Dear Parents, ExcitementfillstheairatGreyStoneSchoolaswepreparefortheChristmasHolidays,andwhataspecialtimeitis!Ourlittleelvesarebusymakinggifts,bakinggoodiesandworkingonsurprises.Theirhandworkisaspecialtreasureyouwillenjoyforyearstocome.

FromourGreyStonefamilytoyours,wewanttowishyouahappy,safeandjoyousHolidaySeasonfilledwithsimplepleasures.Thankyouforthemanywaysyousupportourteachers,ourchildrenandourfamilies.

Wearesothankfulfortheblessingsofwarmwishes,givingandkindness;faith,familyandfriends;love,laughter…andthespecialblessingofmemories.Wehavemanynewones…this,ourfirstyearatGreyStone.

The Grey Stone Teachers

Grey Stone GazetteGrey Stone Preschool and Kindergarten Winter 2011

Welcome Winter!Upcoming Events

December 13 ParentCommitteeMeeting 9-10amDecember 15 Chick-fil-aSpiritNight 12-8pmDecember 15 & 16TheChristmasStorywith PastorKevinDecember 15 & 16ClassChristmasParties!!!December 19 - January 3ChristmasHoliday (Grey Stone School CLOSED)January 4 BacktoSchoolJanuary 10 ParentCommitteeMeeting 7-8:15pmJanuary 16 MartinLutherKingHoliday (Grey Stone School CLOSED)January 28 GreyStonePreschooland KindergartenFamilyNight Pizza/Potluck. 5-7pm(Moreinfotocome!)

My day is completeXOXOXOXOXOXO

I heard a child laugh

Lunch Bunch Reminders:LunchBunchisafuntimeforyourchildrentostayafterschooltoenjoylunchandplaywiththeirfriends.

Time: 12:00-12:50pm Ages: 3,4,5 & 6 Cost: $5.00/day

Days: Tuesday & Thursday

No Lunch BunchDecember 13 & 15, February 14

**Remember: We are Peanut Free**

Bundle Up!! ...Sun’s Out!Pleaseremembertodressyourchildwarmlyforouroutsideplaygroundtime.Aslongasthesun’sout,we’llbegoingout!Pleasesendmittens,ahatandawarmcoat.Remember to label each clothing article with your child’s name. Thank you!

Let the magic of the SeasonLight up your SoulWith all the hope and wonderThe child within us knows.

- T.J. Mills

Parents’ Corner – News from the Parent Committee HugethankstoeveryoneforasuccessfulBBQFundraiser!Wemade$975!Wecouldn’thavedoneitwithoutallthoseparentswhohelpedsetupfortheeventandwhocreatedplatesforeveryone.Thankyoutothosevolunteersandtoallofyouwhosoldandorderedplates.Itwasagreatevent!AveryspecialthankyoutoChuckMcLeanandTimMarbreyforalltheirhardworkincookingourdeli-ciousmeal!PleasejoinusonDecember15thforSpiritNightatChick-fil-AonHillsboroughRoad.From12pm-8pm,Chick-fil-Awilltakeaportionofwhatyouspendandgiveitbacktoourschool.Allyouhavetodoisbringthecouponwithyouwhenyouorderyourmeal(couponswillbesenthomeinyourchild’stotebagandatthefrontdesk).From5pm-8pm,we’llhavetheSpinningWheelfor$.50aspin.Everyspinwinsaprize!Wehopeyoucanjoinus!

What is the Parent Committee?TheParentCommitteeisagroupofparentsthatsupportstheGreyStonePreschoolandKindergar-ten.It’smaingoalsandpurposesare:•topromotefamilyinvolvement•toshareknowledgeaboutwhatisgoingonattheschoolandhelpcreatethevisionfortheschool•toraisefundsfortheschool•tosupportteachers•toenhancecommunitylifeoftheschool

What does the Parent Committee do?WeholdParentCommitteemeetingseverymonthtodiscussandcreateupcomingeventsattheschool.Wealternatethetimesofourmeetingseachmonth.Onemonthwe’llmeetduringtheschooldayandthenextmonthwe’llmeetintheevening.AllGreyStonePreschoolandKindergartenfamiliesandchildrenarewelcometoattendthesemeetings.Ourroleisstillevolvingandwe’dloveyourhelpandparticipation!

