Vol. XVIII No. 54Fall 2013

coming soon: Oct. 27: Christ Church Celebrates CCNS’ 50th Anniversary (See back page for details.)

Oct. 29-30: School Pictures

Dear Parents,

Welcome to another year at Christ Church Nursery School, CCNS! The first few weeks of school may be hectic and busy, but it is wonderful to see familiar faces in the halls again and to welcome new families to our CCNS community.

Parent Connection, this quarterly newsletter of the Parents’ Association of Christ Church Nursery School (PACCNS), will help connect you to the wonderful things happening at school and keep you apprised of the many fantastic events that PACCNS brings to CCNS. Thanks to co-editors Elizabeth Dooley and Nicole Petersen who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this publication to life!

The school year has begun without a hitch – no hurricanes or storms so far – and with tons of excitement in the halls! Many thanks to our wonderful director, Barbara Pepe, and her amazing staff who do so much to make CCNS such a special place.

Several improvements were made over the summer, but the one which I think the children will most enjoy is the new playground! The structure itself is fantastic and a huge addition to the outdoor space, which is also enhanced by a new surface of rubberized mulch. Thank you to the dedicated PACCNS team of Elizabeth Cassano, Michelle DeCillis and Sarah Robertson who worked with Mrs. Pepe to coordinate the playground installation.

I also want to personally welcome new additions to the staff: Mrs. Kim DeVirgilio, Mrs. Renata Handzy, Mrs. Mary Macy and Mrs. Elizabeth Dooley, (who is filling in for Señora Ibrahim while she is on maternity leave).

I am honored to have been chosen to lead a group of amazing women on the PACCNS board this year. Each of our board volunteers

dedicates time and energy to enrich the CCNS experience not only for the children but also for their families as a whole.

Our first order of business was to publish the directory, so you can begin scheduling the play dates your kids are requesting! Thanks so much to Heather Finan for taking this on. Thanks also to Jo Steinel and Candee McAloon, our Class Parent organizers for recruiting volunteers to help support the teachers in each classroom.

Earlier this month, our “Family Events” group led by Zeynep Allen and Elizabeth Cassano hosted the now annual “Welcome Party” for parents of children in the 2s program and those new to CCNS. All had a wonderful time socializing over wine and cheese during a lovely evening in Parish Hall.

Looking forward, we have a very busy November planned! At Parents’ Night, you can visit the classrooms, spend quality time with your child’s teacher, and support our first fundraiser of the year, our Book Fair! Led by Kristina Bunch and Katie Roberts Freyman, the Book Fair will kick off at Parents’ Night on November 12 and run through the following morning, so please stop by!

“Moms Night Out” will take place on Thursday, November 21. Meredith Amico, Christine Cofer and Tina Park have been hard at work planning a fabulous event. Come socialize with fellow moms, get in some holiday shopping and sample great food. You won’t want to miss it!

Please take a look at the back of this newsletter to see the rest of this year’s board roster. They are already hard at work planning this year’s events. Please reach out to one of us if you’d like to get more involved!

Lastly, I need to thank my Executive Board, Ali Seeger, Past President, Kara Lawler, Secretary, Lisa Haggerty, Treasurer and

Emily Donelan, Vice President. Ali, thank you so much for assembling this amazing group of women and for being my sounding board. Kara, thank you for being a constant I can always turn to! Lisa, thank you for taking on a job many people run from and for embracing it with ease. And Emily, thank you for being my right-hand woman through it all. I could not have accepted this role without each of your support and friendship.

To all, I wish you and your families a happy and healthy year! I look forward to meeting and working with many of you in the months to come!

Best Regards,

Sarah Masyra PACCNS President

PACCNS PRESIDENT, SARAH MASYRA, WITH HER LOVELY DAUGHTERS, STELLA AND LOLA

Can you imagine your child 50 years from now? While it may not be possible to see that far in the future, you can be confident your decision to have your child begin his or her academic life here at CCNS will have a major and positive influence on the person he or she grows to be. It will influence how she or he interacts with others, embraces the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, delights in a caring community, and sees change as an adventure rather than an adversary.

That positive influence is due in large part to ways the director and faculty both love your child in the moment, and take a long view for the well-being of their development – not only because of how remarkable they are as people, but also because of the skills they have developed as professionals.

