News & Views: October 2

Important Dates:

  • Monday, October 12: No school, Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day

  • Thursday, October 15, 7:00 pm: Twos Curriculum Night (via Zoom)

  • Wednesday, October 28: No school, Staff Development Day

  • Wednesday, October 28, 7:00 pm: Threes & Fours Curriculum Night (via Zoom)

School News & Announcements

  • CHP enrollment for 2021-21: For those families that like to plan ahead, here is information about our enrollment process for next year:

    • For current students: You do NOT need to submit another application.  In November, we will reach out to all our current families about registration for next year.

    • For siblings not yet enrolled: If you have another child at home who is not currently enrolled, please submit an application via our website.  We will reach out to enroll new students in January.  Siblings will have priority status.

    • If you know a family who is looking for a preschool program: We are hosting four virtual tours throughout the month of October.  Please encourage friends and family to email Stacy (stacy@cobblehillplayschool.com) to sign up for an online tour.

  • Chilly weather: As the weather begins to cool, please note that we try to get the children outside every day AND we are operating with windows open in the classroom.  Please consider sending a (labeled) sweater or sweatshirt with your child as needed.  

  • October 1st tuition payments are due.  If you haven’t made your October 1st tuition payment, please submit a check to Stacy.  The next and final tuition payments will be due on November 1st.  All tuition is payable by check to Cobble Hill Playschool.

  • The Department of Health (our licensing agency) requires all students in preschool programs to be immunized against the flu.  The vaccine must be administered between July 1st and December 31st.  Please make your appointments now.  Proof of immunization can be submitted by email (stacy@cobblehillplayschool.com) or fax (718-243-0445).  Please see the materials attached to this email for more information.

Notes From Our Classroom Teachers

  • This is our first year with “separate classrooms” and we decided to have some fun with our new format.  Each group has been charged with deciding on a name for themselves.  This has been a wonderfully child-led, collaborative process.  We are delighted to announce the following groups:

    • Kelsey’s kids are the Narcorns!  That’s right - half unicorn, half narwhal.  

    • Sarah’s kids are the Cookie Monsters!  Just decided today, it was a tight race between the Crocodiles and the Cookie Monsters.  In the end, they took a vote and Cookie Monsters prevailed.

    • Lizzie’s kids are the Bears!  They growl, they love honey, and they are really furry!

    • Give the Twos a little more time for this project :)

    • The groups will continue to talk about themselves as communities.  They will work together to establish agreements about how they will treat each other and how they want their communities to operate.  They will begin to introduce themselves to the other groups.  There has even been talk about writing letters to each other and  creating an inter-classroom mail delivery service.  Stay tuned!

  • We hope you have enjoyed our virtual introduction to school via the teachers’ daily email updates.  Moving forward, we will transition to sending newsletters about twice a month that contain the same updates, announcements, and stories from our classrooms - along with pictures, too!  

    • Twos families should begin receiving weekly updates.

    • Threes and Fours families should begin receiving updates every two weeks.

    • As always, our “doors” are open.  Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns.  Kristin or your child’s classroom teachers are good places to start.  Everyone’s email address is first name@cobblehillplayschool.com.  

    • Our upcoming curriculum nights will be a great chance to learn more about the specifics of what we do in school, ask questions, and talk with Kristin and the teachers.  

    • We will be hosting virtual parent teacher conferences at the end of January to correspond with the first of two sets of narrative student assessments.  If you have concerns or questions in the meantime, please reach out to Kristin (kristin@cobblehillplayschool.com). 

Community Engagement

  • Message from the Board: We had our first meeting last week, wherein we welcomed new members Luke Dixon (dad to 3s Rafe) and Cara Scarmack (mom to alum Colin and 3s Eleanor).  We spoke about the school’s budget, how reopening has gone thus far, beginning our marketing for fall tours and open houses, and upcoming community events.  We also began our discussion about schedules and tuition for the following school year which will continue for the next two months.  The fundraising committee is hard at work brainstorming a fun virtual event in lieu of our annual in-person cocktail party and silent auction, and we are all looking forward to a great event.  Over the course of the year, we will reach out regularly to share information, solicit feedback, and continue to build the community that has been the foundation of our wonderful school for so many years.  If you have any ideas, questions, or comments in the meantime, feel free to send them to Vice-President Molly Rayo (mom to 4s Ainsley and alum Hunter) at vp@cobblehillplayschool.com. 

Events Around Town

This section contains information about events of interest in the neighborhood, relevant news articles, and information about public and private schools in our area.

  • Music tomorrow!  October 3rd, 9:30 - 10:15 am: Mozart for Munchkins is hosting live, outdoor concerts for kids, this week at the Old Stone House in Park Slope.  Tickets available here.  Children often love to do what they see.  After a Mozart for Munchkins concert, try offering some “kitchen instruments” like paper towel roll inserts, pots and pans, and spoons, so your child can have a concert of their own.

Cobble Hill Playschool