The Children’s Greenhouse The Child Care Center at Nassau Community College

Sponsored by the Faculty Student Association

From the Advisory Committee

Dear Parents:

It is hard to believe that the Fall Semester is almost over. Hopefully your children have

enjoyed participating in the various activities at the Greenhouse over the past several

months. I hope that your family has begun to recover from hurricane Sandy and the

aftermath. If there is anything you are in need of, please let us know.

Please remember to check your e-mail for Greenhouse information and reminders. I

hope the e-mails help you to keep up with what’s happening. I know if it weren’t for the

reminders I would certainly forget about pizza day!

Two weeks ago you received a notice about donating to the staff appreciation fund. If

you would like to contribute, any amount is greatly appreciated and will help the staff

pay for an annual holiday party.

I hope your semester ends smoothly and that you and your family have a wonderful

holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Molly Ludmar

On behalf of the Greenhouse Advisory Committee

Newsletter December 2012

The Children’s Greenhouse

Has become a

NO CELL PHONE ZONE! ending all cell phone calls as you enter the building will enable you to give

your full attention to your child, as well as to be available when caregivers need

to speak with you.

THANK YOU!

PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION!

CALENDAR

o The last day of the Fall Semester is Friday, December 21.

o The Greenhouse will be closed as follows:

Mon, Dec 24

Tue, Dec 25

Wed, Dec 26

Thu, Dec 27

Fri, Dec 28

Mon, Dec 31

Tue, Jan 1

Fri, Jan 4

o Monday, January 21 is a holiday and the College and Greenhouse are closed.

o The Spring 2013 Semester begins on Tuesday, January 22.

SCHEDULES

o SPRING schedules should be in the office by now. Any parent who has not submitted a schedule should stop in the

office as soon as possible as spaces are limited.

o We are still accepting schedules for the WINTERIM/JANUARY BREAK. Please stop in the office to complete a request

form by December 7.

PARENT CONFERENCES

o Individual parent conferences are being offered in January, after the end of this semester.

o These meetings are a great opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with head caregivers to receive information about

your child’s progress and development, and to discuss concerns or ask questions.

o Signup sheets with conference schedules will be posted on the bulletin boards in each room.

o Please sign up at a time that is convenient for you and if the date offered is not good for you, stop in the office and

we will arrange an alternate.

TUITION

o The final TUITION PAYMENT for this semester is due the week of December 17 and all tuition should be paid in full by

the end of the semester. Any parent having difficulty with this schedule should speak with Janet as soon as possible.

STILL TO COME...

o The last PIZZA LUNCH of this semester is on Tuesday, December 18 - $3 buys pizza, fruit and a beverage and there’s

still time to sign up – just stop in the office.

o Matt the Music Man will be here for two more sessions with the children on Tuesday, December 11 and Wednesday,

December 19 (in the morning).

FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Parents:

It seems like just a few weeks ago everyone was busy settling in and adjusting to the Fall Semester - then the hurricane blew in and everything seemed to come to a halt. Then we returned and it all sped up - and now we are just a few short weeks away from the end of this semester! For those of you seriously impacted by the storm, I hope you are well on the way to full recovery. It’s been a very difficult time for so many of our families and our thoughts are with you.

Each day, as I visit rooms, it is truly a pleasure to see how well the children have adjusted to the program and how involved they are in the day-to-day activities. I enjoyed participating with them during our shortened Farm Fun Time - from feeding and petting the animals, to dancing the “Possum Stomp” - we all had a great time!

On November 15, almost 90 children shared a delicious Thanksgiving lunch and we were amazed at how well they ate and how long they sat at the tables enjoying the food. Corn on the cob was the favorite menu item but the macaroni and cheese with the secret ingredient of butternut squash and the zucchini muffins were close seconds!

The colder weather and change of seasons that come with December give us great curriculum opportunities and you will see this reflected as the Greenhouse changes from its autumn

splendor to its wintery night beauty. Each of the groups will be working on a part of our NIGHT SKY MURAL, which will replace the Big Barn, and you will see it develop as each of the children make and hang a star amid the twinkling lights that will shine in our sky.

