Posts Tagged ‘Nursery School’

There is no great secret to the art of positive discipline. If there were, parents would feel they had a fighting chance.   It is more a labor of demonstration, repetition and most of all patience. I am sure there are some days where even Mother Teresa herself would have given up.  That is the part where patience comes is.  Here at Bridges, we use Positive Discipline and most days it actually works.

Doesn’t Charlotte look beautiful in her patriotic red, white, and blue.  Her outfit and artwork represent one of the themes for this month.   Amazing Dave The Magician will help us honor our Dads.  For our Moms we have a special day planned so we can enjoy some time together.  That is just a little of what’s happening at Bridges.  For the whole scoop, please click here: May Newsletter

For all you do and all you are we want to say “Thank You Mommy!”  We have been hard at work preparing for this day.  Please join us so we can show you how much you are loved and how cute we are.  Mother’s Day Tea Schedule

Calling All Dads….Spend an evening with your child and watch the magic happen.  Father’s Night is coming soon. Abracadabra -Alacazam-Click here and watch the details appear Father’s Night at Bridges

Please note school is closed on Thursday, February 11th, 2010.

The February 11th celebration of Grandparent’s Day has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 16th at 11:00 and 2:00.

All of our guests will just have to wait a few more days to enjoy the talent of our students. They are definitely worth the wait!

I was recently asked to explain what achievements I thought my Manalapan Pre School had accomplished in the last 20 years of operation.

I was tempted to go on about the high standard of academics, our customized curriculum, or any other number of “educational” accomplishments. Then, I remembered, there is so much more than just learning going on at Bridges.

There are lives being shaped, personalities being guided, friendships being formed, and memories being made. I think this is our greatest contribution.

In just the last few months, I have been fortunate enough to witness the past being honored in the present.

One of the moms in our school brought in the Christmas card her brother had made in Bridges, 17 years ago. It was bent, worn, and beautiful. It has been a part of their Christmas celebration for 17 years.

A former student of ours, who has returned to complete her student teaching, brought in the photograph album her mother made for her depicting her nursery school and Pre-K years. I delighted in seeing the pictures of her first day at school, her Christmas show, Grandparent’s Day, Mother’s Day and graduation. (I did not delight in the fact that I looked much younger then!)

She was so proud of these snippets of her life. Her goal is to provide her future students with these same gifts.

Last Christmas I was invited to my daughter-in-law’s parent’s home for dinner. When I arrived I was so touched to see familiar yet long forgotten Christmas decorations adorning their tree and mantle. Her sister (who is a freshman in college) used to attend Bridges. Our projects served as a reminder of simpler times.

This week I attended a funeral service for a man whose children attended our school. I thought about how difficult this would be for his family. As I entered the visitation room, I was struck by the number of faces I recognized. So many of the friends his wife had made were there supporting her. These families had continued their friendships long after their children had left Bridges.

So when I am asked to explain my greatest achievements, I think the long term effect of our work speaks for itself.

We are making memories and building relationships.

Could there be anything more worthwhile?

During this busy season when free time is at a minimum, here is a worthwhile way to spend your limited supply.  It requires little, but has great dividends.  To learn how to invest, click December Literacy

Look at the pictures in the Gallery to see what a wonderful time we had enjoying Thanksgiving.  As the season of Christmas begins, the students of Bridges have much to celebrate.  To see what is happening click:   “December_Newsletter“

In order to clarify the choices that are available for registration, I have designed  a sheet which lists all Bridges has to offer.  Prices will be available in the office so feel free to stop in and ask.  At this point in time, In-House registration is scheduled for January 9th.  In order to view your choices, please click:   REGISTRATION NOTICE

Over the past twenty years I have repeated the following words to thousands of parents: “Bridges at St. Thomas More Nursery School and Kindergarten offers a three part curriculum-academic, religious, and socialization.” Although I mention the socialization aspect last, it is as important as the others.

Of course, most parents ask many questions regarding phonics, writing, reading, mathematics, science, social studies and whole language. They want their children to be academically prepared for the future.

Other families are very concerned about religious curriculum.  Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, and The May Crowning are areas I discuss.  I can hear the excitement in the voices of the families when I tell them about our Christmas Shows and nativities, our Easter celebrations and hand made crosses, our Lenten promises, Ash Wednesday Services, and our May Crowning. They are excited to learn that prayer is an important part of each day. Their goal is to have God become  the center of their child’s education.

I don’t answer many questions regarding social development, especially when dealing with the four year old curriculum.  It is unfortunate that this area frequently goes unmentioned.

Classroom environment and peer association can have extremely important effects on a child’s sense of themselves.

School is the place where children establish the definition of who they are as a student. It is where they will be exposed to various personalities. Decisions will have to be made as to whom they wish to emulate. Good social climate and positive interactions are extremely vital to a child’s healthy social development.

I am sure we have all shied away from a family whose child’s behavior is not what we want our child’s to become.  We pick and choose our children’s friends carefully.  It is one of the tenants of good parenting.

The same is true for school environment. It should be a place where good examples abound. Your child should be able to confidently interact on an appropriate level with all the other students. Positive role models should be plentiful.

Play dates with classmates should be encouraged and joyfully anticipated. The friendships made in nursery school will be carried throughout your child’s school career. Best friends are found and bonds are formed.

It gives me great pleasure when I meet a former student who tells me they are still friends with the children they met at Bridges. These relationships have stood the test of time. Two of the girls from, what seems like just yesterday, are rooming together in college this year. Their moms are best friends as well.

I may mention “socialization” last when explaining the three part curriculum, but it is no indication of its value and impact.  As my mom used to say… “Show me who your friends are and I’ll tell you what you are”.