And I also like to think that it is because we are firmly committed to the whole child, which includes their spiritual dimension. We are not merely biological beings, or social beings; we are also spiritual beings. Tending to children’s physical, social and spiritual development at this early age builds a foundation for the rest of their years.

This year, I am thrilled to introduce you to the Rev. Krista Dias. “Mother Krista” is a recent graduate of The General Theological Seminary in New York. She, her husband John and their daughter, Gabby, moved to Short Hills in June. She is working with youth, young adults and families here at Christ Church, and a major part of her ministry is to assist at the nursery school. As a former professional dancer, she is also leading a movement class for the 3 year-olds at CCNS. I hope you will all get to know and appreciate her.

All of this is why I am so happy to invite you to join us at Christ Church this Sunday (and any Sunday) – because we, the people of this parish want to celebrate with you in the primary way that we celebrate things; namely, to give thanks to God for our blessings. We count the fifty years of CCNS as one of our highest blessings.

On October 27, we have asked Mrs. Pepe to deliver an address in place of the regular sermon. Her address will focus on the values and practices by which CCNS strives to nurture your child. Mrs. Pepe is a woman of faith, and for her, the care and development of

children is truly a spiritual vocation.

In addition, the children will be singing! Many of you have already heard your children sing here for their Christmas service. They get so excit-ed about singing in “the big church,” as they call it. We love those times so much, too, that we thought, “Why not do this more often than just at Christmas?” It seems the perfect way to celebrate the school’s 50th birthday. We hope you can all be here to cut the cake after the service and enjoy each other’s company.

We are honored by the trust you give us to be partners with you in raising your children. I look forward to seeing you on the 27th!

Joyfully yours,

Timothy J. Mulder, Rector

DIRECTOR’S DESK From the

Welcome to another exciting school year at Christ Church Nursery School. We have no doubt that you and your children will meet good friends and create warm memories here. Our very dedicated and experienced staff is here to offer you and your child a rewarding experience. The class-rooms are already bustling with laughter, singing and lots of hands-on learning.

Many thanks to the staff for doing an outstanding job during the very busy first few weeks of school!

I also thank all of you for the trust that you have placed in us. For some of you this is your child’s first school experience, and I know that is a big step for them and you! I promise this will be a year full of growth for all! I would also like to thank PACCNS for their consistent help. PACCNS has already assisted us with the school directory, this newsletter and some wonderful parent

get-togethers. I invite you all to get involved in the many activities that our dedicated parent group organizes throughout this school year. Their efforts truly enrich your child’s preschool experience!

Thanks to all for attending our class orientation sessions. Communication is one of my primary goals, and to that end, I will also offer monthly updates, which will be sent home with your child. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. You can email the main office at christchurchns@verizon.net. We are also available by phone at (973) 379-6549.

I look forward to seeing all of you at Parents’ Night on Tuesday, November 12. Beginning at 6:30, you can browse selections at the PACCNS Book Fair. At 7:30, you’ll visit your children’s classrooms and meet with the teachers. I will share a few thoughts with you back in the gym at 8:00, where light refreshments will be served. Please remember this night is for parents only, so line up those babysitters and plan to join us!

As the weeks march on, our classrooms will transform into colorful visions of fall and

Halloween. Halloween celebrations are planned for all! Details will come to you directly from your classroom teachers. In the meantime, enjoy this precious time with your children. I know we will! I sincerely thank you for sharing them with us during the school day!

Barbara Pepe, Director

RECTOR’S DESKFrom the

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR Barbara Pepe joined CCNS in 2005 with more than 25 years experience, having first owned and operated her own nursery school, The Family Schoolhouse, and later serving as the director at an Episcopal Church Nursery School in Montville Township for 13 years. Barbara has a B.A. in Education from William Paterson University and holds teaching certifications in Special Education, Elementary Education, Reading and Early Childhood Education. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and attends regular meetings of a local director’s group. Barbara lives in Montville with her husband, Dominick. Together they have two daughters, Alicia and Melissa, who are both teachers, and a dog named Biscuit.

