2012 Dear Parents,

This month we will be treated to a dental health puppet show, courtesy of a local dentist. It is a very entertaining and educational show that the kids just love! The VNA will also visit the school this month for those who sign up and pay for hearing and vision screenings. Check out our Bits and Pieces section of this newsletter for more information about what is happening around our school!

It’s that time again. Each year we ask everyone to fill out a family questionnaire. The questionnaires pertain to staff, policy, curriculum and care of the children. The information is confidential and filled out anonymously. This is your opportunity to evaluate our program! Feel free to comment on any aspect of your child’s preschool education. We use this to evaluate our program and to provide better programming for families. Please look at the parent hand-book if you need a reminder of our procedures. (The Handbook can also be found on-line) The questionnaires will be out shortly and are due back 1 week after distribution. Thank you in advance for your help with this valuable proc-ess. As always, you are welcome to bring concerns or give feedback to me at any time. Your opinion is valued!

Registration for the 2012/2013 school year continues until all of our classes are filled. We are doing extremely well and have filled many spaces in one month’s time. We have some openings in our 2, 3 and 4 year old classes. Waiting lists have been started for our filled classes. We appreciate any referrals you can give us. Word of mouth is our best form of advertisement! If you happen to meet one of the families visiting our school please direct them to the door bell and or walk them to the preschool office. Thank you for your help with this safety issue.

Once again we will be offering Summer Camp this June and July. Camp is staffed by current Gloria Dei Preschool staff members. Eight sessions will be offered for children turning 3 by June 1st, through age 6 (children who have completed Kindergarten by June 2012). With the exception of July 4th week; camp sessions will begin on Monday,

June 4th and end on Friday, August 3rd. You may sign your child up for any or all sessions during camp. A flyer will be sent home sometime this month. Look for forms to come home shortly.

We can use some spring garden help once the cool weather breaks. Our “Garden Crew” can help get our play-ground and play yards ready for the spring. We are also looking for someone who might be interested in help-ing us plan a spring garden within the play ground space for the children to care for. If you have a green thumb, please contact me, we can use your help revitalizing and bringing some new life back to our playground and garden areas. Work can be done at your leisure during evenings or weekends, you are not limited to school times!

Florence D’Adamo, Director

570 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 215•947•8653 Fax: 215•947•4516 gdkids@gloriadei.com Director: fdadamo@gloriadei.com

☺ Bits and Pieces

☺ School Calendar

☺ Parent Education

☺ PTO News

☺ VNA Screenings

☺ Summer Camp Infor-mation

☺ Room 110 Highlights

☺ Family Surveys

☺ Family Day Event

Celebrating

Years!

CHECK OUT ROOM 110 MRS. “H”EISELMOYER AND MRS. CARULLI updating

JOAN HEISELMOYER What a blessing it is to work with the staff, children, and families at Gloria Dei Preschool. My little busy bees are happy, fun loving and excited about their many new experiences in school. Together we are learning to be kind, be safe, and be the best that we can be. My husband Kurt and I live in Abington. We have 4 grown children and 7 grand-children. My volunteer time involves helping the Tuberous Sclerosis Alli-ance, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and The Laurel House in Montgomery County. Almost everyday you will find me walking, running, or riding my bicycle in my neighborhood.

MARIA CARULLI I am Maria Carulli, the Teaching Assis-tant for Mrs. H's class here at Gloria Dei Preschool. It has been my privilege to work with Mrs. H's class for the past 2 years, and a truly rewarding experi-ence. I love coming to work each day because I get to watch a remarkable bunch of children learn and grow. I'm reminded constantly just how important my job is whenever I see these amazing kids! My husband Marco and I have been married 15 years and our two sons Matteo (10) and Luke (7) keep us on our toes!

From: Family Friendly Communications

The Power of Play Have you ever heard someone remark about an early childhood program-even ours, perhaps-”All the children do there is play”? At good early childhood programs there is a lot of play-and there should be!

Years of research on children’s learning and de-velopment document the many benefits of play for children’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and language development. Children at play are actively involved in creating themes, ex-ploring and establishing environments, solving problems, and developing shared understand-ings.

Children play in many ways. They play independ-ently, sometimes near each other but with each child engrossed in his own activity. They engage

in what is called “parallel play,” perhaps using each others’ toys or even talking, but not coordi-nating their play. As they get older, children are capable of more cooperative, coordinated play. But all kinds of play are valuable.

As kids play with each other, they learn to see other children’s points of view and begin to be-come more empathetic and caring. They come to understand customs and rules in their own culture and to appreciate those of others. They learn to use language in new ways to describe their play and to interact with others. And in play, children develop their muscles and coordi-nation.

Adults support children’s play by providing space, opportunity, and materials. We set up

areas where kids can play without fear of dam-aging furniture or injuring themselves. We make sure that they have the time to choose and to become engaged in their own play activities. And when we provide them with simple, interest-ing materials-no newfangled, expensive gadgets required-kids take it from there.

Play is fun. But it also is serious business that pays big dividends to its eager, young investors.

Here at Gloria Dei Preschool we believe that children learn through Play, Discovery and Ex-ploration. Our children seem happy and are learning their skills through the activities that are planned by our staff. Many parents have commented that kindergarten teachers are thrilled with the knowledge and readiness skills the children receive from our preschool.

