Westminster Family Connection - November 2021
We celebrate Thanksgiving this month and I’m feeling especially thankful for you, our students, and our staff here. We are thankful for your thoughtful adherence to our policies and understanding that it does take a village to keep our children healthy. We are thankful that you entrust your children to us, their inquisitive minds and laughter bring such light to our school! I am fortunate as I write this to be hearing shrieks of laughter and cheers coming from the Lunch and Learn room with Mrs. Marsh! We have so much fun here! As director, I am able to see what the teachers and helpers are doing and I am so thankful (there’s that word again) for a staff with such loving hearts, knowledge of best early education practice, creativity, and experience.
Updated Travel Guidelines We follow the guidelines put forward by the Berkeley Heights Public School system which can be found at www.bhpsnj.org . To summarize: Unvaccinated people who travel over 24 hours to domestic states other than NY, PA or DE must quarantine for 3 full days upon return, test on Day 3, and return on Day 4 with a negative test result. If a test is not obtained, unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days.
Flu Vaccine The State of New Jersey mandates that all children enrolled in pre-school receive a flu vaccine by December 31st. If the office has not received documentation of the vaccine by the end of the year, your child will not be allowed to return to school after winter break (Dec. 23-Jan.3). If your child has allergies which preclude administration of the vaccine, please provide the office with documentation from his/her pediatrician.
What to Wear? We try to play outside as much as possible. If the temperature is above 32 degrees, chances are we will be outside. Please dress your child accordingly with a warm jacket, mittens, and a hat if it is cold outside. We understand some students do not like hats, etc. and we will do our best to keep them comfortable, yet warm at the same time!
Westminster Swag! The flyers have gone out for our annual t-shirt and sweatshirt sale! The deadline is next Friday, November 19th so we can get them to you in time for the holidays! This is one of the few fundraisers we have and your support is always appreciated. I bought my family sweatshirts for Christmas last year – I’d love to share the smiles and pictures by the tree, but my adult children (and husband) did not want those pictures made public! : )
Culture of Care Baby Food / Food Collection Throughout the rest of November and into the first week of December, we will be collecting baby food and “favorite” food for the Westfield food pantry. Giving baby food and favorite foods to others in need is a tangible way for you and your child to make a difference. Non-perishable favorite foods could include pasta, mac & cheese, spaghetti sauce, rice, cereal, canned soup...
Openings! We currently have openings in our Tuesday and Thursday 4’s Enrichment class and in our 3-day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) Lunch and Learn program for 3’s. Both programs meet 11:30am – 2:30pm. Please call or see our website www.westminsternurseryschool.org for more information.
Reminders
All tuition payments are due by Wednesday December 1st.
Universal Child Health Records are past due. If you need a copy, please let me know.
Upcoming Dates of Note
November 24th, 25th, 26th – School Closed Thanksgiving
December 1st – Final tuition payment is due
December 23rd – School closed for the winter break
January 3rd – School reopens
