During the first days of school, the class mom will introduce herself and discuss online scheduling for your participation days.  Participating parents are expected to arrive on time and stay about 10 minutes after dismissal.  The participating parent brings the snack and drink for their Playgroup or Nursery class on “their child’s special day.”

The Pre-K classes (and participating parents) will bring their lunch starting on Thursday, Sept 14.  Snack will be added to their schedule in February with the extended day. The children take their time with lunch so the teachers have found there isn’t a need for snack (or enough time for it!) until the day is extended.

Clothing
All children in Playgroups and Nursery classes must bring a Ziploc bag, marked with their full name, containing an extra set of seasonal clothes to be left at school: shirt, pants, underwear or diaper and socks.Outdoor clothing for all children, should be clearly marked with your last name. For safety on the playground, girls may wear dresses on birthdays only.  Please no “flip-flops,” “crocs,” slides or clogs.  These types of shoes are hazardous on the playground.  Rubber soled shoes, sneakers with socks, are the safest footwear for children.
We need to replenish our supply of spare clothing; we are accepting a few donations of shorts and long pants, T shirts and long sleeved shirts sizes 2T – 5.

The Spirit of Giving

Our fundraising efforts are two-fold:  to provide the needed revenue for the operation of our school and to give back to our community.  This past school year we took part in a Food Drive held by the Nassau County Association for the Education of Young Children, the local chapter affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  NAEYC is a nonprofit association dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. During the Food Drive, our children and their families purchased kid-friendly, healthy, shelf stable foods and stocked a “market place” within our entrance lobby. We were then able to donate countless snacks and meals for NAEYC to distribute to the Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead.  The Mary Brennan INN is the largest soup kitchen on Long Island, serving anywhere from 300-500 guests per day, including many families with young children.  By participating in this project, our children experienced the importance of giving to others in an age appropriate and hands on way.

Our community has supported us through the years; it’s time for us to give back.

Capital Improvements

This summer, we purchased a writing center for the East room to match the one placed in the West room this spring.  Shelving was installed in the East block room for drying projects and storing materials.  A new storage container for the West playground sand toys and new tricycles are on their way.

Capital improvements are funded by our very successful fundraising efforts. Thank you all for helping us reinvest in our amazing building and grounds.

Enrichment Offerings for our Pre-K Children

Our nursery school offers several Enrichment Classes for our four year olds through the year.  These classes offer our children a wonderful opportunity to explore new topics and include:  Lunch & Literacy, Yoga, Explorations in Science, and Spanish & Movement. These classes run in 8 week sessions beginning in October. The Music Workshop is a year-long after school class offered by our music teacher, Fran Rissland. Registration is underway for our Fall session. Sign-ups are limited and on a first come basis.

First Days
It is normal to be nervous as you send your little one out into the world.  But remember, you are giving your child a gift by teaching independence.  Starting school is an exciting time, but drop-off can be hectic and overwhelming.  Please don’t tell your child, “I’ll miss you” or “school is only for children.”  Be calm and thoughtful in both conversation and your demeanor.  There are short sessions for all children during the first week of school because of excitement and fatigue.New Children
Please plan to stay with your child until the teacher and director feel that he or she is ready for separation from you.  Even eager four year olds have qualms in a new situation.  It is our experience, that children make a more solid and lasting adjustment when parents serve as a bridge between home and school for the first few days.  To remind children that they will soon be staying alone is not necessary and only builds up anxiety which can slow their adjustment.Continuing Children
Parents of continuing children should be prepared to stay for a short time if the child experiences some anxiety about staying on his or her own.  Once the child is comfortable, please go into the classroom to fill out paper work which your class mother will provide.Helpful Reminders
Keep in mind that nursery school is about learning through play.  Many times, parents want to focus on getting children to read.  Doing puzzles, recognizing shapes, scribbling and tracing are all progressive steps on the ladder to reading and later school success.  If any of these important steps are missed, your child will certainly fall off the ladder.  We don’t expect a baby to walk before he learns to sit up, and then to crawl.  Therefore, we shouldn’t push children to read before their eyes, ears, fine motor skills, and minds are ready.  Learning through exploration, discovery and play, will allow your child to blossom in an organic way.  During the school year, please remember a few courtesies:

Welcome to a New School Year!

Every year brings some changes. Gail Feldman, Barbara Mangi and Leah Pittoni have retired after assistant teaching at GCNS for many years. Additionally, due to family obligations, Nancy Kephart has resigned to accept a full time teaching position elsewhere.  We shall miss them but wish them well as they each pursue a new chapter in their lives.

We welcome new assistant teachers in Pre-K East and West.  Both Cris Kilberg and Danielle Lekanides are past parents who are familiar with our school’s cooperative philosophy, participating in the classroom, working on committees and maintenance.

Cris will be joining Pre-K East.  She is a corporate trainer who has been very active in the Garden City School District PTA, serving as president and committee chair for 15 years.  She is also a board member of HOLA of Garden City and volunteers at the Center for Transformative Change at the Mary Brennan INN.  Cris and her husband live in Garden City; they have 3 adult children (the youngest entering college).

