The Westminster Nursery School Times

Flu Vaccination

Just a reminder that the 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).

Winter Weather and Clothing

As winter approaches, scarves, hats and mittens emerge. The teachers would appreciate it if the children wore mittens instead of gloves (saves lots of time if we are getting ready to go outside). Although none is in the forecast yet, snow can’t be far behind. If your child wears boots to school, please bring shoes and help your child to change when they arrive and are picked up. Boots are a problem on the stairs, in Movement and in the playroom, so we ask that your child not wear boots all day.

With the winter weather upon us, please take extra care when walking and driving in the parking lot. While it goes without saying that all drivers should be driving slowly, this is especially true in slippery conditions. In addition, please be mindful of other vehicles parked in the parking lot when opening car doors and pulling out of parking spaces.

Special December Holidays

If you would like to share any special holiday or cultural traditions (cooking, craft, story, game, etc.) with your child’s class, please speak with the classroom teacher.

Thank you for Sharing and Caring

Christmas and Chanukah are forever, not for just one day.

For loving, sharing, giving, are not to be put away,

Like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

Thanks to all who participated in our November sharing and caring activities. The WNS staff hopes that your participation in these activities brought a feeling of satisfaction to each of you in knowing that you made a difference in the life of a less fortunate child.

Snow Day and Delayed Opening Reminder

Westminster Nursery School follows the Berkeley Heights Public Schools when it comes to closings and delayed openings due to inclement weather. Parents will be receiving an e-mail from Kathy between 5:30 am and 6:00 am in the event of a closing or late opening. Should there be a delayed opening, the morning classes at Westminster will be in session from 10:00 am until noon. Extended Day will run from 12-1 pm. The afternoon K-E classes will be in session from 12:45 pm until 2:45 pm. Should you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the office.

Registration Reminder

Registration for the 2019/2020 school year will begin the week of January 7th. Materials and forms will be distributed before Christmas. If you need additional forms, please stop in the office.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch bills will be distributed at the end of December for all November-December Extended Day and Stay and Play sessions.

Website

The nursery school website (www.westminsternurseryschool.org) is constantly being updated with selected pictures from your child’s day. Also, Westminster’s Facebook Page is also adding new pictures monthly. Please Like Us on Facebook.

Calendar Dates

• Saturday, December 1st - Final Tuition Payments for 2018-2019 Due

• Thursday, December 6th - Christmas Concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 7:30 pm

• Monday, December 10th and Tuesday, December 11th - Crazy Socks Day

• Friday, December 14th - Pajama Drive ends

• Monday, December 17th - Registration Materials Distributed

• Tuesday, December 18th - Registration Materials Distributed

• Friday, December 21st - Winter Break begins (until January 1, reopening on Wednesday, January 2, 2019)

Holiday Wishes

As adults, we can easily lose our holiday cheer as it gets buried under a pile of things to do before the big deadline. But for children, this is a magical time and the memories that are made now can last a lifetime.

At school, we have been getting ready for the holidays by decorating the rooms and hallways with the children’s creations.

Christmas and Hanukkah are both times for giving to others. Each child at Westminster traditionally makes a gift to give to their family and we talk in our classrooms about what it means when we say, “It is better to give than to receive.” This is such a perfect time to teach young children about sharing with others who may not have as much. The holidays are about family, love, sharing and joy. No child is too young to begin to sense the real meaning of why we celebrate together.

Holidays are a time of joy and wonder. Many children are excited about their Christmas trees, Hanukkah and Diwali presents. And for us to simply ignore that excitement is unfair. Preschoolers should be allowed to share their excitement with each other. This is one way that children will learn about each other. We have to learn about and embrace our differences if we are to learn acceptance.

The staff of Westminster Nursery School wishes our families the best holiday season ever!