College Park Preschool

This month dads were invited to visit the classrooms and enjoy a fun-filled evening with their children at Dad’s Night. Dads and children created special mementos, went on a scavenger hunt in the classroom, and enjoyed special circle times planned with dad in mind. One class traced daddy’s shoes, other classes made frames for a picture of Dad’s Night, stories were told about what is special about dad, dads danced with their children, and a volcano erupted. It was a wonderful night!

Upcoming Events for February:
A Royal Ball with dinner, dancing, and a photo booth on February 3rd.
Police Officer Visits are on February 9th and 10th.
Valentine’s Day Exchanges will be held on February 13th and 14th.
Picture Days are on February 21st and 22th.

School is closed on January 2nd for New Year’s Holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Tuition Statements will be sent via email on January 1st. Tuition is due by the 10th.

The Parent Group will meet on Wednesday, January 4th at 9:15 AM in Room 2 (2nd floor of preschool building).

Thank you to Marie M for putting together a nature project for all the classes. Children will be making “seed balls” to throw into the nature space and playground.

A new session of Playball will begin on Monday and Tuesday, January 9th and 10th from 1:10 to 1:55 P.M.

Dad’s Night is on Tuesday, January 10th and Wednesday, January 11th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. All our dads are invited to a fun-filled evening with their child in their child’s class. Activities are planned as well as art and circle time in each class. See you there!

School is closed on January 16th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Firefighter visits are rescheduled for May. Police officer visits are scheduled for February 9th and 10th.

Grandma Marilyn reads to the preschool classes on January 11 and 26.

Our Nature Space is closed due to safety concerns. The Nature Space Committee are meeting with landscape gardeners to plan what to do about the erosion on the hillsides. Upcoming February Events:

College Park Preschool is having a Royal Ball! Families are invited to a dinner and dance in Faith Center on Friday, February 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

A police officer will visit the classrooms on February 9th and 10th. Classes then go outside and see the lights, hear the siren, and sit in the back of the police car.

Valentine’s Day Exchanges will be held on February 13th and 14th.

School will be closed on February 17th and 20th for Abraham Lincoln and President’s Day Holidays.

Picture Days are on February 21st and 22nd. Each class picture is taken as well as individual portraits. Order forms will be sent home in late January.

December filled the senses as children made various holiday treats. Christmas songs were sung with jingle bells and musical instruments. Sensory experiences from scented playdough to snow to glitter pinecones delighted the children. Holiday art and ornaments were created in the classrooms and the art studio as well as a Christmas tree for the children to decorate. Grandma Marilyn read stories of Jesus’ birth to the children. Families visited the classrooms and shared their holiday traditions. Parents and grandparents helped the children make ornaments, read Christmas stories, and brought musical instruments to play. One class enjoyed dancing “the Conga”! One class even mailed a letter to Santa. It was a busy and fun-filled month. Children made special gifts for mom and dad, and wrapped them quickly so they would be a surprise. School will be closed for the families and staff from December 19th to January 2nd. We wish everyone a joyful and blessed Christmas and a truly happy New Year!

Tuition statements will be sent by email on December 1st. Tuition is due by December 10th.

School closes at 12:45 PM on Thursday, December 1st! Late fees begin at 12:45 PM!

Scholastic Book Orders are due by Friday, December 2nd.

A Parent Group Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7th at 7 PM at Jenn Fenelli’s home.

Grandma Marilyn reads to the preschool classes on December 13 and December 14.

School will be closed at 12 PM on Friday, December 16th for Staff Fellowship.

School will be closed from December 19th to January 2nd. Children return on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Playball begins a new session in January from 1:15 to 2 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays in Faith Center.
Flyers will be sent home. Children already enrolled in Playball will given priority registration.

Wishing you all the merriest Christmas and happiest New Year!

Throughout November, the children learned about what it means to give thanks and celebrated Thanksgiving through stories, art, and music. Families in two classes met in Faith Center for a Thanksgiving Feast. Children in the other classrooms made special snacks such as Apple Crisp, Lasagna Rollups, Stone Soup, and Pumpkin Muffins. The youngest class had a Teddy Bear Picnic.

We are so very grateful for all the loving and caring support from everyone. Thank you all! We wish everyone an enjoyable and blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

[gallery]Thank you to everyone for your support of Open House and the Ice Cream Social. A huge thank you goes out to Michelle and Sophia for organizing the event, and to all the parents who helped out. Thank you!

Thank you to Karin and Trisha for organizing the Costume Swap and to Eve for organizing the Humane Society Donations. Thank you to Janet for all her hard work putting together the Parent Directory and to Jenny for sending out emails to the parents.

