Greenbrier Manor October 2023
Dear Parents,
School is off to a truly wonderful start. This past month has given us the time to renew old friendships and explore new relationships. Watching the children form and reform their social groups is quite exciting. Their sincerity and innocence as they venture out into the world of school are touching. They are truly learning socially as well as academically. I hope you are as pleased as much as we are with your child’s progress.
Last month the Mother’s Day Out children with Ms. Loretta and Ms Karen were introduced to themselves. Now we extend the idea and focus on the senses. There will be lots of cooking, crafting, and singing. Our youngest children have adjusted beautifully to school and each other.
If you thought September was fun, October is better if you are three! It is also quite busy. Ms. Alicia, Ms. Adrieen and Ms. Mickey introduce the children to the people in their neighborhood. Firemen, policemen, doctors, and dentists will be a focus this month. The Threes finish the month with stories and crafts relating to Halloween.
Ms. Cindi, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Brittney’s classes will finish their alphabet unit mid-month. They then will do a quick study of shapes and secondary colors. They get quite involved in finger-painting and color mixing with different mediums. The month ends, of course, with stories, crafts, poems, and songs about Halloween. This holiday seems to be created for four year-olds. Letter and number recognition, as well as phonics instruction, continue on an individual basis.
Ms. Michelle’s pre-kindergarten class will become ecologically aware as they study tropical rainforests. The focus of this unit is to teach them about the different inhabitants of the rain forests and the various layers of the forest canopy where they live. It’s exciting to realize just how much young children absorb and understand from their unit studies. This is one of their favorites. Letter and number recognition as well as phonics instruction continue on an individual basis.
The kindergarten class will end the transportation unit with a brief study of the solar system and our planet, Earth. We finish with a wonderful astronaut party complete with space food. While amongst the stars, we study the constellations and the mythology behind each star group. Hopefully they will be able to find the Big Dipper on Halloween night. We will, of course, devote a week to pumpkins and scarecrows. Intertwined with all this fun, Ms. Garlow hopes to communicate a few math and phonics facts.
October is a wonderfully special month because of Halloween. For many, Halloween with carved pumpkins, “spooky” songs, and stories is more exciting than any other holiday. The magic of make-believe is so special to the young child because of the excitement and delicious thrill of dress up. However, along with this excitement, comes some anxiety. Three year-olds are very new to the idea of pretend and even four year-olds are not always sure what is real and what is not. We really work hard to make this a fun experience. Costumes and made-up faces are often frightening for small children. Let’s all try to emphasize the silly and not the scary aspects of Halloween.
Pumpkin Patch Parades (3 year-old classes and older)
The children will dress in costume. Parents/special guests are invited to meet us in the parking lot behind the school to hear the classes sing songs and march around in a “parade of costumes”. The children will come inside and have a special snack in the classroom.
Wednesday, October 25th
9:15: Ms Brittney and Ms Garlow
Thursday, October 26th
9:15: Ms Adrieen, Ms Cindi and Ms Kelly
Friday, October 27th
9:15 Ms Alicia, Ms Mickey, and Ms Michelle
Pumpkin Patch Classroom Parties (2 year-old classes)
The children can come in costume (if they are interested). 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.
Tuesday, October 24th
10:00 Ms Loretta and Ms Karen’s Pumpkin Patch Party
The logistics of choreographing 100 children and 100 costumes is challenging. It works best if you send your child to school in his/her costume with a change of clothes in his/her book bag. Be sure all pieces of the costume are clearly labeled so it can all be returned. We will help them change out of their costume after their party. If your child suddenly decides not to dress up that is alright.
I want to thank all of you for your patience during drop off and pick up. The line of families can be overwhelming for us, so your pleasant smiles and cooperative attitudes really do mean a great deal! Please always hold your child’s hand in the parking lot. Also, it is extremely important not to pass cars on the left that are discharging children. Our most important concern is the safety of the children. Most of you are using your “signs” and we are extremely grateful for your cooperation. Remember, however, that we cannot see through your windshield because of the tint and glare. If you hold your sign outside the window, facing us, we all have a better chance of success. THANKS!
Please do not ever send medicine to school inside a book bag. All medication, whether prescription or not, must be signed in by the parent. There are no exceptions or short cuts. It can get complicated, so your cooperation is critically important.
See you at carpool!
Jackie
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 2nd………………………..End of Fundraiser
October 4th and 5th………………..Individual Pictures
October 9th ………………………..Columbus Day/School Closed
October 25th, 26th & 27th…………Pumpkin Patch Parades
November 7th……………………..Conference Day (open only for all-day students)
November 10th……………………Veteran’s Day/School Closed
November 23th – 24th…………….Thanksgiving Holiday/School Closed
December 18th–January 1st ………Winter Break/School Closed
January 2nd ………………………..School resumes
*ALWAYS KEEP A SEASONABLY APPROPRIATE CHANGE OF CLOTHES IN THE BOOKBAG AND LABEL ALL JACKETS, HATS, COATS, BOOKBAGS, AND SWEATERS.
*PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE A PEANUT AND TREE NUT FREE SCHOOL. MAKE SURE TO CHECK INGREDIENTS IN THE FOODS YOU SEND IN WITH YOUR CHILD. IF YOU BRING FOOD IN FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS TO SHARE, IT MUST BE STORE BOUGHT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER WITH THE LABEL ATTACHED.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR POLICY, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.
