September / October 2024 Newsletter
Dear Families,
Our school year is off to a fabulous start: the children are making new friends, learning their new routines, and enjoying the lessons and classroom activities.
Please read this newsletter to stay “in the loop” about our upcoming activities, announcements, and reminders. I decided to include October in this newsletter since we have so many events on the calendar – this way you can mark your calendar. There will likely be updates before the next newsletter, which we will send out to you either by email or on the ProCare app.
Let’s have a great School Year together.
Valerie Frost-Lewis, MS Ed. (“Miss Val”)
Owner/Director
Two Optional Afternoon Activities are being Offered!
Soccer Shots on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m., and Wee Can Dance on Thursday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. are both wonderful options if you are looking to add special activities to your child’s week. Both programs have been Peppermint Tree FAVORITES through the years – and we are excited to offer both of these great activities for your children. Both programs are offering online sign ups. Here are the links. Sign up today to save a spot for your child:
Soccer Shots: https://oceancountysnj.soccershots.com/search?loc=86
Wee Can Dance: https://app.thestudiodirector.com/weecandance/portal.sd?page=Login
Classes for these programs start the week of 9/16/24.
Earth Friends is back!
We are excited to have been the pilot school for the now expanding, earth science program, Earth Friends, developed by Peppermint Tree parent, Janna Hockenjos. “Miss Janna” will be visiting the Preschool and PreK classrooms each Tuesday, and the teachers will also be following through with activities and lessons throughout the week. We will also be keeping you in the loop with information for families on what we are learning, so you can extend the learning at home. Each Module of the program has a family celebration – so stay tuned!! Earth Friends starts Tuesday, September 17th.
Please join us for Our First Parent Group Meeting: Tuesday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. via Zoom (please note updated time)
We invite all parents/guardians to attend our Parent Group Meeting via Zoom. (Zoom link to be sent out separately.) This is your opportunity to meet with Miss Val every month, 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.
Our second Parent Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. (Zoom link to be sent out separately.)
Mr. Scott the Music Man will be visiting each classroom on Thursday September 19th!
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 note: Mr. Scott will not return to the classrooms until January, as he has a planned medical procedure that he will be recovering from during the rest of the Fall.)
School Portraits are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, September 24th & 25th
The photos will be taken outdoors. If the weather is not good, we will have a make-up day. If your child does not attend on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and you would like to have their picture taken, please call the office to set this up. If your child attends both days, we will plan to get the photo done on the Tuesday. The photo sitting is free and there is no obligation to purchase photos. The proofs will be available within a few weeks of the photo shoot, and you will be provided information to place your order online if you would like to purchase any photos. We will take sibling groupings and classroom group photos in addition to individual portraits.
Please join us for Back to School Night – Thursday, September 26th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Please note time change.)
We will start on our playground! (Parents, students and siblings are welcome.) We will bring small groups at a time into the classroom for a visit. If it is rainy, we will limit classroom visits to 15 minutes to limit the group size at one time.
Sign Up to Bring in Lunch Time Milk for your Child’s Class
As you may know, we serve water all day, and milk with lunch. We ask the parents to take turns sending in the lunch time milk for their child’s classroom. We ask for a gallon of 1% organic milk to be sent in when it is your turn. We have an online sign-up form, and send the link out to families via email. Please sign up, if you have not yet done so! If your child does not drink cow’s milk, we don’t expect you to participate in sending in milk, but please do send in an alternate type of milk for your child each week or two, that we can keep for your child in the refrigerator. Please label it with your child’s name.
Toms River Schools are Closed on Thursday, October 3rd for Rosh Hashanah and Monday, October 14th for Columbus Day: There is no school at Peppermint Tree for those following the Toms River Schools 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. We will be combining children from the two PreK classes with any school age children who attend, into one group on these days. We will also combine Early Learners and Preschool class children.
If your child follows the Toms River schools calendar, we will not be expecting your child on these days. But, if you need child care, 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.
Thursday, October 17th: Fire Truck visit
In honor of Fire Prevention Week, and to teach the children about Fire Safety, we are working to have a presentation and demonstration by Toms River fire fighters who will bring a Fire Truck for the children to see.
Saturday, October 19th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m: Family Play and Share Event
Week of October 21st: 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 21st (no matter what day of the week they attend). We can’t wait to see their excited faces when they see the pumpkins!
Thursday, October 31st – Halloween Parade at 10:00 a.m. - Families are welcome!!
Weather permitting, we will be holding a Halloween Parade on the morning of Thursday, October 31st at 10:00 a.m., followed by a little playground fun with the families. Each child should wear their costume to school that day, and bring a full set of clothes to change into. Please note: We do not allow weapons or masks that cover the child’s face. If your child does not normally attend on a Thursday, you may bring them to participate in the parade. This is an awesome photo opportunity!!
Flu Shots
Every child attending preschool, who is 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.
Accident Report Procedure
Please note that if your child gets a bump, bruise, or scrape, etc., we will note it on an accident report, and ask the parent to sign it at the end of the day. Parents only should sign this report, unless the parent has provided alternate permission. If there is any bump to the head or face we will call or text you at the time of the accident, as well.
Reminders:
· Please do NOT park in front of our building where the curb is painted YELLOW. This is an active bus stop – we have school busses that come and go all day!
· Please return all paperwork, including medical forms, etc.
· 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.
· Please drive SLOWLY in our driveway and parking lot.
· Label everything: backpacks (on the OUTSIDE – in LARGE PRINT), lunch bags (on the OUTSIDE), jackets, sweaters, all clothes, etc.
· Send in an extra set of clothes, including socks (More than one set of clothes and extra sneakers if child is potty training.)
