A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
February is here and it is going to be a busy month. Now that we have all recovered from the Holidays it’s time to get right back into action. This month brings us a number of different learning opportunities for the children and the classrooms will be very busy.
We start off with Ground Hogs Day and continue with Black History Month, Dental Health Month, Healthy Heart Month, Valentine’s Day,President’s Day and Chinese New Year. Be sure that you are regularly checking our activity calendar so you know about class parties, activities etc…It’s going to be an exciting month.
We will also begin the process of enrolling for the 2015-2016 school year this month. Priority registration begins Tuesday, Feb. 17th and will end on Friday, March 6th. This is an opportunity for you to secure a space for your child for the 2015-2016 school year and to save money on your registration fee. This year we are also implementing a special Kick off “BLITZ” day where you can register for $70 – one day only – Tuesday, Feb. 17th. During the rest of the priority registration period, you will pay $90 instead of $140. You will want to pay special attention to the information going out as we are full and there are only a limited number of spaces available per class and we cannot guarantee space beyond the March 6th deadline. We want to make sure all of our current Merryhill families have a space for their child next year. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen Merryhill and thank you in advance for your registration.
Mini Kickers soccer is back this month and they have a few more spaces for children age 3 or 4. If you are interested in registering please go to their website at ChallengerSports.com and look for the Mini Kickers program in the Pocket area.
Parent Reports are in the process of going out to all of our families now. You should receive your copy by the end of the first week of February. Please return the cover sheet to your child’s teacher so that we are assured that you received them. If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s teacher or myself anytime.
Looking forward to a fabulous month.
Sincerely,
Susan Freitag – Principal
School Calendar
- American Heart Month
- Black History Month
- Dental Health Month
- Tuesday, February 2nd: Ground Hog Day
- Tuesday, February 10th: Dental Visit to Intermediate and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms
- Friday, February 13th: Valentine Day Classroom Parties – see individual classroom for sign-up sheet
- Monday, February 16th: School Closed – President’s Day
- Tuesday February 17th: Priority Registration Kick-off “Blitz” Day – Register for $70 half off returning student rate of $140- this day only
- Wednesday, February 18th Priority Registration continues through March 6th – Register for $90 – saving $50 off returning student rate of $140
- Wednesday, February 18th: Mini Kicker Soccer to start – register now at ChallengerSports.com
- Wednesday, February 18th: Picture Day – Infant / Toddler / Beginners / All Class Pictures
- Thursday, February 19th: Picture Day – Intermediates / Pre-Kindergarten
- Friday, February 20th: Chinese New Year – Classroom Parties
- Wednesday, February 25th: Special Meet our Pre-K Teachers night (for children entering Pre-K in the 2015-2016 school year) – Watch for details.
- Friday, February 27th: Links to Learning Folders go home
- Monday, March 2nd Merryhill Professional Development Training for Teachers – School Closed
Reminders
Merryhill’s Sick Policy
As cold and flu season is upon us it is always good to be proactive regarding the spread of illness. We have reminded everyone that works with the children to wash hand regularly and throughout the day – all day long. We continue to have the children wash their hands on a very regular basis as well as sanitizing rooms, washing toys, and being very aware of children that are ill. We appreciate your cooperation with our sick policy by monitoring your child and keeping them at home if they are ill.
The purpose of our sick policy as it applies to children is as follows:
- To reduce the spread of illness from the sick child to other children
- To reduce the possibility of the recuperating child returning to Merryhill before the child is fully recovered
- Prevention of the constant spread of colds, diarrhea and other virus’ so common amongst small children
We ask that you assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children by helping to reduce the spread of illness from a sick child. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to call the school anytime.
A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any of the specific symptoms listed below. In addition your child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before they can be admitted back into Merryhill School:
- A fever of 100 degrees or more
- Vomiting within the previous 24 hour period
- Diarrhea within the previous 24 hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school)
- A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection
- A constant cough or sore throat
- Fussy, cranky and generally not himself / herself behavior
- A skin rash, excluding diaper rash
- Head Lice
- Symptoms of a communicable disease
Following an illness, a child may return once he/she has either seen a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. A doctor’s clearance may be requested as necessary.
All children at Merryhill will be involved in physical fitness activities, both indoors and outdoors as an important part of the curriculum. If you believe your child is not well enough to participate, he/she will probably be more comfortable at home in familiar surroundings. Merryhill School is not equipped to accommodate the needs of a sick child.
