School Newsletter
November 2016
School News
Hi Families,
We had so much fun with all of our fall festivities last month! Thank
you, everyone, for your help with special treats, costumes,
attendance at our parade, and voting in our classroom decoration
competition! ‘Tis the season for holidays…as we have now wrapped
up Halloween we will soon be starting on Thanksgiving, followed by
the winter holidays, and before we know it, New Year! It is amazing
how quickly the days pass this time of year. Please make note of the
days we will be closed for our fall and winter holidays this year.
In other school news, in the month of October Step by Step opened a
new classroom in the older wing of our building. Our older Toddling
Turtles moved into the front classroom up the stairs, and our
younger 1-year-olds remained in their classroom with a new name,
the Blossoming Butterflies, a class for emerging toddlers of 10-12
months to 16-18 months. Our school-age children, the Galloping
Giraffes, have shifted to the back of the building in the classroom
closest to the back yard. We are now all settled in and really
enjoying the new arrangement! You also may have noticed that our
classrooms now all have signs above the doors (thanks to my
talented and retired father!) to help you identify each room.
School pictures were a success this year, and we hope you enjoyed
the results! Please remember to review your child’s pictures and
return payment and/or any unwanted pictures by next week.
We are VERY excited for our Scholastic Book Fair coming up soon! It
is a great opportunity to build your home library with great and
affordable books, and all purchases help our school to earn
Scholastic dollars for our own school library too!
Table of Contents:
School News…………...p. 1
Classroom News
Caterpillars………….p. 2
Turtles….....................p. 2
Jackrabbits…………..p. 3
Rhinos……………….p. 4
Monkeys…………….p. 4
Lizards………………p. 5
News & Info.....………...p. 6
Themes Calendar……...p. 7
Lunch Menu…………...p. 8
Important
Upcoming Dates
Week of Nov. 14th:
Scholastic Book Fair
Nov. 24-25 (Th-F):
CLOSED for
Thanksgiving
Dec. 26th (Mon)-Jan.
2nd (Tue):
CLOSED for winter
holiday
Rachel Johnson, Director
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Classroom News
Crawling Caterpillars (infants)
Hi Families!
We hope you're having a lovely fall and are enjoying the beautiful changing colors of the
season! October was a festive month for our Caterpillar classroom! We'd like to say thank
you so much to parents who came to our Halloween parade and party! The treats you
brought were delicious and everyone had a good time. The Caterpillars were adored in their
costumes by all of the spectators at the parade!
We also had fun getting all the babies ready for their pictures on picture day! Everyone did a
wonderful job getting their pictures taken. We hope you enjoyed the photos!
We welcomed two new friends in October: Carly and Colin! They're both doing wonderfully
and we are happy to have them as part of our class! At the start of November, we welcomed
another new friend named Nat, our youngest little Caterpillar!
In October, our Caterpillars have been enjoying getting bundled up and going outside in the
mornings for walks in the stroller! A few of them get very excited by jumping up and down
and pointing at the stroller whenever they see it nearing our classroom door -- they love
being outside! Thank you for providing us with outer layers so that we are able to get them
fresh air as much as possible!
We hope everyone has a great November, gearing up for the holidays!
Ms. Jenah, Ms. Carolyn, Ms. Tori, and Ms. Samantha
Blossoming Butterflies (emerging toddlers)
Hi Butterfly Families,
It has been a very busy October this year! First we experienced some changes as we
rearranged our room to set up our new Butterfly classroom. Our older Turtle friends moved
out and we settled in as a new emerging toddler class at Step by Step. Then we had fun
decorating for the amazing Halloween contest/parade. We transformed our classroom into a
Butterfly Garden…and we were so honored to win first place in the contest!
It has been such a joy to have a new group like the Butterflies, so the kids can have a smooth
transition after leaving the Caterpillars room as they take their first steps and make the
transition into toddlerhood. Our daily schedule is blended to be a little bit like the Caterpillars
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room and a little bit like the Turtles room.
