NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER  

The topics for November will be ‘Autumn’ and ‘People who help us’.  We will be looking closely at signs of autumn in the environment and observing seasonal changes in weather and colours, and growth outdoors.

We have an autumn table filled with items such as leaves, conkers, pine cones- please feel free to bring in anything you find in your gardens or whilst out walking.

1. Please encourage children not to bring any toys into school.  Some ‘conflicts’ have already arisen over ‘favourite’ toys from home.  Now that the children are well settled, they should no longer require a comfort toy from home.
    
2. Eco Schools News

This month we will be introducing our ‘EcoSchools’ classroom practice to the children. We will be encouraging re-cycling, awareness of litter/tidy environments and nominate an ‘Eco helper’ each day to take charge of the eco tasks.

We will be planting indoors and outdoors.  We will be taking time to turn off lights.  The children will be meeting our ‘Eco bear’

Ravenscroft has a compost bin and all our fruit peelings are now being recycled and will hopefully turn into compost.

1. Cash for Clobber

We are collecting old clothes for this worthwhile charity. Please will you return to the nursery week of 7^th November as last date for donations is the 11th J

1. Time to Talk                                                         

The children will be beginning our ‘Time to Talk’ language programme. The children will enjoy meeting ‘Ginger Bear’ during the small group sessions and the programme will nurture social aspects of language development. We will keep you updated via the classroom notice boards.

Mrs Symington will be running a Time to Talk Parents Workshop in January. More details to follow.                                                                        

1. Story Sacks/Maths Sacks

Your child will have the opportunity to take home a Story Sack from Thursday 17^th November. A letter is in your childs cubby hole with some further details.  Please speak to Mrs Symington or Mrs McGowan if you wish to sign up for this.

1. Dates for your diary.

• Every Wednesday we now have Monkeynastix sessions to support physical development and co-ordination.  This is held in the Walkway Community Centre, and will run for 6 weeks, starting Wednesday 9^th November.
• School photographs will be taken on Friday 18^th November. Permission forms have been left in your childs cubby for completion.
• Monday 8^th November- Mr Hullabaloo will pay a visit to the nursery.
• Monday 14^th November- Autumn walk at Stormont.
• Monday 21^st November – Mrs McGowan’s class - Walking tour of local area with lunch in a local cafe. Visit to library.  Children collected from library at 1.30pm
• Thursday 24^th November – Mrs Symington’s class - Walking tour of local area with lunch in a local cafe. Visit to library.  Children collected from library at 1.30pm

We really rely on the help of Parent Volunteers for these trips. If you are available to help at Stormont walk or Walking tours, would you please let Mrs Symington or Mrs McGowan know? Thankyou !

• Our open day will be held on Wednesday 7^th December at 7pm for those who would like to apply for 2016/17 enrolment. Please spread the word to friends and family who may be interested J

Applications for Nursery and Primary School places will be available from 25^th November at www.eani.org.uk  Application forms must be returned to your 1^st preference school no later than Wednesday 11^th January 2017 at 12 noon.

• Siobhain, our Parent worker, will be holding a coffee morning every Tuesday after morning drop off. Lists of topics for discussion can be found on the notice boards outside classroom.

Some Important Future Dates for your Diary

Monday 19^th December- Childrens Christmas Concert

Tea/ Coffee for parents/grandparents at 11 followed by concert at 11.30

Friday 7^th April- Easter Singalong

Tea/Coffee for parents/grandparents at 10.30 followed by singalong at 11.30

Wednesday 5^th June- Family Fun Day

1.30-3.30pm

Monday 12^th June- Trip to Carrickfergus Castle- Parent Volunteers most welcome

Don’t forget to check your children’s hair weekly for Head Lice.         Why not make this part of your week-end routine?