Ballymoney Nursery School
March Newsletter
Ballymoney Nursery School
March Newsletter
During March the children will be continuing to learn about people who help us and looking out for “Signs of Spring”. We will also be learning about the life cycle of the chick and visiting the pond.
People Who Help Us
You may have already heard that two local Police Officers, Paul & Peter, came to speak to the children about their role in the community with a particular emphasis on raising awareness of “Stranger Danger”. Two parents who are GPs have also kindly agreed to come in and talk about their work. Dr Gillian Loughridge, Phoebe’s mum, has already visited the afternoon classes and Dr Helen McMillan, Lewis’s mum, is coming in at the beginning of March. Interacting with the professionals and being permitted to use their instruments/equipment first hand is a very effective way of allaying any fears some children may have over attending appointments and adds a much greater depth to the children’s play in the classroom. As they take on the various roles of doctor, patient, nurse, receptionist, the children will be encouraged to use appropriate language, for example: stethoscope, thermometer, temperature. They will use the telephone/computer keyboard to make appointments and record details about their “patients” thus consolidating early mark making/writing skills.
In addition to the police service and the medical professionals, we’ve also been in touch with the Ambulance and Fire Services who have agreed to come and visit us later in the month. Once again it would be greatly appreciated if you could be involved through encouraging further discussion at home and perhaps some of you would consider coming in to share about your job with the children.
Spring
Gradually we’re beginning to see signs that spring is on its way. As
you’re out and about encourage your child to look out for signs of new
life: buds on the trees, snowdrops, bulbs beginning to peep through,
baby lambs in the fields. Being aware of seasonal change permits the
children to develop their understanding of time as we focus on spring
weather. Learning about lighter days and better weather also
brings many opportunities for the children to find out about weather
temperature and the need to wear different clothing.
Eggs to Chicks
We have placed some hen’s eggs from our caretaker’s farm into an incubator in the foyer. The children will be learning about the conditions needed for hatching the eggs and will be using their mathematical skills to count down the days until their arrival shortly before Easter, if all goes according to plan!!
March Snack Menu
This month we’ll be continuing with the healthy eating theme
with particular emphasis on foods that are good for our teeth.
March Information
· We wish to express our appreciation to those of you who took the time to complete the questionnaire (at this stage 54 parents have replied out of a possible 104!!) distributed in February. So far the feedback has been very positive and your comments/suggestions about how we can improve have been very helpful in our endeavour to provide the best possible nursery education for your child. For anyone who has mislaid their copy and still wishes to complete one, additional copies are available from on top of the red post box in the hall.
· Once again feedback regarding the school photographs has been positive. May we take this opportunity to remind you that outstanding orders need to be in school no later than Wednesday 2nd March. Class photographs should be available for viewing mid-April.
· Our Annual Sponsored Cycle took place the week beginning 8th February and was a great success. A sincere thank you to everyone who has already donated so generously and, of course, to the children whose hard work cycling around the playground made it all possible. As donations are still coming in, the final amount will be published in April’s newsletter.
· In our efforts to continue to raise awareness of the importance of waste and recycling, we are signed up with the “European Recycling Platform” and have a Battery Recycling Station in the school foyer. Please support us in this initiative by bringing in your used batteries.
· Also this month, in our continued endeavours to keep you informed about the curriculum in the Nursery School you will receive a leaflet detailing “Supporting Children’s Personal, Social & Emotional Development”. If you have any queries or would like clarification about any aspect of the content, please speak to your child’s class teacher.
· Now that spring is in the air some of you may be planning a wardrobe/hot press clear out. If so, please remember to deposit your unwanted clothing in the clothing bank at the front of the school when leaving or collecting your child from Nursery. The bank is emptied regularly and the school credited according to the weight of the items taken away.
· On Monday 14th March, Joe and the Gathering Drum will be in the Nursery School. Each child will be able to participate in a music workshop session with him.
· Parent Interviews will take place for Mrs Martin’s class on Tuesday 15th March from 12.30 -2.50pm and for the final pre-school age children in Mrs McClelland’s classes on Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th March between 9.15am and 2.30pm. Mrs McClelland, Ms McCarron and Mrs Martin will all be available on Monday 14th March in the evening between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. A list of times/dates available will be displayed on the information boards outside each classroom from Tuesday 8th March where you are welcome to choose a time that suits you. Interviews for parents of underage children will take place mid-April.
· Catherine Gilliland, a Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy at St Mary’s University Belfast, is scheduled to present an evening focusing on preparing young children for reading on Tuesday 15th March 2016 at 7pm. A separate letter with more details will be distributed shortly.
· On Thursday 17th March, the school will be participating in “Britain’s Biggest Breakfast” to raise funds for Cancer Research. The children will enjoy a healthy meal consisting of: Orange juice/cereal and a cooked breakfast for which they will be asked to donate £1.
· Many thanks to the parents who have paid School Fund for this term. For those still outstanding we would ask that this be paid at your earliest convenience.
· The school will close for the Easter break for the afternoon classes on Monday 21st March at 2.45pm and on Tuesday 22nd March at 11.30am for the morning classes. The school will be closed on Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th April to facilitate staff training and will re-open for the third term on Wednesday 6th April.
Finally…..
Over the page we have included a selection of stories, rhymes and songs associated with this month’s themes which we will be teaching the children.
Stories
Dora’s eggs by Julie Sykes
John Joe & The Big Hen by Martin Waddell
All in One Piece by Jill Murphy All Departments
all in one piece in
Baby Goz When I Grow up by Steve Weatherill All Departments
all in one piece in
Chicken Licken by Jonathan Allen
The Mummy Shop by Abie Longstaff
Egg-citing present by Helga Knuppel
The Bunny Who Found Easter by Charlotte Zolotow
Rhymes & Songs