How can you get involved?TherearemanywaysyoucangetinvolvedintheParentCommittee.HerearesomewaysandalwayslookforotherwaysyoucanhelpandsupportourschoolthroughouttheyearintheGazette,inclass-roomsign-upsheets,andinflyersinyourchild’stotebag.•Attendmonthlymeetings.•Signuptobeaclassroomparent.•Volunteertoserveatourevents.•CollectBoxTopsandLabelsforEducation.DeposittheminthecontainerattheWelcomeDesk.Everylabelorboxtophelpsusearnmoneyforourschool.•Linkyourgrocerystorecards(HarrisTeeter,Kroger,orFoodLion)toourschool.Aportionofwhatyouspendissentbacktoourschool.

Important Upcoming DatesTuesday, December 13th, 9am - 10am ParentCommitteeMeetingThursday, December 15th, 12pm - 8pm SpiritNightatChick-fil-AonHillsboroughRoad! Comeandenjoylunchand/ordinnerwhilealso earningmoneyforourschool!Tuesday, January 10th, 7pm - 8:15 pm ParentCommitteeMeeting

Kindermusik KornerSing, Play and Learn with Kindermusik:

Joinusforanenergetic,eight-weeksessionofABCMusic &Mewith Kindermusik EducatorBarbra Laird. Classes include instrumentexploration, singing, movement, literacydevelopment, pretend play andmore! Everyfour-weekschildren receiveaCD, instrumentandactivitybooklet,soyoucanextendtheplayandlearningathome.Our first four-weeks,we’ll put a new spin ontrains, buses, planes and cars with “On theGo.” Thenext fourweeksourcurriculumwillbe,“AroundtheFarm.”We’llplaygames,singandpretend tobeall typesofanimalson thefarm.Itwillbeamagicaltime!

2 - 4 years: ABC Laugh & Learn11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Mondays, 8weekswith a caregiver -- $10 per class plus homematerials

3 ½ - 6 years: ABC Music & Me!12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.Mondays, 8 weeks --$12perclass/lunchbunchplushomematerials(Class without caregiver, includes a lunchbunchstorytimeandthemusicclass)

Classes begin Monday, February 6. For complete class descriptions and online registration visit, www.sweetsongs.net or email info@sweetsongs.net.

Our Grey Stone Parent Committee Rocks!OurParentCommitteeraised$2,500.00atourAugustCookoutandalmost$1,000.00attheBBQfundraiser!AfamilyofangelsaddedanothergenerousdonationtotheCookoutmoney,andnowwehaveenoughtobuythelaminatorweneeded!Thankyouallforhelpingto“build”oursweetlittleschool.WehavebeentrulyblessedbythegenerosityofourGreyStonefamilies,andstillyoukeeptakingcareofus!Nowthatsomeofourneedsarefilled,hopefullysomeofourfuturefundraiserswillbeusedtostartascholarshipfund,andwecanextendthegenerositytosomeofourfamilieswhoneedassistance

Wish Tree UpdateOurcuprunnethoverwithallthewishesthathavecometrueforusthisfall.Wehavereceivedtelevisions,DVDplayers,broomsandmops,toysandbooks,squirrel-proofbirdfeeders,emptytoiletpaperrolls(Yes!Weneedthose,too!)andgiftcardstoourfavoriteplaces.Thebranchesarealittlelighterandourroomsaresomuchfuller.Thankyou!

School Pictures!Thank you for your support with our fall fundraiser with John Elkins Photography. We raised over $300.00! This money will be used to help cover the cost of new educational materials in our classrooms, as we continue to grow.

Kindergarten Connection

“Kindergarten, Here We Come!”OurOpenHousewasverywellattended.The“Turkey”ArtGallerywasverypopular,asitdisplayedanarrayofdifferentdevelopmentalstagesinchildren’sartforms-from2yearsoldto6years.Developmentalstagesof4,5and6yearoldswerediscussed,aswellasmilestonestolookfortodetermineKindergartenandFirstGradereadiness.Inaddition,Mrs.RehproducedaDVDwhichhighlightedthetop10signsofagoodKindergarten.Parentsofalumniwereabletosharetheirexperiencesandanswerquestionsfromaparent’sperspective.Ifyouwereunabletoattend,acopyoftheDVDisavailabletoborrowfromtheoffice,aswellasaninformationalpacket.WelookforwardtoaKindergartenclassfullofshiningfacesinthe2012-2013schoolyear!

Parent ConferencesIf you would like a conference with your child’s teachers in mid to late January, please contact them to set up a time. It is nice to “check in” and see just how far your child has come in such a short time... and to discuss his or her best placement for next year.