PARENT EDUCATION: The Power of Play

Tooth Buddy Tales This month the students will be treated to a puppet show which focuses on dental health. The children meet Zeebo, Mr. Bushman, Happy and Sad Tooth. It is an entertaining way to deliver the message of taking care of your teeth. Tooth Tales is sponsored by a lo-cal dentist. The children will bring home information on caring for their teeth.

Family Day Event To end our year of 50th birthday

celebrations we will be having a family day event on Friday, May 11th. This day will be an opportunity for families to visit our school and join our staff for a social event. This cele-bration will be held on the grounds of the Gloria Dei Church.

This event takes the place of a regular class day with all students enrolled at Gloria Dei be-ing invited to attend regardless of the day you attend. You are welcome to attend the festivi-ties beginning at 10:00am and ending at 1:00pm. Come for fun with the moon bounce, balloons, games, arts and crafts, food, and a fabulous day all around!

In the event of rain the activities will be moved indoors.

Please remember to report any changes in addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts, email addresses, health insur-ance changes, or marital status, to the office to update your child’s file.

Emergency Closing Information

Our emergency closing number is #3141 in Montgomery County. In case of inclement weather, please tune into KYW News Radio Storm Center or NBC 10 Closing Alert System for an announcement. The School Closing Alert system displays the name of our school on the screen. You may also check the web-site for closing information, or check the school answering machine; a closing message will be left there as well. Every effort will be made to broadcast our number before 8:00 AM. **If it becomes necessary to close the school during the course of the day, we will do our best to post it to KYW, but you will be con-tacted to come and pick up your child.

Bits & Pieces

Family Surveys This month we will be sending home family questionnaires. This is your opportunity to evaluate our program. We use this as a tool to continue to grow as a staff and school. Yes , we want to hear from you and appreciate your participation in this anonymous activity. Please fill out one survey per child and return it to the envelope on the class bulletin board. Thank you in advance for you help with this important process.

Please re-read your parent handbook if you are uncertain or need reminders of school policies. The handbook is located in the parent section of the website.

VNA The Visiting Nurse Association will be here on March 13th and 14th. Children ages 3-5 are of-fered screening to diagnose problems and ad-vise of an appropriate treatment for hearing, vision, and speech issues.

There is a small charge for these screenings. Forms have been sent home in your child’s school bag. Please make sure you hand in your forms and payment to the office no later than Thursday, March 8th.

GLORIA DEI PRESCHOOL DISCOVERY CENTER 570 Welsh Rd.

Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Phone: 215-947-8653 Fax: 215-947-4516

e-mail: gdkids@gloriadei.com Director e-mail: fdadamo@gloriadei.com

March 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 #8 TUITION PAYMENT DUE

2 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

4 5 6 7 No Extended day or Computer Class

Room 103 trip

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 Extended day and Computer Sign ups due

15

16

Room 109 trip

17

18 19 20

Room 100 trip

21

Room 100 trip

22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Gloria Dei Church Service Schedule: 8:00 am Sonrise 9:00 am Crossways 11:00 AM Traditional

Gloria Dei Church Service Schedule: Weekly - 5:00 pm Praise Service

Preschool Summer Kid Camp 2012

We will be having Summer Camp this June and July. Camp is staffed by current Gloria Dei Preschool staff members and substitutes. The Classes are mixed ages throughout the summer. Those children attending multiple weeks will be part of the same camp group when at all possible.

Eight sessions will be offered for children turning 3 by June 1st, through age 6 (children who have completed Kindergarten by June 2012). Children must be fully potty trained and have attended pre-school in order to attend camp. This program is open to current families of our school as well as new families and those from the community. Current families will be given priority for registration. With the exception of July 4th week, sessions will begin on Monday, June 4th and end on Friday, August 3rd. You may sign your child up for any or all sessions during camp. A completed camp enrollment form and deposit must accompany all camp registrations. Registrations must be returned no later than April 13th.

Please be prompt with your registrations, as space is limited. Forms will be sent home this month.

The PTO is in need of new members as some of the members will be moving on to other schools. Please contact the office for more information or if you are interested in joining the group. The next Meeting of the PTO is on Tuesday March 13th at 9:15am.

CHECK THIS SECTION EACH MONTH &

MARK YOUR Calendars FOR THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING EVENTS:

Social Events: Ice Cream Social - March 15th Entertainment by Peter Moses

Parent Education K Readiness –4/20/12 9:15am - Zabor Room

**baby sitting available for those who sign up prior to the event

“KINDERGARTEN READINESS” Is your child ready? What to expect in Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Teacher and Reading Specialist from Pine Road School will visit. This program is for parents of Four Year Olds who are entering Kindergarten next year,

and it is applicable to all future schools. Information on readiness skills will be provided.

Spring Ice Cream Social

The Gloria Dei Preschool Discovery Center

seeks to provide a strong educational foun-dation where each child will

Discover their God-given talents

Feel valued in a loving community

Experience nurturing in a developmentally appropriate environment, and Be motivated

to become a life-long learner

Parent Teacher Organization

Gloria Dei Preschool invites you to join us for a night of song and ice cream with spe-cial musical guest Peter Moses. Look for the flyer in your child’s school bag. To purchase tickets: fill out the bottom portion of the flyer and put it and your payment in an en-velope labeled with your child’s name and room number. This envelope can be given to your child’s teacher and your tickets will be returned to you in the same envelope. Please note: The ticket deadline is Fri-day, March 9th! Tickets will NOT be sold at the door!