November ’25
Director’s Desk
If November is even half as lovely as October, we’re in for a marvelous month! Halloween is now a memory. We really believe it’s the children’s favorite holiday despite the stress caused by all that sugar. They all enjoyed dressing up in costumes, singing songs and eating special treats!
November conjures up images of colorful leaves and crisp days. In keeping with tradition, each class will study seasonal changes and explore what they are thankful for from their unique perspective.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up on Tuesday, November 4th. If you cannot make your assigned conference time, please talk to the teacher to make other arrangements. Also, be sure to let her know if you will be coming in-person or if you would like her to call you for a phone conference. GMS will be open for all day care children only that day.
If your child has skipped breakfast or enjoyed a sugary start, please let us know! What children eat for breakfast has an immediate and dramatic effect on behavior. We understand how difficult mornings can be, so please help us help your child! Knowing how a child starts the day can add to a teacher’s patience and understanding.
Sincerely, Jackie
Reminders
A sick child belongs at home! Sore throats, coughs, fevers, vomiting and diarrhea are excellent reasons to keep your child home. Children should be fever-free for 36 hours (without medication) before returning to school.
•Changes to your Emergency Contact information? Please let us know IN WRITING right away!
•If you are sending in a special snack, please make sure the teacher knows. Food needs to be store-bought and in the original container with a label attached. We are a peanut-free school, so all incoming items will be checked.
•Please mail all birthday invitations rather than sending them through the school. No matter how careful a teacher is, feelings are hurt if everyone is not included.
• Kindergarten parents: Now is the time to start looking into first grade options! Please talk to Jackie or Elizabeth if you would like information regarding local options.
Holiday Programs
Parents/special guests are invited to meet us in the parking lot behind the school to hear the classes sing songs. Afterwards, you are invited to come inside and have a special snack in the classroom.
Monday, December 8th
9:15: Ms Mickey, Ms Meg and Ms Megan
Tuesday, December 9th
9:15: Ms Alicia, Ms Cindi and Ms Tracy Garlow
Wednesday December 10th
9:15 Ms Adrieen and Ms Iris
Monday, October 27th
9:15- Ms Mickey, Ms Meg, Ms Michelle
Tuesday, October 28th
9:15- Ms Alicia, Cindi, Ms Tracy Garlow
Wednesday, October 29th
9:15 – Ms Adrieen, Ms Iris
Holiday Classroom Parties for the 2’s
We will have a special snack in the classroom and we will have pictures to share with the parents! We have found that, for this age child, seeing parents during school time creates a difficult transition back to class.
Thursday, December 11th
10:00 Ms Erika and Ms Karen’s Holiday Party
Congratulations to the Corson Family who raised the most money for our fall fundraiser. They have won ½ tuition for the month of November! Thank you!
What we are learning
2’s– Ms. Erika and Ms. Karen’s young charges have made incredible progress. It’s wonderful to me how quickly two-year olds seem to grow. They studied themselves in September and were introduced to the world of senses in October. Now they plan to talk about families and how we all relate, then explore their homes. It’s a gradual evolution away from an awareness of themselves towards an awareness of their environment. Great things are happening here. It’s exciting!
3’s– The three-year-old classes go on safari this month and study jungle animals. During the next three weeks they become experts on animal behavior and can easily mimic the antics of chimps, lions, and elephants. For many of the children a visit to the Virginia Zoo would be a marvelous reinforcement of the animals they are studying. It’s also a wonderful way to spend a warm fall day. The Threes finish the month with stories and crafts relating to Thanksgiving.
4’s– Our four-year-old classes hit the trail as they learn about horses, cowboys, and rodeos. This is an exciting unit that combines the factual information on horses with delightful stories of the American cowboy. In keeping with their developmental levels, the Fours will enjoy stories about the Wild West. Letter and number recognition as well as phonics instruction continue on an individual basis.
PreK– The pre-K class becomes environmentally aware as they focus on habitats and endangered species. The children are taught about the fragility of various ecosystems as well as the types of animals that can inhabit them.
K- The kindergarten class explores nature as the original Americans found it. We learn what the Native Americans discovered when they arrived on this continent and how they adapted their lifestyles to their environment. The emphasis is on the culture, clothes, and lives of different tribes around the continent.
Save the Date
- November 4 ………………………Conference Day (open only for all-day students)
- November 7……………………….Speech screening forms due
- November 11 ……………………..Veteran’s Day/School Closed
- November 26 – 28 ………………..Thanksgiving Holiday/School Closed
- December 22–January 2 …………Winter Break/School Closed
- January 5 …………………………..School resumes
- January 19 …………………………Martin Luther King, Jr Day— School closed
- January 26 ……………………..…Teacher In-service — School closed
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