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February News

A Message From the Principal:

It’s always the season of love at Merryhill-Harbour Point! Friendship, kindness, and laughter fill each classroom. What a joy to be part of such a wonderful place. February brings many new adventures to our school. We will be learning all about Chinese New Year, our shadows with Mr. Groundhog, go back in time to learn the importance of President Lincoln and President Washington, Black History month, Dental awareness month and how to take care of our teeth along with exploring many new skills. Priority Registration is here! It is time to register for the 2015-2016 school year. We anticipate full enrollment for the upcoming school year, so it is very important to register early to reserve your child’s spot. Registration forms will be out this week, into next week as well.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Gill, Principal


In February

  • Feb. 2 Groundhog Day
  • Feb. 3 Groundhog Day results are in!
  • Feb. 9 Priority Registration for the 2015-2016 school year begins!
  • Feb. 12 “Step-Up” day for all Pre-K classes (fieldtrip to Merryhill Calvine)
  • Feb. 13 Valentine’s Day Celebrations
  • Feb. 16 President’s Day-School Closed
  • Feb. 19 Chinese New Year Celebrations
  • Feb. 20 Soccer sessions start
  • Feb. 25 Priority Registration ends
  • March 2 School Closed-Professional Development Day

For Parents

Llama Llama Back To School Merryhill Is Really Cool. 2015-2016 Priority registration! We anticipate full enrollment for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year. It is important that you register early to reserve your child’s spot. Currently enrolled families can take advantage of priority registration beginning
February 9th. If you register during this period you will pay only $90, which is a savings of $50. After February 25th the registration fee for returning families will be $140. Thank you for allowing Merryhill to be your Preschool of choice!

February is Dental Health Awareness month. Each of our classes will be having a special visit from our local Dentist office (and the tooth Fairy) to talk about our teeth and how to keep them clean!

Valentines Day Class Celebrations Friday Feb. 13th. Be sure to check your child’s classroom door for more information. The children will be exchanging Valentine Cards on this day as well.

Chinese New Year The Year of the Goat! The children will be exploring all about the Chinese festival marking the start of the new year for the Asian culture

Parent Ambassador Program
If there is one thing that parents love to do, it’s talk about their children’s successes. When friends ask you about your child’s experience at Merryhill, what type of success stories do you share? Do you mention the personal and educational discoveries that your child is making thanks to our advanced curriculum? Do you talk about the new levels of self and social confidence your child has gained thanks to our encouraging atmosphere?

Whatever the glowing reports you deliver about how your child is growing with his or her education, we couldn’t be more appreciative. In fact, we’d like to show you just how thankful we are for your endorsements. Now when you tell other parents about our school, you can become a Merryhill School Parent Ambassador! You’ll recieve one free week of tuition for every new family you refer to Merryhill! (after 90 days of the new family starting)

Reminders: Please remember we are a nut free school


News From Our Education Department:

Learning About the Uses and Benefits of Technology

Children today have many opportunities to interact with technology for entertainment value and learning. Most often we think of children using computer technology, including handheld devices loaded with games, books, music and movies. In moderation, these devices can aid in children’s learning and development.

Within our academic curriculum, we involve children in activities and reflection on ways that technology can improve our understanding of the world around us, help us do our jobs, and make the world a better place. We help children see how the understanding of science and math moves technology forward, and that someday they too might create new and improved ways to do things.

Below are a few ways that we integrate technology in our classrooms and some ideas to try at home.

INTERMEDIATES In the classroom: Beginning in our Intermediate program, students learn common technology vocabulary, such as mouse, keyboard and email. Students also explore the double meaning of verbs that describe online and offline activities, such as “tapping” and “surfing”. At home: Dot. by Randi Zuckerberg is a great book to read with your child to continue the learning at home. Dot, the main character, is a tech savvy little girl who leaves her electronic devices at home while she taps, swipes and shares in the real world.

PRE-K In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to use technology as a tool to express themselves. For example, students use a camera to take photos of seasonal changes outdoors and write what they observed in their journal. This activity promotes creativity and provides a fun opportunity to practice writing skills. At home: Allow your child to explore his world using digital photography tools. Ask him to describe his photos and explain why he chose those objects or locations to photograph. Encourage him to use descriptive language and emotion vocabulary.

In summary, we provide numerous opportunities for children to explore technology in our classrooms. Through these activities, children become excited to use technology educationally, and are better prepared to use technology in elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education

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