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October Newsletter

From the Principal’s Office

As Ghosts, Goblins, & Witches begin to make their appearance, we are discovering that October has arrived! Soon the days will become shorter, the nights will grow longer, and that crisp fall air will finally set in. October is truly one of my favorite months because it is now when we finally notice the changing season of autumn and wait in anticipation of the upcoming holidays.
October also marks one of Merryhill’s most frightfully exciting events, our “Trick or Trunk!” Mark your calendars for Friday, October 30th and join us for Trick or Treating fun. The children are encouraged to come in costume and trick or treat bags will be provided for all of the children. Everyone is invited to attend. If you would like to volunteer for this spooktacular event, please sign up in the lobby.
Our Fall Raffle and Scarecrow Contest will also be held this month. Check with your child’s teacher about raffle items and donations for our scarecrows.
“Winnie the Witch” will make her appearance in a puppet show the morning of Wednesday, October 28th at 10:00 am. Everyone is invited to attend!
Each year the Principals of all the Nobel Learning Community schools get together for our annual Principal’s Conference. I will be out of the office during the week of October 19th for a week of training and recognition. Please see Miss Linda for any questions you may have.

Happy Haunting!
Lisa Norris – Principal


Calendar of Events

10/2            Fire Station Field Trip Pre-K 2 only

10/12          Kids Can Food Drive Begins

10/15          Raffle Baskets on Display

10/16          Fire Station Field Trip Intermediates only

10/21          All School Pumpkin Drop – 10:30 am

10/23          Fire Station Field Trip Pre-K only

10/28          Puppet Show – 10:00 am Winnie the Witch!

10/30          Trick or Trunk
Kids Can Food Drive October 12-November 13


Coming Up!

All School Pumpkin Drop
Join us on Wednesday, October 21st at 10:30 to see who’s class pumpkin will survive our All School Pumpkin Drop!

Trick or Trunk
Friday, October 30th
It’s time for our annual “Trick or Trunk” activity! Each year we ask for parents to volunteer to decorate the trunks of their cars and provide treats for the children. The trunk decorations can be anything you choose – be creative! Treats can consist of anything from a piece of candy (no peanut items, please!) to a small trinket.

We encourage you to dress your children in their Halloween costumes (optional, of course!) and then during our morning hours we will go “trick or trunking” in our parking lot.

Every year, this event is a huge success and we continue to look forward to “spooktacular” trunk decorations and the fabulous costumes worn by our parent volunteers.

Please sign up in the office if you would like to volunteer your trunk for “Trick or Trunk” at Merryhill.

The fun begins promptly at 10:00 am and all parent volunteers should plan on arriving at school at around 9:15 to set up. We will direct you where to park for the event.

Fall Raffle
Each year our teachers along with the help of our parents create beautiful themed baskets that we raffle off. This year you can buy your raffle tickets for the basket of your choice. All baskets will be on display beginning Thursday, October 15th. If you would like to donate an item for the raffle baskets please check out the sign up sheets on your child’s classroom door.
Raffle tickets will be on sale from October 15th through October 30th.
Baskets will be raffled off at our Trick or Trunk event on Friday, October 30th.

Here’s a list of our Fall Raffle Baskets:
Starbucks Coffee Basket
Halloween Basket
Baking Basket
Gift Card Basket
Frozen Basket
Minion Basket

We will also raffle off a FREE week of tuition! Everyone who purchases a raffle ticket will be placed in the FREE week of tuition give away!

Kids Can Food Drive
Beginning October 12th and continuing through November 13th, you will have the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items for the KCRA Kids-Can Food Drive. This is the perfect opportunity to teach your child the gift of giving.

Scarecrow Contest
Each of our classes will be constructing a class scarecrow! Check with your child’s teacher for items you can donate to create a spooktacular scarecrow.Scarecrows will be judged at our Trick or Trunk event on Friday, October 30th!


From the Education Department

Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play

EDU

This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.

TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper

BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski

INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely

PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain

We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education

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