Tis the season, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! It is one of the most enjoyable times of the year while working with children. The excitement is unspeakable and as teachers, the many activities, songs, and games this month are unlimited! We are looking forward to a fun filled month.
Our Polly Panda classrooms Two and older have started working on gingerbread houses. The houses will be on display in the entryway (Daisies and Ladybugs houses will be on display in the entryway at Bridgford). Please take a few minutes to check out each house and enjoy the wonder smells. We jokingly say we gain 10 pounds from the wonderful smells.
During the week of December 5 our Christmas tree will be on display in the entryway. All children have made an ornament so please take a moment to enjoy their creativity.
THANK YOU!
Although we are excited about the beginning of the holiday season, we wanted to share the exciting news about our fall festival. This year’s festival raised $4226.50, which is a record!. We were able to sponsor 35 children through Foster Fairies. None of this would have been possible without all the generosity of our parents and the teachers who donated their time the night of the festival. We would also like to thank the parents who donated items to the Salvation Army Angel Trees. We were able to provide Christmas gifts to 10 children through this program.
HOLIDAY CLOSURES:
December 26 - Polly Panda and Bridgford will be closed for Christmas
January 2 - Polly Panda and Bridgford will be closed for the New Year
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out, email: thepanda@pollypanda.com or 317-257-9127.
Tammy & Shannon
Monthly Themes
Toddler and Two’s Themes
Dec. 5-9 Reindeer Games, Red and Green Holiday Fun
Dec. 12-16 Boxes, Bows and Parent Gifts
Dec. 19-30 Winter Break (no lesson plans are due)
Color of the Month
Green
Nursery Rhyme of the Month
Jack Be Nimble
Preschool Themes
Dec. 5-9 Reindeer Games, Red and Green Holiday Fun (no letter)
Dec. 12-16 Happy Holiday Gifts and Parent Gifts
Dec. 19-30 Winter Break (no lesson plans are due)
Math Concept
Patterns
Quote of the Month
December 16 - Field Trip
On Friday, December 15, the Teddy Bears, Chipmunks, Butterflies, Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Penguins, Jellyfish, Daisies, and Ladybugs will enjoy a visit from Jingle John and his Animals of the North Pole!
During the show, the children will learn about how the animals that live there adapt to the one of the coldest, harshest environments. The show will include mammals, a reptile, a bird a frog and bugs to interpret life at the North Pole discussing light cycles, temperature changes, migration, and hibernation. Best of all the show will include a live reindeer for the children to pet and interact with. Jingle John has also been known to share secrets about Santa’s workshop and reindeer barn.
□ COST: $10 - parents will be notified if you need to pay
December 16 - Holiday Breakfast
We would like to invite everyone to our annual Holiday Breakfast on Friday December 16 from 6:30am-9:00am. We hope you can take a few minutes from your busy schedule and enjoy breakfast with your child. The breakfast will be served in the Teddy Bear, Chipmunk and Butterfly rooms.
Holiday Fun: Igloos in Indy??
Have you ever seen Igloos in Indy? Now you can!
For the past few years, igloo dining has been all the rage, especially in Indiana and especially during cold weather. The winter months aren’t the only times that friends and family flock together under weather-proof plastic and PVC, springtime and fall are also great times of year to get together and keep warm as you relax outdoors and Daniel's Vineyard.
Staff Birthdays:
December 5 - Alliyah Kent (Honey Bees)
December 13 - Lydia Blair (Ducklings)
December 14 - Dana Molskness (Ladybugs)
December 18 - Jessica Abbett (Float)
December 27 - Kailah Kent (Float)
Staff Anniversaries:
December 13 - Emily Spencer (Float)
December 30 - J’Niaya Young (Chipmunks)
Employees of the Month
Please put your hands together to help celebrate our Kimberly Winfrey!
Ms. Kimberly works in the Monkey classroom, which is our youngest infant room. She comes to us with 26 years of early childhood experience. She is a graduate of Crispus Attucks High School and also attended Ivy Tech for 2.5 years for Early Childhood Education, where she completed her CDA.
Ms. Kimberly enjoys helping each baby grow and become the best little person they can be. She feels it is her responsibility to give each one the opportunity to teach them useful skills that will help them to have positive influence in their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. She takes great pride in working with each parent to give them the support that is needed during this time in their little one’s life. Ms. Kimberly’s kind, loving and nurturing personality makes her a natural to work with our littlest Pandas.
When Ms. Kimberly isn’t snuggling and loving on “her babies” she enjoys spending time with her family, going shopping, crafting, and helping out with her church family.
Please join us in thanking Ms. Kimberly for her dedication the field of early childhood and for taking such awesome care of our little babies!