Welcome to the Blog of the Robin’s Nest Preschool
Welcome to The Robin’s Nest blog! We hope this will be a good way to keep our parents and prospective parents updated on what’s happening in our little preschool here in Palm Harbor. We’ll add our monthly newsletters here, as well as updates on the special happenings that are always happening here at the Robin’s Nest. Add our blog to your blog reader, or sign up for email updates and we will send you an email whenever we post something new. Enjoy!
News From The Nest – October 2015
DEAR PARENTS,
The school year is off to a great start! The best part of my day is greeting you and your children upon arrival each morning. The joy and excitement on your children’s smiling faces as they eagerly come into school reminds me daily that God is in our presence.
There is a quote, from one of my favorite storybook characters, that often comes to mind:
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh
Being a parent myself, I truly understand how difficult saying goodbye can be, even if only for a few hours. And, I promise you – absolutely promise you – that your children are in the very best hands and that we will take care of them as if they are our very own. Thank you for entrusting us with your greatest treasures!
This school year is sure to be a great one!
Blessings,
Anne Martinelli
Director
WE’VE GOT SPIRIT…
Join us at the Oldsmar Chick-fil-A, at 3740 Tampa Road, on Thursday, October 15th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for Robin’s Nest Spirit night. There will be many fun activities available for children and adults. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to The Robin’s Nest.
LUNCH BUNCH
Is your child participating in Lunch Bunch? Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity for children to socialize with friends, including those in other classes. Food is available four days a week and enrichment activities are offered each day. They will have the opportunity to participate in Art, Yoga, Spanish, Music or Science. Children in the 3’s and VPK classes are eligible to attend. Please stop by the office to pick up a form. Fill out your child’s name and class designation. Circle the days you would like your child to stay in Lunch Bunch until 2:00 p.m. and circle any lunches you wish to purchase. Early Care is also available for sign up on this same form.
NOAH’S ARK PARADE
“Into every life a little rain must fall…but afterwards God sends a rainbow to remind us he loves us all” Calling all animals to board the Noah’s Ark Parade at The Robin’s Nest! It is the school’s philosophy that Halloween should be celebrated as a time of fun and imagination rather than fright and superstition. Children in The Robin’s Nest’s 3 and 4 year old classes will attend the program with their class dressed in an animal costume. The Robin’s Nest Noah’s Ark Parade will take place on October 29th and 30th in the church sanctuary at 11:45 a.m. Parents of 2’s are invited attend the program with their child.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Mark your calendars! The annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on December 12th at 9:00 a.m. Tickets will go on sale November 9th in The Robin’s Nest office. You don’t want to miss this wonderful event!
PARENT ADVOCATE CLUB (PAC)
Thank you to everyone that attended the first PAC meetings in September. Our PAC
Co-President officers for the 2014-2015 school year are Jill Pearen, Kayla Marsh, and Kim Martin.
We appreciate your continued support. The Robin’s Nest PAC is open to all parents and members of PHUMC who wish to actively support our school. Please join us for the next PAC meetings which will be held on Thursday, October 1st & Friday, October 2nd at 9:15 a.m.
PICK UP POLICY
A friendly reminder: Parents are expected to be prompt in picking up their children. Half-day classes’ end at 12:15, lunch bunch ends at 1:55 and extended day classes’ end at 3:00. The Robin’s Nest is licensed to operate only during these time periods. If you are running late please call the office and let us know.
“BELIEVE”
Thank you to everyone who participated in our fall fundraiser, “BELIEVE.” It’s too soon to know if we’ve hit our goal but we had a huge number of families participate and feel that it was a GREAT SUCCESS!
