The school year has begun with quiet classrooms and soft conversations. There is a pleasant calm in the school this year as a result of confident teachers who are prepared and organized. It is clear our efforts to communicate with families before school started has paid off. The children seem relaxed and excited to play and learn. The staff and I are enjoying getting to know your children and look forward to a wonderful school year at Zion's Hill.

Fall is a busy time of year at Zion's Hill. One of our favorite ZHPP events is Family Fun Day, so be sure to mark your calendars for October 16th at 2:30 pm, and bring your family for an afternoon of fun at the school. Siblings and extended family members are invited.

You are welcome in the school at anytime and we value your involvement. Please sign up in your child's classroom to read or participate in an activity. Classroom interaction is a wonderful way to see your child in action and to get to know your child's classmates.

The Zion's Hill Board and I are excited to announce our annual appeal. We are providing this opportunity earlier in the school year, so the school will be able to benefit immediately. The details will be arriving to your home soon.

As always, please call me with any questions or concerns, or I welcome you to stop by my office.

Monica Sommer

Dates To Remember

• October 4 & 5  Spanish
• October 6 & 7  Music
• October 10  No School
• October 11 & 12  Fire Trucks
• October 13  Open House
• October 16 Family Fun Day
• October 16 - 19 Book Fair
• October 19  Director's Coffee
• October 27 & 28  Halloween Parades
• October 28  School Tours
• November 9  Hay Ride
• November 11  Parents Night Out
• November 15 & 16  Class Pictures
• December 9  Meet For Coffee

Wilton Fire Department Visit

October 11th & 12th

The Fire Department will be visiting the school to discuss fire safety and then will give the children an up-close look at the fire trucks and all their gear!

Open House

October 13th at 7:30pm

Please join us at the ZHPP Open House! We will convene in the new movement room upstairs. The night begins with a welcome from the director and the board before moving to your child's classroom. This evening will give you a chance to see your child's classroom, view their work, and learn what they like to do at school. You'll have the opportunity to have uninterrupted conversations with the teachers and the other parents. In addition, you can see how the proceeds from the Spring Fling were put to good use brightening and updating our classrooms and equipment. Feel free to come even if only one parent can attend.

Book Fair

October 16th - 19th at drop-off and pick-up

Please come support ZHPP and check out the fantastic selection of books for your little book-lovers! The Scholastic Book Fair will be in the conference room during drop-off and pick-up. There will be teacher recommendations and teacher wish lists for each class.

And don't miss the fun inside at the book fair on FAMILY FUN DAY (Sunday, Oct. 16th)!

Family Fun Day

October 16th 2:30 - 4:30 pm Rain or Shine

ZHPP families - including siblings and grandparents - are invited to a fun-filled afternoon at Zion's Hill. Don't miss this opportunity to meet and mingle with other families while your children enjoy the playground and the many fun activities planned for the afternoon, including:

• entertainment from Danny Magic!
• fun and games on the playground
• visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Scholastic Book Fair
• treats from the ice cream truck

Director's Coffee

October 19th at 9:10 am

Please join me in the movement room at 9:10 am, for an informal discussion of preschool focus and goals at Zion's Hill. This will give you an opportunity to share your expectations of your child's experience here at school. Infants and toddlers are welcome.

Halloween Parade

October 27th at 9:15 am for 3s and 4s

October 28th at 9:15 am for 3s and 5s

Please be sure your child arrives at school and is in costume by 9:10 and don't forget to bring their regular play clothes. Parents are welcome to stay and cheer on their little ghost and goblins! Please DO NOT send in masks or weapons.

Welcome Back Party

A fun time was had by all who attended the Welcome Back Party at Ambler Farm. Yippee Coyote provided great music and Simply Delicious, as the name says, made delicious food. There were six entries in the first "annual" Chili Cook-Off each very different from the others. After much taste testing by all who attended, the winner "crowned" Grand Chili of the 2011/2012 school year is Lara Paschalidis! Thanks to everyone for cooking their favorite chili recipes and all who joined us for the night. Click here for pictures!

Wednesday Walk/Run Club

On a weekly basis we would love you to join us for a casual walk (or run) through town. We will meet at Merwin Meadows after drop off on Wednesdays at 9:30 am. From there we will walk or run through the soccer fields, down Route 7, up 106, through town and ending up back past the soccer fields and Merwin Meadows. It is around a 3 mile loop. The trail is mostly sidewalks and road, although there is a small area that is gravel and grass. Strollers should be fine so kids are welcome.

Please look for the weekly sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the lobby.

Handbook Changes

Please come by the office as soon as possible, if you need to make any changes to your personal information in the handbook

Enrollment Update

Our 2011-2012 program has openings in the 3s, 4s, and 5s, Masterpiece Mondays and Thursdays, and Spanish Tuesdays. Please call the office or visit our website for details.

Afternoon Adventures

Need a little extra time in the afternoons? Don't forget about Afternoon Adventures, an enhanced extended day program for 3s, 4s and 5s from 12:30-3:00pm Tuesdays through Fridays (1:30-3:00 for outside families). Afternoon Adventures includes focused instruction, snack and playground time.

Needed Items

We are in need of a few items and would appreciate any donations of the following:

• 2 used (or new) laptops for the 4s classes
• Table and chairs for our upstairs meeting room

Important Notes

Parking Lot Safety
Please be careful in the parking lot. Children should not be allowed to run around the parking lot for any reason. If you would like to stay and chat in the parking lot, please put your child in the car or go into the gated yard.

Sick Children
In an effort to keep our children and staff healthy, please do not bring sick children (siblings) into the school building. Also, if your child is sick, please notify the office so that we may keep track of illnesses that may be passed around the school.

Medication Slips
Please remember to fill out the medication slip in your child's classroom. If your child takes prescription or over-the-counter medication we need to know. If your child takes medication for an extended period of time please fill in the start date and the finish date. Do not leave any medication in your child's backpack.

Proper Attire
Please dress your child in layers or have additional clothing available during the seasonal changes. The classrooms can be chilly first thing in the morning and get warmer as the day progresses. If your child wears a dress please put shorts, leggings or tights on underneath. Proper shoes are very important for your child's safety. Our playgrounds have a wood chip base and the children need sturdy closed shoes. No crocs or sandals please. Socks and sneakers are best. Give your child an extra jacket or sweater this time of year so they will be comfortable on the playground.

Special Programs
Some of our special programs only visit our school for one day. You are welcome to bring your child to the special program if it does not fall on you child's regularly scheduled school day.

Playgrounds
If you use the playgrounds or the lawn, please put the toys away and leave the area neat and tidy.