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September News

Dear Parents,

I can’t believe that summer is coming to an end and Fall is just around the corner.  Thank you to all of our families who attended our end of summer Western BBQ – it was a wonderful time!  Each year our event keeps getting bigger and bigger!

I am so happy to announce that our Shade structures are finally here!  They are being installed as I put this newsletter together and should be complete by the end of the first week of September.  We will have an additional shade structure in our back yard and each of the other 4 yards will get new shade structures.  The school has also just recently been painted – what an exciting time!

We will be welcoming some new children this month as everyone gets “back to school”.  The teachers are excited and it is so much fun for me to walk around the classroom and see all the learning that is happening.  Links to Learning is in full gear as we continue the 2015 – 2016 school year.  Please make sure you are checking the Parent Boards nightly, reading the What We Learned Today each night to see some of the exciting things happening in the classrooms.

It’s going to be a great month, please be sure to stop by the office anytime with questions you may have.

Ms. Susan – Principal

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Calendar of Events:

Thursday, Sept 3rd:   Pony Pictures

Friday, Sept. 4th:    Pony Pictures

Monday, September 7th:  School Closed – Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9th:      Mini Kicker Soccer Begins

Friday, September 11th:   Celebrate America Day – Wear Red, White and Blue

Friday, September 11th:   Grandparent’s Day Celebration – invite a Grandparent to read – see individual                                                  classroom for sign-ups.

 

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From the Education Department:

Developing Balance Skills in Young Children

From Tummy Time to Bike Riding

Balance is a fundamental skill necessary for maintaining controlled positions, such as sitting in a chair, or engaging in physical activities like running or riding a bike. Having balance makes motor skill development easier, reduces the risk of injury, and helps children focus on academic tasks.

 

Our Nobel Learning Education team stays up to date with the latest research to ensure that our Links to Learning curriculum exceeds childhood learning standards. The Links to Learning curriculum was enhanced last fall to include a greater focus on balance, a building block for skills such as hand-eye coordination, muscular strength and body awareness.

Here are some ways we help improve balance in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.

INFANTS:

In the classroom: Tummy time promotes neck, back and abdominal strength needed for infants to eventually push up, roll over, sit up and crawl. Teachers keep infants engaged by using activity mats or plush blocks.

At home: Place your baby on his stomach and shine a flashlight near him. Once you have captured his attention, shine the light in a rhythmic pattern. For older infants, encourage your baby to move or crawl toward the light.

TODDLERS (ages 1-2):

In the classroom: During the toddler years, children make major strides in balance and coordination. Teachers play music and encourage students to move their bodies in different ways while maintaining their balance.

At home: Push and pull toys require children to use core balance and arm strength, which can be difficult for new walkers. Place a small wagon or toy shopping cart and a pile of blocks on the floor. Show your child how to fill the cart with blocks. He will enjoy pulling or pushing the blocks around the room.

BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):

In the classroom: Sitting cross-legged, or as we say with the children “criss-cross applesauce,” is an important developmental skill for two year olds. Teachers encourage children to sit criss-crossed anytime they are playing on the floor. Sitting in this position strengthens a child’s core muscles and helps improve body control.  We discourage “W-sitting,” with knees together and feet on either side of the hips, because it puts strain on knees and hips and fails to engage core abdominal muscles.

At home: Provide your child with a sit-and-spin toy. Ask him to sit on the toy with his legs crisscrossed. As he turns the wheel to spin, he will gain a better understanding of cause and effect.

INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):

In the classroom: Around age three, children learn to maintain control of their upper body while moving their lower body. Our Intermediate students practice pedaling a tricycle, bouncing on hopper balls, and walking on a balance beam.

At home: Have your child practice running and stopping with control by playing the traffic light game. Shout out the color green, yellow or red. Have him move quickly when hearing “green,” move slowly when hearing “yellow,” and completely stop when hearing “red.”

PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):

In the classroom: Teachers encourage children to practice balance and coordination by jumping on their non-dominant foot, walking on a line or beam, or jumping rope. Children also practice balance by crouching down to tie their shoes.

At home: Ask your child to tell you about the games and activities played at school. Include these activities at home and during family events such as birthday parties and vacations. Scooters and pogo jumpers are great toys for children at this age.

Good balance helps children maintain appropriate and controlled body movement during important tasks. By building balance skills in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education

 

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Merryhill Staff:

Ms. Susan Freitag  –  Principal

Ms. Monique Holquin  –  Assistant Principal

Ms. Kathy Ames  –  Administrative Assistant

Ms. Marisa  –  Cook

Infant Staff:

Ms. Ngan,

Ms. Ruth

Ms. Debbie

Ms. Darany  –  returning Sept. 8th from Maternity leave

Ms. Vickie Lee

Ms. Tammy

Toddler Staff:

Ms. Crystal

Ms. Carmel

Ms. Pearl

Ms. Chandy

Beginner A Staff:

Ms. Perlita

Ms. Mai

Ms. Ruthie

Beginner B Staff:

Ms. Rebekah

Ms. Sade

Ms. Alley

Ms. Cyndi (currently on maternity leave)

Intermediate staff:

Ms. Molly

Ms. Malki

Ms. Rosemary

Ms. Sara

Pre-Kindergarten Staff:

Ms. Kari

Ms. Paulina

Ms. Annie

Ms. Ami

After School Staff:

Ms. Erika

Ms. Sammy

Floaters / Break Staff:

Ms. Denetra

Ms. Nimfa

Mr. Chris

 

 

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