DATES TO REMEMBEROct. 1 Open House 6:30 (PARENTS ONLY PLEASE) Oct. 1 PAC meeting 9:15 a.m. Oct. 2 PAC meeting 9:15 a.m. Oct. 8 Julie Austin (10:00) in multipurpose room Oct. 13 Fire truck visits rooms 112, 108, 102, 104 Oct. 14 Fire truck visits rooms 112, 108, 110, 114, 116 Oct. 15 Conferences for the 2-day 2’s and 2-day 3’s classes No School for 2-day 2’s and 2-day 3’s Please note 5-day 3’s and 4’s (VPK) will have class! Oct. 16 Conferences for the 3-day 2’s, 3-day 3’s, 5-day 3’s, and 4’s NO SCHOOL for all children Oct. 19 SCHOOL CLOSED Oct. 29 Noah’s Ark Parade at 11:45 a.m. – rooms 108, 110, 114, 116 Oct. 30 Noah’s Ark Parade at 11:45 a.m. – rooms 102, 108, 104 *two’s may watch the parade with a parent
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We Love our Community Partners!
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
CONGRATULATIONS – We are happy to inform you that the following businesses and/or families have adopted a classroom:
Richard Rondon (Music) | The Kendrick Family (2-Day 2’s) |
The Kendrick Family (5-Day 3’s) | The Hanff Family (3-Day 2’s) |
The Hanff Family (VPK) | The Ford Family (5-Day 3’s) |
The Botsolas Family (2-Day 3’s) | The Rouse Family (3-Day 3’s) |
Josh & Sarah Thompson (3-Day 3’s) | The Pellegrini Family (3-Day 3’s) |
The Schmitt Family (3-Day 3’s) | The Donaldson Family (VPK) |
The Black Family (VPK) | Chicken Salad Chick (VPK) |
West Coast Awnings (VPK) | Carl and Renee Gresen (VPK) |
Verkler Family (VPK) | Watts/Cox Family (VPK) |
Ximena Escarria (VPK) | The Kratimenos Family (VPK) |
Panagiotopoulos Family (Music) Jan E. Gordon (VPK) | The Hoekstra Family (5-Day 3’s) |
We are proud to have our local community take an active role in our school and support the education of our children. Our goal is to see every class and program adopted at least twice! You can help us reach this goal. Make sure that your child’s class has the wonderful advantage of this community support. The children and their teachers will certainly appreciate it! A big thank you goes to all who have participated in the adoption program. Adoption forms are available in the office if you are interested.
News From the Nest – September 2015
Welcome back! Thank you to all the parents who donated supplies. These items are a necessity in the classroom and a tremendous help. Thank you very much for your support. We’re looking forward to a great year at The Robin’s Nest!
Chapel: Chapel starts September 8th, all are invited to attend. Chapel will be held on Mondays at 9:05 or Tuesdays at 9:05. If you’re running late on chapel day, please bring your child directly to the sanctuary.
Snacks: Snack time at The Robin’s Nest is a special time for your child. We hope you will help make this a parent/child project by including your child in the selection of the snack. We serve 100% apple juice as the beverage. Snacks must be healthy and low in sugar (no artificial sweeteners). Please save sugary snacks for birthday celebrations only. Also, remember, The Robin’s Nest is a PEANUT FREE school. Please read the snack notice carefully when it is your child’s turn to be snack helper. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your child’s teacher or Pat in the office.
Our Staff: The Robin’s Nest is blessed to have a teaching staff that is dedicated, highly trained, and committed to the education of children in a Christian environment. Our teachers and staff are the very best and we are proud to introduce them to you.
2-year-olds, Room 112: Betsy Bollenbacher & Tami Glass
3-year-olds, Room 102: Linda Robertson & Heidi Rogers
3-year-olds, Room 108: Jennifer Parent, Margie Hudson & Leah Wheeley
VPK, Room 104: Susan Hibbens & Sylvia Karalis
VPK, Room 110: Kristin Blake & Allyson Amende
VPK, Room 114: Misty Martz & Lisa Dion
VPK, Room 116: Lisa Bombar & Kris Rashleigh
E-mail Contact: You should be receiving regular information from The Robin’s Nest office. If you have not heard from us we may not have the correct e-mail address for you, so please send a message to us at mailto:amartinelli@phumc.net
Believe Fall Fundraiser: The Parent Advocate Club (PAC) Believe fundraiser will begin on Tuesday, September 15th , and run through Monday, September 28th. Fundraiser packets will be sent home with your child. This is a great time to complete some of your Christmas shopping and at the same time help out the children and the school. We appreciate the support you give The Robin’s Nest.
