September News

From the Principal's Office

We are off to a great start for another wonderful year.  Welcome to all of our new families and welcome back to our returning families.  We have lots planned for our school year so don't miss reading our "Month at a Glance" board in the front entrance or the dry erase board in the lobby.  We will be hosting a "Back to School Night" on September 14th at 6:00 to share with you our direction for the year.  This is your time to have a few minutes with the teachers for any questions.  This is a night for parents only so please make other arrangements for your children.  My door is always open for any family's questions and concerns. Thank you for choosing Merryhill for your child's education.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fitzgerald, Principal

Parking Reminders

Please remember that the fire zone is not to be used as a drop off zone.  I have asked the staff to park in the back of our lot leaving the close spaces for our families.  There is a $250.00 fine for parking in a fire zone.  We know this because recently a ticket was issued by the City of Las Vegas.  So save your money for the more important things in life and park in the designated spaces.

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From the Education Team

Raising a Confident Preschooler

It is hard to resist the eager smile and willingness to learn that comes with normal preschool development. As parents, we are always eager to continue to foster and bolster our young children’s love for learning and enthusiasm to demonstrate their developing abilities. Often times, we ask ourselves what we can do to continue to encourage our children to engage, to try even in the risk of failure, and to believe in themselves; in other words, we constantly question what we can do to help raise a confident child. Confidence is a trait that is nurtured and taught, and there are certain techniques and approaches which are built into our Links to Learning curriculum, which can easily be adapted at home as well.

• Begin with a set, predictable routine. When children know what is happening in the world around them and when activities follow an expected order, children can focus on skill-building. Preschool children are easily distracted by disruptions, so a routine that is carefully adhered to allows for children to instead focus on attempting and practicing new skills.

• Praise small accomplishments, but praise with purpose. Children need to hear that they are doing things correctly and need acknowledgement for steps made towards accomplishing a goal.  For example, a child may not be able to independently complete a 10 piece puzzle, but he does deserve a specific praise for his ability to put the edge pieces in, such as “You did a great job working on the edge of the puzzle. You can almost do the whole puzzle by yourself. Would you like me to help you with the middle pieces?” Along those same lines, it is imperative that praise is given with purpose. Being often told “Good job!” without a reference to what he did correctly will cause these words to lose efficacy. We need to be sure to praise specific behaviors and to note these in our acknowledgement of steps made towards a goal.

• Encourage and model persistence. It is normal for preschool children to become upset and frustrated when they cannot do something themselves or do it correctly. Rather than do it for them, model and encourage them to try again. For example, a preschooler who knocks over his block tower as she stacks the top block should be responded to with a “You almost did it! Let’s try it again together!” This teaches the preschooler that failure is ok and can be used as a step to try once more.
  
  
• Be a safe base. Often preschool children surprise us with their hesitancy to try something new, even activities they have previously engaged in. Despite the disappointment you may feel in your eagerness for your child to engage, allow your child to warm up to the activity when he or she is ready. By not pushing or forcing a choice, you allow your child to feel comfortable in his or her own skills and readiness when he or she is ready.

• Lastly, Model confidence in yourself. Children learn from what they see and hear. Be mindful of the comments you make about yourself and others and your own persistence in the face of failure. A child who hears his parent self-praising or who sees his parent make a mistake and try again will learn and model that same confidence.

                                                           Lauren Starnes, PhD- Manager of Curriculum and Instruction/ East

Special Dates For Parents

September 1st        Second installment of tuition is due

Sept 1st -Sept 8th   Gently used uniform sale

September 9th        Pizza Thursday

September 14th      Back to School Night 6:00

Friendly Safety Reminder

It is the time of the year where items are being stolen from cars in our parking lot.  We have already experienced a break-in and have heard that several other preschools have as well.  Please remember to bring your purse in with you and lock your other valuables in your trunk.  Also, if there is someone that just looks out of place please take the time to write down their license plate number and let us know immediately so we can make our presence known.

Upon entering school grounds please refrain from using your cellular phones. While driving in our parking lot, we need to have our full attention on our surroundings. Our children are small but very quick. It just takes a second for a child to dart out in front of a moving vehicle. Also, when you are in the school please dedicate your attention to your child and what they want to share with you. They work very hard each day and are excited to show you their accomplishments.

Children do not belong alone in parked cars. Remember it is illegal to leave your children in your car while dropping off their siblings. Please bring them into the school where they are safe.

Recalls

From our Parent Association

Our Parent Association Board is in place for our 2010-2011 school year.  We are now focused on filling the support personnel.  Please pick two areas in which you feel comfortable in helping, mark the volunteer form and return it to the front desk.  Also we are offering a package deal with the Pizza Thursday events and our Year Book.  Dont's miss out on the savings.