Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - The Joy of Discovering

Room 2 - A.M. Newsletter
Dear Families,
Our class has had a great start! The children have learned the routines and are becoming more comfortable in school. Friendships are forming and all the children are actively participating in all aspects of the program.
We started the year reading books that helped the children see how different we are from one another and yet at the same time how much we are alike. We made our first class book titled Funny Face, Happy Face which is circulating right now. We use the books We Are All Alike… We Are All Different! and Funny Face as inspirations for this class book. We also read books about feelings.
Since September and October are apple picking season we are also learning about apples. We talked about what the children knew about apples and then we read The Apple Tree, Apple Farmer Annie, and Ten Apples up on Top. We ate apples for snack; we made apple sauce, and cut an apple during circle to see what’s inside. We are learning apple songs and finger plays and at the art table we are making an apple tree and will collage an apple and make apple printing.
Next we will learn about fall, exploring pumpkins and farms. Also, we will be learning about our senses, family and friendship. The children will guide this curriculum by the interest they show in these topics.
On Wednesdays we cook our own snack. The class is enjoying cooking with Jean, so far they made apple sauce, apple cake, pear crisp, and pumpkin bread. We thought you would enjoy the recipe for pear crisp. Pears could be substituted with apples or peaches.

Ingredients:
10 pears peeled and sliced

2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups quick oats

1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 cup flour

1 cup melted butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1. Place sliced fruits in a greased baking pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
2. Mix oats, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl.
3. Sprinkle oat mixture on top of fruits.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 – 40 minutes. Enjoy!

We are having lots of fun learning about farms. We made our own Big Red Barn, stuffed a scare crow and created a pumpkin patch. In the house keeping corner we acted out the book Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type! The children enjoyed using the typewriters.
We have been learning about colors at the easel and at the art table during finger painting. The children had mixed red and yellow, blue and red, and blue and yellow to make new colors. They love to discover the formation of a new color.
Playing with dry and wet sand, cornmeal, water, and red sand is a big hit! These materials provide opportunity for activities such as emptying, pouring, and funneling which engage the children’s minds and offer fundamental math and science concepts as well as prepared them for everyday tasks. Many children find it a soothing place to play. In the future we will play with salt and color rice.
Another loved activity is singing. This class has learned many new songs in this short while, some favorites are: Let’s Make a Circle, If You’re Happy and You Know It, Open Shut Them, Old MacDonald Had a Farm, The Farmer In The Dell, Way Up High In The Apple Three, Five Little Pumpkins, and The Sock Song.
Part of the day, is spent outdoors. The children must be dressed for the weather. We do go outside in the winter. The children especially enjoy playing in the snow. Snow pants, boots, and mittens are an absolute must to stay dry and enjoy the outdoors. Mittens not gloves need to be attached to jackets with clips or by string so when taken off, as they invariably are, will not be lost. Please help by updating your child’s extra clothes for the cold weather. Please label all clothing! We cannot always remember whose sweater or hat belongs to whom. Also please send spoons, forks, and napkins as needed for lunches-we do not supply these on a regular basis. If you are looking for ideas for lunch look for the “lunch ideas” section of this news letter. It is a good idea to always provide your child with a fruit and/or a vegetable.
I would like to thank all the parents who signed up to bring fruits or vegetable for our healthy snack. Lastly, remember a child’s work is play. Your children are learning a lot as they are working and playing each day.
We look forward to sharing their growth with you!
Maria, Alma, and Jean
Threes AM Class



Lunch Ideas:
Mac and Cheese
Bagel and Cream Cheese
Pasta (wheels, bows, elbows) with vegetables
Soup, Tofu, Yogurt and fruits, boiled egg
Sun flour butter and jelly sandwich
Turkey and cheese sandwich
Cheese sandwich
White rice and scramble eggs
Rice and beans
Popular Vegetables: baby carrots, peas, edamame beans, broccoli
Popular Fruits: Berries, apple sauce, a few pieces of apples, grapes, orange

Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - Little Hands

Fun at work! Little Hands 3 News:

Once the older children of the school have settled into the routine of their days, school begins for our Little Hands classes. This year we welcomed eleven young children into the program.
The Little Hands children begin their day at 9:15 with “work time”, where children may choose activities such as easel painting, block building, working with play dough, reading books, using the texture table or working with table toys. Following about an hour of work time, the children help with an organized clean-up, sponge off the tables and wash their hands in preparation for snack. At about 10:25 we gather together at the tables for snack. Snack time is followed by a song, finger play and story circle. The children end their morning with some all important gross motor play that has until now taken place in the big room, but we will soon be venturing out to the tire park.
We are looking ahead building friendships and feeling comfortable in school!
Happy Fall!!
Lisa, Nicole and Lynn


Play dough is a big hit in both Little Hands classes! We are sharing our secret recipe with you to enjoy at home!

2 cups flour
2/3 cup salt
3 Tablespoons cream of tartar (available in the spice dept. of the supermarket)
2 cups water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
Food coloring (color of your choice) – not necessary if you want a white dough.