Community Partnership Program-Adopt a Class: Join The Robin’s Nest’s 2015-2016 Community Partnership Program. By adopting a class or the school and making a tax-deductible donation of $150, a local business or individual will receive valuable exposure with students, their families, and church members. The teachers use your donations to purchase classroom materials such as furniture, manipulatives, books, CD’s, and computer equipment. If you are interested in adopting a class or would like more information please stop by the office for a brochure. We greatly appreciate all the wonderful individuals and businesses who generously adopted classes last year.
Parent Advocate Club: PAC is a great way to support your child by participating in events and on subcommittees that enrich all of our lives. PAC sponsors a variety of special events for the children and their families, including Breakfast with Santa, Santa Shop, Book Fair, and more. The PAC also sponsors two major fundraisers during the school year.
Two PAC meetings are scheduled each month so you can choose which day to attend. We try to keep all meetings to no longer than 1 hour in length. Children are welcome to attend with you! All parents are invited to attend one of the first PAC meetings on September 10th room 212 or 11th at 9:15 a.m. room 201.
Individual Pictures: Picture Perfect Images is our school photographer. School pictures will be taken September 15th, 16th, and 17th.
Open House: Open house for parents will be held the evening of Thursday, October 1st at 6:30. Watch for notices in your child’s bag. Parents Only Please.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS | ||
Sept. 10 | PAC meeting 9:15 a.m. | |
Sept. 11 | PAC meeting 9:15 a.m. | |
Sept. 15 | Believe fundraiser begins | |
Sept. 15 | Individual pictures – Rooms 102, 110, and 104 | |
Sept. 16 | Individual pictures – Rooms 112, 108, and 114 | |
Sept. 17 | Individual pictures – Rooms 112, 108, and 116 | |
Sept. 25 | Special Event: Juggles the Clown | |
Sept. 28 | Believe fundraiser ends | |
Oct. 1 | Open house/parents only 6:30 | |
Oct. 1 | PAC meeting 9:15 a.m. | |
Oct. 2 | PAC meeting 9:15 a.m. | |
Oct. 8 | Julie Austin (10:00) in the Multi-Purpose Room | |
Oct. 13 | Fire truck visit for Rooms 112, 108, 102, 114, and 104 | |
Oct. 14 | Fire truck visit for Rooms 112, 108, 110, and 116 | |
Oct. 15 | Conferences for the 2-day 2’s and 2-day 3’s classes Please note 3-day 2’s, 3-day 3’s, 5-day 3’s and 4’s (VPK), will have class! | |
Oct. 16 | Conferences for the 3-day 2’s, 3-day 3’s, 5-day 3’s and 4’s No School for all children | |
Oct. 19 | School closed Professional Development Day | |
Oct. 29 | Noah’s Ark Parade: Rooms 108, 110, 114 and 116 | |
Oct. 30 | Noah’s Ark Parade for: Rooms 102, 104 and 108 *Two-year-old classes will not be in the parade or dress-up. They are invited to watch the parade with their parent. |
Summer Hours at the Nest
While our little birdies are away from the Nest this summer, we will have limited hours in our Robin’s Nest office. If you need anything, we can be found here on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. As a reminder, we can also be reached at (727) 786-1861 or amartinelli@robinsnestpalmharbor.org.
News from the Nest: May 2015 Newsletter
It’s hard to believe that the school year is almost over. It has been a joy to watch your children grow spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally this year. We are happy for them but also a little sad to see them grow up so quickly.
MISSION: KIMBERLY HOME CLOTHING DRIVE
Our last clothing drive for Kimberly Home is May 4th – 8th. The Kimberly Home is a 501cs pregnancy resource center that offers assistance to women and families. The services include pregnancy and parental education, transitional housing, adoption resources, counseling, mentoring and referrals to other community resources. Clean out those closets and bring in your gently used clothing and shoes! Look for the large labeled container in the Robin’s Nest hallway for your donations.