KindergartenMrs. Reh, Mrs. Venable and Mrs. Gilbert

Thekindergartenclasshasbeenatworkandplay,fastandfuriouslythisfall!ThekindergartenerslearnedaboutandcomparedthelifestylesofthePlainsIndiansandtheNortheastWoodlandIndians.Studentsalsodesignedtheirownshieldsandclaymedallions.Ofcourse,thehighlightofourNativeAmericanstudywasourclasscelebrationofThanksgiving! Wewerealsobusywithourstudiesofpenguinsandpolarbears.Welearnedwheretheylive,howtheystaywarm,andwhattheyliketoeat.Welearnedtoidentifymanyofthe17differentkindsofpenguinsandmadeagraphofourfavoriteones! InJanuary,wewillstartthenewyearwithourweatherunit.Studentswilltracktheweatherandgiveaweatherreportdaily.Wewilldoseveralscienceexperimentsandwewillevenmakeitraininourclassroom!Ourfavoriteweatherman,BillReh(akaMrs.Reh’shusband),willpayavisitandteachusmoreabouttheweatherandwhatitisliketobeameteorologist.Afterourweatherunit,wewillhaveourstudyoftheUSPostalSystem.Wewillsetupapostofficeinourroomandgoonafieldtriptothepostoffice.Otherunitsinwinterincludelearningaboutbearsandnutrition,includingthefamouskindergartenbreakfastpreparedbythestudents!Neveradullmomentinkindergarten!

Junior KindergartenMrs. Aitken and Mrs. Amshay

“It’saholly,jolly”ChristmasintheJrK.Class.WearebusywithChristmascrafts(comingsoon–apaintstirrermagicallyturnedintoasnowman);baking“ourownspecial”goodies;giftsandshh…surprises;Christmassongs;andcelebratingJesus’birth.Also,amysteryguestwillmakeavisitinDecemberandit’snotSanta!SO…don’tmissasingledayof“thebesttimeoftheyear”! JanuarybeginswithNewYear’sResolutionsandashortstudyonEskimos.Wewilleventrytobuildanigloo!THEN,“letthegoodtimesroll”…webeginourletterstudy.

Ourfirstletteroftheweekis“M”–mittens,muffins,money,magic,mysterybox.We’lllookforwardtoanEnglishteaparty,dancing,handhide‘nseek,healthyhabits,Valentine’s,patriotism,pizzaandFancyNancyletterwordsaswecontinueourletterstudy.Wewillalsolearnsignlanguageforeachletterandwewilllearntofingerspellourname.Show‘nTellforthenewyearmuststartwiththeLetteroftheWeek.Boysandgirls,restyourfingersovertheholiday–theywillbegettinga“workout”withlotsofcuttingandwritinginthenewyear. HaveaMerryChristmas,andwelookforwardtohappy,healthyand“snap,crackle,pop”goodtimesin2012!

Pre-KindergartenMrs. Ingold and Mrs. Goss

“It’sbeginningtolookalotlikeChristmas!”withSanta’sWorkshopinfullswing.Ourlittleelvesarebusymakingsurprises,singingChristmassongs,andlearningabout“ChristmasTraditionsAroundtheWorld.”“Elfie,”ourlittleclassroomelf,reportsbacktoSantaeachday!Wearetryingtobegood“forgoodnesssakes!”Later,wewillgatherwithPastorKevintohearthestoryoftheNativityandsingsomeofourspecialChristmassongs. InJanuary,wewillstartourlettersoftheweekwithmanyfunandexcitingactivities.“W”isourfirstletter,sowewillbelearningaboutwishes,winter,weather,SnowmanSoup,andanimalsinwinter.Wewilldosomuchwritingandmakingletterbooks!LaterwewillexplorethelettersM,B,andP.WewillhaveMysterybags,“BackwardsDay,”aTeddyBearPicnic,anawesomePajamaParty,andwewillseejustwhat“ApronAnnie”hasinherpocketseachweek! InFebruary,wewillbemakingandmailingvalentines,sobeonthelookoutforaspecialdelivery!Wewillalsobeworkingonletters,H,L,V,C,andT.Wewillbelearningabouthealthyhabits,dentalhealth,communityhelpers,andtransportation.Thechildrenwillhavefundressingupas“Whattheywanttobewhentheygrowup!”Bringontheprops!!Wewillhavelotsoffunwith“Ned’sHead,”“HatDay,”andShowandTellourTreasures.“L”isfor“lotsoflove,”writingourlastnamesandallthelettersofthealphabet…andsomuchmore!“Tistheseasontobejolly!”So….EnjoyeverywarmminuteandhaveamerrylittleChristmasandaHappyNewYear!!!