Mix all ingredients into a pot and place on stove over a medium flame or heat. Stir constantly. The dough will thicken. When the mix is just about the consistency of play dough, turn off the stove and continue to mix until done. Turn onto wax paper or a heatproof surface and allow to cool a bit before handling.
Enjoy!!

Lisa, Nicole and Lynn

Beginnings -

Little Hands 2 News:

Little Hands 2 is a small class this year, but full of enthusiasm and creativity. Our daily schedule consists of play time from 9:15-10:15, clean up time from 10:15-10:25, snack time from 10:25-10:35, circle time from 10:35-10:45, and outdoor fun from 10:45-11:15.

I would like to welcome Zoe Fernandez, Nathalia Lugo, Vanessa Taylor, Carter Tomlinson, Matthew Singh and Michael Farnsworth to an exciting year ahead.

Luz, Linda and Nicole

Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - Halloween Party

Boo Yeah! Halloween Party is frighteningly Fun
By Jarrett Murphy

On July 23rd, 2006, in Orlando, Florida, with television cameras rolling, Stephen Clarke put on an apron, grabbed a very large knife and did something no one on earth had ever done. He carved a 24 lb. pumpkin (slashing holes for eyes, ears, nose and mouth) in 24.03 seconds. That's the current world record. Really. Someone keeps track of these things.
For obvious reasons, the Amalgamated Nursery School's annual Halloween Party did not incorporate "speed carving" into the lineup of events inside Vladeck Hall on Sunday, October 26th. But the Party did offer more than 150 children and their parents a chance to decorate a pumpkin, dress up a cupcake, design a trick-or-treat bag, make a mask, get a tattoo and mix a batch of Sparkly Spider Potion.
It also featured a "creepy crawling maze" that, if screams of horror and delight are any measure, might have been the most popular event of the day. Chris Harwood's design of the maze and the use of gooey miniature skeletons to decorate it deserve much credit for the activity's popularity, but so does the unidentified youngster whose ghost mask and massive blade had kids fleeing from the maze in terrified joy.
While princesses seemed the most popular costume overall, as they were in 2007, witches made a strong showing. Spiderman's popularity last year clearly lost some ground to Batman in 2008; there were several Caped Crusaders, one of whom came with a much taller Robin in tow. Superman also made an appearance, as did the Green Lantern. There were several Transformers, a few pirates, at least two Buzz Lightyears, two Tinkerbells, one Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz," a Mickey Mouse, a doctor, a robot, a flower, insects, a dragon, a dog, a martial artist and several mice, among others.
The party was a financial success thanks in large part to the efforts of fundraising chairpersons Cecilia Astacio and Candace LAST NAME? and treasurer Wendy LAST NAME?, whose management was a clear improvement over the incompetent and corrupt leadership of Jarrett Murphy in 2007. More importantly, the event served its perennial purpose of bringing the school's families together in cooperative action. For the second year in a row, Sandra Nachtman led a hard-working kitchen crew that supplemented hot dogs and cupcakes with steamed vegetables and other healthy treats. It isn't often that people rave about tuna fish sandwiches, but they did in Vladeck Hall. The other parent volunteers who washed pumpkins, moved tables or manned the tables made the event what it was. They included: (LIST?)
Sadly, their names won’t make the Guinness Book of World Records. Space there is reserved for the likes of Stephen Clarke … or Joe Jutras, the Rhode Island man who on September 29, 2007 set a world record for largest pumpkin at the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Massachusetts. His entry weighed 1,689 pounds.

Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - Director's Corner

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year at the Nursery! This year our school is filled with the exception of our UPK afternoon class and Little Hands 2 class. All our classes are in full session as well as our After School Music and Movement Class and Lunch Program. We welcome back most of last year’s staff and several new staff members. Elaine Toro is our Three’s PM teacher, Luz Frade, our Little Hands 2 teacher, Lucy Kallenberg , Assistant Teacher in Room 3 and Lynn Jones, Assistant Teacher in Little Hands 3. Welcome to our new staff!! We are also very fortunate to have Yahira Caceres, a student teacher from Lehman College working with Minia in Room 3.

Our staff this year is:
Little Hands 2: Luz Frade, Linda Krell and Nicole Roth
Little Hands 3: Lisa Wenz, Nicole Roth and Lynn Jones
Room 2 (AM Three’s): Maria Gentilella, Alma Jean-Louis and Jean Rogers
Room 1 (PM Three’s): Elaine Toro, Nicole Roth and Yasmin Mohammed
Room 2 (PM UPK): Andrea Weisinger-Ilardi and Alma Jean-Louis
Room 3 (AM UPK): Minia Sas, Kirsty Lorenzo, Lucy Kallenberg and Yahira Caceres
Room 3 (Full Day Four’s) Minia Sas, Yasmin Mohammed, Jean Rogers and Yahira Caceres
Ann McCormack is our School Secretary two days a week.
Mary Copeland is our Music and Movement Teacher on Thursdays.
Vicki Solomon, our former Director and Teacher, volunteers her time and wisdom several days a week. MANY THANKS!