With so many crawlers, we have decided to make our room a no shoe area for teachers and
parents. We will soon post a reminder sign on the wall and an email will be sent out when
that happens. Parents from other classrooms will be encouraged to access the backyard by
way of the teachers’ lounge rather than our classroom.
A big welcome goes out to some of our newest Butterflies. Oliver is brand new to our school,
and Juliet and Nora have been transitioning from the Caterpillars room, soon to be followed
by Madelyn and Amarah!
Thank you again to everyone that came to our Halloween Party! We hope you all enjoyed it
and all got some good pictures of your butterflies!
Ms.Kayla and Ms.Janina
Toddling Turtles (young toddlers)
Hello Families!!
I know we say the months go by fast, but wow! the Turtles can barely remember October!
We were very busy with prepping for the new classroom changes and getting to know our
new room! We love the big open space! The teachers are also really appreciating all the
kitchen space! With the new classroom we also welcomed new friends Vivian and Aryah!
We're still waiting on a few more shipments of things for the room (our cubbies, for
example!), and then it really will feel like home! We also have a new teacher, Karlee, who has
been hanging out with us!
The Turtles have been practicing our imaginative play with the baby dolls and our play food!
Now that we have a cute little table and chairs set we have been pretending to make yummy
food for the teachers. We have been very interested in singing the "Rock a bye baby" song
with our baby dolls and love covering them up with the blankets and even feeding them. We
also were able to see a Firetruck, Police car, and Ambulance in October! Some friends were
brave enough to go inside the vehicles to check them out!
Due to all the changes going on in October, the Turtle class didn't go all out this year on
decorating for Halloween. We felt like it was a good time to let other classrooms enjoy a win!
But next year we have a theme planned and will be all for winning again! We would like to
thank all the parents for being so flexible with all the changes and for participating in the
Halloween party! We can't wait to see what November has in store for us!
Ms. Melissa, Ms. Suzy, and Ms. Karlee
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Jumping Jackrabbits (older toddlers)
Hello parents! We had an eventful month of October! We started with
occupations week where we had the opportunity to explore the inside of an ambulance,
police car, and fire truck! We even got to experience the lights and sirens of the police car!
There are many pictures so please make sure to check out the Shutterfly classroom website!
Next, we talked about health and safety where we discussed the "Mr.Yuck" sticker and made
a traffic light learning what each color means. Then we went into the Halloween theme and
made coffee filter (friendly) monsters. We also learned how bats are nocturnal and glued
them on a moon the kids painted by mixing red and yellow to make orange. They even had
their hands and feet painted and transformed into a spider and ghost! The kids love reading
the book "Dora's Costume Party" where they guess what each of Dora's friends are going to
dress up as. The book also shows pumpkins which the kids adored, so for fall harvest week
we carved a pumpkin and let them reach inside to pull out the guts and seeds! They
absolutely loved it, though some took some warming up to the idea and some were okay
with JUST holding a seed. :) Pictures of this are also on Shutterfly! Next week we will be
discussing healthy habits, followed by themes of our bodies, our five senses, Thanksgiving,
and nutrition.
October was crazy and fun! We are ready for November as the weather cools and we learn
about being Thankful!
Ms. Rachel, Ms. Cassie, and Ms. Tara
Running Rhinos (preschool)
Hello Rhino Families!
October flew by so fast! November is finally here, which means winter and the holidays are
right around the corner! We began October learning all about occupations. We had special
visits from a fire truck, ambulance and police car! The kids loved walking through the vehicles
and watching the flashing lights, especially from the police car! During health and safety
week, we talked about ways to be safe at school, and practiced how to stop, drop and roll! In
the following week, we were very busy working on crafts for our school wide Halloween
decorating contest! The kids loved helping paint the large sea animals and working on
smaller crafts to hang around the room. The final week of October we talked about
Halloween. The kids loved sharing what they were going to dress up as, and reading fun
Halloween stories such as “The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin”. We also were able to help clean out a
pumpkin and play with the seeds and goo! Our Rhinos loved using it as a sensory activity. We
wrapped up October with our school-wide parade and classroom party! Thank you to all the
parents who were able to participate and bring in snacks to share with the class!