Classroom Scoop

toolsandnewwaystobuild.Howhighcanyoubuild?Ohno!Acatastrophe!Thedragondestroyedourcastle.Neverfear.Wecanrebuild.Wasthatadragonoradinosaur?Watchoutwhenthedinosaurscometoplay.They’refun,butthey’realwayshungry.

ToddlersMrs. Paxton, Mrs. McLean and Mrs. Whittaker Ourtoddlerclasskeepsgrowingandgrowing,whichisgoodbecausewe’llneedlotsofhelpinghandstohelpgeteverythingreadyintimeforChristmas!Bringonthepaint,glue,andglitter!Itmightgetalittlemessy,butit’sworthittoshareourholidaycheer.Wedon’twanttospoilanyChristmassurprises,butIknowyouallaregoingtobesoimpressedwithwhattheselittlehandscancreate!Savesomeroomonyourtreeforafewspecialornaments! OncewegetbacktoschoolinJanuary,Christmasmaybeoverbutwinterwillstillbehere!Hopefullywe’llhaveaSnowyDaytoplayin,butifwedon’twemightjusthavetomakesomesnowofourown!Andifthere’ssnow,we’lljusthavetomakesomecutesnowmenandreadSnowPartytogowithit.We’regoingtoneedsomethingtokeepalltheselittlehandswarm!Maybesomecolorfulmittenswilldothetrick... Februarywillbethetimeforustoshowsomelovetoourfriends,classmatesandfamilies,thoughthatshouldn’tbetoohardforthisclass!We’lltalkaboutsharingandbeingkindtoourfriends,andthenmakeaspecialsnacktosharewithallourfriends.Anddon’tbesurprisedtofindaspecialvalentinewithyournameonitpeekingoutofatotebagoneday!Afterthat,we’regoingtokeepsinginganddancingourwayintospringtime! Mrs.Whittaker’sThursdayclassarebusyelvesinDecember.WearemakingpresentsandlearningChristmassongsaboutJesus.Merry,merryChristmas!Whenwereturnfromourlongwinter’sbreak,wewilllookatwinterandcoldweatheractivities.Thetwo’swillcreatesomesnowflakesandconducticeexperiments.Wewillbringourfavoritestuffedfriendtoschoolwhenwetalkabouthibernation.FebruarywillbeaboutValentine’sDayandtheloveweshowforourfamilies.Themonthwouldn’tbecompletewithoutheartartprojectsandpeoplepuppets.Sincewewillbesobusywewon’thavetoworryaboutbeingcold.Happywinterseason!

Three Year OldsMrs. Stathelson and Mrs. Danes

TheclassroomiscoveredinsomuchglitterthatitlookslikeJackFrosthascometovisitourroom!Our“littleelves”arebusy,busymakingChristmassurprisesandweareallfullexcitement.Canyoubelieveit’salmostChristmas!?!Well,almost…We’llbeeagerlycountingdownthedaysofAdvent,whilelearningnewsongs,deckingthehallsandusingallfivesensestotakeinthewondersoftheholidays.We’llbelearningaboutsharing,caringandgivingwhilecelebratingaveryimportantbirthday.Wejustlovetodothe“ReindeerPokey”andplay“SantaSays…”We’llfindoutjust“WhoStoletheCookiefromtheCookieJar.”Andwewilltryourbesttobe“goodforgoodnesssake!” WewillwelcomeWinterinJanuarybytakingcareofourfeatheredfriends,buildingasnowmanandsweepingoutallthebadspiritsoftheoldyeartoprepareforour“TeddyBearPicnicandChineseNewYearParade.”We’llhelpthosepoor“ThreeLittleKittens”findtheirmittensbeforetheirlittlepawsgettoocold,andremindGoldieLocksthatit’snotnicetoexploreahousewithoutpermission.InFebruaryourheartsarefullofloveandourPostOfficefullofvalentines!We’llbedrawing,cutting,gluing,painting,patterningandtheglitterwillfalllikesnowflakes.LaterwewilltakeanimaginarytriptotheCircusandgetourmotorsrunningwith“ThingsThatGo.” Ourhandswillgetstrongereverydaywithourhandwritingactivities,whilewecontinuetocountandrhymeandexploretheworldofopposites.Andjustwaituntiltheyteachyouhowtodothe“CountingMacarena”,“ATootyTa”andthe“ChickenDance!”Wejustmakeourselvesgiggle!MayyourstarsshinebrightlyintheNewYear.