As this Semester draws to a close I would like to take a moment to commend you, our parents, for the kindness, patience and sense of humor you demonstrate as you go about your hectic daily schedules, facing all kinds of stress and pressure. I admire your determination and perseverance and thank you for being such great role models for me and more importantly, for your children.

Thank you for trusting us to care for your precious children and for your support of our program events this semester. If this is going to be your last semester at the Greenhouse, please take a moment to stop in the office to say goodbye. As always, I am available at any time to discuss your concerns or answer your questions or to address any issues that may come up as the semester ends.

On behalf of our entire staff, I wish each of you a new year filled with peace and happiness. Sincerely,

Janet Walsh

THANK YOU to all of our families who joined us for

OPEN HOUSE on Friday evening - a great time was had by all! A special

thanks to our staff - they did a superb job planning and organizing this

special event!

THE CHILDREN’S GREENHOUSE IS A HOLIDAY FREE ZONE!

As individuals who care for children, we routinely make choices about what’s best to do in different situations, including whether or not to celebrate the December holidays at the Greenhouse. Children enjoy holidays but the anticipation and waiting can be unbearable and not all families celebrate. Stores have displays and there are advertisements everywhere for holidays that are many weeks away, and as you know, young children have difficulty with the concept of time. Add to that the stress that everyone experiences at the end of a semester, which inevitably affects the children, and you have the recipe for some very overwhelmed and confused little people who are unable to focus on the important things they need to do – eat, sleep, learn, play and have fun. To those of us making the choices, it makes sense not to draw attention the December holidays because of these issues and more importantly, because we are concerned about respecting the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of all of our families.

Therefore, after giving this much consideration, we have declared the Children’s Greenhouse to be a “HOLIDAY FREE ZONE” where our curriculum for the last several weeks of the semester will focus on the beautiful features of the night sky and on the importance of family.

PAJAMA DAY WITH BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH

ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, the children can wear their pajamas, bring their teddy bears or favorite stuffed friends and pretend to have a sleepover under the night sky. Leave the lunchboxes home as we will serve BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH! The menu includes: French toast, scrambled eggs, toast and fresh fruit.

OUTDOOR PLAY AND THE COLD WEATHER

Going outdoors to play, have fun, release energy, climb, run, pedal, etc., is an important part of each child’s day at the Greenhouse. As the weather gets colder these activities are still valuable and in fact a bit of fresh air will often kill germs and viruses that breed in warm indoor temperatures.

To keep your children more comfortable outside, please dress them appropriately for the weather with warm coats or jackets, hats, gloves or mittens, and dress them in layers with a sweater or sweatshirt under their coat. Scarves are fine provided they are worn under coats.

We use good judgment in determining whether or not to venture outdoors in the winter and on days that are bitter cold, with strong winds, we usually do not go out. Also, the amount of time a group spends outdoors is reduced as the weather gets colder. We ask you to keep in mind that children move around a good deal more than adults and don’t feel the cold as we do. Overall, a short time playing outdoors makes indoor activities much more productive.

As we have a limited supply of extra hats, gloves/mittens to use in the event that a child comes to the center without either, we will gladly accept donations of gently used items – just drop them off in your child’s room or in the office. Thank you!

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

WHENEVER CLASSES ARE CANCELED BECAUSE OF WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCIES, THE CHILDREN'S GREENHOUSE WILL BE CLOSED! You can tune to the following radio stations: KJOY-98.3 FM, WHPC 90.3 FM (NCC radio) or Channel 12 News for announcements of closings or delays. You can also check the College website www.ncc.edu or the Greenhouse website www.greenhouse.ncc.edu for information about closings or delayed openings. You can also call the Greenhouse office as we will update the message on our answering machine to reflect current information.

From Infant One

October and November just flew by but we had a good deal of quality time with the babies who

had fun with all the special Greenhouse activities:

Halloween and Pumpkins…

The babies had fun going to the playground to pick pumpkins from the Greenhouse

pumpkin patch which they then decorated to take home.