GRADUATION
We want to create an enjoyable and memorable graduation experience for all of our graduates this year. In order to achieve that goal we have photographers that will capture the moment when your child receives his/her diploma. We will also make the video of the entire program available to you at the best possible price. For your part we are asking that you simply sit back and enjoy the program. You may still take a photo from your seat. The children and the teachers have worked hard and we want to honor their efforts by not interrupting the program with unnecessary distractions. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
VPK LAST DAY ATTENDANCE
VPK students are required to attend the last day of school on May 22nd. Any VPK child not present on the last day will be listed with the Early Learning Coalition as not having completed the VPK program. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
NO LUNCH BUNCH/EARLY DISMISSAL
Please note that there will be no Lunch Bunch or Extended School Day on May 13th or 22nd. All students will be dismissed at 12:15 p.m. on those days.
LAST DAY ACTIVITIES
There will be last day celebrations on May 21st or May 22nd for the children. The teachers and their classes will celebrate their last days together before saying good bye.
TUITION 2015-16 REMINDER
If your child is enrolled for the 2015-16 school year, your first installment payment will be drawn on August 1, 2015. Parents of VPK students, we thank you for your voluntary donation. Don’t forget to get your VPK Eligibility Certificate to us if you haven’t already. Your child can not be enrolled into a class without their certificate unless they are private pay.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BEAUTIFUL AND DELICIOUS TREATS ON TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. IT WAS AMAZING!
ADOPT-A-CLASS
As the year begins to wind down, we would like to give a great big thank you to all who so generously
donated to our Adopt-A-Class program this school year. Your donations were greatly received and used
directly by your child’s teachers to purchase much needed materials and supplies for their classrooms.
Here are just some of the wonderful ways your generous donations were used to enhance your child’s
classroom:
VPK A: Our class hamster, Ginger, plus food, bedding and accessories. Prayer boxes and prayer bears.
VPK B: Math games, manipulatives and materials for the writing center, sensory table and
housekeeping area.
VPK C: Language games, art supplies and items for special art projects.
VPK D: Rug for block area, special arts & craft supplies, natural block set.
2 & 3 day 2-year-old classes: ABC area rug, snowballs, sensory blocks, teddy bear game
2 & 3 day 3-year-old classes: A new kitchen set for the housekeeping area, dress up clothes, rug with
roads for cars & blocks, special craft supplies.
5 day 3-year-old classes: Three-way easel, car carpet with cars, puzzles, live ants, caterpillars, ladybugs
and art project supplies
A FRIENDLY REMINDER…
These final weeks of school will be extremely busy; it is imperative that students get to school promptly
at 9:00am.
Also, afternoon pick up times remain the same – classroom dismissal 12:15, lunch bunch 1:55 and
extended care 3:00. Please be on time for pick up.
DATES TO REMEMBER
May 7 Mother’s Day Tea in the multi-purpose room at 11:45 a.m.
2-day 2’s, 2-day 3’s, Martz/Groves 4’s, and Bombar/Rashleigh’s 4’s only
May 8 Mother’s Day Tea in the multi-purpose room at 11:45 a.m.
3-day 2’s, 3-day 3’s, 5-day 3’s, Hibbens/Karalis’ 4’s, and Blake/Amende’s 4’s only
May 13 PAC Luncheon – No Lunch Bunch or Extended Day
May 21 Last day of school for all T-Th classes
May 22 Last day of school – dismissal at 12:15 p.m. for all classes
No Lunch Bunch or Extended Day
May 22 Graduation 6:30 p.m.
The Robin’s Nest Preschool Graduation
News from the Nest: April 2015 Newsletter
Safety First
Please remember to hold your child’s hand when walking to and from the parking lot. Also make sure your child avoids the bushes and climbing or jumping on the outdoor bins. These areas are not safe play spaces.
No Extended/Lunch Bunch
Parents there will be no extended or lunch bunch on May 12th. This is our PAC and Volunteer Luncheon that our teachers will be attending. There will also be no extended care or lunch bunch on the last day of school May 22nd. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Graduation Celebration
The 4’s classes will be participating in a graduation celebration on Friday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. The graduation celebration will take place in the Palm Harbor United Methodist Church sanctuary. Please watch for your special invitation and reservation form. Remember that your VPK child must attend school on May 22rd in order to be listed with the state of Florida as having completed the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program.