Two Year OldsMrs. Danes and Mrs. Stathelson

We’llcountdowntoChristmaswithSnowbearbymakingdecoratingornaments,singingspecialsongs,baking,andcelebratingwithfriends.LittleLambandDonkeywillshowusthatgentleBabyJesuswelcomeseveryone. Januarybringsacloudofenergeticbutsmallsnowflakes.Wherewilltheyland?Howdeepwillthesnowbe?Uptoyourankle?Uptoyourknee?Laterinthemonthwe’llhibernatewiththebearsandgroundhogsandsearchforfoodwiththewinterbirds. Build!Build!Build!InFebruarywe’lldiscovernew

It’s almost tax time!Some childcare expenses are tax

deductable.Our Federal Tax ID:

56-2050919

Notes from the Office2112 - 2013 Registration Updates

“Sign those children up!”WhenwereturninJanuary,wewillbeginregisteringforthe2012-2013schoolyearwhichbeginsinSeptember.Onceregistrationisopen,anon-refundableregistrationandsupplyfeeof$125.00isdueforreturningstudentsandsiblingsbyFriday,February3rd.Pleasecomebythefrontdesktogetapplicationsforsiblings,ifyouhavenotdoneso.Youcanalsodownloadtheseformsatwww.greystone.orgorcall(919)286-2281ext.238Ifyouhavefamilyorfriendsthatareinterestedinourschool,pleasehavethemcontactus!

Admittance Cut Off DateAugust 31st is the birthday cut off date for student enrollment.

Example:Ifyourchildwillbe3yearsoldonorbeforeAugust31st,2012,heorshewillbeinthe3yearoldclass.Ifhe/sheturns3afterAugust31st,2012,he/shewillbeplacedinthe2yearoldclass.

The Blessing of Giving - Thank you!Our“TerrificTubs”havebeenasuccess!GreyStoneSchoolfilledbothtubswithwonderfulbooksforDurhamSocialServices.Ourfamiliesfilledalmost50boxesforOperationChristmasChildthatwillbesenttoMongolia.OurtubswereoverflowingwithcannedgoodsfortheGreyStoneFoodPantry,andourchildrengottovisititandseealltheirgoodworkatThanksgiving.ThankyouforsupportingalltheprogramsofKidsHelpingKids.Upcoming Terrific Tubs:December and January - “Warm Winter Wishes”Pleasehelpusfillourtubswithgloves,mittens,hats,scarves,socksand“gentlyused”coatsfortheDurhamRescueMissionandSalvationArmyFebruary - “Candy for Kids”WewillbefillingourtubswithanybagsofindividuallywrappedhardcandiesandusedvideogamesforGreyStone’sMissionaryOutreachTriptoEthiopiainMarch(Moreinfotocome!)Please keep your Box Tops and Campbell Soup labels coming to school. Also, don’t forget to register your grocery cards. Every little thing you do helps us so much!

Requests from our teachers...Please send in a new set of extra clothes for your child. Thedaysarecolder,sotheymayneedlongsleevesandlongpantsforthewinter.Wewillsendthesummerwardrobehomeoncewehavethenewset.Pleaseplaceitemsinazip-locbag,labeledwithyourchild’sname.Classroom arrival time is between 8:55 and 9:00am. Wedonotopenourclassroomdoorsandindoorplaygroundpriorto8:55.Ourteachersdependonthistimetopreparefortheday.

Thank you so much!

Please continue to let us know of any changes in regular or emergency contact information - (street address, phone number, e-mail address) Thanks!

find us on facebook!http://www.facebook.com/greystoneschool/

Wearesothankfulforfriendslikeyou!

Safety in the HallwayPlease be careful with little ones at the

front door. Ourfrontdoorsareeasytoopenbylittleones,butarealsoveryheavyandcouldeasilysquishlittlefingers.Pleaseremindyourchildthatopeningdoorsisforgrown-upsandholdinghandsisforparkinglots.

It’s a “school rule”!

Our Garden is Planted!We hope a little “Mousekin” finds a warm home for winter.

Severe Weather ClosingsTuneintoWTVD,WRALandNBC17forallsevereweatherannouncementsandschoolclosings.LookforGrey Stone 1/2 Day School or

Grey Stone Preschool and Kindergarten