Beach Manor October 2023
Dear Parents,
School is off to a truly wonderful start. This past month has given us the time to renew old friendships and explore new relationships. Watching the children form and reform their social groups is quite exciting. Their sincerity and innocence as they venture out into the world of school are touching. They are truly learning socially as well as academically. I hope you are as pleased with your child’s progress as we are.
During the month of October Ms. Sammy and Ms. Kendall’s MDO classes will continue with the world of senses-smelling, tasting, touching, listening, and observing. There will be lots of cooking, crafts, and songs. Our youngest children have adjusted beautifully to school and each other.
If you thought September was fun, October is better if you are three. It is also quite busy. Ms. Harden, Ms. Karen’s, and Ms. Alyssa classes go on a 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 in Norfolk would be a marvelous reinforcement of the animals they are studying. It is also a wonderful way to spend a warm fall day. The threes finish the month with stories and crafts relating to Halloween.
Ms. Kimberly and Ms. Jessica’s classes will finish their alphabet unit before turning their attention to Fall. They take a brief look at squirrels and their preparations for winter. The children learn fun finger plays and poems before leaping into their Halloween Unit. The teachers really get to into the spirit of the season and have some wonderful things planned. A quick study of shapes and colors is also at hand as they get quite involved in finger-painting and mixing with different mediums. Of course, the month ends with stories, crafts, poems, and songs about Halloween. This holiday seems to be created for four-year olds. Letter and number recognition as well as phonics instruction continue on an individual basis.
Ms., Diane’s PreK class look at our world from a geographical and environmental angle. The children are introduced to some basic geographical concepts using habitats as a motif. By mid-month the children are learning about the fragility of various habitats and interdependence between the environment and its inhabitants. An investigation of endangered species concludes the unit.
Ms. Price class will end the transportation unit with a brief study of the Solar system and our planet earth. We finish with a wonderful astronaut party! While amongst the stars, we study constellations and mythology behind several star groups. Hopefully they will be able to find the Big Dipper on Halloween night. We will, of course, devote a week to pumpkins and scarecrows. Intertwined with all this fun, the children will continue to learn math and phonics facts.
October is a wonderfully special month because of Halloween. The magic of make-believe is so special to the young child because of the excitement and delicious thrill of dress up. However, along with this excitement comes some anxiety. Our Two and Three-year olds are very new to the idea of pretend, and even four-year old’s are not always sure what is real and what is not. We really work hard to make this a fun experience. Costumes and made-up faces are often frightening for small children. Let’s try to emphasize the silly, not the scary, aspect of Halloween. Each class will have a “Special” party and sing along time—the teachers will let each family know.
Upcoming on Tuesday, November 7th are conferences. School is closed to part-time students that day. I will try to schedule working parents as early as possible and during lunchtime. Conferences will be conducted in person. I will publish the schedule later this month.
We want to thank all of you for your patience during carpool. Your pleasant smiles and cooperative attitudes really mean a great deal. It is important to pull forward and buckle up. Other safety precautions include not passing cars on their left and waiting for the staff to let your child out of the car. Our most important concern has to be the safety of the children. If you are not using carpool, ALWAYS hold your child’s hand while in the parking lot, and please be sure to walk your child all the way to the building.
Thanks for your help and cooperation.
Have a GREAT month—- Leigh
REMEMBER TO LABEL ALL JACKETS, HATS, COATS, BOOKBAGS, WATER BOTTLES, LUNCHBOXES AND SWEATERS.
Dates to Remember
August 28 ………………………………………………………………… First Day of School!
September 1&4 ……………………………………………………………. School closed for Labor Day
August 28 –October 2 …..…………………………………………………Charleston Wrap Fundraiser
September 26-27 …………………………………………………………………….. Individual Pictures
October 9 ………………………………………………………………… School closed Columbus Day
October 24-25 …………………………………………………………… Fall music programs
October 27 – November 4……………………………………………… Original Works Fundraiser
November 7 ………………………………………… Conference day- open for ALL DAY students only
November 10 ………………………………………………………… Veterans Day-school closed
November 23-24 ….…….………………………………………. Thanksgiving Holiday-school closed
December 5-6 ………………………………………………………… Winter music programs ( Santa 5th )
December 18- January 1 ……………………………………………. Winter Break-school closed
January 15 …………………………………………………………….. MLK day school closed
January 29 …………………………………………………………….. Staff Inservice (Closed to Students)
February 19 …………………………………………………………… President’s Day School closed
March 26-27 ………………………………………………………….. Spring Programs
April 1-5 ……………………………………………………………….. Spring break School closed
May 21 ……………………………………………….. Conference day- open for ALL DAY students only
May 27 …………………………………………………………………. Memorial Day School closed
June 7 …………………………………………………………………. Kindergarten Graduation
June 14 ………………………………………………………………… Last Day of School
June 24 – August 16………………………………………………….. Summer session
Pumpkin Patch Parade – October 24 & 25
Tuesday, October 24 Wednesday, October 25
Ms. Diane Ms. Karen
Ms. Jessica Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Harden Ms. Kimberly
Ms. Price
Holiday Program –December 5 & 6
Tuesday, December 6 Wednesday, December 7
Ms. Diane Ms. Karen
Ms. Jessica Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Harden Ms. Kimberly
Ms. Price
Spring Program – March 26 & 27
Tuesday, March 26 Wednesday, March 27
Ms. Diane Ms. Karen
Ms. Jessica Ms. Alyssa
Ms. Harden Ms. Kimberly
Ms. Price