The babies decorated goodie bags using paint and cookie cutters which we then sent home

with Halloween-themed rubber duckies and stickers.

The babies had a great time visiting the other rooms around the center when we went trick-

or-treating and they all looked so cute in their costumes.

Petting Zoo…

All the infants went outside to see the farm animals and they loved it

– they weren’t afraid at all.

The babies were interested in all the animals but they spent the most

time with the adorable bunnies.

Thanksgiving Feast…

We gathered with the rest of the Greenhouse in the Toddler Two room and we

held the babies while we danced to “The Turkey Wobble”.

The feast took place in the preschool gym that was decorated with Thanksgiving

themed plates and tablecloths. The babies who could eat enjoyed mashed sweet potatoes, turkey and homemade

applesauce.

We’ve seen so much amazing growth and development with the babies this semester. Some

babies have gone from very little movement to rolling around the room, reaching for toys, rocking

on their knees and some are crawling. We even have a couple of children walking! Many have

started eating this semester and they are doing great. Their personalities are starting to shine

through and they’ve become more responsive – even to our singing. It has been our pleasure to

care for your babies and we appreciate your support. Good luck with the rest of your semester.

The Infant One Staff

From Infant Two

The children in Infant Two had a busy October and November participating in all of the fun

activities the Greenhouse had planned. We had a Greenhouse Halloween, the petting zoo came

to our playground, and we also had a Greenhouse Thanksgiving feast.

Halloween…

Was a big hit, the babies looked adorable all dressed up in their

costumes.

The babies were excited to walk around the Greenhouse and Trick-or-Treat in all the

different rooms to fill up their goodie bags with treats.

Petting Zoo…

What a blast we had watching the petting zoo set up right outside our windows!

Once outside the babies could not get enough of the animals; they did not want to come

in.

Some of our favorite animals were the ducks, bunnies and the sheep.

We practiced our animal sounds and the babies “talked” to the animals - it was so cute!

Thanksgiving Feast…

Each baby made a Native American headband that they decorated with a homemade

feather as well as a craft feather.

We gathered with the rest of the Greenhouse in the Toddler Two room and danced “The

Turkey Wobble” - the babies loved it and they danced around following the lead of the

older children.

The feast took place in the preschool gym that was decorated with Thanksgiving themed

plates and tablecloths.

As a group we made centerpieces that we had on our table as we ate our

feast.

For the most part the babies ate nicely and most tried the different foods

that were offered. Our favorites were the macaroni and cheese with

butternut squash, the zucchini muffins and the applesauce.

It’s been a great semester for the Infant Two babies - they had fun with all the activities we

planned and they played outside and in the gym. The children have grown in so many ways and

the staff has truly enjoyed caring for them. Thank you and enjoy the rest of the semester.

Kelly McDonagh

Head Caregiver

From Toddler One

The past few months have been very busy and so much fun in Toddler One. Here are some of

the highlights:

Farm Animals…

The children were very excited to learn all about the farm animals

and the sounds they make!

The children got to pet and feed farm animals on the playground when the petting zoo

came for a visit. They saw and heard first hand chickens, a goat, bunnies and ducks!

The Big Barn Mural…

Toddler One helped in painting part of the Big Barn backdrop and decorated yellow

ducks for the mural too!

Halloween…

The children enjoyed picking out a special pumpkin to decorate and

take home.

The children got to dress up in their Halloween costumes and trick or

treat around the Greenhouse to collect fun treats.

Thanksgiving…

Our Thanksgiving Feast was so much fun. We started by gathering with the

rest of the center to dance and sing “The Turkey Wobble” then we sat for

lunch with all our friends to enjoy a variety of foods made by each group.

Toddler One made macaroni and cheese with a yummy surprise (butternut

squash – and the children did not even know they were eating something healthy!)

Matt the Music Man…

We’ve had several sessions with Matt the Music Man this semester. The children enjoy

playing drums, listening to songs and all the fun puppets he brings along.