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
Merryhill Pocket Preschool Staff:
- Susan Freitag – Principal Susan.Freitag@nlcinc.com
- Monique Holquin – Asst. Principal Monique.Holquin@nlcinc.com
- Kathy Ames – Administration Kathy.Ames@nlcinc.com
- Ms. Marissa – Cook
- Ms. Rosemary – Links to Learning Leader / Intermediate teacher
- Ms. Ngan – Infant teacher
- Ms. Darany – Infant teacher
- Ms. Debbie – Infant teacher
- Ms. Ruth – Infant teacher
- Ms. Molly – Infant teacher / Technology help
- Ms. Sammy – Toddler teacher
- Ms. Pearl – Toddler teacher
- Ms. Carmel – Toddler teacher
- Ms. Mai – Beginner teacher
- Ms. Ruthie – Beginner teacher
- Ms. Perlita – Beginner teacher
- Ms. Rebekah- Beginner teacher
- Ms. Cyndi – Beginner teacher
- Ms. Sade – Beginner teacher
- Ms. Sara – Intermediate teacher
- Ms. Trisha – Intermediate teacher
- Mr. Matthew – Intermediate teacher
- Ms. Kari – Pre-K teacher
- Ms. Nimfa – Pre-K Assistant
- Ms. Paulina – Pre-K teacher
- Ms. Vanessa – Pre-K teacher
- Ms. Ami – Pre-K 2 teacher
- Ms. Erika – School Age Enrichment / Summer Camp
- Mr. Chris – School Age Enrichment / Summer Camp
- Ms. Denetra – Floater
- Ms. Tammi – Sub
- Ms. Corina – Sub
February News
A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
February is here and it is going to be a busy month. Now that we have all recovered from the Holidays it’s time to get right back into action. This month brings us a number of different learning opportunities for the children and the classrooms will be very busy.
We start off with Ground Hogs Day and continue with Black History Month, Dental Health Month, Healthy Heart Month, Valentine’s Day,President’s Day and Chinese New Year. Be sure that you are regularly checking our activity calendar so you know about class parties, activities etc…It’s going to be an exciting month.
We will also begin the process of enrolling for the 2015-2016 school year this month. Priority registration begins Tuesday, Feb. 17th and will end on Friday, March 6th. This is an opportunity for you to secure a space for your child for the 2015-2016 school year and to save money on your registration fee. This year we are also implementing a special Kick off “BLITZ” day where you can register for $70 – one day only – Tuesday, Feb. 17th. During the rest of the priority registration period, you will pay $90 instead of $140. You will want to pay special attention to the information going out as we are full and there are only a limited number of spaces available per class and we cannot guarantee space beyond the March 6th deadline. We want to make sure all of our current Merryhill families have a space for their child next year. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen Merryhill and thank you in advance for your registration.
Mini Kickers soccer is back this month and they have a few more spaces for children age 3 or 4. If you are interested in registering please go to their website at ChallengerSports.com and look for the Mini Kickers program in the Pocket area.
Parent Reports are in the process of going out to all of our families now. You should receive your copy by the end of the first week of February. Please return the cover sheet to your child’s teacher so that we are assured that you received them. If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s teacher or myself anytime.
Looking forward to a fabulous month.
Sincerely,
Susan Freitag – Principal
School Calendar
Reminders
Merryhill’s Sick Policy
As cold and flu season is upon us it is always good to be proactive regarding the spread of illness. We have reminded everyone that works with the children to wash hand regularly and throughout the day – all day long. We continue to have the children wash their hands on a very regular basis as well as sanitizing rooms, washing toys, and being very aware of children that are ill. We appreciate your cooperation with our sick policy by monitoring your child and keeping them at home if they are ill.
The purpose of our sick policy as it applies to children is as follows:
We ask that you assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children by helping to reduce the spread of illness from a sick child. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to call the school anytime.
A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any of the specific symptoms listed below. In addition your child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before they can be admitted back into Merryhill School:
Following an illness, a child may return once he/she has either seen a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. A doctor’s clearance may be requested as necessary.
All children at Merryhill will be involved in physical fitness activities, both indoors and outdoors as an important part of the curriculum. If you believe your child is not well enough to participate, he/she will probably be more comfortable at home in familiar surroundings. Merryhill School is not equipped to accommodate the needs of a sick child.
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
Merryhill Pocket Preschool Staff: