Director’s Newsletter November 2016

Dear Northminster Preschool Parents and Friends:

This is a month for giving thanks and I would like to thank ALL of the carnival committee volunteers, the parent volunteers, the parent contributors, the parent group members, the room mom’s, the silent auction participants and the raffle participants for their contributions so far this year!  Wow!  We cannot hold this large of a fundraiser without each and every one of you and I am so grateful for all of you and your tireless efforts to pull off another successful preschool carnival.  

We are still in need of booth sponsors and volunteers for the day of the carnival.  We also need bake sale items labeled and dropped off Friday morning.  Thank you!!

Please remember the carnival is open to all of your neighbors, friends and relatives.  Please extend an invitation to spend the day with us.  If you know any alumni families who are in your neighborhood, please remind them they are welcome too!  

The Carnival is Saturday November 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

I would like to remind all of the parents that as we get into the full swing of the year, there are many opportunities to participate in fundraisers, volunteer your time, or your talents.  We seem to be asking a lot of our parents this time of year, and I would like to remind you that giving 2 hours this year is greatly appreciated!  Our fundraising can only be successful with your help.  Your fundraising dollars in the past have beautified our school in countless ways and the play yard in the front and the back are some examples.  We are looking to possibly update the outside bathrooms this summer!  As you may guess, we need your help.  The plumbing is around 45 years old.  

Our enrichment program this month is Eric Runningpath.  He is a Native American Dancer who does a show in Congdon Hall on November 16th and 17th.  He dresses in full Native American regalia, dances and teaches the children about his culture.  He has been performing at the preschool for over 20 years.  You are more than welcome to come and watch!  The show starts at 10:30 a.m.

A few calendar reminders for you.  We will be closed on Friday, November 11, 2016 in observance of Veteran’s Day.  We will also be closed the week of November 21-25 for Thanksgiving break.

Our value of the month is appropriately “Being Thankful”!  The entire preschool staff is thankful and appreciative of all the parents and children here at Northminster and feel very blessed to be able to be a part of your lives for the short time you are with us.  

If you ever have any questions, concerns or feedback, my door is always open!

 

Shelli Harder

 

October Newsletter

Happy October everyone!  We are getting into our routine of preschool with your children and hope that they are enjoying school as much as we are enjoying having them here!

Picture days are Wednesday, October 5th and Thursday, October 6th.  We have an amazing photographer who takes his time to make sure he gets a good picture of every student.  We sometimes run late on picture day.  Please bring your pink envelope in with payment to your child’s teacher or the office.  Satisfaction guaranteed.

Open House is Friday, October 21, 2016 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m..  All are welcome, including grandparents!  We will be having an ice cream social put on by our parent group, depending on the weather!  Ice cream will be $1.00.  Don’t forget to bring that dollar!

The classrooms are transforming as we speak, getting ready for that special day at the end of October.  We have a Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 27th, and Monday, October 31st around 9:20 a.m.  Please, no masks if you choose to have your child dress up. Ask your child’s teacher about their procedure for this event.  You are invited to stay and take pictures!  This is one of my favorite events and you don’t want to miss it!

Our enrichment programs start this month.  Our parent group fundraising allows us to have a special enrichment program each month.  This month we will have an Owl show from the Living Coast on October 18th and 19th at 10:30 a.m. in Congdon Hall.  You are welcome to come and watch the show!

Reminder, please sign-in and out every day.  This is a state requirement as well as how we do our billing system.  Please also remember at the end of the month, the office reads 100+ time sheets.  Please make sure the times are legible and correct.  We can only go by what we can decipher on the sheet for billing purposes.

I would also like to remind parents that you need to please keep your children home if they are sick.  The only way to keep your children healthy here is if you help us by keeping your children home when they are sick.  If they have a persistent cough and runny nose and are not feeling well, they need to stay home or see a doctor.  If they have a fever, vomit, or have had diarrhea, they must be symptom free for 24 hours without medication before they are allowed back at preschool.  Please help us keep the children and staff at Northminster Preschool healthy.

The parent group meeting this month is Friday, October 14, 2016.  Please consider coming and signing up for a carnival job.  We are asking each family to volunteer 2 hours during the year.  We need your help!  Remember, lunch bunch is free for your child if you attend the meeting.  Lunch bunch is for registered children in the preschool only.

The Northminster Wild West Carnival is 1 month away!  Our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Get ready for a rootin’-

tootin’ good time!  We have plenty of games and prizes, pony rides, face painting, bounce house, silent auction, and a raffle.   Lunch items and yummy treats will also be for sale.

We need all the preschool parents to assist in making this a wonderful day!  An email will be sent home soon listing all the ways you can help.  We are looking for sponsorships for our game booths, volunteers, auction items and donations.  Please help us make this year’s Wild West Carnival our most successful yet!

Parents, a safety reminder about our gates, please make sure you are only opening the gate for you and your child.  I understand wanting to be courteous to the other parents, but our number one priority at this preschool is safety.  We rely on our parents to keep a watchful eye when they are opening and closing the 4 gates we have entering our preschool.  Thank you for your understanding.

