Dear Merryhill Families,
The month of May is truly the busiest month of the school year at Merryhill School. Between Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day, Summer camp planning, and our final school year Parent Conferences & Progress Reports, and planning Pre-K Graduation our days are full! We do our best to make sure parent communication is consistent and prompt, so please be sure to read any notices that are sent home, as well as postings in our school lobby. Feel free to inquire at the front desk if you have any questions.
We are excited about our Links2Home program. This is going to be an awesome communication tool. A letter was sent home last week. Links2Home gives you the ability to:
- Easily view and share all photos, notes and daily reports for every child in your family
- Provide drop-off information to your child’s teacher
- Receive real-time drop-off/pick-up notifications
- Report child absences
This program will go live on Monday, May 9th. Please check with the front desk for more information.
Our Pre-K graduation ceremony will be held at our school on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:00 pm. Specific details will be sent home over the next couple of weeks. You are welcome to invite family and friends to join the celebration. Our Pre-K students have begun practicing daily for their special day, and can’t wait to take center stage!
As a friendly reminder, Pre-K graduates who continue on with us this summer will participate in a special “Kindergarten Readiness” program in the Pre-K classroom with Ms. Kelley and Ms. Arin. Curriculum will still be a major focus and is designed to challenge our students, helping them to strengthen the skills necessary for a successful transition to Kindergarten. We will also mix in some summer fun throughout the weeks as well – splash days and other activities.
Elementary School Age Summer Camp is currently being planned. We will be announcing field trips in about 2 weeks once everything is confirmed. You may start registering your child now. Space is limited so don’t miss the opportunity for a fun filled summer here at Merryhill School!
May calendar is now ready, be certain to click on the link below to find out all important dates that are coming up! We also have calendars available at the front desk.
Have an awesome month!
Sincerely,
Angel Ahlbrandt, Principal
Shirley Gent, Asssistant Principal
“At Merryhill School we provide a challenging and nurturing environment where children are give a strong academic foundation to be lifelong learners.”
May Classroom Newsletters
Calendars
2016 Summer Camp Brochures
2016 School Age Summer Camp Brochure
2016 Preschool Summer Camp Brochure
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
Building Your Child’s Sense of Family Belonging
Relationships with family members play an important role as children begin to develop a sense of self. When they feel a sense of identity and belonging within their own families, children are better able to grow emotionally, make friends, and appreciate and accept the diversity of others.
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to share activities that celebrate the importance of family.
Below are age appropriate activities that we implement in the classroom, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: Teachers use baby sign language to help children identify and eventually verbalize names for their family members. When parents enter the classroom, teachers say, “Look! Here’s Sophia’s mommy,” while also signing “mommy.” They work with parents to learn specific names used at home, and then use those names in the classroom.
At home: Use baby sign language as you come across names of family members in books and songs. To sign “mommy,” tap your thumb on your chin repeatedly. To sign “daddy,” tap your thumb on your forehead repeatedly. Remember to say the word aloud as you sign.
Recommended reading: Spot Loves His Mommy by Eric Hill, Are You my Mother? by PD Eastman
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: By age two, children begin to learn the names of extended family members, such as grandmother, uncle and cousin. They practice using these words as they talk about their families. After sorting stuffed animals by type, teachers might say, “This is the horse’s family. He has a big family. Who’s in your family?”
At home: Give your child play dough and encourage him to create the members of his family. Afterward, ask him to count and name them. This activity helps him conceptualize that multiple people make up his entire family and gives you insight into what family means to your child at his particular point in development.
Recommended reading: On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott, Oonga Boonga by Frieda Wishinsky
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: As children read stories about diverse families, teachers encourage them to share unique details about their own families. For example, teachers might ask, “Who has a sister?” or “Who has a pet?” Afterward, students create charts with the information.
At home: Have each member of your family make a thumbprint using finger paint on a piece of paper side by side. Then, ask your child to compare the various sizes, and guess which thumbprint belongs to each person. As they talk about their family members, they begin to appreciate what makes their family unique.
Recommended reading: Clifford’s Family by Norman Bridwell, What Mommies Do Best and What Daddies Do Best by Laura Numeroff
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older preschoolers begin to understand that their parents have more than one role. Family members are invited to visit and talk to the class about their roles inside and outside of the home. Students are encouraged to write and draw their family members in the different roles they serve. For example, “Mommy is a doctor.”
At home: Go on an uninterrupted family outing with your child. Try to avoid checking work emails or answering unimportant phone calls. Afterward, ask your child to write about his favorite parts of the day in his journal.
Recommended reading: Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? by Eric Carle, The Napping House by Audrey Wood
All of our schools will be celebrating families in really fun ways this Mother’s Day season, and we hope that you do too!