PACCNS INVITES YOU TO OURANNUAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR

in the CCNS GymnasiumTuesday, November 12, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Parents’ Night (adults only)

Wednesday, November 13, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Come shop with your children before or after school.CCNS earns up to 25% on every purchase made,

so please support our school and encourage the love of reading!

Next Up: Parent’s Night Cocktail Party Don't make dinner plans! Join fellow CCNS parents immediately after Parent’s Night and the PACCNS Book Fair on Tuesday, November 12th. Cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served at a local bar/restaurant until approximately 10:30 p.m. More details to come.

“SOCIAL NETWORKING” Welcoming new faces to CCNS – Earlier this month, PACCNS’ Family Events Committee hosted a “meet and greet” for those new to the CCNS family. In conjunction with The Wine Library and Beyond Delicious Catering they offered a wine-tasting featuring wines from 4 countries and hors d'oeuvres for more than 70 guests. Thanks to Barbara Pepe for welcoming all and to Sarah Masyra for speaking on behalf of PACCNS.

UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:November: a Thanksgiving food drive for needy families in partnership with JLOSH (Junior League of Short Hills and the Oranges)

December: the “Embrace-a-Family” Christmas drive, collecting new clothing, toys and household items for homeless and “at-risk” families

Ongoing: collaboration with Christ Church to support the Interfaith Food Pantry in Orange. See the food collection bin in the CCNS lobby for a list of needed items.

Looking ahead: please save gently-used toys and baby gear for collections in late winter.

With any questions or ideas, contact Robin Grapkowski

robingrapkowski@gmail.com Stephanie Eller

stephanieeller@verizon.net Suzanne Emrich

suemeehan@yahoo.com

THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE RECENT WINTER COAT, BLANKET AND COSTUME DRIVE FOR THE NEW COMMUNITY CORP., SERVING NEEDY CHILDREN IN NEWARK.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTAIt’s not even Halloween and already we are thinking about Christmas! Mark your calendars for Breakfast with Santa in Parish Hall Saturday, December 7, (two seatings at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.) Santa’s elves, Jen Mulvaney and Christine Ploetner, are already preparing for this fun-filled extravaganza featuring a delicious spread of morning treats, holiday artwork by our little artists, crafts, and of course, a special visit from Santa! Volunteers are needed to help photograph each child’s visit with Santa. If interested, please contact Jen at (973) 232-6879 or Christine at (973) 467-9562. HO! HO! HO!

COmmunITy OuTREaCh MoM’s night out

an evening of Comedy, Shopping, Wine & hors D’oeuvres

featuring comediennerobin fox

thursday, november 21 7–10 p.m.

with exclusive CCNS Christmas ornament sale, holiday wreath pick-up, 50/50 raffle and door prizes!

invitations will be sent via Paperless Post.Proceeds benefit ccnS.

Kathy Carlo is enjoying her 15th year teaching the 2s classes. She earned her B.A. from Montclair State University and has been teaching 2 year-olds through kindergarteners for 23 year – 21 here at CCNS. Kathy and her husband, Joe, have seven adult children and twelve grandchildren.

Kimberly DeVirgilio is excited to begin her first full year of teaching at CCNS with the 3s three-morning class. Mrs. DeVirgilio graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and then earned a M.A. in Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has had the pleasure of teaching preschool children and elementary age students, in Jersey City, Elizabeth and Bayonne. She currently resides in Short Hills with her husband and four children. In her free time, she enjoys photography and traveling.

Ryane Gannon is excited for another year at CCNS as the morning and afternoon 4s teacher. Miss Gannon graduated in 2009 with an Early Childhood and Sociology degree from The College of New Jersey. She completed her student teaching in Udine, Italy and Trenton, NJ and has been working with children for more than five years. Miss Gannon will be getting married in November and will become Mrs. Kress. She looks forward to a new chapter in her life and making this year a great one with a new group of terrific kids!

Renata Handzy is excited to begin her first year at CCNS, teaching the 4+ class. She brings five years of teaching experience with her from a nursery school in Westfield. Mrs. Handzy earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from St. John’s University. She lives in Westfield with her husband Damian and their three children Matthew (16), Stephen (13), and Sofia (11).