A Parent Group Meeting will be held Wednesday, November 2 at 9:15 a.m. in Room 2, 2nd floor Building B. Each time you attend a meeting, a $5 raffle ticket will be given to use towards the April Raffle Basket drawing.

School closes at 12:45 PM on the first Thursday of each month! . Make sure to pick your child on time! Late fees apply beginning promptly at 12:45 PM. The staff are meeting from 1 to 3 PM for a free YMCA workshop. The workshop will focus on developmentally appropriate techniques that build positive relationships with children.

Parent Cooking Days are on November 8 and November 30, 9 to 10 a.m. Thank you to Jaime for organizing the Cooking Days. Please sign up if you are interested.

Grandma Marilyn reads to the preschool classes on November 8th and 16th.

Art Stamps forms are due by November 10th! Thank you to Tara and Janet for organizing the fundraiser.

Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home on November 14th. Orders will need to be returned by December 2nd.

On November 14th at 9:15 a.m., Gretchen, a former CPP parent will share a very special presentation called “How traveling with my kids helped me live a heroic life”. Gretchen’s story is unique and entertaining! With her children, she traveled in an RV as sole parent, crossing 19 states in 3 months, homeschooling the kids along the way. This past May, Gretchen and her adventure were featured in Parents Magazine. We are delighted to introduce everyone to this amazing parent who has a wonderful story to share!

School will be closed Friday, November 11th for Veteran’s Day Holiday. School will be closed November 21 through November 25 for Thanksgiving Holiday Vacation.

Thanksgiving Feasts are being planned by Room 4 and Room 5 on November 17 and 18. Each year these 2 classes invite their families for a “feast” in Faith Family Center. The other classrooms have special snacks on those days.

Thank you so much to all our parents who came to the Back to School Pot Luck Get Togethers. A very special thank you to our hosts: the Branams, Goldmans, Gavaldons, Stevens, Binghams, Tweetens, Barberas, Cervantes, Arapostathis, Millers, O’Neills, Gredvigs, Rodenbos, and Henns, and to Matina Kleiner for organizing the event

A Parent Group Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 5th at 7 PM at Michelle Wick’s home. Information on the location will be emailed to parents as well as posted on the gate. Everyone is invited!

School closes at 12:45 PM on the first Thursday of each month! The staff meets from 1 to 3 PM each month for professional growth and training in the goals and philosophy of our preschool, health, nutrition, safety, family and staff communication, assessment, positive guidance, special needs, developmental domains, and Creative Curriculum. Make sure to pick your child up on time! Late fees apply beginning promptly at 12:45 PM.

Room 2, 3, and 4 will be visiting Oma’s Pumpkin Patch this month. Field Trip Permission Slips must be turned in for your child to go on the field trip. Field trips are part of College Park’s curriculum. Room 1 and 5 will set up the Nature Space’s Pumpkin Patch for their children.

The Costume Swap is an affordable way of finding a gently-used Halloween costume for your child for $5 a costume. Parents donate a costume Oct. 3rd through 12th. A Pre-Sale will be offered to parents who donated a costume on October 17th and 18th. The remaining costumes will be on sale October 19th and 20th. This is the first Parent Group fundraiser of the year. Thank you to Trisha Ornelas and Karin Claisse for organizing the Costume Swap.

Art Stamps, our second Parent Group fundraiser is happening this month! Information about Art Stamps will be sent home mid-October. Thank you to Tara Goldman and Janet Gavaldon for organizing Art Stamps.

Parent Cooking Days begin on October 11th at 9 AM and October 26th at 9 AM. Four parents will be needed to make snack for the whole school on those days. Jaime Wayshville is organizing the Cooking Days, and the preschool will be purchasing all the items. This is a time to get to know each other and do something fun and nutritious for the school! Please sign up if you are interested. We still need parents to help on Tuesday, October 11th.

On October 11th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, is our Annual Open House and Parent Ice Cream Social. The Parent Group is hosting an Ice Cream Social in Faith Family Center for all our families. The Ice Cream Social will be held at the same time as Open House. All the classrooms and Art Studio will be open for families to visit.

The Humane Society will visit the classrooms on October 11th and October 19th. The program is designed to teach children safe behavior around dogs. A well-socialized dog will visit the classes. Please let your child’s teacher or the director know if your child is allergic to dogs or is fearful of dogs. Donations for the Human Society will be collected this month. Please bring old blankets, leashes, dog beds, etc.

Our first Fire Drills of the year will be on October 17th and 18th. Children learn what to do in a fire drill and why it is important to practice in case of a fire.

Grandma Marilyn reads to the preschool classes on October 25th and 26th.