The children have all grown so much these last few months. Some are saying more words and

short sentences, singing new songs, listening to stories, putting together puzzles and feeding

themselves. The Toddler One staff and I enjoyed having the opportunity to be a part of their

development.

As always, please feel free to speak with Leanna or myself if you have any questions or

concerns about your child and good luck with the rest of your semester.

Carey Zinn

Head Caregiver

From Toddler Two

This semester has been filled with a lot of excitement for the Toddler Two group, making the

time go by fast. As a group the children have grown so much and learned many new things.

The Fall Semester is always filled with fun activities and events for the children and even

though some were canceled or delayed, we made the most of our time together. Here are some

highlights:

Farm Animals…

The children learned all about the farm and the animals that live on it.

We listened to animal sounds and talked about what the farm animals

like to eat.

Feeding the farm animals on the playground when the petting zoo came for a visit was so

great for the kids.

The Big Barn Mural…

Painting is one of the Toddler Two group’s favorite activities. Our little artists helped

paint the big barn mural panels red, then we sponge painted our little piggies for the

mural too!

Halloween…

The children loved getting the bottom of their feet painted to print on their

trick or treat bags for Halloween. Some were ticklish and others sat back and

enjoyed the mini “pedicure” with a warm soapy foot wash!

We helped out with the pumpkin delivery and the children were very excited to load up

the wagons and shopping carts, dumping the pumpkins in the sand and sharing them with

their friends. A few days later each child enjoyed picking a pumpkin to decorate and

take home.

The children had a lot of fun learning Halloween songs; their favorite was “If You’re

Scared and You Know it!” which we enjoyed singing during circle time!

When we turned our Dress Up Day into a belated Halloween celebration, the children

were happy to have the opportunity to wear their costumes and go trick or treating

around the Greenhouse to collect special treats to bring home.

Leaves…

We made autumn leaves and decorated our room for the fall. They children

especially enjoyed the falling leaves outside on the playground, picking them up and

throwing them into the air.

Thanksgiving…

Thanksgiving is always a nice time at the Greenhouse. It was especially exciting for the

Toddler Two group because the festivities started in our room with “The Turkey

Wobble” dance! The yummiest part of the lunch was definitely the zucchini muffins,

made by the wonderful bakers in our group!

I have to say that the children truly enjoyed this semester and it is a pleasure taking care of and

teaching them. As always please speak with Kat or myself if you have any questions or

concerns.

Dina Guarino

Head Caregiver

From Preschool One

The children in Preschool One had a busy October and November participating in all of the fun

activities we planned. Here are some of the highlights:

Fall and Apples…

We talked about the change of seasons and enjoyed watching as the leaves

changed colors.

The children learned about how apples grow from seeds.

We raked leaves on the playground and had a great time running through

them.

Farm Fun/Petting Zoo…

We talked about different animals that live on farms and the sounds they make.

The children enjoyed dancing and singing with the rest of the center at the Greenhouse

Hoedown that was held on the playground.

We helped paint the backdrop and decorated sheep for the Big Barn Mural.

The children had a blast feeding and petting a variety of farm animals when the petting

zoo visited. The favorites were the rabbits, ducks and the sheep.

Pumpkins…

The children loved loading the pumpkins into wagons to decorate the playground.

They picked out their own special pumpkins to decorate and take home.

Halloween…

We had a late Halloween celebration (thanks to the storm) but the children still got to

wear their costumes and trick-or-treat around the Greenhouse to collect goodies.

The children enjoyed a special magic show “The Halloween That Blew Away”.

Thanksgiving…

As we talked about Thanksgiving and what it means to be thankful, each child got to tell

us what it is they are thankful for. Some of the favorites were mommies, animals and

power.

Preschool One prepared homemade applesauce to share with the rest of the center at the

Greenhouse Thanksgiving Feast.

The children made Native American headbands and macaroni necklaces to wear at the

feast.