Gloria Parker has enjoyed teaching Pre-K classes for the past 16 years. Mrs. Parker graduated from William Paterson University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught third grade and kindergarten before caring for her own children (Robert, Laura and Kristen) with her husband, Michael. With all three now in college or working, she spends more time cooking , reading, walking and doing yoga. She is also involved with many church activities, especially singing in the choir.

m E E T T h E t E A c H E R STara Pickard is excited for her fifth year as a classroom teacher at CCNS. She will be teaching both the morning 4-day 3s class and the 3-day afternoon 3s class. Mrs. Pickard has a B.A. in Education from Ball State University and an M.A. in Reading from Northern Illinois University. She lives in Short Hills with her husband, Andy, and their four children, Hallie, Jake, Drew, and Luke. She enjoys working out and attending her children’s various sporting events. Mrs. Pickard drinks a lot of coffee and loves moms!

Jennifer Reisman has so many planbooks! Too many to count, and she is thrilled to be writing in yet another one. Mrs. R. graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. She continues to enjoy ballroom dancing, movies, theater, and family gatherings with her sons, Michael and Daniel, and daughter-in-law, Laura. Now that they live nearby, Mrs. R. gets to see her three year-old grandson, Holden Lee often. What a blessing!

Josette Rubino is enjoying her fifth year back at CCNS, teaching a full day 3’s class this year. Mrs. Rubino has a B.A. in Early Childhood Elementary Education, with a con-centration in Fine Arts from Rider College. She lives in Roseland with her husband Vinny and their two sons, Vinny Jr. (11) and John (8).

Joanna Sondey teaches a 5-day, morning class for 3 year-olds. This is her 21st year at CCNS. She is a graduate of Montclair State College and taught French and Spanish for six years. She has three children and three grandchildren. She has been a Cub Scout den leader, a CCD volunteer and a member of the Family Liturgy Committee at her church. She has taught adult school and the after-school program at Hartshorn and Glenwood elemen-tary schools. To relax, she enjoys reading, traveling and crafts, especially cross-stitch.

Mrs. Zotti has a B.S. in Elementary Education from the College of New Jersey and a M.A. in Early Childhood Supervision from Kean University. She lives in New Providence with her husband, Tony, and their three children. Both of her boys, Peter and Marc, are gradu-ates of Monmouth University. Her daughter, Cara, is a junior at William Paterson University.

BACK ROW (L TO R): MS. RYANE GANNON, MRS. KATHY CARLO, MRS. JOSETTE RUBINO, MRS. KIM DEVIRGILIO, MRS. JOANNA SONDEY, MRS. TARA PICKARD AND MRS. KIM ZOTTI; SEATED (L TO R): MRS. RENATA HANDZY, MRS. JENNIFER REISMAN AND MRS. GLORIA PARKER

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY COMING SOON:Irvin Simon Photography will take this year’s school pictures on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30. Proofs will be available in early December. New this year: parents will be able to select their child's best pose and backdrop! Contact Candee McAloon at candeemacer@yahoo.com or Jo Steinel at jml421@yahoo.com with questions.

t o d d l e r t A l kSome toddlers and twos separate from their caregivers without a backward glance. Some start well only to fall apart weeks later. Others cry from the moment you pull into parking lot (or car line). What can you do to make separation easier? 1. Be positive and upbeat. Your comfort level with the separation will speak volumes to your child. Talk positively and concretely about what your child will do at school AND once they are picked up.

2. Create routines and rituals. Being able to predict what will happen next helps toddlers and twos feel some level of control. Having a ritual for saying good-bye, such as giving two hugs and a kiss, provides predictability while still acknowledging the separation.

3. If your child wants to stay close to you or you’re not sure when to leave, enlist a teacher to help you. The teachers will be able to reassure your child and get them engaged in an activity.

4. Always say good-bye! While it seems easier just to sneak out, some children react by becoming hyper-vigilant about

A message from Mrs. Jennifer McGregor, Assistant to the Director

.

your whereabouts. In the long term, it’s better for your child to know that you always say good-bye and always come back.

5. Once you’ve said good-bye, leave calmly and quickly. If you come back, it may give the message that you don’t feel comfortable leaving your child here. As hard as it is, leaving a crying child is sometimes the best choice.

No matter where the good-bye occurs, being positive and consistent will eventually make all good-byes smoother.

