Dear Parent, Can you believe how fast this year has gone by? We are at the end of the 2018 - 2019 school year already. It has been a busy and exciting year. At Pumpkin Patch we have celebrated and learned about the wonders of the world God created for us to enjoy.
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. With this theme we enjoyed fun units, books, music, our friends and Pumpkin Patch. We have truly enjoyed your special little ones and seeing them grow. They are a great bunch of kids! We will miss all of you over the summer. We especially wish our graduates and their families all of God’s best! We want to thank you for your share in making it a wonderful year. Your help and support is so appreciated --- YOU ARE GREAT!!!
MAY UNITS:
“Community Helpers” April 24th – May 3rd During this unit, we have invited and scheduled visits from “Community Helpers”. These are members of our community whose jobs or volunteer work help all of us to stay safe and healthy. We want the children to be familiar with these workers and see them as Moms and Dads and friends so they will be comfortable with them if they ever need their help. We also want the children to respect and appreciate these valued helpers. We have scheduled visits from Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Carlson. We have also scheduled visits by the Monticello Fire Department with Mike Mossey, Grant’s Dad, Trevor Mack, Brayden’s Dad and other Fire Fighters. They will be bringing a Fire Truck and equipment to show the children. The Centra Care Health EMS teams will also be bringing the Ambulance to show some of our classes. A special thank you goes to all of these parents and Community Helpers. We are so very grateful to these members of our community who do their part to teach the children and keep our community safe and healthy. If you know any of them be sure to express your appreciation too. If you or someone you know has an occupation to share with the children please let us know. We are always open to resource visits. To enhance this unit we will enjoy some fun art projects, music, books and snacks along this theme. The children may come dressed as Community Helpers or what they want to be or do when they grow up anytime during this unit.
“Nature - All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all” May 6th – 24th During our last weeks of school we will talk about and enjoy some of the wonders of nature God created including birds, insects, plants, and little critters (frogs, turtles, etc.). We will plan some nature walks and scavenger hunts and enjoy some fun books, projects, music, and snacks.
CHARACTER QUALITY and BIBLE VERSE Our Character Quality this month is “Courage”. Our Community Helpers are good examples of being courageous. We all need to be courageous to help and protect others, stand up and speak for what is right and to try new things even when afraid. Philippians’ 4:13 reminds us “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength and power.” Our May scripture verse is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse seems appropriate as we end our year and send many of our graduates off to Kindergarten.
FAMILY PICNIC Our 37th Annual Picnic is Friday, May 17th. Be sure to set aside this evening for a great family time at Ellison Park! We will gather at 5:00 p.m. and eat at 6:00 p.m. (giving those coming from work time to get there). More information is on a separate flyer to be sent out soon. We could use some help with this special event. We need help with the setting up of tables, tending grills and cleaning up, etc. If you are willing to help please let us know...thanks! Let’s pray for nice Spring weather!
SUMMER BIRTHDAYS We have been recognizing the summer birthdays of our students. Since there are so many summer Birthdays we have again sent home a schedule with the Birthday Children of the date we will celebrate their special day. If the day we have scheduled doesn’t work for you please let us know. If you would like to send a snack (optional), please let us know ahead of time. Also, since we will be celebrating so many birthdays it has been suggested that "send home" treats (also optional) be of the non-edible or nutritious variety rather than the usual candy treats. Some suggestions might include the following: stickers, pencils, small toys, etc. or fruit snacks or bars, cracker packs, sugar free gum, raisins, etc. At school snacks might be fruits, veggies & dip, cheese and crackers, etc., but if your child is set on the traditional birthday treats or snacks that is okay. Remember snacks must be commercially prepared or made at school. (To clarify Snacks are foods to be eaten at school at snack time and Treats are individually wrapped to be eaten at home.)
FALL ENROLLMENT Our Fall Enrollment is nearly full! If you or someone you know is still interested in enrolling please talk to Jan. Once we are full we will be taking names on a waiting list for later openings. If there is enough interest we will offer an afternoon class. If you can help us, please spread the word by word of mouth or social media, etc.! If you are pleased with Pumpkin Patch and would be interested in writing a short review that we could put on our web page or facebook please let us know or just drop it off at school. Thank you!
"GRADUATION" During the last week, May 20th – May 24th, on each child's last day, we will be presenting them with their nametag and a certificate as they walk over the "bridge" at the end of that session. Children come at their usual times that week. You are invited to come to graduation on your child’s last day and share in this special time as they complete our 2018 – 2019 school year and take a picture if you like. Our “graduation” is a short and simple end to the school year. Good-byes and closure are important for all ages. Allchildren receive a certificate and walk over the bridge even those returning next year.
If your child’s last day is Monday A.M. - Come at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday A.M. – Come at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday A.M. – Come at 11:30 a.m. Thursday A.M. – Come at 11:20 a.m. Friday A.M. – Come at 11:20 a.m.
NO SCHOOL - TEACHER WORKSHOP DAY - Weds. May 15th There will be no school on this day.
REMINDERS:
TUITION is due upon receipt of this letter and may be mailed or dropped off at school. We would appreciate all tuition paid by May 17th so we can close our books at that time. A special thank you to all of you for your prompt and faithful remittance each month.
SHARING WEEK is May 6th - 10th (Please note this is the first full week). Our theme will be Nature - share something that represents nature. The children may bring a special book, a picture, rock, plant, feather, shells, seeds, pine cones, or little critter (in a safe and secure container) etc.
LAST DAY of the 2018 - 2019 school year is Friday, May 24th. This is different than the public school's schedule. Have a warm and wonderful summer! God bless you and your families! It has been a wonderful year! We love your little ones!
With Affection and Gratitude Mary, Amy, Laurie, Kara, and Jan
