Dear Merryhill Families,
May is a month full of meaningful celebrations, including Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Memorial Day. Our teachers have planned engaging activities and special events to help students learn about and appreciate the cultural and historical significance behind these occasions.
One of the most special celebrations this month is Mother’s Day. Our students are already hard at work creating thoughtful cards and treats to honor the incredible mothers and caregivers in their lives.
Memorial Day is also observed this month—a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Please note that our school will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of the holiday.
We will also be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week from May 4rd through May 7th. We invite you to join us in recognizing and celebrating the dedicated teachers who make such a positive impact on our students each day.
We hope your family takes time this month to enjoy these special moments together and the beautiful spring weather.
Warm regards,Yvonne ValenzuelaPrincipal
As we prepare to kick off a new school year, we want to ensure you stay informed and connected. In addition to this newsletter, our website’s “For Parents” section includes helpful resources such as our school menu, monthly calendar, and academic year calendar.
If you are not currently receiving your child’s daily reports and photos, you can easily sign up by downloading the Links 2 Home app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Once downloaded, simply register using the same email address you provided when enrolling your child.
Click here for the different websites and apps to help you stay connected
Your continued trust and commitment to our Merryhill community truly means so much to our entire team. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with your family and to be part of your children’s learning journey as they grow, build confidence, and reach new milestones. These moments—both big and small—are what make our work so meaningful.
Because of families like you, Merryhill is more than just a school; it’s a warm and caring community. We look forward to another year filled with learning, laughter, and growth together.
If you have not yet registered but would like to reserve a space for the upcoming school year, please connect with a member of our administrative team for more information about availability. We are always happy to assist you!
What a journey it’s been! We are so proud of our Pre-K students for all they’ve accomplished and how much they’ve grown at Merryhill Karitsa. Please join us as we celebrate their time with us and their bright futures ahead. Click here for date and details.
May 4 – 7 is Teacher Appreciation Week – the perfect time to celebrate our amazing teachers and share our gratitude for the care, inspiration, and encouragement they provide our students each day. They shape the heart of our school community, and we are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented team! Please see the email that was sent on 4/21 to see how you can help celebrate!” or click on this link
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” you’re not alone. Parenting can feel complex, and many families use a mix of approaches without even realizing it. To help make sense of this, experts often group parenting into four main styles: authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, and authoritative. Understanding these styles can help you see what’s working, what might need a tweak, and how your approach affects your child’s growth and physical and emotional safety over time. Let’s get a better understanding of each style.
–Authoritarian Parenting: Strict and Rule-FocusedThis parenting style leans on rules and obedience, with little room for discussion.
You might hear phrases like “Because I said so” or see a strong focus on doing things “the right way” without much flexibility. Mistakes may be met with quick correction instead of conversation.
Children in this environment may follow directions well, but they can also feel pressure to be “perfect.” Over time, this pressure can lead to anxiety, fear of making mistakes, or difficulty speaking up. Without opportunities to openly express and process emotions, children may also have difficulty developing strong emotional regulation skills.
In the classroom, they may hesitate to try new things or become upset when things don’t go as planned.
While structure is important, young children need space to explore, ask questions, and learn through trial and error.
–Permissive Parenting: Loving but Loose on LimitsPermissive parenting is full of warmth and affection, but with minimal rules or boundaries.This can look like letting things slide to avoid conflict, giving in after a child protests, or allowing children to take the lead most of the time.
These children often feel loved and heard, which is a great strength. But without clear limits, they may have a harder time with self-control and developing healthy habits. They often decide when to go to bed or what they want to eat.
In group settings like preschool, they may struggle with routines, sharing, or transitions simply because they’re not used to consistent expectations.
Children do best when love and limits go hand in hand. Boundaries help them understand what’s expected and give them a sense of security.
–Uninvolved Parenting: Limited EngagementIn this parenting style, caregivers may be less involved, whether due to stress, time, or other challenges.
In everyday life, this might look like limited communication, inconsistent routines, and little emotional connection. This may be unintentional, but it is serious, as it can lead to neglect.
Children whose parents follow this style may seek extra attention or appear withdrawn. They often demonstrate high resilience or self-sufficiency, but these have developed through necessity. Over time, they may struggle with confidence, forming strong relationships, and academic challenges.
