Sue’s Reflections

Dear Parents,

We recently completed the registration process, and I’m very pleased to report that enrollment at TCNS is in great shape. We already have wait lists for some of our classes and each day I receive calls from prospective parents. I enjoy asking parents how they heard about Trinity and what they heard. Many relay positive feedback they heard from current and past families about our programs. However, in addition to hearing about our programming and teaching styles, a common theme in the feedback is the strong sense of community among Trinity families. In fact, many of the families that tell me they had preschool experiences in other schools, but they are seeking something more; a strong sense of community.

This sense of community begins with the home visits, continues with the summer playdates on the playground, and grows stronger with the fall Parent’s Night Out and many more events. However, there is a lot more to developing a sense of community than merely planning events. I believe a strong factor in our “family” feeling is that we have face to face drop off and pick up and opportunities for families to interact both inside and outside of the classroom. However, even more important, we appeal to people who appreciate connecting with each other at whatever level schedules permit.

This brings me to our benefit, which will be held on February 21st at Michigan Shores Club. The event feels like a celebration of community! It is fun, high spirited, and important to the financial health of the school. Tuition alone does not cover all our operating costs, and the funds raised at the benefit cover the gap in our operating budget. The benefit provides funding for the vast array of “specials” (music, science, movement, Spanish, cooking, yoga, & chess) plus our small teacher to pupil ratios – important features that distinguish TCNS from other schools.

Trinity Church Nursery School 1024 Lake Avenue

Wilmette IL 60091847.251.0479

Director: Sue Gaertner sue@trinitywilmette.org

FEBRUARY 2015

DEVELOPING IMAGINATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

Dates to Remember Wed Feb 4th - Hearing and vision screening Thurs Feb 5th - TCNS Gives back

Wed Feb 8th - Parent Advisory Board Meeting Feb 12th &13th - Valentine Exchange Mon Feb 16th - NO SCHOOL - President’s Day Tues Feb 17th - NO SCHOOL - Prof. Dev Day Fri Feb 20th - Lunch Bunch Session III App (postmark) Sat Feb 21st - TCNS Benefit

Fri Feb 27th - Lunch Bunch Session II ends Mon Mar 2nd - Lunch Bunch Session III begins

Trinity Times Newsletter

It is my hope that you will join us on February 21 to celebrate TCNS – Cruising to Adventure! There will be delicious food, beer and wine, and a silent and live auction. We will show a video of all the TCNS kids and truly have a blast! Plus, there are always fun surprises! In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for fun parties for you and your child! These parties are very popular and tend to fill up quickly. Be sure to secure your babysitter for February 21st today!

Finally, a HUGE thank you to the FUNdraising Benefit Team for all their hard work and donations of time and talent! They have been working tirelessly to make certain we all have an awesome time as we raise much needed funding for TCNS! Our 2105 FUNdraising Benefit Team is: Kate Mayer, Colleen Shinners, Meghan MacKinnon, Cindy Anderson, Sissy Polacek, Anne Bommi, Audrey Shedivy, Elizabeth Hart, Carrie Fowler, Jen Latimer, Ali Stratiff and Lesley Shifrin!! THANK YOU!!

Best wishes,Sue

Trinity ChurchNursery School

KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

Jake M.’s (4am) Mom missed the songs from Special Guest Morning, so she asked Jake to sing an encore. Displaying the influence Spanish has had on him, Jake belted out: “Oh beautiful for Spanish skies..."

Vikram B. (AM KE) appeared much taller when he returned after winter break, so his teacher asked what he had been eating over break. Vikram quickly replied, “Lobster!”

Scarlett N.(4am) broke her wrist at home while trying to balance on a ball. When asked what happened, Scarlett emphasized, “I tried to stand in it while it was MOVING!” We are not convinced she won’t try it again – when it’s not moving!

Olivia M. (3PM) was holding hands with James B. (3PM) and said, "James is my friend and he likes me just the way I am."  Awwww!!!

The 3AM class is learning about the North Pole and South Pole in preparation for the imaginary polar trip! We talked a lot about the trip the previous school day, and it was very much on the mind of Katie M. As soon as we came to the rug Katie asked, “When is the trip we are going on cause I didn’t pack by bag yet?!”

Maisie R. (3AM) was walking down the stairs while the Parent Tot kids were walking up. Maisie turned to her teacher and said, “Look at those babies.” The teacher replied that there are no babies in school at Trinity. Maisie with great expression then said,”Did you see the size of their feet??!”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trinity ChurchNursery School

TCNS Gives Back

Thursday, February 5th from 4:15 - 5:15

We will make valentine gifts and crafts for the children at the Rehab Institute of Chicago. Friends of Trinity are welcome to this FREE event!

