Dear Families,

Thank you so much for supporting our school and your children by attending our October events.  The children had a blast with their grandparents (or “grandparents for a day”) at the Pumpkin Picking Hayride event, and I am sure they will enjoy parading around in their costumes at our Halloween Parade.  These are great opportunities to get to know one another and to share some treats together.

 I also want to thank you for supporting our first fundraiser, the KidStuff Coupon Book sale.  We raised $1,000.00 and have already purchased a special hand washing lesson kit that includes “glow germ gel” and a black light, so the children can see how well they have to wash to get all the germs off of their hands.  There is also a book and DVD that goes along with the lesson.  With cold and flu season upon us, hand washing is probably one of the most valuable lessons for the children!     We still have $900.00 left over that will be used for special activities, equipment and materials, such as our Spring Chick hatching.  Mr. Scott and I are heading to the National Early Childhood Education Conference in Florida this month, so I will be on the look out for the latest innovations to bring back for the children.  I will continue to report to you what we purchase with the fundraising monies.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

 We have another special event for families coming up, and we hope you will continue to participate!   Please mark your calendars for our Thanksgiving Feast, Scheduled for Friday, November 18th at 6:30 p.m. To assure we plan accordingly, please RSVP for this event either by sending back the form that is being sent via email and paper, or simply email me with the number of adults and children that will attend.  Email me at val@pepperminttree.com .  We want to make sure we are prepared!

This year we hope to get the whole Peppermint Tree community involved in sending care packages to U. S. soldiers serving overseas.  We are asking families to send in an item (or items) from the lists of the things the soldiers enjoy receiving.  The lists will be sent out by email and paper.  From Novemner 1st through the Thanksgiving Feast on November 18th, we are collecting the items, and Ms. Jennifer Raffo, a parent volunteer will be taking the items to the collection location for shipping to the soldiers.  The children will also be making cards for the soldiers during school and the entire school will work on a banner to send to the soldiers from The Peppermint Tree.  Please support this effort, and get your child involved in selecting items for the soldiers, so they can experience the spirit of giving. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  We are thankful for our Peppermint Tree families!

Sincerely,

“Miss Val”

Valerie Frost-Lewis, MS Ed.

Owner/Director

Toms River Schools will be closed Thursday, November 10th & Friday, November 11th

As with all school holidays, we do not hold classes on these days.  However, we are open for our fun, recreational child care on these days.  If your child follows the Toms River Schools calendar, your tuition does not cover attendance on these days.  However, if you need child care, we can add your child for either or both of these days for a per day (or half day) fee.  All children on The Peppermint Tree calendar are expected to attend – and your normal hours are prepaid for these days.  Keep in mind that there will be a supplemental fee if your child is at Peppermint Tree for longer than regularly scheduled.  (For example, before and after Kindergarten children are charged $15.00 per day for the additional time.  Call the office with any questions.)

Toms River Schools have early dismissal on November 15th, 16th and 17th

School Ager tuition is based upon the usual number of hours your child is with us.  Additional hours of care due to the early dismissal will be charged at $7.50 per hour or any part of an hour.   This does not apply to students paying the before and after Kindergarten rate: it only applies to those who are charged based on scheduled hours. 

Pre-K and Kindergarten Field Trip to Johnson’s Corner Farm Wednesday, 11/16 9:00 a.m. – 3:00  p.m.

Watch your backpacks for the permission slips if your child is in one of these classes.   The children will be picking cotton, sweet potatoes and corn, and will see how a real farm operates.  It is an enriching experience.   Children must bring a brown bag lunch.  Permission slip must be returned for participation.   All Pre-K and Kindergarten children are invited to attend the field trip, whether they normally attend on Wednesday or not.  Kindergarten children will not be back in time for the afternoon session bus, but please note due to school conferences it is a shorter session of public school that day.  So please consider sending your Kindergarten child for this wonderful experience.  Children are not required to attend and there will be a regular session at school for those who do not attend the field trip.

Our next Strengthening Families Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 11/15 at 6:00 p.m. We will be making last minute plans for the Thanksgiving Feast on 11/18 and planning more family fun events for ther rest of the school year.  All parents/guardians and staff are welcome to attend.  There is no charge for child care during this one hour meeting.   Join us!  The meetings are a fun and informal way to get to know other parents and the staff.

We will be CLOSED for the Thanksgiving Holiday, Thursday and Friday, November 24th & 25th. No classes or child care offered.  Enjoy yourselves!!

Children’s ID Cards:

The Ocean County Sherriff’s Office will be at Peppermint Tree on Monday and Tuesday November 14th and 15th at 9:30 a.m. to create ID cards for each child, that include a photo and their fingerprints.  Please watch your child’s backpack for a permission slip and a card to fill out the pertinent information that will be on the final ID Card.  These cards will be sent home for your use, if needed in an emergency.  No copy is kept by The Peppermint Tree or The Sherriff’s Department.  If your child does not normally attend on a Monday or Tuesday, you may bring him/her in for the ID card project on either morning. 

Parent reminders:

• Check backpacks daily for information from the office or your child’s teacher and art projects from your child.
• Label everything, especially jackets and sweatshirts!
• Please send in an extra set of clothes for the cooler weather. We play outside every day as long as it is not raining or snowing or below 32 degrees F.