ABOUT THE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR After 15 years as a teacher/administrator of nursery school and child care programs, Jenn McGregor joined CCNS in 2011 as an enrichment teacher and, in 2012, as the Assistant to the Director. Jenn has a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College, an M.S. in Infant and Parent Development and Early Intervention from Bank Street College and a teaching certification in PreK – 6. She lives in Millburn with her husband, Nick, their two daughters, Margaret and Lily, and two cats, Caesar and Luna.

“SpEciAlS” SEVERAL WEEKLY/MONTHLY ACTIVITIES ENHANCE THE CCNS CORE CURRICULUM:Music: Mary Louise DiStefano (“Mrs. D.”) offers weekly music classes to all of our preschoolers. Classes are held in the Chapel or the classroom on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are full of songs, movement and fun! Spanish: Elizabeth Dooley offers Spanish lessons for the 4 and 5 year-olds on Mondays. (“Señora Dooley,” is filling in while “Señora Ibrahim” is on maternity leave through December.) Mrs. Dooley has a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Notre Dame and spent a wonderful year in Toledo, Spain. She has lived and worked in several Mexican-American communities and is eager to share her love of the Spanish language with the children of CCNS. Physical Education: Our new physical education teacher, Mary Macy, offers a special gym class to all 4 and 5 year-old classes on Wednes-days. Mrs. Macy has been teaching movement classes to preschoolers for more than 12 years! We are thrilled to have her join us! Handwriting Without Tears: Our Handwriting Specialist, Barbara Pasqualone, visits the 4s classes on Thursdays and Fridays to help the children practice their pencil grip and fine motor skills. Chapel: Monthly lessons in the Chapel are directed by the Christ Church Rector, the Rev. Dr. Tim Mulder or the new Curate, Rev. Krista Dias. “Mother Krista” will also be visiting our classrooms monthly to share a bible story with the children.

DROP IN: A UNIQUE OPTIONOur Drop In program is a great complement to your child’s school day. The Center, located on the lower level of the school, provides childcare for children as young as 6 months. Children keep busy with fun indoor and outdoor activities including art projects, story-time, singing and dancing!

Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Drop In Center works on a reservation basis for both permanent and “every so often” spots. Partial-day CCNS students are also welcome to bring lunch from home and to stay and play. Teachers will walk the children to and from their classrooms to accommodate each class schedule. For reservations, call Mrs. Peggy Fern at (973) 379-6549, ext. 4 or email her at dropinregistrar@verizon.net.

THE DEDICATED DROP IN TEAM (L TO R): MARISOL COTTO, JENN MCGREGOR, MARITZA CARLUCCI, BARBARA PASQUALONE, PEGGY FERN AND ANABEL LIBERATO

KIM DEVIRGILIO (MORNING 3S), RENATA HANDZY (4+), ELIZABETH DOOLEY (INTERIM SPANISH TEACHER) AND MARY MACY (PHYSICAL EDUCATION) JOINED THE STAFF THIS FALL. WELCOME ALL!

WElCOmE nEW STaff!

Summer Improvements

Car line Considerations: • Use the center lane to move to your designated door; but do not block the center lane. If there is no access to the door, please go around the block and try again.

• There is no parking on the right side of East Lane. This is a fire lane, and traffic must keep moving. ONLY parents of our 2s and Drop-In students may park, briefly on the left side of East Lane.

• Please use your colored car nametags all year long to helps us match car to child quickly.

• Staff members will assist your children at the car. Please do not get out of your car, as it is dangerous and slows down the line!

• Teaching your children how to buckle/unbuckle their seatbelts will also help move things along. If you need to assist your child with the seatbelt, please drive forward a bit first.

• If you prefer to avoid the car line, the lower church parking lots are available. If you park on the street, please do not block driveways, and always hold your child’s hand.

• Please be patient.

SafETy & SECuRITyWe take the responsibility of your child’s safety very seriously. To that end:

Doors are locked during school hours: All three doors are open as the school day begins. At 9:10, the doors will be locked until dismissal. Those arriving late should ring the bell at the main entrance (door 2). For fire-safety, doors can always be opened from the inside, whether or not they are locked.

No strollers inside: Fire code prohibits strollers in the hallway as they may block exits during an emergency. We appreciate your understanding.