Danielle Lekanides will be joining Pre-K West.  She is a certified Guidance Counselor with over 12 years experience working with school age children.  Danielle and her husband live in Garden City with their 3 children who attend GC schools.  Danielle is an active member of the Garden City PTA. 

Current staff have moved around to fill all classes.  In Nursery East, Emily Merle and Jen Gisolfi will be the assistant teachers.  Maureen McCartin will join Playgroup East with teacher Carolyn Hoera and assistant Christine O’Neill.

We are currently interviewing highly qualified candidates to fill the class sections that Nancy Kephart was slotted to teach in the fall.  They are New York State Certified Teachers and they understand and whole heartedly believe in our GCNS philosophy. We will announce a decision as soon as it has been made.

In order for our children to adjust easily, on Monday, Sept 11^th and Tuesday, Sept 12^theach Nursery and Pre-K group will be divided.  Playgroups will have shortened hour long sessions.Playgroups
Playgroup East: Monday & Thursday;  Regular Hours: 9:00 – 10:45am
Playgroup West: Tuesday & Friday;     Regular Hours:  9:00 – 10:45amFor the first week of school, children will have a shortened session, lasting one hour. During the following weeks, we will extend the time of each session as the children acclimate. Please be prepared to stay with your child (or have a family member or caregiver stay) until your child is comfortable with the staff.  We will be guiding you through the process.Nursery Classes
Nursery East:  Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday;  Regular Hours: 8:45 – 11:15amFor the first week of school, the children will attend during the below times for Tuesday, Sept 12^th and Wednesday, Sept 13^th. On Friday, Sept 15^th the whole class will attend together, 8:45 – 10:45am.  The regular class schedule will begin Tuesday, Sept 19^th.

8:45 – 9:55am                                                10:05 – 11:15am
Raymond Au                                                  Ezra King
John Fabilli                                                     Thomas Mirecki-Yazinsky
Ellie Houston                                                  Alexandra Morriello
Emma Matteini                                               Valerie Perry                                                      David McDermott                                           Gina Prisco
Rylan Mormile                                                Logan Saccoccio
Kyleigh Slevin                                                 Payton Torregrosa
Sophia Zimmerman                                        Isabella Torres

Nursery West:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday;  Regular Hours:  8:45 – 11:15am

8:45 – 9:55am                                                  10:05 – 11:15am
Billy Arsenis                                                     Garrett Hannon
Mihai Brumariu                                                 Gemma Kelly
Naiya Cruz                                                       Hamza Khan
Jonnie DePeiza                                                Lucy Sorrentino
Juliet Macchia                                                  Kirin Surujbali
Riley Maciaszek                                               Violet Udik
Kai Martin                                                         Danielle Walter
Aiden Pisano                                                    Constantine Zografos
Cameron Sanchez                                           Pantelis Zografos

Pre-K Classes
For the first week of school, the children will attend during the below times for Monday, Sept 11^th and Tuesday, Sept 12^th. On Thursday, Sept 14^th, each class will be in session from 11:45 – 1:45pm.  On Friday, Sept 15^th, each group will be in session from 11:45 – 2:15pm.  Students will bring lunch beginning on Thursday, Sept. 14^th. Regular class schedule begins on Monday, Sept 18^th.Pre-K East:  Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri; Regular Hours: 11:45 – 2:45pm (Fall Semester) & 11:45 – 3:45pm (Spring Semester)
Pre-K East will be using the West Playground two days a week.11:45 – 1:10pm (9/11 & 9/12)                              1:15 – 2:45pm (9/11 & 9/12)
Daniel Ahn                                                           Riley Bramwell
Katelynn Au                                                         Ryan DaSilva
Amari Beausoleil                                                 Augustine Ferraro
Kirby Garry                                                          James Hind
Pierce Hayes                                                       Brianna Katsavos
Caden Kmiotek                                                    Chase Katsavos
Jaxson McNulty                                                   Luke Katsavos
Will Sievers                                                          Leylin RuizPre-K West: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri; Regular Hours: 11:45 – 2:45pm (Fall Semester) & 11:45 – 3:45pm (Spring Semester)
Pre-K West will be using the East Playground two days a week.11:45 – 1:10pm (9/11 & 9/12)                              1:15 – 2:45pm (9/11 & 9/12)
Eli Bogatch                                                           Isabel Bou
Sofia Bonelli                                                         James Cassaro
Connor Dengler                                                    Alex Duff
Gabriella Ibrahim                                                  Madeline Eberle
Emmeline Moreno                                                Gauri Lashkery
Henry Mohan                                                        Liam Mehlman
Theodore Mirabella                                              Jack Mormile
Annabelle Troy                                                     Rocco Sbeglia
Jack Williams                                                       Felicia Pantano                                                                                                                         Brooke Stellato

Pre-K Children Bring Lunch Starting on Thursday, Sept 15^th
Lunch should be in a lunchbox labeled with your child’s name.  Please send simple, healthy food that your child enjoys.  Three items such as a bagel/small sandwich or yogurt/string cheese, fruit or veggies, a few crackers are more than enough.  Have the children practice opening the lunchbox and containers. Pack utensils as needed.  Remember, we are a nut free and candy free school – therefore, no peanut butter sandwiches or candy.