October newsletter
Dear Families,
Is it October already? How did that happen? We can’t wait to see you at our Back to School Night on October 10th at 6:00 p.m. – read below to learn all about what we have planned for the evening.
We have a lot of other fun activities planned for October, too…everything from a Firetruck visit, to pumpkin picking at our very own on site “pumpkin patch”, to a visit from Mr. Scott the Music Man and a Halloween parade! It’s going to be a super fun and action packed month at The Peppermint Tree! Read on to learn all about our activities for the month.
Valerie Frost-Lewis, MS Ed. (“Miss Val”)
Owner/Director
Tuesday, October 3rd between 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m: Please visit the table we will have set up by the playground gate. Teri Torquato of The Children’s Home Society will be on hand to answer any questions about the upcoming Ages and Stages Questionnaire we will be offering for Developmental Screening and she will provide a Free Book for every child who stops over with their parent or pick up person.
We will soon be offering the Ages and Stages Questionnaire to families as an opportunity to get a snapshot of your child’s developmental progress. This program is free to all families. The results also help our teachers differentiate instruction based on your child’s individual needs. Teri can answer any of your questions about this opportunity.
Toms River Schools are Closed on Monday, October 9th: There are no classes at Peppermint Tree for those following the Toms River Schools calendar, and we provide child care for those following the Peppermint Tree calendar.
On the days Toms River Schools are closed, for those of you who are registered for our Peppermint Tree calendar, we are open and we will be expecting your child to attend.
If you follow the Toms River calendar we will not be expecting your child on these days. But, if you need child care on these days, please call the office and we can arrange to care for your child, on a space available basis. You will be billed for the care on a per day basis.
On these “Child Care Days” the Early Learners and Preschool class children are together in the Early Learner’s classroom (front right door), and the two PreK classes and any school age children who attend will be together in Room D, which can be found at the front left door. Also, not all staff work on these days – please prepare your child for these changes.
Mr. Scott the Music Man will be visiting each classroom on Tuesday October 10th!
Mr. Scott the Music Man brings music, movement and joy, as he has the children giggling, moving and grooving! We love it when Mr. Scott visits!
Please join us for Back to School Night on Tuesday, October 10th 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – which will start out on our playground! (Parents, students and siblings are welcome)
We are excited to offer The Fun Bus as an additional activity for the kids during Back to School Night. This will be a “Free Demo” for children to try out the Fun Bus which is Fitness on Wheels! It parks in our parking lot, and does not move while the children are on the bus. Gymnastics equipment and activities and music make the bus so much FUN! Fun Bus will be offered on Wednesday afternoons beginning after Thanksgiving (once Soccer Shots is over for the Fall season).
Confirmed! Fire Truck visit, Wednesday, October 11th at 10:00 a.m.
In honor of Fire Prevention Week, and to teach the children about Fire Safety, we will have a presentation and demonstration by Toms River fire fighters who will bring a Fire Truck for the children to see. If your child does not normally attend on a Wednesday, you are welcome to being your child at 10:00 a.m. to watch the presentation and see the truck. We will be meeting out in the parking lot – all classrooms at the same time. (Please park on the street-we will be blocking off the driveway.)
Week of October 23rd: Peppermint Tree Pumpkin Patch
Peppermint Tree is purchasing small pumpkins which will be placed in our circle to create a “pumpkin patch”. All children will have a chance to go out to the patch and pick a pumpkin with their classroom during the week of October 23rd (no matter what day of the week they attend). We can’t wait to see their excited faces when they see the pumpkins!
Please join us for Our Next Parent Group Meeting: Monday, October, 23rd at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please complete the “Families Activities Survey”
We invite all parents/guardians to attend our Parent Group Meeting via Zoom. (Zoom link to be sent later.) This is your opportunity to meet with Miss Val, and to meet other parents to work together to create the community we want for our children and families. We plan activities, parent workshops, and provide valuable feedback to the school director to assure we are meeting your needs.
Please also complete our Families Activity Survey, sent home via email – our Parent Group meeting on October 23rd will be centered around looking at the results of this survey so we can plan activities that our community of families will benefit from.
Tuesday, October 31st at 10:00 a.m. – Halloween Parade: Families are welcome!!
Weather permitting, we will be holding a Halloween Parade on the morning of Tuesday, October 31st, followed by a little playground fun with the families. We are planning a little Trunk or Treat in the parking lot, too!! Each child should wear their costume to school that day, wearing their clothes underneath for ease of changing. Please note: We do not allow weapons or masks that cover the child’s face. If you child does not normally attend on a Tuesday, you may bring them to participate in the parade. This is an awesome photo opportunity!!
Have you heard about Earth Friends? We are piloting a fabulous curriculum in the Preschool and PreK classes , developed by Peppermint Tree parent, Janna Hockenjos, that teaches children all about our fascinating earth. Watch your email for links to information for families and follow up activities you can do with your child at home. We are Earth Friends!
Reminders:
· Label everything: backpacks (on the OUTSIDE – in LARGE PRINT), lunch bags (on the OUTSIDE), jackets, sweaters, all clothes, etc.
· Send in a weather appropriate extra clothes in your child’s backpack-especially once it starts to get cooler!
· Please check your child’s backpack each day and remove papers and art work sent home from school.
· Please send your child to school wearing sneakers on their feet…these are the safest on the playground.
· Every child under the age of five MUST have a flu shot between September 1st and December 31 each school year. Please send in your child’s immunization update when this is completed.
· Please drive SLOWLY in our driveway and parking lot.
· While dropping off at the two front doors, please avoid pulling up beyond the front edge of our building in our driveway – that blocks the driveway entrance too much. Also, do not park in the front where the yellow curb is-that is a school bus stop. Please pull beyond the yellow curb. Thank you!!