Safety Drills: We practice exiting the building quickly and quietly every month. Were it necessary to evacuate the building in a true emergency, we would bring the children to Parish Hall at Christ Church. We also practice a “lock down” drill at least once per school year.

HealtHy snaCks A new state regulation requires schools that provide snacks to offer healthier options. We thank the parents of our 3, 4 and 5 year-olds for assisting us with weekly donations of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. We ask the parents in our 2s classes and Drop In Center to make occasional donations of one or more of the following: cheer-ios, whole wheat crackers, raisins and canned/diced fruit (in 100% juice) and apple sauce (no sugar added). Thanks in advance!

allergy reminderAllergy notices have been distributed to our classes as necessary. Please be mindful of any allergies that affect members of your child’s class, espe-cially when sending in healthy/birthday snacks. Please remember our school strives to be a completely NUT-FREE environment.

THE CHILDREN ARE THRILLED TO TAKE THEIR TURN ON THE NEW PLAYGROUND STRUCTURE!

• Thanks to the generous support of PACCNS, a wonderful new playground structure was installed this summer, and improvements were made to other playground areas.

• With the support of Christ Church, new rubberized mulch was added to two of our playgrounds, air conditioning was installed in the CCNS Chapel, and a new phone system was installed so phones are now available in each classroom.

• New tables and chairs were purchased for five of our classrooms thanks to a very generous donation from the Overdeck Family!

Mrs. Carlo, Mrs. Khalek, and Mrs. Gorra’s 2s classes have been busy adjusting to school. The children are enjoying playing, learning songs, listening to stories, having snacks and using the playground! They are learning to work with such materials as paint, glue, and play dough. During October, they will work on Halloween projects.

Mrs. DeVirgilio and Mrs. Adams’ 3s class has gotten off to a great start! The children have been very busy learning our school rules and classroom routine. We have enjoyed spending time together in the classroom and outside on the playground. We have been busy learning the days of the week, months of the year, changes in weather and, of course, the changing of seasons. We are excited that Halloween is fast-approaching and can’t wait to create new projects to share with our families. We will learn about colors, numbers and letters throughout the year and will have a great deal of fun along the way!

Mrs. Pickard, Mrs. Bariso, and Mrs. Adams 3s classes have been happily adjusting to the classroom, learning the routines, and making new friends. They have all learned new songs and finger-plays already. We began the year with an “all about me theme,” and each week we will focus on a new color. October topics will include apples, nocturnal animals, and of course, Halloween. We are going to have a great year together – welcome!

Mrs. Rubino and Mrs. Perrotto’s 3s class has adjusted easily to being in school for a full day! They love getting to eat their lunch in school, and stay for some extra learning fun with new friends. We began the year making special booklets an “All About Me” theme. We moved on to discussions of various aspects of autumn such as weath-er, crops, Halloween and colors. We have enjoyed singing, doing projects, sorting and patterning with autumn shapes and colors.

We are looking forward to having lots of fun together this year!

Mrs. Sondey and Mrs. Nesto’s morning class is off to a good start! The children are learning to get along with one another and to follow class rules. They are making new friends, and they love to play outside. We are talking about the changes that occur in the

fall, and each week we focus on a dif-ferent color. The children enjoy working on their projects and are very proud of them. Be sure to come see the gigantic spider web in our room in October!

Miss Gannon and Ms. Dowd’s 4s classes will be very busy this fall. They will be learning the classroom rules and routines as well as making new friends and working together. We will also be working on our letters and numbers and observing the fall chang-es! We are looking forward to our class trip to the pumpkin patch and many new and exciting experiences this year!

Mrs. Handzy and Mrs. Hrinuk’s 4+ class be-gan the year by learning the classroom routines and rules as well as exploring our “Friendship” theme. We will soon start learning about fall and all it has to offer: changes in the weather, apples, pumpkins, Halloween and Thanks-giving. We will also begin working on our letters and numbers. We look forward to a wonderful and fun year!

Mrs. Parker and Ms. Thornton’s class is quickly becoming comfortable with each other and adjusting wonderfully to the daily routine. The children are learning about one another through games, songs and by put-ting together a class book. Autumn will find us fine-tuning our five senses. We will get up close to trees and leaves, enjoy the taste and smells of apple treats, pick pumpkins, have fun raking and jumping in leaves, and get excited about the sights and sounds of Halloween. We will also start our journey on the “Alphabet Express” and travel with it throughout the year.

