Merryhill Preschool

A Note from Our Principal 

Last month, we were filled with exciting activities, from having a visit from our local Fire Department to ending the month with our annual Trick or Trunk! Thank you, everyone for participating in our school event. The children had a good time, and all the cars looked amazing! We also announced our Spook-tacular classroom door winners…the Toddler bats! The classroom won small donuts to celebrate. I hope all the children were able to pick up a coloring book, as they all did a fantastic job decorating their doors. Autumn has been filling our days with exploration, play, and meaningful learning. This month, we are focusing on gratitude and the special connections we share with our families. Our students will participate in activities that celebrate kindness, giving back, and appreciating the people and community around them.

We are so thankful for each of our families and for the trust you place in us every day. We look forward to another month of discovery, joy, and togetherness!

Holiday Giving

This year, we are donating to the Elk Grove Food Bank by hosting a Can Drive. The children will learn about helping others from all backgrounds. We will start collecting cans on November 5th till December 10th. Please see the list below for some items you can drop off. We appreciate any help. Please have your child place the items in the bin that will be located in the front office on November 5th.

Tom Turkey

It’s that time of year when our friend Tom Turkey is looking to disguise himself from getting eaten on Thanksgiving. Enjoy working with your child in creating a costume for your turkey, which was sent home in your End of the Month Folder. Once you complete your turkey, please drop him off with your teacher, who will post him in their classroom window. Miss. Silver, our Elementary School Principal, will vote on the top 3 turkeys. Have fun working with your child!

Care Call Week

Family Reports will be sent home via Tadpoles on November 7th. During November 10th-November 14th the teachers will have Care Call week to review your Family Reports. This is a great opportunity to talk to your teacher about your child’s progress. Teachers will continue to provide care calls every other month to continue communicating to build a positive team relationship with their parents.

Thanksgiving Fancy Feast

Our students will celebrate Thanksgiving with fun classroom activities on November 21st. The children will have a fancy friendship feast, where they can come in their best attire. Children will enjoy a candle-lit lunch with turkey and sides. Feel free to sign up for a dish listed on your child’s classroom door. They will learn about the importance of family and friendships, while also learning about table manners. We look forward to making our placemats and centerpieces for the special lunch. As a friendly reminder, we are closed during Thanksgiving Break November 24th-November 28th. Classes will resume December 1st.

Family Referral Bonus 

Do you know a colleague who has recently had a baby, a friend in need of care who just relocated to the area, or a family member who is seeking a new preschool for their child? When you refer a friend and they enroll, you’re eligible for a tuition discount. Ask us for details!

Important Dates 

November 11 – Veterans Day- School Closed

11/21-Thanksgiving Fancy Friendship Feast

November 24 – 28 – School CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break

November 28 – End-of-month folders go home

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich traditions and wisdom of the first peoples of our land. In our classrooms, children will explore the importance of gratitude, storytelling, and nature through simple, meaningful activities.

7 Books to Celebrate Native American History

Reading can open a window into new worlds. This November, we celebrate Native American History Month with books that teach children about family, community, and our connection to nature. Each story shares lessons in gratitude, kindness, and the traditions of Native peoples.

Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
Fry bread is more than beloved food. It embodies history, family, and more. Through this story, children can see how food connects us to people and culture.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
In this story, we journey with the Cherokee people through a year of seasons, expressing thanks for each one. Children learn about meaningful ceremonies, joyful celebrations, and traditional foods. This book teaches the value of gratitude while immersing readers in the Cherokee language and culture.

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Through the perspective of a young Native American child, this story celebrates the simple moments that bring children joy, such as seeing the face of someone they love, feeling the warmth of sunlight on their skin, and walking barefoot on the grass.

When We are Kind by Monique Gray Smith
This gentle story shows children many simple yet powerful ways to show kindness. It explores how small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day, and make their own hearts feel happy with joy and warmth.

May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp
This beautifully crafted board book features striking photographs by Indigenous women, each page expressing heartfelt wishes such as “May we have enough to share” or “May we have enough to help.” Through its images and words, the book celebrates themes of love, nature, and community, making it both a visually stunning and deeply meaningful read for young children.

Berry Song by Michaela Goade
A young Tlingit girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. As they work, they sing to the land and give thanks for its abundance. This beautifully told story highlights the deep connection between people and nature.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp (Tekaronianeken)
This book shares a daily message of gratitude drawn from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Thanksgiving Address. Each page gives thanks to the earth, plants, animals, and people, while teaching children about the profound interconnectedness of all life. It is a wonderful way to begin or end the day with gratitude and mindfulness.

At our school, we believe children benefit from learning about the many cultures and traditions that shape our world. Books, meaningful discussions, and intentional, engaging hands-on experiences help students explore different ways of life. They embrace and honor the qualities that make each person unique, cultivating empathy and a deep respect that inspires them to understand and care for others.

To learn more about how we bring cultural learning to life in the classroom, contact us today!