October Updates
From Mrs. Samuels' Office
Greetings, Montrose!
It has been a pleasure to see so many of you this past month. Students have settled in nicely, and they are learning joyfully every day. This newsletter will provide you with updates and information relevant to this month. Please read thoroughly and enjoy.
Contact me, Nurse Mary, your child's teacher or their therapist with any questions or concerns about your child's development, health or our program.
Also, remember that on Tuesday, October 9, all students will be dismissed at 11:30 am for staff Professional Development. Please have a trusted adult available for pickup or to meet your child at their bus stop.
In Partnership,
Mrs. Samuels
Email: bsamuels@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: somsd.k12.nj.us
Location: 356 Clark Street, South Orange
Phone: 973-378-2086
Dot Day 2018
Week of Respect
During Week of Respect (October 1-5, 2018) many activities took place at Montrose:
Read-alouds included Have You Filled A Bucket Today? One, Rusty the Respectful Raccoon, The Crayon Box That Talked, and Llama Llama and the Bully Goat.
Students were engaged in activities related to why they like themselves and had discussions about positive words related to being a good friend. Children will continue to discuss being "bucket fillers" instead of "bucket dippers" throughout the year.
Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13, 2018. On Tuesday, October 9, our friends from South Orange Fire Department will visit to teach students a bit about fire safety. Students will tour a fire engine (weather permitting) and touch safety equipment. In addition to classroom activities, this video will help you prepare your child for the visit.
PEEA Grant News
At Back to School Night, important dates and information regarding the Preschool Education Expansion Aid grant were shared:
- October 1: No more tuition payments!
- October 10: Dr. Laura Morana, Interim Executive Director of Special Services will host a Grant Update and Q&A at the Montrose PTA Meeting/Family Pizza night, which begins at 6:30 pm.
- November 5: School hours change for students. New hours will be 8:30am-2:30 pm.
- With the six-hour day, bus routes may change. Updates will come directly from the Department of Transportation.
- Registration processes and guidelines for 2019-2020 have not yet been determined. This includes processes for current families and younger siblings.
Notes from Nurse Mary
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Our shared goal is to keep all of the children healthy so they can continue to learn and grow!
*The Flu Vaccine is required for all children age 6 months through 59 months who attend Pre-School.*
It is mandatory that the vaccine be given between September 1st and December 31st of each year.
We MUST receive your documentation of Influenza Vaccination before we leave for Holiday recess on December 21, 2018 or your child will not be able to return to school on January 2, 2019.
Please try to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect your child from getting influenza which can be dangerous for children in this age group! If your child receives any other immunizations, please remember to send in the records from the MD as well as paperwork regarding medication to be given while in school.
Thank you!
“Nurse Mary”
973-378-2086 x7503
Sending Healthy Children to School
Please review the following common conditions and consider their guidelines before sending your children to school:
Speech Department:
Speech Groups and Services
What are Supplemental Speech Push-in Groups?
Speech therapists support themes as guided by the Tools of the Mind Curriculum and create supplemental group activities to improve use and understanding of oral language, social rules (turn-taking, using appropriate eye contact, etc.) and following directions. Groups involve all students, and therapists attempt to elicit natural language during structured activities.
What are Pull out services?
Some students qualify for related services and receive additional pull out therapy to help increase the child's functional speech and language skills.
Tips to Encourage Speech and Language
According to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Suggestions for parents to encourage speech and language consist of
Talking with your child a lot and about what you are doing during the day.
Introducing new vocabulary and labeling items during the day (toys, fruit, animals, items around the house, etc.).
Reading different types of books. Read every day, and talk with your child about the stories.
Having your child retell stories and have your child talk about their day.
Giving your child directions to follow (1-3 steps).
Activities to Enhance Language Growth
Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development
Speak clearly to your child. Model good speech throughout the day.
Repeat what your child says to show that you understand. Add on to what they say. Use words like, "Want juice? I have juice. I have apple juice. Do you want apple juice?"
Help your child understand and ask questions. Play the yes/no game. Ask questions such as, "Are you Marty?" and "Can a pig fly?" Have your child make up questions and try to fool you.
Ask questions that include a choice, like "Do you want an apple or an orange?" or "Do you want to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt?"
Sing simple songs and say nursery rhymes. This helps your child learn the rhythm of speech.
Praise your child when they tell you something. Show them that you understand their words.
Reminders for School Safety
All visitors must use the main entrance at the rear of the building. There, you will be greeted by the Main Office, asked to face the camera, state the reason for the visit, and, if warranted, allowed entry into the vestibule. No other door may be used for visitor entry.
Once inside, visitors must report ONLY to the Main Office.
Visitors may not open or hold doors for other visitors. If you are exiting and a guest is awaiting entry, please wait until they are acknowledged and buzzed in by the office.
Visitors should not expect staff who are walking past to open doors to allow access
Visitors must be prepared to show identification if asked.
Pumpkin Patch on-site Field Trip
Our on-site pumpkin patch field trip will allow students to investigate their environment, explore mathematical concepts, and express themselves through the arts. Only children who have signed permission slips will be able to participate.
In addition to many regular routines, class activities will include games, music, and activities related to autumn, and some classes will engage in multi-day experiences with their pumpkins. In the event of inclement weather during the pumpkin patch, it will either be relocated indoors or rescheduled.
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2018, 09:30 AM
Montrose Early Childhood Center
Halloween Parade
We understand that this event is exciting and special to many. It may also be an overwhelming sensory experience for some. With that, we appreciate your continued support in ensuring that we remain focused on students and their safety & well-being.
Please notify your child’s teacher by Wednesday, October 24 if your child will not participate in or watch the parade. Fun, seasonal activities will be planned for any students not participating in or watching the parade.
If there is inclement weather, the parade will be canceled. All families will be notified of cancellation via SchoolMessenger email by 10:30 am.
In order to ensure an orderly and student-centered dismissal process, we will be unable to dismiss students between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. If you anticipate picking your child up early, please do so before 1:00 pm. Students who are dismissed early will not participate in the parade.
Wednesday, Oct 31, 2018, 01:15 PM
Montrose School
Halloween Guidelines & Parade Route
COSTUMES:
Costumes are not required. If your child chooses to have one, they should bring costumes, not wear them to school. Face paint/makeup can be applied before coming to school. No simulated “weapons” are allowed. This includes swords, sabers, etc. Children must be able to see clearly, so only masks that allow unobstructed vision will be allowed. Costumes that drag on the ground will not be permitted. In order to avoid unnecessary upset for the students, please be sure to try on costumes at home a few days before 10/31.
ASSISTANCE:
Through communication with Class Parents, teachers will let families know whether or not they need assistance with changing students into costumes.
PARADE ROUTE:
We will exit the main door of the building (using the ramp), make a right towards Clark Street, walk on Clark Street on the sidewalk across the front of the school, make a right into the secondary parking lot, up the stairs and onto the path to Meeker. We will walk along the sidewalk on Meeker, back into the yard (using the gate farthest from the playground) and back up the ramp into the building. Families who desire to stop by will be able to see the parade from any spot along this route.
STUDENT SAFETY:
Family members may not take students from their lines or block our walking route. All students will re-enter the building after the parade for a regular 2:00 dismissal. If you anticipate early dismissal, please pick your child up before 1:00. Students dismissed prior to 1:00 will not participate in the parade.
Mrs. Samuels