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In November we will be learning about healthy habits, my body, the five senses,
thanksgiving, and the food plate. As the weather gets colder, please make sure your child
has labeled, appropriate attire to wear outside such as coats, mittens and hats. We also have
some friends who are beginning to use the potty more, so please make sure your child has
spare underwear and pants in his or her cubby.
Thank You!
Ms. Amanda, Ms. Brittney & Ms. Angie
Marching Monkeys (pre-kindergarten)
Hello Families,
I hope you enjoyed October as much as we did! This month was filled with so much holiday
fun! We created many crafts that went along with our classroom theme (the circus!) and even
more surrounding Halloween! (BOO!) We were lucky enough to have special visits from an
EMT, Fireman and a Police Officer. During those special visits each visitor brought their
vehicles for the children to explore!! We had a perfect ending to October by having a
Halloween Party, which came with a bouncy house! Thank you to all the parents who helped
with our party; it was a very fun day for all!
We are looking forward to November and all the fun opportunities that come with it. We
started the month off by having Pajama Day! On the first week we have been discussing
sleep, exercise and dental hygiene. Our classroom will have a SPECIAL GUEST to teach us all
about of teeth and how to keep them healthy. The following weeks we will learn about our
body parts, five senses and Ms. Brittany’s favorite, Thanksgiving! We will celebrate it by
making projects like pilgrims, turkeys and yummy feasts.
As always, please check our Shutterfly account to get a glimpse into your child’s day! Also, as
the seasons change we would like to remind parents to stock their child’s cubby with
appropriate clothes, because we do go outside in the cold!
Ms. Brittany & Ms. Savanna
Leaping Lizards (pre-kindergarten)
Happy Fall, Lizard Parents!
October has been packed full of activities, crafts, visitors, and special events. We started off
the month with Occupations and learned so much about what people do in our community.
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We were pretty excited to meet two EMTs and went into their ambulance. The kiddos were
impressed with all the tools and equipment and had many questions. It was nice to learn not
to be scared if we ever had to ride in one or knew someone that did.
Next we met an awesome and friendly firefighter from Alpha Fire Company. We learned 911
is only to be used in REAL emergencies and not hide or be scared if a firefighter ever entered
our house. The kids thought it was pretty neat that Alpha has a "magic" key to every home to
be able to get in if we needed them. The firetruck he showed us was a ladder truck full of
hoses and cool equipment.
Next we met an Officer from Ferguson Township Police Department. We talked about the
police being "good" guys who are approachable and not to be feared. Many questions were
asked about going to jail and what a bad guy is. We assured the class that kids do NOT get
arrested and that Police are here to keep us safe and protected.
We moved on to Health and Safety and touched base on being safe in the classroom, at
home, at school, in the car and street, and around people we don't know. We tried very hard
to instill awareness of dangerous items and how we should always get a grownup when in
doubt. We also talked in depth about always staying with an adult.
Mid-October we started our classroom projects with our theme of Dr. Seuss. We read many
of his books, created crafts for our classroom, and watched a few of his classic, most famous
stories put to video. It was a fun week and we really enjoyed watching the class get excited
about an author, generating some pre-literacy interest. :)
The last week of October was so much fun as we talked about pumpkins, cats, bats, and
haunted houses!!!!! We had a blast turning off the lights and reading spooky stories. We also
created fun crafts that were all Halloween and fall related.
As the second month of our school year comes to an end, we are very pleased with how
much our kids have progressed. Their names look great...they are remembering the rules,
staying on green more often, and comprehending so much!!!! We are really proud of them
all! Be sure as the cooler weather approaches that your kiddo has warm clothing for daily
outside time and weather appropriate changes of extra clothing. Thank you so much for
sharing your children with us. We love them all!!!!
Ms. Michelle and Ms. Stephanie
Don’t know what to do with your
child’s old Halloween costumes?
Consider donating them to Step by Step for
our dress-up!
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Birthdays this month!
