Falling Into Our Routines

As the leaves change and the air gets cooler, we have an exciting month ahead filled with fun activities and learning experiences for our preschoolers. There is lots to look forward to this month!

As we wrap up our first few weeks of the 2024-2025 school year, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support and enthusiasm. It has been a joy getting to know your children and witnessing their bright smiles and curious minds in our classrooms!

Starting preschool is a significant transition for little ones, and it’s completely normal for them to experience a range of emotions as they adjust. You may notice mood changes or fluctuations in their behavior; please know that this is a natural part of the process as they adapt to new routines and environments. We strive to create a safe and nurturing space for them to express themselves.

Thank you again for your trust and partnership. Together, we’re nurturing a love for learning that will last a lifetime!

Lunch Bunch-beginning October 1st

This event is on T/W/Th from 11:15am until 11:55am. The cost is $5 per day. You can register during pick up or drop off. Please send your child in with a NUT-FREE lunch labeled with their name, and enjoy your extra time knowing that they will be enjoying their food with friends and a teacher!

POPS - Walk a Thon - October 9 & 10

Join us for our annual Walk a Thon! Such a fun way to raise funds to improve our school! POPS is making it a "battle between classes"! The class who raises the most money for our school will be treated to a bubble and popsicle party.

ALSO, any individual student to raise over $50 will receive a Hope Ridge Preschool shirt!

Hope Ridge UMC "Beats on the Ridge" - October 12th 6pm-8pm

Come enjoy some live music with your family! The live band, "Beats Working" will be playing a blend of country, blues, and classic rock.

Mentor Public Library - October 16th and 17th

The library is visiting us at Hope Ridge during school for story time! They will read, sing songs, and play games with each class.

Fire Department Visit - October 23 & 24

Concord Fire Department will be joining us for a fun fire safety class! The squad is also bringing an ambulance and fire truck for the kids to explore!

Fun Fridays-beginning this month! October 25th is our Boo Bash!

These events are offered from 11:15am until 12:45pm one Friday a month. The cost is $15 per person. You provide a NUT-FREE lunch, and we provide the fun themed activities! These fill up quickly, so we will alternate the start of sign-up dates to help accommodate all class schedules.

Halloween parties and parades will be on the 30th and 31st. Classroom signups will be outside the classroom doors for party parents who want to help plan and host the kids' parties. Come dressed up and celebrate with your new friends! Parents are welcome to stay after drop off and enjoy the parades in the "big room" 9:00am or 12:15pm depending on your child's class.

As we settle into the school year, we kindly ask you to remember to take your child to the bathroom before checking into the classroom. This simple routine can help ensure a smooth start to our day and minimize interruptions during our classroom activities.

We really appreciate it when kiddos have an extra change of clothes in their backpacks. Accidents happen--whether it be water spills, paint, or potty troubles--it is great to have a spare!

To ensure that important papers don’t get lost in backpacks, we ask that you drop any forms or notes off at the office instead of sending them in your child’s backpack. Our teachers are busy focusing on the kids and may not have time to check every bag. Thank you for your understanding!

Dress for the Weather: As the weather changes, please ensure your child has appropriate clothing for outdoor play. Layers are always a good idea!

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of fall items (like acorns, colorful leaves, pinecones) for kids to find outside. Use baskets to collect their treasures!

Leaf Rubbings

Gather different types of leaves and place them under a sheet of paper. Use crayons to rub over the leaves and reveal their shapes and textures.

Pumpkin Exploration

Visit a pumpkin patch or buy a few pumpkins. Let kids feel, smell, and explore them. Discuss their colors, sizes, and even carve or paint them together!

Autumn Storytime

Pick out fall-themed books. After reading, encourage kids to draw their favorite part or act it out.

DIY Bird Feeders

Make simple bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. Hang them outside and watch the birds come!

Color Sorting with Leaves

Collect leaves in various colors and have kids sort them by color, size, or shape. This builds classification skills!

Cooking Together

Bake fall-themed treats, like pumpkin muffins or apple pie. Let kids help measure, mix, and decorate.

Outdoor Art

Use natural materials (leaves, sticks, stones) to create art in your backyard or park. Take pictures of their masterpieces!

Halloween Safety: If you’re planning to trick-or-treat, discuss safety rules with your child. Remind them to stay with an adult, look both ways before crossing the street, and check candy before eating.

It has been a wonderful start to the year, and we all look forward to fostering more learning and relationships in our Hope Ridge community!