Before we sat down to our feast, we gathered in the Toddler Two room to sing and dance

“The Turkey Wobble”.

The children enjoyed all the foods each group made, especially the corn on

the cob – yummy!

It’s been a great semester in Preschool One – the children are having fun learning and playing.

If you have any questions, please speak to Maureen or myself. Thank you and enjoy the rest of

the semester.

Joanna DeRosa

Head Caregiver

From Preschool Two

It’s that time of the year again! I can’t believe that the semester is almost over. The children

have been very busy learning, exploring and discovering so many new things and in such a short

time they have grown so much – it’s wonderful to see! Here are some of the fall highlights:

Apples, Leaves, Farms and Pumpkins…

The children enjoyed baking apple turnovers and going on a pretend apple

picking adventures.

We learned about why leaves turn different colors in the fall and had fun

raking them up (and jumping in the piles) on the playground.

We also learned about what grows on the farm and who lives on the farm; the children

even got to pet and feed a goat, sheep, chickens, ducks and bunnies when the petting zoo

visited.

The children had a great time unloading all the pumpkins onto our playground when they

arrived – we have quite a strong group of children in Preschool Two! Later they

decorated the pumpkins with silly face stickers.

We also had fun decorating the playground with corn stalks, bales of hay and mums that

sure gave our playground a very fall feeling.

Thanksgiving…

We began with discussing what it means to be thankful and the children all had many

great things to be thankful for; you can read the list on the next page.

We learned to sing and dance “The Turkey Wobble”, an annual Greenhouse

favorite.

The children made Pilgrim hats and Native American headbands, macaroni

necklaces and floral centerpieces for our Thanksgiving Feast.

Each group participated in making a part of our meal. We made mashed sweet potatoes

and shucked the corn. Our Thanksgiving Feast was a hit!

These are some other things the children have been learning…

To work together and to care about each other’s feelings.

To take turns and help each other out.

The calendar, including the days of the week and the months of

the year.

The letters of the week. We’ve had fun painting them to

complete our alphabet on the wall over the windows. We talk about the sounds the letters

make and about uppercase and lowercase letters as well as words that begin with each

letter.

It always amazes me how much the children grow and learn throughout the semester. We truly

enjoy having the opportunity to share in the development of your child; we thank you for

allowing us to be a part of it. As always, if you have questions or concerns regarding your child,

please do not hesitate to speak with Janna or myself. Thank You!

Sandra Horan

Head Caregiver

FAMILY PHOTOS

Help us help the children learn about families!

Please send in a photo of your child and his/her family.

Each group will display the photos for the children to see and talk about.

The children get very excited about showing their families to their

friends, so try to get your photos in as soon as possible but

by December 7th, at the latest. Thank you!

Joseph A. is thankful for race cars

Joel is thankful for his daddy

Matthew is thankful for his daddy

Mitike Zara is thankful for winter

Luke is thankful that his power came back

Nicholas is thankful for toys

Madison C. is thankful for everything

Saphira is thankful that her power came back on so she could watch

her show and she is thankful for her mommy

Joseph G. is thankful for TV

Jasmine is thankful for ring lipstick

Sophia is thankful for teachers

Lorelei is thankful for her mommy and her daddy

Tyler is thankful for his brother, Brandon

Karley is thankful that she got her lights back

Izabella is thankful for her pony

Kayleigh is thankful for her dog

Monica is thankful for flowers

Madison L. is thankful for toys

Jack L. is thankful for his sister and his dog Millie

Jeilin is thankful for her daddy

Simon is thankful for his toys

Joseph M. is thankful for everything

Isabel is thankful for her cousin

Vanessa is thankful for her mommy

Jack M. is thankful for his daddy

Will is thankful for little Dorothy

Victoria is thankful for her dog Leo

Cameron is thankful for his mommy

Arianna is thankful for her cousins

Paige is thankful for stuffed animals

Lily Rose is thankful for mommy and daddy and their lovely bed that

they let her sleep in when she’s scared

CALLING

ALL

PARENTS!