Westminster Family Connection - December 2021
The holidays are upon us and although there is much to be done associated with this season, let’s not forget how much there is to celebrate! We can celebrate the time we finally have to spend with family! And maybe during this time we will...” do nothing”! I just read an article on how important it is for children (and I suspect adults too) to have at least an hour each day of unstructured, truly child-led play with no predetermined goals or objectives. Let’s remember to play this winter break! Let’s remember to be joy-full. Whatever holiday your family celebrates, we extend our best wishes for a holiday filled with peace, joy and cherished family time.
Updated Travel Guidelines We follow the travel guidelines put forward by the Berkeley Heights Public School system which can be found at www.bhpsnj.org . Please continue to be mindful when travelling and going out this season; our school community has been so careful and caring, we all appreciate it!
Get to Know our Staff Please check out our website www.westminsternurseryschool.org to read about and see pictures of our staff! Nancy Ripps, with the assistance of Jaime Andrews, teaches our 4s. Susan Bocian teaches our 3s. Terry Machin teaches our 2.5s. And all of this is made possible with our helpers in the hall who help everyone: Eileen Vass (here daily, helping and greeting everyone at the door with our COVID protocol), Loretta Rake (Monday and Wednesdays), Ruth Gombas (Tuesday and Friday mornings and Thursday afternoons), Jen Hayes (Thursday mornings) and Marilyn Klein (Friday afternoons). Donna Marsh leads our 3s Lunch and Learn and Lucia Hassen leads our 4s Enrichment.
Culture of Care This year, instead of making a holiday gift for our students and families as staff has done in the past, Westminster Nursery School made a donation to the Annabelle Forever Young Foundation. We have fond memories of Annie’s time here at Westminster and are grateful to be able to honor her memory in this way.
Baby Food / Food Collection Thank you so much for your donations of food! We are still collecting through the end of this week! I will be taking the food to the Little Flower Pantry Friday December 17th. The woman I spoke to there was so grateful and said the baby food will go to Mercy House. Thank you for supporting such an important mission.
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 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.
Westminster Swag! Thank you to those of you who ordered sweatshirts and t-shirts! They are due to in this week and distributed before the winter break!
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 you 3 year old? We currently have openings in our 3-day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) Lunch and Learn program for 3’s which meets 11:30am – 2:30pm. Your child is welcome to try it out ($30 per day) just let the office know in advance.
Early Drop Off Early drop off is available daily at 8:30am for $5.
Reminders
Universal Child Health Records are past due.
Flu vaccine documentation must be in the office before break 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 1st – Final tuition payment was due
December 23rd – Flu vaccine documentation due
December 23rd – School closed for the winter break
January 3rd – School reopens