As I walk around the school each day, I am reminded of all the efforts past and present that the parents have done to help make Northminster Preschool one of the best in this area.  It is because of parents like you that we are able to look at our school both inside and out and be proud of both the physical plant and the teachers and staff who make it special.  I am extremely grateful to be the Director of Northminster Preschool.  We have an amazing group of parents, children and staff here.  We are so blessed! Thank you for all you do as parents to make it a pleasure to do my job.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please stop by the office.

 

Shelli Harder

 

September Newsletter

Welcome back everyone!  We are so happy to see our returning students and all of the new faces.  

Please bring any paperwork that you have yet to turn in, into the office the first day of school.  We must have your child's paperwork and immunization card before your child can attend school.  This is a state law.

Preschool hours are 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  If your child is going to be staying for nap, please make sure you bring 2 beach towels for your child’s napping mat.  Extended care is held in Room 4 (Red doors) for Room’s 2-4 and Room 1 (green doors) for Room’s A,B,1A and 1B.  Please use the gate by the red door and the office as we lock all other gates during nap time.

Please remember to sign your child in for lunch bunch and nap in the front of your child's sign-in folder.  This is a very important process so we can have an accurate account of all children staying and so that we may staff appropriately.  If you are a returning student, this applies to you as well.  It really makes our job easier if we know who is staying on a daily basis.

Please, please remember to sign in and out every day!  It is a state licensing requirement and it is also how we bill at the end of the month.  

All fees are collected by Smart Tuition.  Tuition is due on the first of each month, with a grace period until the 5th.  Tuition collected after the close of business on the 5th will be subject to a late fee of $60.00.  You can always go on line to your account and make a one-time payment with your credit card or your debit card if you forget to mail your check in on time.  Please make sure you allow enough time for it to be received via the mail and be processed.

Because of how the billing system works, extended care will be in arrears 2 months.  This means you will have an outstanding balance for extended care 2 months after services have already been rendered.  For instance, if you use early morning, lunch bunch or extended care in September, you will not see it on your bill until November of this year.

Picture Day is October 5th and 6th.  We have an amazing photographer who does our school photos.  He has been with us for over 20 years.  The background for this year’s photos will be posted on the office door.  You will not be disappointed with your child’s picture, even if you do not think they will smile.  He gets them all to smile!

Please make sure you drive slowly when you are in the preschool parking lot.  We have 95 children and their parents transitioning from the parking lot to the preschool and back.   Nothing is as important as the safety of the children and parents at preschool, so please drive safely.  Also, please do not allow your children to play in the parking lot at drop off or pick up.  The parking lot is not a safe place to teach your children to play.

The Department of Social Services does not allow adult use of the preschool restrooms on the playground, or to be in the bathroom on the playground when other children are present.  The staff has one bathroom for 19 teachers!  Please, if your child needs to use the restroom, use the one on the playground and stand outside the door, or wait until 9:15 to use the staff bathroom.  The teachers have one opportunity to go to the restroom before school starts.  

If you are coming to drop your child off at early morning, before 9:00 a.m., please make sure you check-in with the teacher working early morning.  Once your child is signed in, he/she must stay on the playground.  If you come to the preschool before 9:00 a.m. but are not going to leave your child in early morning, please make sure you and your child remain off the playground.  It is very hard to keep track of which children are in early morning and which children are with their parents, if you are on the playground at the same time.  Thank you for your understanding of our desire to keep this transition period safe for all of the children.  The classrooms open at 8:55 a.m.  Please remain outside the classroom until this time.

When you pick up your child at 12:00 p.m. please do not allow your child to play on the playground.  Our lunch bunch children are required to sit at the picnic table to eat their lunch for at least 20 minutes before they play.  It is confusing for the children in lunch bunch to see children playing on the playground when they are not allowed to do so.

On Thursdays and Fridays you have the option to sign-up for snack.  We provide snack but since we are limited in the variety we can provide to 95 students, we have found that parents enjoy bringing something different or “special” for a day.  We have been told the children enjoy shopping and picking something out for their classmates.  This is a voluntary sign-up.  You do not have to participate.  There will be snack calendars posted at your child’s door every month if you choose to participate.  The snack needs to be from 2 food groups.  If you do bring snack, please check with your child’s teacher for food allergies in the classroom.  They have a list of food allergies and can let you know if there is a specific allergy in the classroom.  We are a peanut free facility.  We do not prepare any snack with peanuts in them.  We do, however allow peanut butter to be brought from home if your child is staying for lunch bunch.  Also, we are requesting you bring healthy snacks for the children whenever you sign up for a snack.  Thank you for helping us to promote healthy eating habits!

On Friday, September 16, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. we will be having our first parent group meeting in the Fireside Room (by the office, off the kitchen).  All parents are welcome to come and share their fundraising ideas. We also have positions we need filled for the parent group.  We have our biggest fundraiser, our carnival, on Saturday, November 5, 2016.  We need your help to put on this magnificent day!  Your children can attend lunch bunch for free if you attend the meeting.  Our parent group is a vital part of the preschool and we welcome all new parents to attend.  Thank you for your support!

