Montrose Messenger
October Newsletter : 2023
Montrose News & Updates
Dear Montrose Families,
October is a wonderful time of year! As we enter into autumn, students are beginning to make observations of their environment as the leaves change colors and fall from the trees. As an extension to their observations, teachers are incorporating meaningful experiences into their lessons that build from this foundation. Nature walks, individualized expression of artwork, story labs and scientific explorations are just a few examples of how teachers are embedding student interest into our curriculum. It continues to be a joy observing our preschool students lead discussions as they share news, assume leadership roles within the classroom, and support one another through tactile experiences and meaningful play. As teachers adjust their lessons to incorporate student interest, the learning experience here at Montrose and across our program will continue to be inclusive, fun and engaging!
Week of Respect 2023
New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act designates the week of the first Monday in October each year as a “Week of Respect.” Montrose will observe the week by providing developmentally-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing harassment, intimidation or bullying.
Monday- Show your awareness and wear blue - it's the official color for the World Day of Bullying Prevention.
Activity: Read a story about someone who stood up against hatred, injustice or discrimination.
Tuesday- Show your awareness and share your knowledge of respect/kindness.
Activity: Make a Respect Paper Chain. Prepare strips of brightly colored paper. Ask each child to name a way to show respect/kindness to each other at school. Write their answers on the strips of paper, then create a paper chain to hang in the room.
Wednesday- Show your awareness and give someone a compliment to fill their bucket!
Activity: Coaches will read a book and do an activity.
Thursday- Show your awareness and let's talk about acts of kindness.
Activity: The PIR Specialist will provide you with a visual sorting activity. Have your students sort kind (respectful) and unkind (disrespectful) behaviors
Friday- Show your Spirit and wear a hat for "Hats off to upstanders!"
Activity: Draw a message of kindness in chalk
Please be advised that due to Back to School Night, Montrose will be operating on a 1/2 day schedule. As such, the school day will begin at 8:30am and end at 11:30am. It's also important to note that all busses will be operating accordingly.
Hola!
September 15 – October 15 began Hispanic Heritage Month! Hispanic Heritage Month is unique in that it crosses over two months, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This time period was chosen because it includes Independence Day celebrations for Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
The Hispanic population in the United States accounts for 19% or 1 in 5 Americans, according to the 2020 Census. If you would like to learn more about Hispanic and Latino celebrations like piñatas and quinceaneras, please take some time to explore Hispanic and Latino traditions around various festivities. Last school year, the children at Montrose learned about Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican artist! Here is a great book about Kahlo you can read to your child: Frida Kahlo By Isabel Vegara. Additionally, you and your family can go to a virtual tour of Kahlo’s former home: La Casa Azul!
Messages from Nurse Gaymes
By now, families in specific classrooms have been notified of the particular foods that are not permitted in your child's classroom due to severe allergies. If you have any questions regarding your allergy sensitive classroom, please call Nurse Jennifer Gaymes at 973-378-2086 x7503.
We look forward to working together with you to have a wonderful year.
A Letter Regarding Flu Season
Dear Parents,
It has been such a joy getting to know your children!
October is the time of the year that flu season begins and lasts typically through March.
The CDC recommends a flu vaccine by the end of October, before flu begins spreading in your community.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) mandates that all students' ages 6-59 months attending pre-school must receive one dose of seasonal flu vaccine between September 1st and December 31st each year.
As mandated by NJDOH, students who have not received the flu vaccine by December 31st must be excluded from school for the duration of influenza season (through March 31st) or until they receive at least one dose of the influenza vaccine.
Proof of vaccination must be received by the school nurse no later than December 22nd (before holiday recess). If proof of vaccination has not been submitted by this date, your child will not be allowed to attend school when school resumes in January.
I wish you a healthy autumn!
JGaymes, School Nurse
973-378-2086 x7503
A Message From Our Montrose PTA!
Hello from the Montrose PTA! Thank you to those of you who attended our Ice Cream Social last week, and we hope to see you next Sunday, 10/8 at 11AM at our first school year playdate! Please see our website for upcoming events as well as more information about the PTA.
Please also fill out this form to opt-in to PTA communications as well as to express interest in volunteer opportunities such as becoming a Class Coordinator or joining the PTA. We are looking forward to working with you all this year!
Picture Day
Friday, Oct 27, 2023, 08:45 AM
Montrose Early Childhood Center, Clark Street, South Orange, NJ, USA
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Reminder: 3 hour day (8:30am-11:30am)
We look forward to your participation!