Back To School
Back to school dates for the 2015 -2016 school year are as follows:
Class Meet & Greet Day/First Day of School
VPK: Aug. 28th/Aug. 31st
2-day 2’s: Sept. 1st/Sept. 3rd
2-day 3’s: Sept. 1st/Sept. 3rd
5-day 3’s: Sept. 1st/Sept. 3rd
3-day 2’s: Sept. 2nd/Sept. 4th
3-day 3’s: Sept. 2nd/Sept. 4th
Spring Fundraiser
A big thank you goes to everyone who participated in our spring basket sale. We saw some great
new ideas. The funds raised will go toward our playground. A special thanks to the companies
that donated to our sale, including the following:
The Ringling Museum of Art
Dinosaur World
Dunedin Family Fitness
Westchase Golf Club
Great Explorations
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tom Papa at Capitol Theatre
Busch Gardens
It Works!
Belleair Country Club
Lansbrook Golf Club
Generation Fit
The Tropics Boat Tours
Cobb Theatres
Mosi
Big Cat Rescue
A Safari Dental
Ray’s
Bee Branch Creek Apiaries
Rodan & Fields
Dates to Remember
March 30 – April 3 Spring Break
April 6 School closed – Easter Monday
April 9 & 10 PAC meeting @ 9:15 a.m.
May 7 Mother’s Day Tea:
Multi-Purpose Room at 11:45 a.m.
Rooms 108, 112, 114, 116
May 8 Mother’s Day Tea:
Multi-Purpose Room at 11:45 a.m.
Rooms 102, 104, 108, 110, 112
May 12 PAC and Volunteer Luncheon –
No Lunch Bunch or Extended Day
May 21 Last day of school for all T-Th classes
May 22 Last day of school for all M-W-F & VPK classes
No Lunch Bunch or Extended Day
May 22 Graduation 6:30 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: All regular birthdays and un-birthdays have been assigned. If we missed your child, please
let your child’s teacher know ASAP.
News From the Nest: March 2015 Newsletter
Dad’s Night
Dads Night was a fun-filled special event. It was wonderful seeing the children so excited to attend with their dad, grandpas, or uncle. The children and their dads watched the Tricky Dog Show, enjoyed a treat from Kona Ice, visited the classrooms, and went shopping at the book fair. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support!
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair has been a great success. We thank all of you who participated by buying books and working at the book fair and in the office. Your participation will allow us to keep our school library current by obtaining new books.
Don’t forget, you can still purchase books on-line through March 10th at the following link: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/therobinsnestachrnpresch
School Spirit Week
Thank you for helping your child participate in School Spirit week. It was a fun and festive week for all at The Robin’s Nest.
Silent Auction: Basket Fundraiser March 17th – 20th
PAC is sponsoring a basket fundraiser. Room mothers from every class will make a basket for the silent auction from the items donated by the parents. The room mothers have already sent you a letter with your class theme and important information about the fundraiser. The basket silent auction begins on March 17 and ends on March 20 at 9:30 a.m. Winners of each basket may pick them up on Friday, March 20. All proceeds will benefit playground improvements.
Snack Reminder – We ask that cookies, cupcakes, Jell-O, ice cream, and other sweet treats be reserved for special occasions such as birthdays and holiday parties only. The Robin’s Nest is a Peanut and Nut Free school. Please check with your teacher if you are in doubt about a suitable snack.
Dates to Remember
March 5 & 6 PAC meeting 9:15 a.m.
March 8 Daylight Savings
March 16 No School – Pro Ed Day
March 17-20 Silent Auction
March 26 & 27 Easter Parties
March 30 – April 6 No school – Spring Break
St. Patrick’s Day vector designed by Freepik
Robin’s Nest Spirit Week Starts Monday!
We have a fun and festive week planned at The Robin’s Nest the week of Feb 23-27. We hope you join us
for a spirit filled week!
Monday, Feb 23- Silly Sock Day
Pull out those wacky socks!
6:00 p.m. Dad’s Night! Join us for a special night of fun. There will be classroom visitations, book fair visits, Kona Shaved ice, a photo booth and a chance to see the Tricky Dog Show!