On October 27th and 28th from 9 to 9:20 AM, everyone is invited to our Annual Imagination Costume Parades! Children come to school dressed in a “non-scary” costume and meet in the classrooms at 9 AM for pictures. Parents and teachers are welcome to dress up too! Then the parade begins and the classes walk around the bike path to music. Please come at 9 AM sharp or you will miss the fun! Parents are encouraged to stay and help their child take off their costume. Then it’s a regular day of school! Sign-ups for special snacks are on the sign-in carts. Remember only store bought treats without nuts or peanuts! Thanks!

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Welcome back to our returning staff: Kim Cantelon, Tina Lewis, Jeanine Gutowski, Pauline Ball, Linda Clark, Peggy Peloquin, Dawn Beisigl, Susannah Taylor-Cook, Deanne Duffy, Cynthia Smith, and Joanne Benjamin. Welcome to our newest staff: Lisa La Frantz and Laurie Bradel.

September Tuition is due by Friday, September 16th. A week grace period will be given due to starting school on the 12th. Late fees apply beginning on Monday, September 19th. Late fees are $5 a school day until tuition is paid.

Remember that school ends at 2 p.m. each day. Late fees apply beginning at 2 p.m. at $5 the first 5 minutes and $5 for every ten minutes thereafter. Also this year the Staff Professional Growth Day is the first Thursday of the month. School closes at 12:45 p.m. with late fees beginning at 12:45 p.m.

A Parent Group Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 14th. Meetings are held every month, either at school or in someone’s home. It’s a great way to get to know other parents as well as help out the school. The first meeting will be held in Room 2 upstairs on the second floor of the preschool building from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Children are welcome. Toys are brought upstairs for the meeting.

Playball begins on Monday and Tuesday, September 19th and 20th. Classes are held in Faith Family Center from 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sessions are 10 weeks. Playball is a sports and movement program that offers classes to the preschool children each year. The concept is to use sports as a vehicle to teach social, emotional and cognitive skills to young children. Make sure to reserve your spot as soon as the flyers go home. Spots fill quickly! Aftercare is still charged until 2:00 p.m. while children attend Playball classes. Parents who pick their child up before Playball begins are not charged. Staff is available to help the Playball instructor during the class.

Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home this month. Book orders will need to be returned NO LATER than October 1st. Thank you to Trista Z and Tracy P for volunteering to organize Scholastic book orders this year. The school receives bonus points when you order books and those bonus points are used to purchase books for our library. Thank you for your support!

The Lending Library is up and running! Books may be borrowed for 1 – 2 weeks. Please place returned books in the basket and write down the date you returned them. Books in the basket may not be checked out until placed on shelves. If you are interested in volunteering to be our librarian(s), please let Mrs. Oliver know.

Please remember that College Park is a Nut-Free and Peanut-Free Preschool. A flyer is being sent home to help in shopping. Remember it’s best to always read the label. Most granola bars have some type of nut in them, so we are asking you not to send granola bars in your child’s lunch. Try Sun Butter if your child really likes peanut butter sandwiches. It is delicious!

Parent’s Cooking Days will begin in October. This year we have improved the Snack Menu with even more healthy foods. There are 2 cooking days a month where parents can volunteer to make snack.

Grandma Marilyn will visit the classes beginning in October.

The Humane Society is visiting the preschool in October.

Open House and Ice Cream Social and Imagination Parades are happening in October!

It’s almost September and time for school to begin! The Preschool Board will meet on August 29th to plan for the new school year. Jeanine Gutowski who has served on the board for the past 3 years as staff representative will be recognized for her invaluable support. Thank you Jeanine! Members of the 2011-12 Preschool Board are Charlene Arthur, Marianne Doherty, Barbara Stevenson, Jennifer Forga, Julie Tweeten, Sussannah Taylor-Cook, Debra Oliver, and Chris Lenocker.

Returning staff for the 11-12 school year are Kim Cantelon, Christine Lewis, Jeanine Gutowski, Cynthia Smith, Peggy Peloquin, Linda Clark, Deanne Duffy, Pauline Ball, Dawn Beisigl, Joanne Benjamin, and Sussannah Taylor-Cook. We would like to welcome two new staff members, Lisa La Frantz and Laurie Bradel.

During the week of August 31st – September 7, the staff will attend meetings, CPR-First Aide Training, and work in their rooms. Back to School Night is on the 6th and offers an overview of the program and policies, the parent handbook, and important school events. Teachers will also meet with their families in their classroom and share about their program.

Before School Conferences are on the 8th and 9th. This is a time for children to meet their teacher and become acquainted with the classroom. Parents may share any information or concerns they have about their child at school. First Days of School are on the 12th and 13th. Everyone is looking forward to the new school year!