Happy Birthday in the month
of November to…
Frances (Jackrabbits), turning 2 on the 8th!
Scholastic Book Fair
Step by Step will be hosting
a Scholastic Book Fair starting the
week of November 14th.
Nir (Jackrabbits), turning 2 on the 10th!
Fiona (Rhinos), turning 3 on the 8th!
Zoe A (Monkeys), turning 4 on the 12th!
Dakota (Monkeys), turning 4 on the 25th!
Quinn (Monkeys), turning 4 on the 28th!
Coralie (Giraffes), turning 6 on the 20th!
Mason (Lizards), turning 5 on the 3rd!
Gabi (Giraffes), turning 7 on the 17th!
Hand-washing at Drop-off
Please be reminded that, when dropping off
your child at Step by Step in the mornings,
we ask that parents take a minute to wash
your child’s hands. Sinks are located in all
bathrooms (including atrium) and in most
classrooms. If your child is 3 years or older,
hand sanitizer may be used as an
alternative, provided in wall-mounted pumps
inside of each classroom and by the sign-in
binder (atrium).
In one study, children who washed their hands
properly had 24 percent fewer sick days due to
respiratory illness and 51 percent fewer days lost
because of an upset stomach. Hand washing is your
best defense against diseases for adults as well as for
children, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
During that week, books will be
available for purchase both in the school
and online. As with every scholastic
book order, the books purchased during
the event will earn our school points to
be used to buy books for our
classrooms.
Please tell all of your family members
about this book fair, no matter how far
away they live. The online fair will
benefit the school just as much as the inschool portion. Books ordered online
will be sent to the school for
dissemination, and a gift wrapping
option is available.
Thank you for helping us
earn the points needed to
expand our school library!!
Thank you to all of our
supportive parents!
We appreciate the time you all put into
being involved at our school… attending
parent-teacher conferences, contributing
special treats for holiday celebrations,
participating in fun family events,
purchasing school pictures and other fundraising efforts…and the list goes on!
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November
Weekly Themes for Study
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Healthy
Habits
Letter Ee
6
My Body
Thu
2
Fri
3
Sat
4
5
Pajama
Day!
Learning about: Exercise, sleep, bathing, nutrition, dental care
7
8
9
10
12
Letter Bb
Learning about: Hands, arms, legs, feet, torso, head, face
13
The Five
Senses
Letter Nn
20
Thanksgiving
No Letter
27
My Food
Plate
Letter Pp
14
15
16
17
18
19
25
CLOSED
26
Learning about: Sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell
21
22
23
24
CLOSED
Happy
Thanksgiving
Learning about: Turkeys, Native Americans, Pilgrims, feasting
28
29
30
Learning about: Grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy
8
LUNCH MENU
November 2016
1
2
Hot Dogs
Sweet Peas
Apple Sauce
7
8
9
Chicken Vegetable
with rice
15
Turkey Melts
Green Beans
Pineapple Pieces
21
22
Scalloped Potatoes
with ham
Sweet Peas
Oranges
18
Beefy Potato
Casserole
Apple Sauce
24
Ham Pot Pie
Peaches
Sweet Corn
Pasta Primavera
Pears
25
CLOSED
Pears
29
Pierogies
Sweet Corn
Peaches
17
23
Tuna Noodle
Casserole
Pineapple Pieces
11
Chicken & Biscuits
Cooked Carrots
Peaches
Chicken Fiesta
Oranges
Spanish Rice
with chicken
Raviolis
Cooked Carrots
Oranges
28
Turkey Chili
Green Beans
Apple Sauce
16
French Toast
Cooked Carrots
Peaches
4
Baked Ziti
Green Beans
Peaches
10
Waffles
Sweet Corn
Fruit Salad
Pears
14
3
Macaroni & Cheese
Mixed Vegetables
Oranges
Sausage Gravy &
Bisquits
Cooked Carrots
Pears
30
Pizza Casserole
Fruit Salad
*Beef Lunches will contain
ground turkey
*There will be a meat
alternative for lunches that
contain pork
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