A Visit from the Dentist
In February, all of the children enjoyed a visit from Pearly Whites of Berkeley Heights. They talked about the importance of taking care of our teeth, brushing our teeth (twice a day), and what kinds of foods are not good for our teeth (sticky and sugary). The children came home with a new toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Community Helper” Field Trips
We are in the process of scheduling field trips for our 4-year olds to the Post Office, Police Station, and Fire Department. Look for information regarding dates on the classroom doors. Our goal is to schedule these trips in April and May.
Spring Enrichment Camp
WNS will again be offering Spring Camp for all enrolled children. Spring Enrichment Camp is scheduled for June 5-14 from 9:00-11:30 am. A separate flyer and registration form with additional information will be sent home at a later date.
Music Week
Music Week will be held March 11-15. Each day will start with a morning assembly. We talk about keeping the beat, our voices as instruments and string, wind, and percussion instruments. During the assembly, guest musicians demonstrate different types of instruments, including piano, hand bells, violin, and flute. The children make their own musical instruments and play along with our guest musicians.
Westminster’s Facebook Page is frequently adding new pictures. Please Like Us on Facebook.
Calendar Dates
Tuesday, March 5th - School Closed for Staff In-Service (the staff will be attending a
conference with other area preschool teachers)
Sunday, March 10th - Spring Ahead! Turn clocks one hour ahead
Monday-Friday, March 11th-15th - Music Week
Wednesday, March 13th - Zoo New Jersey Animal visit
“One of today’s biggest problems with the increase in technology is the decrease in dialogue and human interactive communication.”
Valentine’s Day
What would February be without Valentine’s Day?! Here at Westminster we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with special snacks (class moms) and a Valentine exchange. Valentine celebrations will take place on Wednesday or Thursday morning, February 13th or 14th. Each child should bring in a Valentine for each of the other children in the class with names on the envelopes.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration for the Berkeley Heights Public Schools was recently held at the MKM Early Childhood Center. If you somehow missed the registration, please contact the Early Childhood Center (464-5583) for more information. Registration in neighboring towns should also be occurring around this time. Please contact your Board of Education for additional information.
Visit by a Dentist
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Westminster will have visits from Pearly Whites on February 26th and 27th. They will talk with the children about the importance of good dental hygiene and keeping our teeth healthy by eating the proper foods.
Peanut/Tree Nut Product Reminder
Just a reminder, Westminster is a peanut and tree nut free school. We have a number of children with life-threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts. Please do not send in any foods with peanut and tree nuts in them. Be especially diligent when packing lunches for our Extended Dayers – avoid peanut butter sandwiches.
Teacher In-Service Date Approaching
Our Teacher In-Service will be held on Tuesday, March 5th. School will be closed on that day so that the Westminster Nursery School staff may attend a conference with staff from other area nursery schools.
Boots
Should your child wear boots to school, please be sure to bring shoes and change your child into them when you arrive. We have found boots to be a problem with some of our Movement activities and on the stairs.
Illness Reminder
We would appreciate a call in the morning if your child will be absent so that teachers may plan accordingly. In addition, if your child has a contagious illness such as strep throat, pink eye, lice, Fifth’s Disease, Coxsackie virus, chicken pox, etc. please let the office know. We are required to notify the other parents that their children may have been exposed.
Don’t miss out on great pictures of your children on Westminster’s Facebook page. Our website is also full of great pictures. www.westminsternurseryschool.org
Calendar Dates
Monday, February 18th - School Closed (President’s Day)
Wednesday, February 13th and Thursday, February 14th - Valentine Exchanges (preschool only)
Tuesday, February 26th and Wednesday, February 27th - Dentist Visits
Welcome Back!
The Nursery School staff wishes each of you a Happy New Year!
Brrr…..It’s Cold Outside
In the event of the parking lot being slippery near the front doors, I will be opening the doors closest to the parking lot exit. This area seems to remain ice free.
Inclement Weather School Closings Delays
As a reminder, Westminster Nursery School follows the Berkeley Heights Public Schools when dealing with inclement weather closings and delays. Should the Berkeley Heights Public Schools close, Nursery School will be closed. Should the Berkeley Heights Public Schools have a delayed opening, Nursery School will have a delayed opening. For Nursery School, a delayed opening means morning sessions will run from 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon, Extended Day from 12:00 noon-1:00 PM and afternoon K-E sessions will run from 12:45 PM – 2:45 PM with children eating lunch before their arrival.
The Next Step for 2019/2020 School Year Registration
You will be notified of your child’s class placement in February. At that time a $250 deposit will be required to hold your spot.
Extended Day/Stay and Play
Invoices for November and December were emailed.
Planetarium Field Trip for 4s
During the month of January, our younger classes will be talking about the day/night sky and our 4s classes will be talking about the Solar System. The 4s will enhance this unit with a field trip to the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium. All 4s classes are scheduled to go to the planetarium on Wednesday, January 9th. The program the children will see has proven to be very educational (and entertaining) for the children. Permission sheets will be posted on the classroom door. There will be a limit on the number of parents who are able to accompany the classes, as we have a limit on the number of people we can send to the planetarium.
Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held in January. School is not in session during your classes conferences. The playroom will be open (with supervision by a Nursery School staff member). Conference time sign-ups will be posted on the classroom doors. Conference days are as follows:
Wednesday, January 16th - AM Conferences (Bocian 2 and 3-day, Ripps and Losada)
Thursday, January 17th - AM Conferences (Machin 2 day 2s)
Calendar Dates
Wednesday, January 9th - 4s Trip to Planetarium
Monday, January 21st - School Closed (Martin Luther King Day)
Wednesday, January 23rd - Junior Scientists for 4s begins
Monday, January 28th and Tuesday, January 29th - Pajama and Breakfast Days