October Newsletter
Dear Families,
Is it October already? How did that happen?
We have a lot of fun activities planned for October, too…everything from a Fire Prevention 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
Pyramid Model- an Approach for Both School and Home
By now, hopefully you have heard us talk about the Pyramid Model Approach. This is the approach we use at Peppermint Tree to help children build their social emotional skills and capacities.
One important aspect of the Pyramid Model approach at Peppermint Tree is our overall expectations that guide all members of our community. We teach and reinforce these expectations with the children each day – and all throughout the day:
We are safe (“We use walking feet because we are safe.”)
We are kind (“We share our toys because we are kind.”)
We are respectful (“We listen to others while they are talking because we are respectful.”)
We are problem solvers (“We work together to find a solution because we are problem solvers.”)
These overall expectations can be used at home, too. This helps the children have consistency between home and school so they will more quickly acclimate to the rules and expectations at school. (For example, when a child is being demanding, you might say “We ask nicely by saying please when we need help, because we are respectful.”)
We would love to see pictures of your family using the overall expectations at home! Send in pictures of your family being safe, kind, respectful or problem solvers, and we will post them on our hallway bulletin board!
Each month, along with the newsletter, we send out a “Backpack” handout for parents, that helps to explain different aspects of The Pyramid Model Approach, and specific ways you can benefit from it at home. This month we are sending out a “Backpack” on using a visual schedule. Each of our classrooms has a schedule with pictures, so the children can always know what is happening next. This builds a feeling of safety and reduces stress. You can make one up at home too, for your morning or bedtime routine, or any time that may need a little support.
Earth Friends is continuing Each Tuesday, in Preschool and PreK- and read how you and your child can buy a shirt to support the program!
Have you noticed that we send home a follow up email after Earth Friends each week? We hope you are following the link to the Earth Friends site so you can see just what your child is learning and take advantage of the follow up activities you can do with your child at home. This is a special page, just for Peppermint Tree, that follows our journey through the Earth friends lessons, so go back each week – it changes every week!
Earth Friends is selling shirts!!! (And they are so cool!) Earth Friends is a New Jersey non-profit created by our very own Peppermint Tree parent, Janna Hockenjos. All funds raised through the shirt sales support bringing this amazing program to more children, so they can benefit from this amazing foundational education in how our planet works. Here is the link to purchase an Earth Friends shirt.
https://jetty-life.printavo.com/merch/earth_friends_?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
The shirts are only on sale until October 19th – so buy your shirts now!
Please Note: Toms River Schools are Closed on Monday, October 13th: There is no school 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 childcare 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.
Please join us for Our Next Parent Group Meeting: Wednesday, October, 15th at 8:00 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 and on paper – our Parent Group meeting on October 15th will be centered around looking at the results of this survey so we can plan activities that our community of families will benefit from.
Fire Prevention visit, Thursday, October 16th 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. We do not have confirmation yet if they will have a big firetruck or not – I will update you wen I find out!
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!
Mr. Scott the Music Man will be visiting each classroom on Wednesday October 29th!
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!
Friday, October 31st – Halloween Parades and Trunk or Treat: Families are welcome!!
Weather permitting, we will be holding a Halloween Parade on the morning of Friday, October 31st. Volunteer parents are planning a little Trunk or Treat in the parking lot, too!! 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 Friday, you may bring them to participate in the parade. This is an awesome photo opportunity!!
Reminders:
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.
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!
Afternoon Snack: If your child is here after 2:00 p.m. (or after 2:30 p.m. for Room D), your child needs to bring in an afternoon snack. Please label it “PM Snack”, so it is saved for later. Some children eat everything at lunch otherwise! If your child is here after 5:00 p.m., a second PM Snack should be packed as well.
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.
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!!
