Merryhill Preschool

A Note from Our Principal 

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! 

Sincerely,

Kalin Farhart

Holiday Giving 

Our annual Holiday Giving initiative is a way for students to spread cheer this holiday season while developing an appreciation for what they have, showing gratitude towards others, and seeing the positive impact of their actions. This holiday season, we are supporting our community through two important donation drives and a volunteer effort. We are collecting brand-new, unopened toys for Toys for Tots and nonperishable food items for the River City Food Bank. Donations may be dropped off at here at Merryhill School. Each contribution helps bring comfort and joy to local families in need during the holiday season. In addition to these collections, we are also volunteering at the Holiday Miracle program at the Loomis Train Depot. This annual event provides an opportunity to give back directly to the community and support families in creating meaningful holiday experiences.

Together, through generosity and service, we can help make the season brighter for those around us. More details to come via Links 2 Home. Thank you in advance for your partnership and generosity.

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.

Thanksgiving/ Fall Celebrations 
Our students will be celebrating Thanksgiving throughout the week with a variety of fun and meaningful classroom activities. On Friday, November 21, we will host our annual Thanksgiving Feast, where students, families, and friends will come together to share in the spirit of gratitude and community. We are also excited to bring back Tom the Turkey, who will once again travel home with families to be creatively disguised so he can avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

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 free week of tuition. Ask us for details!

Special Upcoming Visits from our Sister Elementary School! 

As many of you learned last month, Ms. Duke is our Elementary Merryhill Principal. She will be hosting a Kindergarten Information Night on November 13 at the Orlando campus and is excited to welcome all of our Pre-K families to learn more about the next step in their educational journey. Ms. Duke will also be visiting our classrooms regularly, bringing along fun surprises and activities to help students get to know her better and share in the excitement of what’s ahead.

Important Dates 
November 11 – Veterans Day CLOSED

November 10-14- BOOK FAIR!

November 18- Mickey Mouses Birthday

November 21- Friendship Feast

November 21- Tom the Turkey is sent home with Families

November 26 – End-of-month folders go home

November 27 – 28 – School CLOSED for Thanksgiving

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New On Our Preschool Blog 

 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!