VALENTINE EXCHANGE

Valentine’s Day is about caring and

friendship and we will share this special day

with our friends at school by exchanging

valentines. Please make certain that the

valentines your child brings to school are

NOT addressed to a particular child.

Watch the cubbies for details. We are

looking forward to a LOVEly Valentine’s

Roses are red Violets are blue

We will be exchanging Valentines at school

PARENT-TOTThe Mom and Tot class is now just the Tot class and they are doing just great! Ms. Kathy and myself are amazed at how independent and confident all the students are! They are a wonderful group of children!

The color of the month was white and snow has been our inspiration.  We acted out "Three Little Penguins", sang about a snowman, and "played" in the snow with shaving cream.  Miss Wendy is still our favorite visitor and the kids delight in her music. The children are having fun discovering the room all over again, talking with each other, and playing side by side.  They are actually chattier with the teachers now that they are on their own. Jeni Rodreick and Cathy Brereton have also been helping in the room and it is wonderful to have the extra sets of hands.  There is always a crowd at the play dough table and the water table continues to be a big hit! Ms. Kathy and I can already see the children grow in confidence as they are learning to speak up for themselves.  These are "baby steps" which we are thrilled to be both a witness and facilitator to as they walk toward independence.   We have been having tons of fun with I’m the Little Snowman song.   We love spending time with your children and look forward to spending time with you at the benefit on Saturday, February 21! See you then!

Miss Betsy and Miss Kathy

I’m a Little SnowmanI’m a little snowman short and fat,

Here are my buttons here is my hatWhen I see the sun I run away

Before I slowly melt away!

Camp Amigos!

Make your summer plans at

Trinity’s Camp Amigos!

Spots are still available. Children currently

enrolled in Ready Two Grow through

Kindergarten Enrichment are eligible.

Email Sue if you need an application.

READY TO GROWJanuary was all about snowmen, snowflakes, and snow!  One week we had pretend snow in the water table made from half baking soda and half shaving cream. Another day we made “snow” from crushed ice and pored fresh orange juice over it to make snow cones. Everyone loved juicing the oranges and got to pick from clementines, navel oranges and blood oranges. We made snowmen by assembling parts cut from construction paper and cotton balls. We talked about how many circles we were using and where the hat might go but in the end the children created their own rendition. Another day, after reading the book, Snowballs by Lois Ehlert, we created another snowman. The children decorated paper plates by gluing on an assortment of buttons, cinnamon sticks, ribbons, pipe cleaners, popcorn, corn husks, cloves and more. The project that excited the kids most was making an edible snowman. Marshmallows were quickly skewered to build the body and frosting helped a cookie/Rolo hat to stick. It was fun to see all of the creative ideas they had to make their snowman unique.

At rug time we sang snowmen songs like “I’m a Little Snowman” and acted out “Five Little Penguins” The children love to waddle like penguins!

We were also busy celebrating birthdays this month – four in total! The birthday boy or girl gets to decorate a crown and comes to the front at rug time so we can sing and do one hip hip hooray for each year. At snack time we get to sing again with real candles on our paper mache cake.

As it warmed up we got to go outside and play. We allow extra time so the children have an opportunity to dress themselves. They are so proud when they can accomplish something new! We're looking forward to another great month in February!

Laurie, Betsy, Kathy and Kathy

Trinity ChurchNursery School

STAFF PROFILE

Name: Christine Quinn

Role at Trinity: KE Enrichment Yoga Teacher (Radiant Child Yoga); former TCNS board member & Chair

Favorite Trinity Memory: SO many! One of my favorite memories is dropping off or picking up my kids in the playground and talking with the teachers and other parents while watching the kids play.

What do you love about your job: The kids and teaching them yoga and meditation – something I wish I learned at that age! And, being back at TNCS – such a wonderful vibe there. 

My favorite children's book:  SO many! ”I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont.

If I were an animal, I would be a…cat because I’d be an expert at lounging about!

Fun Fact: I make up songs that rhyme and belt them out whenever and wherever I can.

