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Abington Family Newsletter
February 2015
Dear Gerstadt Families,
What’s Happening at our Center?
Valentine’s Day with parties
Happy February! This month we will welcome our new
Center Director Katie Bartchi. I know all you will extend
Miss Katie a warm Gerstadt welcome. This month at the
center we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with parties in
all our classrooms. We will post donation sheets in each
classrooms. We will be enjoying music and dance class with
Miss Arlyn. We will work out in the activity room with
Mr. Ken from Lil Sports and read fantastic new stories with
Miss Andi from the Abington library. Miss Jeanette will host
her dance lesson each Wednesday this month and don’t
forget about Computer Tots on Thursdays in the staff
lounge.
For eight years, I have enjoyed the opportunity to watch
your children learn and grow academically and socially. It
has brought me immense joy to be a positive part of all of
your lives and the Gerstadt staff members as well. I want to
thank you sincerely for your support and encouragement.
Although, I will sincerely miss everyone, I am grateful for all
you have taught me about teamwork, communication and
working towards common goals. I will remember these
Gerstadt years with fondness and endearment.
Music & Dance Class with Ms. Arlyn
Lil’ Sports with Mr. Ken
Story Time with Miss Andi (Abington
Library)
Computer Tots
Camp Kaleidoscope - A Summer Adventure!
Enroll now for a summer full
of fun and learning for
children ages 2-6 at all Play &
Learn locations. Camp
Kaleidoscope will begin June 22nd and run
through August 31st. Green Lane also offers
camp for children through age 10. Green Lane
School Age Campers: Enroll prior to March 1st
and receive 2014 Clubhouse tuition!
Parent Questionnaires
Hope to see you soon,
Rukiya
Thank you to everybody who completed the
Parent Questionnaires! Your
feedback is very important to
us. If you haven’t done had
the opportunity to complete
the questionnaire, there’s still time. Click here
to complete the 2014 - 2015 Parent
Questionnaire.
Kindergarten Open House
From the Enrollment Office
Kindergarten Open House will be held during the
week of February 11th and 12th from 10:00 AM to
11:00 AM. Parents are invited to visit
classrooms, meet teachers and learn about the PA
certified Kindergarten program.
Progress reports will be
distributed this month for
Preschool, Pre -Kindergarten and Kindergarten
children. If you would like to schedule a
conference to discuss your child’s progress, please
contact your Center Director.
Call the Enrollment Office to schedule an
appointment: 215-643-4142.
Also, re-enrollment forms will be distributed soon.
They are due back Friday, March 6th! Be sure to
return your re-enrollment forms
promptly to ensure a spot for your child. Please
call the Enrollment Office with any questions:
215.643.4142
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser
Valentine’s Day Celebrations
It’s back again and yummier than
ever! The Gertrude Hawk candy
fundraiser will run from February
16th through February 27th with
anticipated delivery the week of March 23rd.
There are tons of treats to choose from that will
satisfy your sweet tooth. Look for a brochure in
your child’s cubby or visit www.gertrudehawk.com
to purchase online. All proceeds benefit the
center’s enrichment music and gym programs.
Will be held in the classrooms on February 13th.
Sign- up sheets for donations will be posted in
each room.
Centers Closed In-service
Snow Numbers
***We are Closed Monday, February 16th for
Teacher In-Service. Teachers will be receiving
required training in areas of Health and Safety,
Program Planning, and/or Child Assessment***
In case of inclement weather, watch ABC TV
Channel 6 or listen to KYW for
Gerstadt / Abington Center’s Snow Number:
3000
Abington open to AMH employees and affiliates
ONLY!
Supportive Shopper
Giant A+ School Rewards
Keep in mind throughout the year when you shop
at Giant, Target and Amazon, a % of your sales
will be given to Play & Learn to support the
Granny Fund! Click here to learn how you can
start lending a helping hand.
Thank you for signing up for
Giant A+ School Rewards
program, last month we
raised $107.98 and this
month we hoping to do even better! If you
haven’t signed up yet, there is still time.
Click here to register your Giant Bonuscard and
designate the Abington Play & Learn Center
#06696 to earn points. Each time you shop at
Giant using your Bonuscard, you will earn cash
for our school’s educational needs. So don't
forget to encourage family, friends and
neighbors to sign up too.
Spotlight on …. Play & Learns’ In – Service Days
The Play & Learn staff were hard at work at the in-service day that took place on January 19th. In-service
day meets the needs for on-going professional development for staff to refine their skills and stay up to
date with new knowledge in the field in order to continue to provide the best quality of care. The
in-service day included trainings in fire safety, family partnerships, family and staff communication, Ounce
and Work Sampling online assessment tools and proper nutrition.
Throughout the year there are several staff in-service days that allow our staff to receive further
training. On these days, the centers are closed to allow the staff to attend the trainings. Additional
in-service days are scheduled for February 16, 2015 and June 19, 2015 and dates to be determined in
September.
February
2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Head Start
Sport
SUPERBOWL 2 Did the
Sunday!! Who Groundhog
are you
see his
rooting for??
shadow?
3
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Dance Class
Computer Tots
Soccer Shots
4 National
5 Wear Pink
Weatherman’s
Day!
for the color of
the month!
11
12
6
Show and
Tell...Bring in
something Pink for
the color of the
month!
Saturday
7
Mr. Ken visits
8CChildren’s
Dental Health
M
9 Pack a
10 PAJAMA
healthy snack
for Dental
Health Month!
DAY! Wear your
PJs to school!
13 Valentine’s 14
Day Party
Sign up sheets
in rooms!
Kindergarten Open House at
Gerstadt Center. See Bulletin
Board for more information
15
In-service
17
Centers
Closed
AB Open to AMH &
Affiliates
18 Show and
19 Chinese New 20
Tell… Bring in a
sheep for the
Chinese New
Year!
Year! Year of
the Sheep!
Wear your
silliest socks to
school!
Mr. Ken visits
22
23 Manic
Monday
Dance Craze!
24
Ms. Arlyn Visits
21
Ms. Andi visits
25 Tortilla
Chip Day!
26 Fairy Tale
Day! Secret
Readers to
come to class
and read to
the children!
27 Show and
Tell...Bring
your favorite
storybook to
school!
28
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR STUDENTS…. Prem turns 4 on 2/1; Alexander K turns 5 on 2/2; Austin turns 4 on
2/3; Khloe turns 3 on 2/4; Naja turns 3 on 2/15; Gabrielle McK turns 3 on 2/27; Mikayla turns 3 on 2/28;
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR TEACHERS… Ms. Lara celebrates on 2/7 ; Ms. Kate celebrates on 2/9; Ms. Jenai
celebrates on 2/13; Ms. Vivian celebrates on 2/14.