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
May News
Dear Merryhill Families,
The month of May is truly the busiest month of the school year at Merryhill School. Between Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day, Summer camp planning, and our final school year Parent Conferences & Progress Reports, and planning Pre-K Graduation our days are full! We do our best to make sure parent communication is consistent and prompt, so please be sure to read any notices that are sent home, as well as postings in our school lobby. Feel free to inquire at the front desk if you have any questions.
We are excited about our Links2Home program. This is going to be an awesome communication tool. A letter was sent home last week. Links2Home gives you the ability to:
This program will go live on Monday, May 9th. Please check with the front desk for more information.
Our Pre-K graduation ceremony will be held at our school on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:00 pm. Specific details will be sent home over the next couple of weeks. You are welcome to invite family and friends to join the celebration. Our Pre-K students have begun practicing daily for their special day, and can’t wait to take center stage!
As a friendly reminder, Pre-K graduates who continue on with us this summer will participate in a special “Kindergarten Readiness” program in the Pre-K classroom with Ms. Kelley and Ms. Arin. Curriculum will still be a major focus and is designed to challenge our students, helping them to strengthen the skills necessary for a successful transition to Kindergarten. We will also mix in some summer fun throughout the weeks as well – splash days and other activities.
Elementary School Age Summer Camp is currently being planned. We will be announcing field trips in about 2 weeks once everything is confirmed. You may start registering your child now. Space is limited so don’t miss the opportunity for a fun filled summer here at Merryhill School!
May calendar is now ready, be certain to click on the link below to find out all important dates that are coming up! We also have calendars available at the front desk.
Have an awesome month!
Sincerely,
Angel Ahlbrandt, Principal
Shirley Gent, Asssistant Principal
“At Merryhill School we provide a challenging and nurturing environment where children are give a strong academic foundation to be lifelong learners.”
May Classroom Newsletters
2016 Summer Camp Brochures
2016 School Age Summer Camp Brochure
2016 Preschool Summer Camp Brochure
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
Building Your Child’s Sense of Family Belonging
Relationships with family members play an important role as children begin to develop a sense of self. When they feel a sense of identity and belonging within their own families, children are better able to grow emotionally, make friends, and appreciate and accept the diversity of others.
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to share activities that celebrate the importance of family.
Below are age appropriate activities that we implement in the classroom, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: Teachers use baby sign language to help children identify and eventually verbalize names for their family members. When parents enter the classroom, teachers say, “Look! Here’s Sophia’s mommy,” while also signing “mommy.” They work with parents to learn specific names used at home, and then use those names in the classroom.
At home: Use baby sign language as you come across names of family members in books and songs. To sign “mommy,” tap your thumb on your chin repeatedly. To sign “daddy,” tap your thumb on your forehead repeatedly. Remember to say the word aloud as you sign.
Recommended reading: Spot Loves His Mommy by Eric Hill, Are You my Mother? by PD Eastman
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: By age two, children begin to learn the names of extended family members, such as grandmother, uncle and cousin. They practice using these words as they talk about their families. After sorting stuffed animals by type, teachers might say, “This is the horse’s family. He has a big family. Who’s in your family?”
At home: Give your child play dough and encourage him to create the members of his family. Afterward, ask him to count and name them. This activity helps him conceptualize that multiple people make up his entire family and gives you insight into what family means to your child at his particular point in development.
Recommended reading: On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott, Oonga Boonga by Frieda Wishinsky
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: As children read stories about diverse families, teachers encourage them to share unique details about their own families. For example, teachers might ask, “Who has a sister?” or “Who has a pet?” Afterward, students create charts with the information.
At home: Have each member of your family make a thumbprint using finger paint on a piece of paper side by side. Then, ask your child to compare the various sizes, and guess which thumbprint belongs to each person. As they talk about their family members, they begin to appreciate what makes their family unique.
Recommended reading: Clifford’s Family by Norman Bridwell, What Mommies Do Best and What Daddies Do Best by Laura Numeroff
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older preschoolers begin to understand that their parents have more than one role. Family members are invited to visit and talk to the class about their roles inside and outside of the home. Students are encouraged to write and draw their family members in the different roles they serve. For example, “Mommy is a doctor.”
At home: Go on an uninterrupted family outing with your child. Try to avoid checking work emails or answering unimportant phone calls. Afterward, ask your child to write about his favorite parts of the day in his journal.
Recommended reading: Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? by Eric Carle, The Napping House by Audrey Wood
All of our schools will be celebrating families in really fun ways this Mother’s Day season, and we hope that you do too!
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education