February 2012

A Letter from the Director

Exercise and Healthy Eating

Preschool children need more physical exercise to burn off their energy and stave off the threat of obesity.  A BBC News story reports that a Glasgow University team monitored a study group of 545 children who had the recommended adult level of exercise: 30 minutes three times a week.  But that activity was not enough to affect the children’s body mass index, they concluded.  The news story continued…

“Experts suggest that children need an hour of daily exercise and a healthy diet.  One of four children in England is obese, and schools are beginning tests to see if their pupils are overweight.  From next year, pupils will be weighed and measured as they start primary school and again before they leave.  Parents of any obese four- or 10-year-olds can expect a letter telling then their child faces long-term health damage unless they lose weight.

“Based on current trends, one million children will be obese by 2010, experts estimate.  The authors of the latest study suggest exercise alone is unlikely to reduce this figure.  Professor John Reilly and his team studied 545 children at 36 nurseries in Glasgow.  The children had their weight and height measured at the beginning of the study to work out their body mass index (BMI)-a measure of what is a healthy and unhealthy weight for a person.

“Half of the children participated in the exercise sessions for the next 24 weeks, and their parents were also given guidance on increasing physical play at home.  The other children had no intervention.  The researchers then measured the children’s BMI again at six months and then a year later.

“Although the increased level of exercise did appear to help the children improve their movement skills, it had very little effect on BMI.  Professor Reilly and his team say that children need to be even more active than this.  Dr. Mike Knapton, of the British Heart Foundation said it was ‘crucial’ to encourage good exercise habits in young children, even if the benefits were not immediately obvious.

“He said: ‘Children get less active as they grow older so it’s vital that youngsters get regular physical activity to lay the foundations for good health as they grow up.  What this study does reinforce is that we need to try and get the whole package right from the earliest years, not just one lifestyle aspect.  We recommend that parents encourage their toddlers and young children to eat a healthy diet and have lots of active play time-at least an hour a day for kids over five-as a vital investment for long-term heart health’.”

Love,

Sheree

Pam Stern Scholarship Event

We hope that you are planning on joining us for the 4^th annual Big Ones Event at the Cubby Bear on Saturday, February 25^th at 7:00 p.m.  If you did not receive information, please let us know.  It should prove to be a wonderful time for all, and all proceeds will benefit the Pam Stern Scholarship Fund.  This fund enables families who need financial support to be able to send their children to preschool.  Please don’t forget that even if you are unable to attend, you can support the scholarship fund by buying raffle tickets.  Thanks in advance of your support for families in need!!

Valentine’s Day              

We are aware that Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and wanted to reassure you that the 3’s and the 4’s will be making valentines and will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in their classroom.  However, please refrain from sending in valentine treats, as many parents do not want their children to have sugary treats and we do have many children with allergies.  The 3’s and 4’s will be exchanging valentines; however, we feel that it is too stressful to do this with our 2 1/2-year-olds. Four-year-old parents should plan on remaining with their children for 5 minutes at the start of their child’s day on Tuesday, February 14^th to assist their children in passing out their valentines. Three-year-old parents should plan on remaining with their children for 5 minutes at the start of their child’s day on Wednesday, February 15^th to assist their child in passing out their valentines. More information about how the valentines and parties will work will be forthcoming.

Parent Child Nights

Please refer to your February calendar for the evening of your child’s parent and child night.  Plan on spending a special evening with your child and experiencing a shortened preschool day.  In order to make this a really special evening for you and your child, we ask that you make babysitting arrangements for siblings.  Thank-you in advance!

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for fall 2012 usually takes place in Northbrook in February. If you have not received any information about registration, please make sure that you contact your local elementary school for information.

Important Reminders

(1) February tri-annual payments are due February 1.  Please try to be prompt with your payments.

(2) Make sure that your child’s extra clothes are complete and that they are appropriate for the weather.  With the weather being cold, it is imperative that your child has adequate clothing for the weather conditions.

(3) Please make sure that you send your child to school with outdoor clothing that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens (not gloves), snow pants and boots when necessary.  Make sure that all clothing is clearly marked. We go outside everyday, unless it is less than 25 degrees.  

(4) If your child’s class goes outside first, please make sure that you arrive at school on time with your child dressed and ready to go outside.  Otherwise we waste most of our outdoor time trying to get the children ready to go out and the other children who came ready to go out get overheated.

(5) Refer to your calendar for parent/child nights in February.

(6) Don’t forget that we are closed on Monday, February 20^th for President’s Day.

(7) Don’t forget that we are closed on Wednesday, February 29^thfor a teacher institute day.  Please note that we will be open on Wednesday, March 14^th, which was the original in-service date.  

(8) Please make sure that you park in a marked parking space facing the building.  This enables us to keep the parking lot safe.