Mrs. Reisman and Mrs. Lewis are looking forward to another great year. Room 7 was painted over the summer and adds a touch of sunshine to the environment. The children will participate in the “Specials” which include Spanish, Music, Gym, Library, Hand-writing and Chapel/Bible Reading. Lunchtime will provide continued socialization and communication between children and teach-ers. The artwork for the fall unit will include: apples, pumpkins, owls, squirrels, leaves, Halloween, and the change of seasons. Other units to be covered will be: colors and shapes. The children will “feel the rhythm” daily with music and songs.

Mrs. Zotti and Mrs. Baumann’s 5+ class started the school year learning about apples, worms, and ants. We celebrated Johnny Appleseed’s birthday by baking an apple pie. We created a worm habitat and enjoyed watching the worms make tunnels. Our October topics include houses, families, Smokey the Bear, and of course, Halloween.

Teachers will meet monthly (in teams by class age) to exchange ideas and share concerns. They will work together to review the Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards set by the New Jersey Department of Education. Together we aim to offer our students the best possible learning experiences!

classroom

nEW ThIS yEaR: TEAM PLANNING MEETINGS

nEWS & ViEWS

Visitors are always welcome in our classrooms! If you would like to share a special talent, a family custom or your occupation with the class, please contact your child’s teacher.

Healthy Snacks: we encourage parents to help us offer healthy snack options by signing up to provide fruits or vegetables for the class.

Birthday celebrations are welcomed. Parents may provide a special snack. Please be mindful of allergies, and make sure the snack is easy to serve and eat.

Class bulletins will be sent home periodically from your child’s teacher.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are held in January. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher throughout the school year with any questions or concerns. Teachers will do the same. It’s best to keep the lines of communication open!

ClaSSROOm InvOlvEmEnT & COmmunICaTIOn

PaCCns Board: 2013-2014

President ............................. Sarah MasyraPast President ........................... Ali SeegerVice President ..................... Emily DonelanSecretary ................................Kara LawlerTreasurer ............................. Lisa Haggerty

Class ParentsCandee McAloon

Jo Steinel

Directory/ MembershipHeather Finan

Mom’s Night OutMeredith Amico Christine Cofer

Tina Park

Book FairKristina Bunch

Katie Roberts Freyman

Breakfast with SantaJennifer Mulvaney Christine Ploetner

Family EventsZeynep Allyn

Elizabeth Cassano

GardenSarah Robertson

Spring Cocktail PartyMichelle DeCillis

Jill Johnston Lauren LischerCrystal Skinner

Beth SpiroStephanie Walsh

Spring PicnicCate Edell

Maggie Franklin

OutreachStephanie Eller

Sue Emrich Robin Grapkowski

NewsletterElizabeth Dooley Nicole Petersen

YearbookMelissa DiTosto

Christine Skalkotos

PaCCns Board: 2013-2014 DAtES tO REMEMBER:

October 25: ................... Halloween Parade (10:45 a.m., 4s & 5s only) Holiday Wreath Orders Due

October 27: ................... Christ Church Celebration of CCNS’ 50th Anniversary

October 29 & 30: ............ School Pictures

November 7 & 8: ............ CCNS closed (NJ Teacher’s Convention)

November 12: ............... Parent’s Night and Book Fair (6:30 - 9:00 p.m.)

November 13: ............... Book Fair continues (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

November 21: ................ Thanksgiving Celebration (10:45 a.m, 3s only)

November 21: ............... Mom’s Night Out (7:00 - 10:00 p.m.)

November 27-29: .......... Thanksgiving Recess (CCNS closes at Noon on 11/27)

December 7: ................. Breakfast with Santa

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONTINUES! Children of CCNS to Sing in the “Big Church”

On Sunday October 27, Christ Church will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of CCNS during the 10:00 a.m. service. All children are invited to come sing a song they have been practicing at school. In lieu of a sermon, Barbara Pepe will talk about the Nursery School's vision and the education of our children. After church we will have cake and celebrate the amazing school that has nurtured so many children in the past half-century!

Back to School!