The Westminster Nursery School Times
Art Show
Thanks go to all of our moms who provided our “goodies” for the art show. Families were enjoying delicious punch and cookies, brownies, and “goodies” of every description. Most of all, the families seemed to be enjoying the opportunity to meet and talk with each other as their children were awed by the idea of being at school at night time. The very happy noise level was enough to let our staff know that the evening was a great success and certainly a worthwhile experience for all involved.
Field Day
What a great Field Day! Thanks to Mrs. Gonzalez and all the volunteers that helped! Quoting some of the children, “this was the best day ever!”
Mother’s Day Brunch
Well, spring has really come to school at last! We have really been taking advantage of the weather to explore the changes that nature has brought about – blossoming trees, budding daffodils, and those ever popular dandelions that the children think are so pretty. May is here, and that brings another traditional event – Mother’s Day Brunch! We have been practicing our songs, so get ready and we will see you on either May 9th or 12th.
Spring Camp
Registration information was distributed for Spring Enrichment Camp 2017. Please return forms and payment ASAP.
Community Helper Field Trips for 4s
Our “community helper” field trips will be held in May. Thank you in advance to all of the parents who will drive. Without volunteer drivers, we would not be able to schedule these field trips.
Footwear
Now that spring is here, we are outside on the playground every day (unless it is raining). The children are also working on gross motor skills with Mrs. Gonzalez in Movement by participating in various obstacle courses. In order for the children to fully join in these activities, they need to wear sneakers and socks. We know that the children want to wear those new sandals they have gotten, but it really is a safety issue and they spend their playtime emptying the wood chips from their sandals. Please tell your child they can wear their sandals at home, but at school they need to wear their sneakers. Thanks for your help with this!
Extended Day/Stay and Play
Bills for March and April Lunch Bunch are being distributed shortly. The last Extended Day/Stay and Play will be held on June 2.
Mother’s Day Brunches
The children are very excited about the “party” they are having for their Moms. We hope you enjoy it as much as the children and staff do. The Mother’s Day brunches are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, May 9th, 9:15-9:45:
Mrs. Bocian’s T/Th class
Mrs .Machin’s T/Th class
Mrs. Losada’s class
Friday, May 12th, 9:15-9:45:
Mrs. Bocian’s M/W/F class
Mrs. Ripps’ M/W/F class
Calendar Dates
Tuesday, 5/9 – Mother’s Day Brunch – AM
Friday, 5/12 – Mother’s Day Brunch – AM
Friday, 5/26 and Monday, 5/29 – School Closed for Memorial Day
"Research has found that early didactic instruction might actually worsen academic performance," states David Kohn in his New York Times article, "Let the Kids Learn Through Play." He goes on to say that, "Rebecca A. Marcon, a psychology professor at the University of North Florida, studied 343 children who had attended a preschool class that was 'academically oriented,' one that encouraged 'child initiated' learning, or one in between. "She looked at the students' performance several years later, in third and fourth grade, and found that by the end of the fourth grade those who had received more didactic instruction earned significantly lower grades than those who had been allowed more opportunities to learn through play. Children's progress 'may have been slowed by overly academic preschool experiences that introduced formalized learning experiences too early for most children’s developmental status,' Dr. Marcon wrote. "Nevertheless, many educators want to curtail play during school. 'Play is often perceived as immature behavior that doesn’t achieve anything,' says David Whitebread, a psychologist at Cambridge University who has studied the topic for decades. 'But it's essential to their development. They need to learn to persevere, to control attention, to control emotions. Kids learn these things through playing.”