Northminster Preschool is a non-profit preschool.  We rely heavily on fundraising to help us fund large improvement projects for the preschool.  We are requesting that all parents donate 2 hours of their time for either our Carnival preparation or during the Carnival.  This fundraiser services the entire community of Clairemont and it cannot be successful without your help!  

As a reminder, we are diligent on proper hand washing techniques and sending children home who are sick.  We need your help this flu season by also emphasizing hand washing at home and keeping your children home if they are sick. Your children must be fever free for 24 hours without the help of medication and have not vomited or had a loose stool for 24 hours before they will be permitted back into the preschool.  Please help keep your children healthy and the staff!

No child can be left in the car in the parking lot while you take your child into the preschool or pick your child up.  This is a violation of the California Vehicle Code.  Please keep your children safe and with you!

We are looking forward to a wonderful school year with you and your children.  I am always available if you have any questions or concerns and if not, please stop by to say hello!

 

June 2016 Newsletter

Dear Northminster Parents and Friends:

It is hard to believe this is our last month of preschool before we transition into our summer program!  We are looking forward to seeing those of you who are continuing on in the program for summer and next fall.  It will be hard for us to say good-bye to many friends who have been with us for the past few years.  We will miss you all!

A few calendar reminders for you for the month of June.  Monday, June 13, 2016 will be the last full day for our M-W-F children and Tuesday, June 14, 2016 will be the last full day for our T-Th and 5 day children and we will close at 5:00 p.m. both days.  Summer camp starts June 20th and runs through July 22nd.. Letters will go out tomorrow regarding the class assignments, teacher assignments and weeks you signed up for.  If you have any changes, please let the office know as soon as possible so we can communicate your changes to the teachers.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2016 we will be having an all school picnic at Lindberg Park, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  This is a time for the families and children and teachers to say good-bye. Please bring your lunch and we will see you there. Children need to be accompanied by their parents please!

These are the directions to Lindberg Park:

THE PARK IS ON ASHFORD STREET. THE BACK FENCE OF THE PARK RUNS ALONG the 805 FREEWAY.  

DIRECTIONS:

  • EAST ON CLAIREMONT MESA BLVD.

  • RIGHT ON GENESEE AVE.

  • LEFT ON BALBOA

  • RIGHT ONTO ECKSTROM AVE. HATHAWAY ST.

  • ECKSTROM TURNS INTO ASHFORD ST.

  • PARK IS ON LEFT SIDE OF ASHFORD ST.

  •  

If you are leaving us this year, please remember that you are always welcome back for a visit and please remember you are always welcome at our Carnival.  It will be Saturday, November 5, 2016.  We love seeing our alumni children at the Preschool and the Carnival!

 

The entire staff of Northminster Preschool would like to let you know how much we have enjoyed your children this year.  It has been a pleasure to watch them grow and mature.   Thank you for sharing them with us.  I would also like to thank all of you for all you have done to help us make Northminster Preschool the best preschool in San Diego!  

 

Shelli Harder

 

May 2016 Newsletter

Dear Northminster Parents and Friends:

We have one more month of preschool and then Summer Camp!  The school year goes until June 16, 2015.  We will have our all school picnic on June 17, 2015 at Lindberg Park from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  There will be more information to follow next month.

The preschool will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2015 in observance of Memorial Day.  Also, please keep an eye open for the Summer Camp letter and room assignments.  Those letters will be going home on Monday, June 8, 2015 and Tuesday, June 9, 2015. 

The parent group enrichment program this month is Pacific Animal Productions.  We will have a group here that will be bringing in animals to show the children so they can learn about the different animals in their environment.  Those shows will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 and Wednesday, May 20, 2015 in the fireside room.  The show starts at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

We will be having our last Parent Group meeting of the year on May 15, 2015.  We would love to see you there.  We are looking for parents who are interested in helping out for next year.  Lunch will be provided and your child can go to lunch bunch for free!  Come and see what the amazing Parent Group is all about!

We will be doing our memory tiles for the wall out on the playground by rooms 2 and 3 in May. It is a wonderful project run by a former parent.  These keepsakes on the playground wall are priceless.  This parent group sponsored fundraiser is $25.00 for a 6x6 tile.  Forms for this fundraiser will be in your child’s bag soon.  The tiles will be put up on the walls on playground as a reminder of your child’s time here at Northminster. 

Vacation Bible School registration is still open but filling up quickly.  If you would like to participate in this fun event please go to the church website at www.northminstersandiego.com underneath the picture of the main heading, search for VBS registration, you will find the form.  If you have any problems downloading the registration form, please call Linda at the church office at 858-490-3995.

On behalf of the entire staff at Northminster Preschool, we would like to thank you for all of the small and large things you have done this year to make our school special.  Not only have you shared your unique skills with the children, you have donated supplies, time and love whenever we have needed it.  You are an amazing group of parents and I wanted to let you know that what you do for us does not go unnoticed! 

 

Shelli