Director's Message
Welcome back to the start of an exciting new school year! We're thrilled to have your family with us as we dive into a year filled with fun, learning, and familiar routines. I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know your children and look forward to connecting more with families. Here’s to another year of growth and joyful experiences together!
Program Highlights
Engagement Activities
This month, our preschoolers have been busy getting to know their new teachers and exploring their new space while learning how to engage with their environment responsibly. The classroom walls are filling up with the children’s artwork as they learn more about each other. They’ve been enjoying songs, fingerplays, counting activities, letter sounds, and plenty of name recognition exercises! Miss Jay and I hope you’re seeing these positive changes each day.
In our School Age program, the focus throughout September will continue with our "Community" theme while introducing two new themes: "The Natural World" and "Space Exploration." In "The Natural World," students will explore diverse ecosystems and environmental factors, fostering an appreciation for nature, an understanding of biological diversity, and a sense of environmental stewardship. "Space Exploration" will ignite curiosity about the universe, guiding students through the mysteries of celestial bodies, space missions, and astrophysics, sparking their interest in astronomy and space science.
In Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), we continue to foster friendships and develop life skills that nurture kind minds, kind words, and kind hearts.
Professional Development
Before the new school year started, teachers spent time organizing the Happy Hall program spaces and participating in training on all the new Happy Hall components. The training covered experiential learning, the 1 Core Family app, Life Skills, curriculum planning, preschool assessments, preschool portfolios, budgeting, and supply ordering. We learned and practiced new skills together and hope you're already seeing the benefits of these changes. We look forward to more professional development in the coming months!
Community Events
This month, we have a few exciting events coming up!
Preschool: Join us for Park Day on September 21 from 10:00am-12:00pm! This is a great opportunity to come, play in our yard, and meet other Happy Hall Ocean Shore Preschool families on a Saturday morning. We’ll provide light snacks and water, but please note that teachers won’t be present for supervision, so be sure to stay and enjoy some quality playtime with your child. While attendance is not mandatory, we encourage you to come, make new friends, and watch your children play together! Please use the links here to RSVP. go.happyhall.com/OS-parkday-rsvp
School Age: The Ocean Shore school PTO General Meeting is scheduled for September 19 from 6:00-8:00pm, and Happy Hall will provide childcare so parents can attend. Please use the link here to sign up for care! https://go.happyhall.com/OS-PTO-091924
Student Achievements
We’re excited to introduce a key component of our social-emotional curriculum that fosters a culture where children feel honored, empowered, safe, and excited to build relationships. This is done through our focus on practicing Life Skills.
Each day, we incorporate activities and group discussions that give students the opportunity to practice and showcase these skills. In preschool, children will add Life Skill dots to the classroom thermometer. Once it’s filled, the class will be rewarded with a movie afternoon and a special snack! While it takes time to fill the thermometer, we anticipate they’ll earn two celebration parties throughout the year.
For our school-age children, the Star Student is our way of recognizing those who excel in using their Life Skills. Each week, teachers will select two students from each group (K-1, 2-3, 4-5) to celebrate their achievements. Star Students will get to choose a prize and have their names proudly displayed on our Star Wall! We’ll be kicking this off in October, as we are currently introducing and discussing Life Skills with the children.
Reminders
September 13: Preschool Only - Back to School Virtual Event at 3:00pm, Preschool closes at 1:00pm
September 19: School Age - Childcare provided for the PTO General Meeting from 6:00-8:00pm
September 21: Preschool Only - Park Day from 10:00am-12:00pm
October 14: Indigenous Peoples' Day (Ocean Shore) - Happy Hall Full-Day "Camp Day" for the School Age Program (Preschool hours remain the same)
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to the new month, we're excited to continue our space theme while also exploring weather and seasons. We’ll sprinkle in some “Hall”-oween fun and activities for the children throughout October as well! On October 14, Ocean Shore School will be closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day, and Happy Hall will host a full-day "Camp Day" for childcare. Preschool hours will remain unchanged. Be on the lookout for registration details and all the exciting activities we have planned for that day!
Stay Connected
Check out our photo galleries:
Thank You!
I look forward to a fun year ahead!
Annie Quintana
Program Director
Happy Hall @ Ocean Shore