Early in the school year two topics often come up for discussion when speaking with families. First are separation issues and second is toilet training.
Separation is a lifelong learning skill! – as adults we experience anxiety when beginning a new job or moving to a new home, so is it any surprise that children who have less control of their own lives feel anxious also! Keep in mind that your little one's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. your child needs to be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and that will be enough comfort while you're gone. Working through these feelings gives children a chance to develop coping skills and a little independence.
Some tips:
*Make sure your child has a comfortable unhurried routine in the morning before school. Keep things predictable and calm.
*Try your best to let your child know you are confident about leaving him or her at school and you are sure they will have a good time. If you are anxious, your child will often feel your anxiety and become anxious themselves.
*Follow the teachers lead on staying with your child or leaving.
* When you do leave, always say goodbye – never break your child’s trust by sneaking out of the room.
*Make your farewell short and sweet – often the most difficult thing for a parent to do!
*If you need to leave and your child is distressed, we will always call you if your child does not settle down after a short interval. We often try to call when we can to let you know all is well.
*Pick your child up on time – the anxiety returns for children when their grown-up is late in returning. For a child just feeling good about separating, this could cause a turn around in their progress.
Early in the school year it is very typical for children to experience change in sleep patterns, eating patterns and the child who is fully toilet trained may experiences a period of regression that usually works itself out over the period of a few weeks.

As for toilet training, we do not require a child to be toilet trained to begin our school program. We believe there are physiological as well as emotional components involved in the process and that hurrying a child along for a school deadline date is not necessary. Experts agree that about 2.5 years is the average time for children to approach the milestone of beginning the process, however the time is often between ages two and 3 plus years old depending on the child. The key here is not to push or get into a power struggle with your child over toilet training.

For families seeking to begin toilet training the experts all seem to agree that it is time to begin when:
* Child’s bowel movements come at fairly predictable times (though some children never become regular)
* Children have the physiological readiness – they should be able to stay dry for an hour or two stretch at a time
* Children feel uncomfortable when they are wet.
* They show interest in wearing underwear rather than diapers.
*The child needs to associate the feeling of needing to pee or poop with the outcome and is able to communicate that need.
*The child needs to have control to hold on when they feel the urge so that they can get to the toilet.
*Shows curiosity of bathroom habits of others.

Always remember that “accidents” are an inevitable part of learning to use the toilet. Making a fuss or issue out of “accidents” will only promote resistance or diminish confidence. React casually – reassure the child that they will soon be able to get to the toilet on time. Separation anxiety, stress, focusing on new exciting events, fatigue - all common to the start of school is common reasons for a relapse in toilet training.
Remember, our school has one major draw back to home; our bathrooms are not at the child’s immediate access. Although we have scheduled bathroom times, children need to ask at other times during the morning if they need to go – and asking can be unusual for many children. They may not want to leave the activity they are involved with or may not feel comfortable yet in asking. Be assured however that we will help your child work through this period successfully.
Just as a reminder, as the weather turns cooler to dress your child appropriately for outdoors. Outdoor play is crucial to a child’s development and it is important that your child be comfortable. When it becomes cool enough, please supply MITTENS, not gloves for your child. It is very difficult to assist a class of young children into all those finger slots!!! It is also helpful to have mitten clips or another method of attaching mittens to your child’s jacket. We do go out in the snow, so please begin to get boots, snow pants ready! Pack them up in a tote bag to have on hand for that first morning of snow! Lastly, please check your child’s extra change of clothing – be sure that it is weather appropriate and complete!
Thank you all for your support to the cooperative nature of our Nursery School! It looks like a great year ahead!!

Lisa

Barnes & Noble Bookfair November 21-23

The Bookfair supporting Amalgamated Nursery School will be the weekend of November 21-23 at the Barnes & Noble at 2614 Central Park Ave in Yonkers. A portion of the proceeds from sales will go to support the nursery school. The best part is anyone can participate as long as they have a voucher, which you can download here in PDF. You can print and share as many of these vouchers as you like, and even give them to other shoppers at the store that weekend. Make sure you present the voucher at checkout prior to making your purchase.

Don't miss Storytime at 2:00PM and Arts and Crafts at 3:00PM.

This is a great opportunity for you to do some holiday shopping while supporting the school!

Food Drive

Please remember to have your child bring in an item of non-perishable food for a community soup kitchen and shelter this week, starting Wednesday and up until Friday. On Friday, November 14, the teachers will walk the children and their food to Vladeck Hall where they can personally contribute their can. Thanks!

Kindergarten Options Night November 13

Come and learn about area schools and educational programs. Representatives from the following schools will provide information and answer questions:

AmPark Neighborhood School
The Bronx New School (PS 51)
Manhattan Country School
The Bronx Community Charter School
(and maybe more...)

See you Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 PM at the school.