Trinity ChurchNursery School

Terrific Threes The past month was magical! As part of our polar studies we learned fascinating facts about polar osos (bears), pingüinos (penguins) and whales. The niños (kids) can tell you what both regions are like. The niños understand why the polar oso is lucky to be blanco (white) with lots of fat. They will tell you how the Daddy pingüinos keeps the huevo (egg) warm by holding it on his pies (feet). They found it especially interesting that the Mommy and Daddy pingüinos feed their bebé (baby) by transferring comida (food) they chewed from their own bocas (mouths) to the boca of their darling bebé (baby). Plus, your niños were shocked to learn that the heart of the azul (blue) whale is the size of a small coche (car)!

By the time you read this, we will be traveling to the North Pole and South Pole. The polar expedition is a 45 minute journey into imagination! We will wear our backpacks and our home-made binoculars and let our flashlights light the way as we climb mountains, (holding tight to the ropes) and shine our luz (light) on the arrows that guide us to the North Pole. Along the way we will huddle like pingüinos to stay warm, hide in caves, and look for wild animals. Once in the North Pole we will refresh ourselves with something blanco y delicioso – helado (ice cream)! Then we pack our gear and follow the arrows to the bottom of the world – the South Pole. We will be greeted by pingüinos and enter the tent to stay warm. Once safely inside the tent we will snack on some goldfish, and then reverse course until we find our way back to escuela (school)! There will be tres (three) separate groups of explorers, each guided by a maestra (teacher). Our Polar Expedition is quite a journey!

Soon we will prepare for our Valentine’s Day Party. We will practice cutting hearts and we are excited to exchange valentines with our amigos!

Our next big unit is Nutrition – Comida (Food) That Makes Oue Cuerpo (Body) Grow! There will be lots of slicing and dicing and tasting. We will prepare fruit salad, a verde (green) salad, taste pan (bread) from around the world, milk a vaca (cow - you will learn how!), and paint a still life. Plus, we will make our own pizzas. The culmination of our nutrition unit will be a trip to a very fancy restaurant. Each niño will receive money, a menu, place their own order and pay their own check. The magic continues in February!

And... the words in bold are just some of the Spanish words that have been introduced!

With love, Ellie, Erin, Kathy, Laurie, & Sue

Welcome to the TCNS Family! The Brueck Family welcomed Baby Callum Edward! Big siblings Justin, Eliza, and Oliver are thrilled with the new addition. Congratulations!

Fantastic Fours Winter has officially arrived with a vengeance, just in time for us to learn about Antarctica and the Arctic! If you haven’t gotten a chance to see our lovely penguins around the room, take a look! The children learned six different types—Adelie, Gentoo, King, Emperor, Chinstrap, and Macaroni! We also had the chance to measure out the length of a blue whale…a 100 foot whale extends from the bike room to the middle of the blue lunch bunch room!

In addition to animal facts, we learned about a kind little soul who lives in Mrs. Lezama’s house, He is very shy and quiet, and sleeps in a tissue box bed under some furniture. He is called the Tomten! We were lucky enough to meet the little guy, and we all got to read a book and make models of the little creature.

Thank you to those parents who were able to come in for birthdays this month, including Amy Martin, Kate Attea, Amy Poehling, Aimee Koski, and Courtney Beagen. Obviously the birthday children love bringing their guests, but all of the other children also enjoy meeting the parents of their classmates and friends.

Additionally, thanks to those who attended the Special Guest Morning! The children loved being able to walk around with their guest(s). Even though it was a quick event, the children were still talking about it on Monday and Tuesday! Has anyone tried the pinguino song at home?

We have a few upcoming events that are approaching rapidly. This week is our sleepover! In fact, by the time this newsletter is released we will have had it already…ask your child about all the fun we had! Following that, we will read the classic story of the princess Rapunzel, and try our hand at tower construction. Of course, we will also be preparing for Valentine’s Day! Many children in both the AM and PM classes have a real fondness for coloring and crafts, so this holiday should be right up their alley.

A little farther out, we plan to begin our lessons on the Middle Ages…perhaps we should study the rainforest or the desert instead, to encourage an early Spring!

Finally, here’s a little story we thought you all would appreciate: Trevor was very diligently drawing a snowflake. Mrs. Hampton looked over and said, “Trevor, how do you know how to make that snowflake?” He responded, “Oh, I just follow the directions in my brain!”

Stay warm and keep those brains busy!

Ginny, Luanne, Erin, and Ellie

Trinity ChurchNursery School

Kindergarten Enrichment - AM

Your children continually amaze us with their inquisitiveness, growth in reading and vocabulary and bright minds!

We are encouraging the children to bring in stories to share in class. If they would like to read the entire book or just a page or two, it will be a great contribution and fun for our class, and the children will gain confidence in reading!

