FALL, 2010

Dear Parents,

In the six years since Regent Park opened, we've been privileged to care for and love a great many children and their families.  Beautiful newborns have grown into lovable toddlers; who have grown into inquisitive, independent, and yes, defiant two and three year olds.  We watch the growth in awe of the power of time as it marches along and with gratitude that we've been allowed to be a part of your baby and toddler's life.

Regent Park's original children are now in elementary school.  And just like their parents, we have trouble grasping the fact these little guys that were in diapers and not yet walking are now learning to read and write.  The babies that we took care of four years ago have "graduated" to pre-kindergarten programs, but, fortunately for us, a number of them have left behind a sibling (or two).  We relish the opportunity to remain a part of our families' lives through a second or third infancy.

Just as our staff enjoys your children on a daily basis, we also enjoy getting to know the families at our pot luck dinners and holiday get-togethers.  Our Annual Fall Family Potluck Dinner is coming up on Tuesday, October 19th at 5:30pm.  The potluck is a great opportunity to meet other parents, chat with our staff and enjoy a delicious dinner.  Sign up in the office to bring a dish to share.

As always, if you have a question, need some advice or just want to share a funny story, feel free to stop in the office.

Marlene and Diana

REMINDER

Friday, October 29th is our Annual Halloween Costume Parade.  the children will parade through the big room beginning at 10:30 am.  Your child can come dressed in costume or the teachers can help them get dressed.  Bring your camera and enjoy the fun!!

We will be closing early that day, at 12:30 pm, to clean.

 

Mary Frances and Ella's Class

We have a very sweet class of babies.  We have 4 boys and 2 girls.  The girls are definitely holding their own and don't mind that they are out-numbered.  We have enjoyed watching our 6 babies grow and develop their very different and enchanting personalities.  Mary Frances often as an amusing story or two to share with her now-retired mother.

Please remember to label and date your child's food and bottles each day. 

We are looking forward to our Annual Halloween Parade.  Bring your child's costume in with him or her on Friday, October 29th.  We hope you will be able to come watch our parent at 10:30 am.  If you can't come, not to worry.  The parade will be well-photographed.  If your child doesn't normally come on Fridays, you are free to come join us. Mary Frances and Ella may even dress up!.

Please bring extra family pictures: family, friends, and even pets.  Be sure these are pictures that we can cut to use in activities.

We get out in the buggies every chance we get to enjoy the fresh air.  Remember to bring warm outerwear as the temperatures become more seasonable.

Amanda and Kelly's Class

We are growing and developing so quickly.  Every day we are strengthening our muscles as we learn to sit up, crawl and even begin to pull up on things!  Everyone loves to play and explore as they interact with each other and love on their teachers!  As our babies approach their first birthdays we look forward to watching their progress towards their first steps!

We enjoy dancing and clapping to music and learning new words.  We love "reading" books.  Every day brings new challenges: new foods, drinking from sippy cups and waving bye-bye.  The babies really enjoy the days when we can take walks in the buggies or sit on the mats outside our classroom enjoying the beautiful weather.

 

Nicketie and Markita's Class

 

We had a busy summer in our classroom playing outside in the sunshine and inside when the sun turned our faces red and hot!

We have a very excited class full of brand new walkers!  This makes the playground a whole different experience.  Pushing cars, pulling wagons and climbing on the see-saw and the structure.  Soon we will  watch leaves falling and squirrels gathering nuts.  We are always on the look out for birds and airplanes. Help your child look for these at home.  They get very excited.

We have lot of new words and emerging skills - something new every day to keep us on our toes!!

Please remember to layer your child's clothing, so we can adjust to the ever changing temperature throughout the day.  We go out to play every day provided it is not too wet.

Veronica and Brittany's Class

Some of us are here every day, and some of us are only present a few days a week, but we are all learning social skills together, as much from each other as from our teachers.  We work daily on feeding ourselves, improving our physical capabilities (jumping, balancing, etc.) and concentrating on group activities (example:  story time with "OP the mouse").  We also have various art activities and learning experiences.  In fact, most of what we do is based much more in the experience than in the final product.

We strive every day to be happy and to learn, through our music and play to our meal and nap times.  Every experience is an opportunity for learning.  Ms. Veronica is willing to answer any questions you might have, and we're working every day on how to tell you more things in our own words.

 

Jess and Tamra's Class

We had a fun and busy summer in our class.  Our children enjoyed water play days with all of our new water toys.  Now that Fall is approaching we are going to be doing a lot more art work.  We will be focusing on things that happen during the Fall season, as well as the upcoming holidays.  Along with that we are also working on learning our manners.  Sharing toys with each other is our big one right now.  We are also working on "please," "thank you" and "excuse me".  Hopefully you will be hearing those at home as well! 

Please be sure to check your child's cubby everyday for important letters from teachers and art work from your children. 

Now that the weather is starting to change we would like to remind parents to please bring an extra paid of warm clothes for your children.  Also, please remember to wash your child's hands upon arrival.

 

Amy and Melissa's Class

 

We are ending our summer units and stepping into Fall.  We have already explored apples, ending that unit with little individual apple turnovers made by the kids.  Now we are learning about the many changes that Fall brings us, from cooler weather to the changing of the leaves.  Every day we gather for calendar time where we learn about our days of the week and months of the year.  The children take turns filling our calendar in for the day as well as feeding our classroom fish.

In our classroom we work to maintain a fun learning environment where we explore new concepts and ideas through reading, art and food.

 

 

 

 

In addition to the teachers listed above as group leaders, Regent Park employs several wonderful, very capable floaters that spend time in all of the classrooms learning the children and routines.  Courtney, who has been with us since the beginning, is now floating.  She knows all the children and all the classroom routines.  Margaret, who started with us in the summer (and is also one of our recent brides) is gaining experience in all the classrooms..  Jessica, a Regent Park employee for almost 3 years is now working part time , mostly in the late afternoons.

 

As the cold weather approaches, remember to send warm outerwear for your child to play outdoors or take buggie rides. Thanks!

In an effort to cut down on germs at Regent Park, please wash your child's hands immediately upon entering the classroom.

 

 

 

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tuesday, October 19th, 5:30 - 6:30 pm  Fall Family Potluck

Friday, October 29th, 10:30am  Halloween Costume Parade

Friday, October 29th, CLOSING at 12:30pm for Cleaning Day

November 24th, 25th and 26th   Closed for Thanksgiving

December 24th and 27th         Closed for Christmas Holiday

December 31st                      Closed for New Year's Holiday

 The St. Nicholas Project

This year, once again, we will be participating in the St. Nicholas Project of the Eblen Foundation.  For the past 4 years, we have "adopted" families and provided those families with new clothing, toiletry items, food certificates and, of course, new toys.  More information will be coming in November.