Director's Message
The holidays are revving up! I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful treats you provided for the school and thank our teachers for a successful and fun Happy Hall-o-ween trick or treating event and Halloween Day!
November brings us reasons to be thankful….What are you thankful for?
We will be putting up boards (this is tentative, we may put up Thank you boards in a different area) on the fiesta deck on Tuesday 11/12 for Thank you notes for the teachers from you and your children…..so please write a note ….the teachers will appreciate it…
Program Highlights
Happy Hall is closed on Monday, November 11th in honor of Veterans Day
Harvest social …….details to come. Week of November 18th
Attendance by sign up November 25th, 26th,and 27th
Minimum Day Wednesday, November 27th, School closes at 1:00 pm
Happy Hall is closed November 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving Break
Toy drive November 8th to December 2nd. Details will be sent through 1Core.
Please check your emails.
Classroom Snippets
Maple
In November, Maple class will continue to review colors, shapes, numbers and animals. We will practice adding more basic Spanish words during our Wednesday circle time as well as introducing their name tags to get them familiar with the letters in their name. As we approach Fall, Maple will also base some projects and activities around fall such as free painting using fall colors, collecting different textures like crunchy leaves, twigs and pinecones. To finish the month, we will highlight all we are grateful for allowing the students to make their own personal gratitude collage.
Birch
In November, Birch Class will dive into exploring the letters H, I, J, and K, along with words beginning with these letters. The month will also bring excitement as we prepare for our fall festivity, where families are invited to share in the fun and enjoy special moments together in the classroom. More details will follow soon, and we look forward to a new month filled with adventures and learning experiences!
Cedar
Cedar class will be learning about the pumpkin life cycle. We will also be starting to trace our name and numbers to work on our fine motor skills. We will make fall collages and talk about what makes us happy and what we are grateful for. We will also be making vegan pumpkin pie and testing our cooking skills.
Willow
For the month of November students will be learning letter recognition. We will also be studying farms and food. Willow will also be teaming up with Redwood in a collaborative project called our rhyming book.
Redwood
TK class will be working on learning to be thankful and appreciate our family and friends. Going on nature walks in our yard and discussing the changes and different colors we see. Teaching them about books,explaining the author and illustrator and using their imagination with stories being told. Continuing to count and simple mathematical skills through activities. We will also be working with Willow Class in a collaborative project called the rhyming book.
Why celebrating holidays is important in Preschool Environment……
Celebrating holidays at Happy Hall is essential for children's development and learning in multiple ways. Here are some key reasons why it’s beneficial:
1. Cultural Awareness and Diversity
Celebrating holidays exposes children to different cultures, traditions, and values. By learning about holidays from around the world, children gain a greater understanding of diversity and develop respect for others’ beliefs and customs.
2. Social and Emotional Development
Holidays provide opportunities for young children to practice social skills, like sharing, cooperating, and celebrating with others. Holiday activities, like group games or shared snacks, help children build friendships, feel a sense of belonging, and experience positive social interactions.
3. Building Family and Community Connections
Many holiday celebrations include families, giving parents a chance to participate in the classroom. This fosters a stronger connection between home and school, creating a community feel that supports children's learning.
4. Creating Happy Memories
Special celebrations create joyful, memorable experiences for young children. These moments build positive associations with school, reinforcing a love of learning and making them look forward to coming to school each day.
5. Development of Language and Communication Skills
When celebrating holidays, children hear new vocabulary, sing songs, and participate in storytelling activities that expand their language skills. Discussing holiday traditions or learning holiday-themed songs improves their communication abilities in a fun, engaging way.
6. Understanding the Passage of Time and Routines
Celebrating holidays throughout the year helps the children understand the concepts of time, seasons, and the calendar. This builds a foundational understanding of routines and sequences, which is important for their sense of structure and routine.
7. Encouraging Creativity and Fine Motor Skills
Many holiday activities involve arts and crafts, cooking, and decorating, all of which allow children to express themselves creatively and develop fine motor skills through activities like cutting, painting, and gluing.
Celebrating holidays at Happy hall isn’t just about the fun; it’s a powerful educational tool that shapes social-emotional growth, cultural awareness, and a love for learning, all in ways that are joyful and meaningful for young children.
Reminders
*The safety and well-being of the children and staff are of paramount importance.
*Staff are unable to release children without authorization in 1Core. Please ensure the names entered under authorized contacts are spelled correctly and match the authorized person government issued ID.
*Absence days or medical appointments can be marked within the 1Core Family App > “Record Absence”. If multiple days are missed please communicate with the school.
*Please refer to the Family Handbook for timeframe children may return to school after illness guidelines. Emailed within the welcome email at the beginning of the school year.
*We are a Nut Aware and Tree Nut Aware center.
*Water Bottles to contain water not juice or milk.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our school community.
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Thank You!
Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to this coming month!
Frank DiFede
Program Director
Happy Hall @ Santa Inez