In a preschool setting, a child experiencing uninvolved parenting may seem withdrawn, overly quiet, or unsure of how to engage with peers and adults. They may also seek frequent attention and reassurance from teachers.
–Authoritative Parenting: Warm, Clear, and BalancedThis style is often seen as the “sweet spot.” It blends clear rules with warmth and understanding.
Here, parents set boundaries while still acknowledging their child’s feelings: “I know you’re upset, but it’s time to clean up before dinner.” They explain the “why,” and listen while still maintaining their stance.
Children raised with this approach tend to feel safe and secure. They know what’s expected, and they trust that their feelings matter. Over time, this helps them build confidence, self-control, and strong social skills. In a preschool setting, they often adapt well to routines, try new things, and express their emotions in healthy ways.
Many educators recommend this balanced approach because it supports both independence and emotional growth, helping children build confidence while learning to follow rules and think for themselves.
–A Balanced Approach
Successful parents adjust their approach based on different situations. For example, an authoritarian parent may become more permissive when their child isn’t feeling well. “Sure, you can watch more TV today since you need your rest.” A permissive parent may be firmer when safety is at stake, like requiring their child to hold their hand in a parking lot.
Children do best when they experience clear, consistent expectations alongside warm, responsive relationships. This helps them feel safe to explore, learn, and grow, while also supporting emotional regulation, social skills, and resilience over time. When caregivers prioritize a child’s physical and emotional safety, stay present and consistent, and grow alongside them, they help build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Do you know a colleague who recently welcomed a new baby, a friend who just relocated and is looking for quality care, or a family member searching for the perfect preschool?
When you refer a friend and they enroll at Merryhill, you’ll be eligible to receive a free $500 credit on tuition!
Contact us for full details and start sharing the gift of learning with your friends and family—we’d love to welcome them into our community. Click here for more information
Does your employer participate in Passport Unlimited?If so, you may also qualify for a tuition discount.Check your Passport Unlimited Portal today or ask your HR team or your local Merryhill team to find out if you qualify. Click here for more information
We Value Your Feedback! We’d love to hear from you! If you have a moment, please consider leaving us a review and sharing your experience with our school. Your thoughts help us grow and continue providing the best experience for our students and families.
Summer Camp 2026: Kinder Prep Camp, Open to ALL! 7:30AM-5:30PM, $315/week and include extended care!
We’re thrilled to already have many of you signed up for Kindergarten! Whether you are enrolling with us for Kindergarten or not, we hope you’ll join us for our Kinder Prep Summer Camp program. This program is designed to be a bridge from preschool to Kindergarten and is a perfect balance of work and play. From Food Truck Fridays, to onsite guests including face painters, Disney Princesses, and more, our Summer Camp program has been voted one of Sacramento’s Favorite camp programs. We’ve attached the Summer Camp Brochure, and you may register your child here. Please note that our Kinder Prep Summer camp program waitlists every year, but Merryhill families are guaranteed a space if they sign up before 2/2. Merryhill students typically graduate PreK in early June, and join our camp program after graduation. The program runs all summer, and is the perfect way to transition students between PreK and Kindergarten.Chick here for more information about our Kindergarten Prep Camp
Kindergarten Enrollment 26-27 (age 5 by 10/1 – later than the public school cut off!)
From now through the end of the year, Our Elementary School will be holding monthly Kindergarten Virtual Informational Sessions for families on Zoom. Information about these sessions will be provided to Merryhill preschool families each month. The next steps from Merryhill Preschool for these students is Kindergarten, and we would love to welcome you to Elementary program.As a note, the age cutoff at Merryhill Elementary is October 1st, so students who are 5 on or before that time are eligible to join. The school also offer early admissions for students who may not meet that age cutoff, but who are ready for Kindergarten (based on our assessment, which is offered at no cost to you).Click here for information about the 26-27 Kindergarten enrollment process for Merryhill Preschool Students.
We look forward to welcoming many of our Merryhill Preschool students at our Merryhill Midtown campus soon!To learn more or to schedule a private tour, reach out to Michelle Gosselin, Manager of Enrollment, at Michelle.Gosselin@merryhillschool.com or call 916-429-6055.
