October Newsletter from our Director

“The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.” – Sir John Lubbock

OPEN HOUSE/PARENTS NIGHT
Parents, please join us on Tuesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for our Fall Open House. This is an informal evening for the parents to come and see your child’s work (proudly displayed), informally talk to the teachers, say “hello” to other parents, and munch cider and doughnuts. There will also be a short informational talk, plus we are doing a power point show of photos of “A Day in the Life of a Child at Haytown”.  Because of limited space, we are asking that this be a parents-only night and that all the children stay at home.

***HAYTOWN ANNUAL FUND RAISER– WINE TASTING***

Our big fund raiser for the year is a wine tasting and buffet dinner at Hawk Pointe Golf Club. It will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 7:00-10:00 p.m.  Tickets are $65 per person and include a wine-tasting of around 40 wines, a gourmet buffet dinner, tricky tray, and a silent auction.  There are some awesome auction/tricky tray items – jewelry, salons, restaurants, spas, sporting events…

So, I bet you are wondering where the money goes??!!  Part of it pays for special assemblies for the children (like Big Jeff and Eyes of the Wild) and special equipment and toys.   This year we are due to be re-licensed and the fees for that were just raised by about $1500.   So, just like at home, it is hard to budget – especially when you are a non-profit.  So we end up relying on fundraisers.  So PLEASE join us on the 3rd and PLEASE invite your friends and neighbors.  It will be fun and definitely for a good cause!!  (Tickets are available in the office.)

PHOTOGRAPHER

Our photographer for the ninth year is Heritage Photography. Our parents have really enjoyed Tracy’s work. She takes time with each child, and it shows.  She is doing a “best of pose” system and guarantees her work. You can also get more photos than are in the package.  All packages must be pre-paid by October 4^th.   She will be here on Wednesday, October 4^th with a raindate of Thursday, October 5^th.  The turn-around time to receive your photos is approximately 3 weeks. (This is run at cost and is not a fund-raising endeavor for the school.)  The forms came home last week with your children.  Extras are available in the office.  Please make checks payable to:  Tracy Kometani.

TRIPS TO PICK PUMPKINS

The younger classes will be taking a trip to Donaldson Farms in Hackettstown.  It is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16^th with a raindate of Wednesday, October 17^th. The cost is $8.50 per child (including siblings), and they will be getting a pumpkin and a snack. Because it is an earlier field trip, you are asked to bring in your child at 8:45 that day.  We are leaving the school at 9:00 for a 9:30 excursion.  The permission slip was distributed at school.  Please return it and $8.50 per child (adults are free) to Marge (If you pay by check, please make it out to Haytown Nursery School.).  Since we will be walking through the fields, please wear appropriate attire.  You can opt to return to school at the end or not return to school. 

The older classes will be taking a trip to Ort’s Farm in Long Valley.  The class will be going on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 (Raindate – Thursday, October 18^th).  The cost is $6.00 for each child (including siblings) and $3.00 for each adult.  The price includes a hayride, pumpkin, and snack.   We’ll be leaving the school at 9:15 a.m. Since we will be tramping through the fields, please wear appropriate attire.  The permission slip will be distributed at school. Please fill it and return it to Marge with $6.00 per child and $3.00 per adult.  You can opt to return to school or not at the end of the trip.

The state law requires us to have your written permission each time we take a field trip.  Without the permission slip, we are not allowed to take your child on the trip.  So, please make sure that your child’s slip is returned before the trip.  We are asking parents to provide transportation.  If you wish to drive, please indicate this on the permission slip.  For the safety of the children, to avoid last minute confusion, and to preserve director brain cells, carpools will be finalized the day before the trip.  So, if you have any special needs, or want to join up and carpool with another family, please let me know at least one day ahead of time.   We meet at the school before field trips.  Remember, too, that every child must be in a car seat or booster seat and that it is the responsibility of each child’s parents to make sure that your child is in one.   Thanks!

HALLOWEEN PARADE

On Wednesday, October 31, 2012 we will be having our Halloween Parade at Haytown.  Everyone (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nannies and friends) is invited to watch our princesses, pirates, and other assorted characters parade around the all-purpose room and on the stage.  Don’t forget your cameras.

Children are asked to come dressed in costume and bring their school clothes in a bag with their name on it.  The parade will be at 9:15 a.m.

 WEBSITE AND MARKETING

As part of our website and marketing endeavors, we often use either current photos or some from last year.  We need permission to do so and got that on your registration forms.  If you have any concerns or questions, please let me know.

 CLOTHING

To help the children find their correct coats to go outside to play, we are asking that you help your child hang his/her outerwear on the correct hallway coat rack. If they hang it up, they can usually re-find it.  Also, please make sure that your child’s name or even initials are on their garments.  It helps us match lost clothing with their owners.  Thanks for your help with this.

 NOTES

The teacher’s have release lists in the classrooms.  If there is anyone else that you would like to give permission to have you child released to, please leave a note requesting this on Marge’s desk.  I’ll add the names to the list (and other places).

If your child is going to be out for the day, we always appreciate a phone call letting us know. 

Lost and Found items can be found on top of the coat rack in the hallway.

 Minutes from our Board of Directors meeting can be found in the office.

Please have the children follow our playground rules when you are outside with them, especially not head-first down the slide and not hanging by their knees from the overhead ladder.  It is so much safer that wayJ!   

Just a reminder:  October tuition is due on October 1^st.  The cost per month is $360 for the youngers, $452 youngers staying for lunch, $468 for olders.  There is a $5 late fee if paid after the 10^th.  Thanks!

 As ever,

Marge