff wishes all of our nursery school families the best Thanksgiving ever!
Remember to check Westminster's Facebook page for frequently changing pictures and videos. Please "like" us!
Flu Vaccine
As a reminder, all children enrolled in preschool must receive a flu vaccine. This immunization requirement is mandated by the State of New Jersey beginning with this current school year. All flu vaccines must by administered by December 31st. If the office has not received the appropriate documentation, your child will not be able to return to school after winter break. If your child cannot receive the vaccine due to allergies, please provide the office with documentation from your physician to that effect.
Friendship Fruit Salad
The children 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 25th and Tuesday, November 26th (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.
Christmas Child
Each year, Westminster Church and preschool participate in a program through Samaritan’s Purse that brings shoeboxes filled with little toys, games, clothing, etc. to needy children. This is such a good learning tool for your children, to give to others less fortunate.
Scholastic Book Order Reminders
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. 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, listening center cds), classroom items and laminating sheets. If you have questions, please talk with Kathy.
“If Your Child Doesn’t Get Dirty At School, Then We Aren’t Doing Our Job!”.
I have seen children cry because they got a little bit of paint on their shirt, have witnessed emotional breakdowns on the play yard because mud was on the new sneakers, and have had children bound into school announcing that they aren’t allowed to paint anymore because it “ruins my clothes”. I have seen children proudly drag their parents out onto the yard to show off the tree forts, castles and mud houses they spent all day building and creating, designing and painting only to be asked, “Why are you so dirty?”, or be told, with a heavy sigh, “Oh no…there’s paint on your new shirt!” What kinds of messages are being sent to the children when there is so much emphasis on their clothes and shoes? Can the shirt really be more important than the opportunity to engage in a new creative experience? If it is, then it is a shirt or shoes that do not belong in preschool.
Outdoor Play
We continue to go outside as much as possible for play. Please be sure your child has a warm jacket, mittens (if necessary) and a hat. Teachers will take the time to help your child get ready for outdoor play.
Stay and Play
Extended Day, Stay and Play and Early Drop Off invoices will be distributed shortly. The November invoice will cover September and October sessions. Please drop a check off in the Nursery School office, noting “Extended Day” in the memo section of the check. Should you have questions on your invoice, stop in the office. As a reminder, Extended Day/Stay and Play is offered on Monday-Friday afternoons. The sign-up sheets are located on the bulletin board by the door to the playground.
Calendar Dates
November 7th and 8th - School Closed
November 25th and 26th - Friendship Fruit Salad
November 27th, 28th and 29th - School Closed
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
First Field Trip for our 4 year old classes
Our 4s will be taking their first field trip to Melick’s Farm in Oldwick on Wednesday, October 2nd. The children will take a hayride, press apple cider, pick apples and pumpkins, and enjoy the fall.
Creative Movement
We are so lucky to have Mrs. Gonzalez teaching all of our classes creative movement. Creative Movement is a joyful way for children to explore movement through music, develop physical skills, channel energy, stimulate imagination, and promote creativity. Creative movement uses body actions to: communicate an image (the wind), communicate an idea (a journey) or communicate a feeling (strength).
Fundraising Updates
Our annual Car Magnets, Tee Shirt and Sweat Shirt sale is beginning. This year, tee shirts are available in 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. Check your child’s schoolbag for order forms. WNS makes a small profit from this program.
Picture Days
Individual student pictures will be taken on Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th. Positive Image photography has taken our pictures for many years and one is cuter than the next! We will not be painting on picture day, so put those special outfits on.
Attire Reminders
Sneakers and socks work best for outdoor play, movement, and the stairs. “Easy up and down” pants make bathroom visits easier for the children.
Sing-a-long
Our weekly sing-a-long has begun. All of the classes will meet together to learn songs and finger plays. Mrs. Sang will lead the children in singing some classics, seasonal songs, old favorites, and new “ditties”.
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.
Westminster’s Facebook page is frequently adding new pictures. Please Like Us on Facebook.
Halloween
Children do not wear costumes to school for Halloween, nor do we have a “Halloween Parade”. Through experience, we have found costumes unsafe and uncomfortable to wear for the entire school day and there just is not enough time to dress and undress an entire class during one class session. We will recognize Halloween through our artwork and with a special snack on Wednesday, October 30th and Thursday, October 31st.
Calendar Dates
Wednesday, October 2nd – 4s classes field trip to the farm
Wednesday, October 9th – School closed (Yom Kippur)
Monday, October 14th - School closed (Columbus Day )
Thursday, October 17th – Class pictures for Mrs. Machin and Mrs. Losada
Friday, October 18th – Class pictures for Mrs. Bocian and Mrs. Ripps
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.
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.
Extended Day
Extended Day begins Wednesday, September 11th! This program is offered to 3 and 4 year olds from 11:30 a.m. - 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 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.) or (1:00 - 2:45 p.m. following extended day) begins on September 11th. 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 p.m. Schedule a play date with friends!
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 2nd. 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.
Picture Days
Individual student pictures will be taken on Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th. 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
Wednesday, September 11th – Extended Day and Stay and Play Begin
Monday, September 23rd - Back to School Night for Parents Only
Monday, September 30th - School Closed
PLAY is not a four-letter word! It comes from “toil” which means “to work”.