We love learning vowel sound rules and exceptions, including the silent ‘e’ that makes the first vowel say its own name; such as make, bake and cake. The children will be making rhyming word lists for each long or short vowel sounds.

Our class created a beautiful castle for our bulletin board, which will be the backdrop for the children’s artwork of fairytale characters. The stories will include Thumbelina, Beowulf, The Young Arthur, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Princess and the Pea, Hansel and Gretel and many others. As a culmination, the children will write and illustrate their own fairytale.

In science we will do an experiment on chromatology, which draws out a rainbow of colors from a black magic marker, while we sing I Can Sing a Rainbow!

Thank you to our moms, Sherri, Corey, Ali and Anne, who came in for their children’s birthdays, including reading a story and bringing a treat.

Our hearts are full of love for your delightful children.

With love, Mrs. Dashiell and Mrs. Ladin

Trinity ChurchNursery School

Thumbelina

Thumbelina, Thumbelina, tiny little thing;Thumbelina dance. Thumbelina sing.

Thumbelina, Thumbelina, though you’re very small,When your heart is full of love,

You’re nine feet tall!

KE Registration for 2015/2016Applications for Trinity’s KE do not become available until AFTER the school district completes their morning/afternoon kindergarten lottery (~April 1st).

Trinity offers both an AM and PM KE program for two days a week. For more information regarding our programs, please contact Sue at sue@trinithywilmette.org.

Preschool Screening Wilmette District 39 provides free educational screenings for preschool-age children that reside in the District. The purpose of the screening is to identify developmental delays in children. Developmental delays can be observed in a child’s speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, learning ability, or emotional and social growth. If a delay is identified, your child may be eligible for free services from the school district.

The final screening date for this school year will be Wednesday, February 25th. Call Kathy Hughes at 847-256-2450 x 6044 to schedule an appointment.

Baby Beluga Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, Swim so wild and you swim so free. Heaven above and the sea below, And a little white whale on the go.

Baby beluga, baby beluga, Is the water warm? Is your mama home, With you so happy?

Way down yonder where the dolphins play, Where you dive and splash all day, Waves roll in and the waves roll out. See the water squirting out of your spout.

Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga, Sing your little song, sing for all your friends. We like to hear you.

Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, Swim so wild and you swim so free. Heaven above and the sea below, And a little white whale on the go. You're just a little white whale on the go.

The Chubby Little Snowman A chubby little snowmanHad a carrot for a noseAlong came a hopping bunnyAnd what do you suppose?That hungry little bunnyLooking for some lunchAte that snowman’s carrot noseNibble, nibble, crunch!

Five Little Snowmen 5 little snowmenKnocking at my door1 melted awayAnd then there were 4

4 little snowmen

As happy as can beOne melted awayAnd then there were 3

Continue until all the snowmen melt awayA Valentine’s Day Song Skinnamarink a dink a dinkSkinnamarink and doI love you

Skinnamarink a dink a dinkSkinnamarink and doI love you

I love you in the morningAnd in the afternoonI live you in the eveningAnd underneath the moon

Oh… Skinnamarink a dink a dinkSkinnamarink a doI love you!

Songs of the Season

Kindergarten Enrichment - PM We can hardly believe we are halfway through the school year! We must be having fun

because it is said that time flies when you are having fun! 

Even though this winter has not been anything like last year's winter we still studied the

letters S and W for snow and winter. We enjoyed making snowmen and snowflakes and reading stories about

snow!  We graphed our favorite season and SUMMER was the winner!  The letter W week brought many fun

things to do.  We painted with watercolors, created paper weaving and played word bingo using Skittles for

markers (yum!).  We have been working on word families and are getting good at reading these words!  We

talked about the signs of Winter, why it snows and graphed our favorite Winter activities (sledding was #1). 

The letter M week was a favorite because we made milkshakes and ate mini marshmallows - the children were

super excited!  Marble painting was another favorite and we were able to use four colors. However, Ryan R. only

wanted two colors, green and yellow, because he loves the Green Bay Packers! Too bad they won't be in the

Super Bowl this year!  We read the story The Mitten and had a related fun activity.  The kids are doing a great

job with their inventive spelling and are sounding out words to write them down - the beginning skills of writing.

We drew a picture for our moms and wrote our own simple letter to them. This time we did not put them in

the mail. They went home with the children the same day. Hope you moms enjoyed them! 

The next few weeks will be letters I, J, and V for Valentine's Day.  More information to follow…

Yoga is going great and the children look so forward to Tuesdays! The bike room remains a favorite too!  Our

motto is KIDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN and that is exactly what we have is FUN!

