Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season! On behalf of the entire Merryhill School staff, Ms. Shirley and I would like to extend a special thank you to our families for your heartfelt holiday wishes and lovely gifts! Your thoughtfulness and generosity is very much appreciated.
Teachers are currently preparing individual assessments of their students’ progress since the beginning of the school year. On Monday, January 18th, you will have an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher regarding their progress. Sign-up times will be posted by Friday, January 8th. If the times available do not work with your schedule, we will be more than happy to arrange a time that is convenient for you.
Now that the holidays are behind us, teachers will focus on preparing their students for what lies ahead. Utilizing student observation records and assessments as a guide, teachers will hone in on each of their students individual needs and provide varied learning experiences, which will strengthen and challenge cognitive, social and emotional growth. Our goal is to ensure each child is confident in his or her ability and prepared with the necessary tools for a successful start in the next level of education.
Happy New Year to each of you! We are excited for many more years of learning fun at Merryhill School!
Angel Inman Ahlbrandt, Principal
& Shirley Gent, Assistant Principal
At Merryhill School we provide a challenging and nurturing environment where children are given a strong academic foundation to be lifelong learners.
January Classroom Newsletters
Calendars
Reminders
- Please remember to bring extra changes of clothes for your child (please include a change of underwear, socks & shoes). We especially need extra clothes for sizes 2, 3, & 4 (boys and girls), any donations would be greatly appreciated!
- Please sign up for our Celly Text Alerts. This is the fastest way we can communicate to our families for school closures, important reminders, etc. Please see the front desk for information.
- Check this website if we have a closing due to weather!!!
- Per state licensing, please send your child in closed-toe and closed-heel shoes; such as, sneakers. This will help prevent your children from being injured.
- Please remember to sign your child In and Out daily.
- For the safety of all our children, it is required that a parent/adult escort your child to their classrooms. Please also remember an authorized adult (18 years and older) must sign children out for the day.
Elementary Age After School & Camp Program
Winter, Spring & Summer Camp full day schedules
Please consider us for your child’s after school program! We pick up at the following elementary schools:
- Keller ISD: Whitley Road, Freedom, Florence, Shady Grove, Liberty
- Birdville ISD: Green Valley
- International Leadership
For Parents
The Value of Visual Art Activities for Your Preschooler
Visual art experiences help children develop skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, problem-solving, communication and collaboration. Our teachers focus on process-based art education, in which the experience of creating art is valued over the end product.
In our classrooms, teachers integrate art into many aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum. After reading a book about polar bears, teachers might ask students to create their own polar bears using sponges, paint, markers and paper. They encourage students to talk about their art, providing a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary, particularly words related to colors, shapes,textures, and emotions.
Our students are also exposed to and inspired by famous artwork. In order to cultivate that fascination, we discuss famous artists and art works and ask students to create replicas of well-known paintings and sculptures. For example, after learning about Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, teachers mimic the activity in the classroom. They tape paper underneath tables, and students practice painting a masterpiece while lying down.
Below are visual art activities you and your child can do at home, as well as recommended reading.
At Home:
- Provide your child with finger paint, a large piece of paper and a smock. Let him create a masterpiece. Talk about how the paint feels and what colors and shapes he creates on the paper.
- Start a journal with your child. Have him draw a picture of something that happened during the day. Avoid giving direction. Instead of saying “Draw a picture of your teacher and classmates,” encourage him to experiment using different colored markers or crayons. If age appropriate, ask your child to write a few words to describe the picture.
- Give your child a piece of paper and a box of crayons or markers. Show him how to use the materials to make dots, lines and swirls on the paper. Let him take over and have fun. Encourage conversation about your child’s art by saying, “Tell me about what you made” or “I see you used a lot of blue in your picture. Why did you choose that color?”
- Ask your child to decorate a sign for his bedroom door using various art materials. Have him write his name on the sign.
Recommended Reading:
- The Dot by Peter Reynolds
- Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
- Art by Patrick McDonnell
- Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
- Mix It Up by Herve Tullet
It is wonderful to share the joy that children naturally take in using art materials. Giving children extra opportunities to connect art to the world around them, contributes to happiness and future success in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
January News
A Message From the Principal:
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season! On behalf of the entire Merryhill School staff, Ms. Shirley and I would like to extend a special thank you to our families for your heartfelt holiday wishes and lovely gifts! Your thoughtfulness and generosity is very much appreciated.
Teachers are currently preparing individual assessments of their students’ progress since the beginning of the school year. On Monday, January 18th, you will have an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher regarding their progress. Sign-up times will be posted by Friday, January 8th. If the times available do not work with your schedule, we will be more than happy to arrange a time that is convenient for you.
Now that the holidays are behind us, teachers will focus on preparing their students for what lies ahead. Utilizing student observation records and assessments as a guide, teachers will hone in on each of their students individual needs and provide varied learning experiences, which will strengthen and challenge cognitive, social and emotional growth. Our goal is to ensure each child is confident in his or her ability and prepared with the necessary tools for a successful start in the next level of education.
Happy New Year to each of you! We are excited for many more years of learning fun at Merryhill School!
Angel Inman Ahlbrandt, Principal
& Shirley Gent, Assistant Principal
At Merryhill School we provide a challenging and nurturing environment where children are given a strong academic foundation to be lifelong learners.
January Classroom Newsletters
Reminders
Elementary Age After School & Camp Program
Winter, Spring & Summer Camp full day schedules
Please consider us for your child’s after school program! We pick up at the following elementary schools:
For Parents
The Value of Visual Art Activities for Your Preschooler
Visual art experiences help children develop skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, problem-solving, communication and collaboration. Our teachers focus on process-based art education, in which the experience of creating art is valued over the end product.
In our classrooms, teachers integrate art into many aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum. After reading a book about polar bears, teachers might ask students to create their own polar bears using sponges, paint, markers and paper. They encourage students to talk about their art, providing a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary, particularly words related to colors, shapes,textures, and emotions.
Our students are also exposed to and inspired by famous artwork. In order to cultivate that fascination, we discuss famous artists and art works and ask students to create replicas of well-known paintings and sculptures. For example, after learning about Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, teachers mimic the activity in the classroom. They tape paper underneath tables, and students practice painting a masterpiece while lying down.
Below are visual art activities you and your child can do at home, as well as recommended reading.
At Home:
Recommended Reading:
It is wonderful to share the joy that children naturally take in using art materials. Giving children extra opportunities to connect art to the world around them, contributes to happiness and future success in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education