Tuesday, Feb 24- Dress Wacky Day
Have fun with different shoes, backwards clothes, wacky looks, get silly!
Wednesday, Feb 25- Crazy Hair/ 80’s
Big hair, sideways hair, spiked hair/ leg warmers, neon, big belts, have fun with it!
Thursday, Feb 26- Robin’s Nest T-Shirt Day
Wear your red Robin’s Nest t-shirt. If you don’t have one you can purchase one in the office or just wear a red shirt.
Chick-fil-A Spirit Night! 5:00 p.m. -8 :00 p.m.
Make sure to come out to the Oldsmar Chick-fil-A for a fun time!
Friday, Feb 27- Superhero Day
Come dressed as your favorite Superhero.
6:30 p.m. in the Church multi-purpose room chill
out with us as we watch the Disney movie, FROZEN, the sing-a-long version. Pizza & ice cream will be provided. FREE Bring pillows and blankets and come dressed as your favorite character.
The Book Fair is ONLINE Until March 10th!
The Book Fair has come and gone, but our ONLINE book fair is still open until March 10th at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/therobinsnestachrnpresch . The online Book Fair offers a huge selection of books for various age groups. Use the link above to shop for siblings, friends and family members or forward it to out-of-the-area family so they also can get involved in your child’s reading journey.
News from the Nest: February 2015
Registration Schedule 2015-2016
Registration is starting soon! You can now get all registration forms here on the website and have them all filled out prior to your registration date. Please be thorough in filling out the forms. All registration will take place in The Robin’s Nest office starting at 9:30 on the designated days below.
- VPK registration for currently enrolled 3 year olds will take place on Tuesday, February 3rd and Wednesday, February 4th.
- Registration for currently enrolled 2 year olds will start on Thursday, February 5th.
- Registration for siblings of currently enrolled students of The Robin’s Nest, Westlake Christian and Stars & Comets will take place on Wednesday, February 11th.
- Registration for Palm Harbor United Methodist Church members’ children will begin Thursday, February 12th.
- Open Registration for all ages will begin Friday, February 13th.
All forms must be completely filled out before bringing them to registration along with a check for your $150 registration fee and $100 activity fee. Note: VPK students are not required to pay registration or activity fees but have the option to make a voluntary donation of $250 at registration. This is to cover the cost of extra enrichment activities that are not covered by the amount that we receive from the State of Florida.
Scholastic Book Fair
The book fair will be held Monday, February 23th thru Friday, February 27th in room 120. Money raised will be used to enhance our preschool literacy program.
Dad’s Night
Dads of children in the 3’s, and 4’s classes are invited to come to school with your child for a special evening Monday, February 23rd. You will be receiving an invitation, but we’d like you to have an early notice so you can plan to attend! Be ready to visit your child’s classroom and see a show!
Snacks
Please remember that we strive to provide the children with nutritious food snacks. Highly sweetened treats, such as cookies (all types), potato chips, brownies, granola bars, gummy bears, and fruit roll -ups, will be permitted only for special occasions. As a reminder, The Robin’s Nest is a peanut free school. No nuts of any kind or any nut butters are allowed.
Dates to Remember
Feb. 16 School closed-Professional Development Day
Feb. 17 Class pictures for rooms 112, 108, 110, 114, Graduation pictures for rooms 114, 110
Feb. 18 Class pictures for rooms 112, 108, 102, 104, 116, Graduation pictures for rooms 104, 116
Feb. 23 Dad’s Night at The Robin’s Nest 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Feb. 23 – 27 Scholastic Book Fair
March 5 PAC meeting – 9:15 a.m.
March 6 PAC meeting – 9:15 a.m.
March 16 School closed – Professional Development Day
March 17 – 20 Silent auction spring fundraiser
March 26 Easter parties for 2-day 2’s, 2-day 3’s, 5-day 3’s
March 27 Easter parties for 3-day 2’s, 3-day 3’s and all 4’s classes
March 30 –April 3 Spring break – school closed
April 6 Easter Monday – school closed
Love vector designed by Freepik