A Happy 2015 to you all and once again thank you for sharing your special children with us!  We cherish each

and everyone of them!  They all have such unique talents!

Luanne Hampton and Natalie Zawrazky

Trinity ChurchNursery School

Your  whole  family  is  bound  to  enjoy!  Total  Time:  45  min  Prep  Time:  20  min   Cook  Time:  25  min  

Ingredients  

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes (recommended: San Marzano*)• 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (recommended: San Marzano*)• Coarse salt• A handful fresh basil leaves, torn• 1 pound ziti rigate, with ridges• 2 tablespoons butter• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour• Freshly ground black pepper• A generous grating nutmeg• 2 cups whole milk• 1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese• 1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano• 1 cup sliced fresh mozzarella

Serve with Crusty bread & a salad for a complete meal

* If San Marzanos are not available, add a teaspoon sugar to your sauce, optional

Directions

1. Put pasta water on to boil.

2. In a medium sauce pot over medium heat, saute garlic in extra-virgin olive oil. Chop whole tomatoes and add them to the pan. Add crushed tomatoes and salt and simmer 10 minutes, add basil and simmer over low heat 10 minutes more.

3. Add salt and pasta to boiling water and cook 6 minutes, leaving pasta a little chewy.

4. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then cook 1 minute, adding salt and pepper and nutmeg to flour. Add milk and bring sauce to a bubble. Reduce 5 minutes.

5. Drain pasta and transfer to a large casserole dish. Pour the tomato and basil sauce over the pasta and turn to coat the pasta. Pour the bechamel over the already coated pasta. Cover the top of the pasta with Asiago, Parmesan and mozzarella. Place the casserole under hot broiler and melt the 3 cheeses until brown and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately with Spinach and Artichoke Salad and bread.

Source: Rachel Ray

Fast Fake Baked Ziti

Trinity ChurchNursery School

It’s cold. It’s gray. It’s winter in Chicago. And last weekend, I felt like I quit parenting for about 36 hours or so. My son and my husband went on an overnight and I was home with the two girls. Fruits and vegetables? More like pizza and a movie. And a child with a runny nose. And an adult with a sore throat. Needless to say, there was a lot of “Go find something to do.”

Thankfully, my sister dropped off a box full of bubble wrap and air packs from all her online shopping. The girls had fun jumping, stomping, pounding and squeezing them until they popped. It killed a good half hour, twice. Great idea, sis!

And even better, we had a leftover art project from the Special Guest Morning at Trinity. Who knew how simple and relatively supervision-free making paper chains could be? It got me thinking about how great our TCNS teachers are, creating educational, stimulating, and enriching projects every day. And our specials teachers come in and bring even more goodies and eye-popping tricks. (So much better than a box of bubble wrap.)

Tuition at Trinity covers a lot of this great programming. But it doesn’t cover all of it. Fundraising and donations are key to making sure we continue to provide our kids with such a great preschool experience. Kate Mayer and Colleen Shinners, our fundraising chairs, work incredibly hard throughout the year to make up that difference.

So how can you help? Come to this year’s benefit “Cruising to Adventure with TCNS” on February 21 at the Michigan Shores Club! Kate, Coleen, and the many parents on the benefit committee have put together an awesome evening with great items for auction and many sign-up parties that promise to be a blast. Bid on a weekend getaway or an evening with a top chef. Sign up to join your friends at a themed party. Try your luck with the raffle. It promises to be a fun night!

Even if you can’t make it to the benefit, you can still participate. Tell a friend what items you’d like to bid on and they can do it for you. Or help us “Sail to Success” through our website trinitychurchnurseryschool.com and click on “support us” to make your donation.

Well, time to get back to this parenting gig. I hope to see many of you on the 21st. I can assure you that night will be more fun than a box of bubble wrap!

AmyChair, TCNS Parent Advisory Board

The Final Word...

Trinity ChurchNursery School

Director: Sue Gaertner sue@trinitywilmette.org

Staff: Happy Baird, Kim Crossgrove, Valerie Dashiell, Erin Engelhard, Luanne Hampton, Laurie James, Ellie Johnson, Joyce Ladin, Ginny Lezama, Wendy Morgan, Dina Pinos, Betsy Segal, Kathy Stein, Kathy Zawacki, and Natalie Zawarsky

Trinity Church Nursery School 1024 Lake AvenueWilmette IL 60091847.251.0479

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