Announcements & Thank-You’s

We would like to welcome the Cheeseman family to Little Ones.  Adam joined Mrs. Smason and Mrs. Young’s 3-year-old class in January.

Well, it is hard to believe that 2012 is already upon us.  Thank you to all of you who donated items to our “Giving Box.“  The items were distributed and I am sure they made many needy children and families very happy.

December was filled with lots of holiday fun and much learning about the different holidays.  We talked about Christmas and Hanukkah.  This time of year gives us lots of opportunities to talk about how we are alike, yet different.  It also gives us opportunities to celebrate those differences by sharing our holidays.  We also were very busy practicing for our Holiday celebrations that we hope you enjoyed!

January will bring lots of excitement.  Many of the classes will begin their journey into winter and snow. The 4’s will be continuing their special unit of traveling to different countries.  You will be amazed at all of the wonderful things they will be learning.  January also marks the beginning of our Book Buddy Program for the 3‘s and 4‘s.  A bag will be sent home with a stuffed animal friend (named by the class) along with a journal for the family to write about this animal friend’s adventures in each child’s home.  Every child will have the opportunity to take the bag home and should return it to school the next scheduled class.  At that time, your child will be able to share his/her journal page with the class.  This will continue our work on whole language and pre-reading skills.  We hope all of you are having a very happy and healthy holiday and a Happy New Year!

Love, Sheree

News from “You and Me” Classes for children 18-36 months (Miss Marsha)

We jingled our bells and spun our dreidels for the holiday season.  We learned one of my favorite games – Red Rover.  The children sit with their significant adults and listen for their name, and come running to me when their name is called.  It is usually a big hit with our little ones, especially as this is their first time playing this game.

Next semester our class will be learning their colors.  Each week we will work on a different color.  We will start with red.  That week I will ask you and your child to wear something red, bring something to class that is red, and we will complete an art project that is red.  It’s a fun way to learn colors, and we will proceed through the primary colors.  Usually the second semester of this class is very exciting as the children’s language begins exploding.  Those one and two word sentences become full sentences.  I’m always in awe how this happens so quickly.  Have a wonderful winter break and we will see you on January 9^th.  Stay safe.

Love, Ms. Marsha

Pam Stern Scholarship Event

We hope that you are planning on joining us for our annual Big Ones Event at the Cubby Bear on Saturday, February 25^th at 7:00 p.m.  If you did not receive information, please let us know.  It should prove to be a wonderful time for all, and all proceeds will benefit the Pam Stern Scholarship Fund.  This fund enables families who need financial support to be able to send their children to preschool.  Please don’t forget that even if you are unable to attend, you can support the scholarship fund by buying raffle tickets.  Thanks in advance of your support for families in need!!

Teacher In-service Information

The State of Illinois, as well as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), requires that our staff participate in continuing education throughout the school year. In order to satisfy that requirement, Little Ones is closed for three teacher workshop days during the school year-one in October, one in January, and one in March. This month we are closed on Tuesday, January 17^th.  This should already be marked on your calendar from the beginning of the school year.

Important Reminders

(1) Make sure that your child’s extra clothes are complete and that they are appropriate for the weather.  With the cold weather, it is imperative that your child has adequate clothing for the weather conditions.

(2) Please make sure that you send your child to school with outdoor clothing that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens (not gloves), snow pants and boots when necessary.  Don’t forget to send a plastic bag for wet boots, and if your child comes dressed to go out that you send a pair of shoes for when your child comes in.  Make sure that all clothing is clearly marked.  We go outside if it is at or above 25 degrees Fahrenheit.        

(3) Please post your monthly calendar in a spot where you can refer to it often, so that you are aware of all upcoming events and school closings.

(4) Please make sure that you check your child’s mailbox everyday for important notes.

(5) In order to ensure safe and adequate parking; please make sure to park facing the building and within the parking space lines. 

Thank-you’s

A special thank you to the Weil family who recently donated a play kitchen and lots of accessories.    

Welcome & Congratulations 

We want to welcome the Sorrento family to Little Ones.  Samantha will be joining Mrs. Edelstein and Mrs. Newman’s am 3’s class after winter break.

We want to welcome the Hammer family to Little Ones.  Sophia will be joining Mrs. Edelstein and Mrs. Newman’s 2 ½ year old class after winter break.

We want to welcome the Frauman family to Little Ones.  Deacon will be joining Mrs. Smason and Mrs. Young’s am 3’s class after winter break.

We want to wish the Breyer family the best of luck with their move to California.  We will miss them, but hope they enjoy their new home.

Congratulations to the Hoffman family on the birth of their daughter, Ella Harper, on December 2^nd.

Congratulations to the Rose family on the birth of their son, Samuel Eisenberg, on December 6^th.

Congratulations to the Kane family on the birth of their son, Leo Everett, on December 25^th.