We are happy to share a new initiative here at Plymouth. Beginning in February, we will be holding an ongoing monthly support group for parents on Friday mornings in the Reception Room. We hope these discussions will enable parents to support one another through the parenting journey. Our sessions will be led by Andrea Nimaroff and driven primarily by your questions and challenges, though there will also be a broad focus on a few developmental topics including establishing routine and consistency, children’s self-regulation and emotional behavior, and managing parental stress and anxiety.
The current dates are Friday, February 13th, Friday, March 13th, and Friday, April 10th at 9:15 am. Please reach out to Andrea with any questions at animaroff@plymouthchurch.org.
Re-enrollment
Re-enrollment letters and agreements for next year will be emailed to our current families in early February. We look forward to another wonderful year together.
Time for Twos
For children who are not old enough to attend our drop-off program, we offer a wonderful program called Time for Twos.
Time for Twos is Plymouth’s gentle introduction to school for our youngest children. Classes are led by an experienced early childhood educator and meet twice a week for an hour and 15 minutes each class. Children explore and play together in a warm, safe environment while learning how to be part of a school community. We support a gentle separation process that is tailored to each child’s unique development. Each class follows a preschool schedule and includes open-ended play, art activities, circle time, stories, music, snack and gross motor play in the gym. Children are accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Adults must remain in the building for the duration of the class. Children who will be two by June 30, 2027 are eligible to enroll.
Please let Silvia (pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org) know by February 12th if you want to register your child for Time for Twos for next year, as we give priority to siblings and church members before we open registration to new families. More information about our Time for Twos program is on our website.
Office Hours with Kate
We have added additional office hours with our psychological consultant Kate Wechsler. Kate has worked with Plymouth for over 25 years and has helped many families tackle the conundrums of parenting. Plymouth hosts monthly open office hours with Kate, which allows you to meet with her individually to discuss issues and concerns you might have and get support.
The upcoming dates are 4/10 and 5/8. Half-hour appointments will be available between 9:30 am and noon. Please email Silvia at pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org to book an appointment.
Dressing for Outdoor Play
Please remember that the children play outside most days, even if only for a few minutes. Children should dress appropriately - including hats, mittens, snow pants and boots during the winter months, especially when there is snow on the ground. You can leave extra warm clothing and boots at school. Label everything and put it in their lockers. Remember, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!
MoMA Family Day
Kara, our visual arts specialist, wanted to share information with families about the MoMA Heyman Family Art Lab, an interactive space where kids and adults experiment, play, and create as they explore the ideas, tools, and techniques of modern and contemporary art. All ages are welcome and the Art Lab is open daily, 11:00 am- 5:00 pm. For more information, you can visit their website here.
Important Dates to Remember
February
6 – School Closed for Professional Development
13 – Parent Support Group
16-20 – School Closed for Winter Vacation
23 – Classes Resume
28 – Winter Family Event - details coming soon, save the date!
Observational Painting of a Playground Tree by the Blue Room
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Today we had a special chapel where we celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tirzah, our Willow Room teacher, read a book that she wrote about Dr. King, and the children learned that Dr. King once came to Plymouth Church and spoke about his dream for all people to be safe and treated fairly. We also shared some of the ways that we all help others in our community. Next, we listened carefully to a few minutes of the recording of Dr. King speaking right here at Plymouth on February 10th, 1963. We closed chapel singing This Little Light of Mine, one of Dr. King’s favorite songs. It was a very meaningful way to end the week together.
Re-enrollment
Re-enrollment letters and agreements for next year will be emailed to our current families by early February. We look forward to another wonderful year together.
Office Hours with Kate
We have added additional office hours with our psychological consultant Kate Wechsler. Kate has worked with Plymouth for over 25 years and has helped many families tackle the conundrums of parenting. Plymouth hosts monthly open office hours with Kate, which allows you to meet with her individually to discuss issues and concerns you might have and get support.
The upcoming dates are 3/13, 4/10 and 5/8. Half-hour appointments will be available between 9:30 am and noon. Please email Silvia at pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org to book an
appointment.
News from Plymouth Church
Warm Clothing Drive
Plymouth Church will be collecting warm clothing for our neighbors in need. Donations will be accepted through this weekend. There is a bin in the front lobby to drop off your donations.
Important Dates to Remember
January
19 - School Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Thank you all for your flexibility and understanding following our unexpected power outage last night. Thankfully, Con Ed was able to restore power to the building. We look forward to seeing you all on Monday!
Dressing for Outdoor Play
Please remember that the children play outside most days. Children should dress appropriately - including hats, mittens, snow pants and boots during the winter months. You can leave extra warm clothing at school. Label everything and put it in their lockers. Remember, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!
Re-enrollment
Re-enrollment letters and agreements for next year will be emailed to our current families by early February. We look forward to another wonderful year together.
New Office Hours with Kate
We have added additional office hours with our psychological consultant Kate Wechsler. Kate has worked with Plymouth for over 25 years and has helped many families tackle the conundrums of parenting. Plymouth hosts monthly open office hours with Kate, which allows you to meet with her individually to discuss issues and concerns you might have and get support.
The upcoming dates are 3/13, 4/10 and 5/8. Half-hour appointments will be available between 9:30 am and noon. Please email Silvia atpcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org to book an appointment.
MLK Service Day Collection
We are partnering again with Plymouth Church on MLK Service Day projects. This year, we are collecting toiletries for individuals in need. We will be accepting donations for travel-sized toiletries in a bin in the lobby all next week. Your generosity will provide much needed support to the community. The last day to bring in donations is January 16th. For a list of accepted donation items please click here.
Another way to help is by coming to Plymouth on Monday, January 19th to assemble toiletry kits. There are additional service opportunities that day for all ages. Sign up on Realm.
Materials Center
We welcome your donations to our Materials Center! You can drop off donations in the box located in the main lobby next to Adrienne’s office. Currently, we are in need of glass jars.
Important Dates to Remember
January
19 - School Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Our first family chapel will be the Holiday Sing, which will take place next Friday, December 19th at 9:00am in the Church Sanctuary (entrance on Orange Street).
All Plymouth families (both AM and PM classes) are invited.
BGR children will be dropped off in their classroom at 8:55am as per usual, because they will be playing music during the Sing. BGR grownups will join everyone in the Sanctuary.
After the Holiday Sing, we will gather for class holiday cookie parties! Cookie parties will take place in children’s classrooms, except for the LGR AM and PM parties, which will take place in the reception room and Pineapple AM and PM and Blue AM and PM parties which will take place in the gym. Dismissal for the Winter Holidays will follow the cookie parties.
Plymouth’s Annual Toy Drive for Colony Houses South Brooklyn
Plymouth families have always been so generous in their support of Plymouth’s Toy Drive to support Colony Houses. If you would still like to contribute, please do so by thisMonday, December 15th. You can learn more about the toy drive here and shop from the Amazon Wish List!
Influenza Vaccine Requirement
The NYC Department of Health (DOH) mandates that all children receive one dose of the influenza vaccine (flu shot) by December 31, 2025. We must have a record of your child's vaccine by that time; otherwise, we will be out of compliance with the DOH and subject to fines. Due to this,children will not be permitted to attend school when we return from the Winter Holidays on January 5, 2026, without proof of their influenza immunization.
We welcome your donations to our Materials Center! You can drop off donations in the box located in the main lobby next to Adrienne’s office. Currently, we need pinecones of all shapes and sizes.
Important Dates to Remember
December
19 - Holiday Sing
20-Jan 4 - School Closed for Winter Holidays
January
5 - Classes Resume
19 - School closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
