Mural by the Blue Room

Inspired by The Blue Hour by Isabelle Simler

Halloween

Halloween is next Friday, and each class is celebrating in their own age-appropriate way. We ask that families save costumes for after school as they can scare the younger children who are just learning to distinguish fantasy from reality. We don’t want children to feel overwhelmed at school. We also ask that candy be kept for an afterschool treat.

 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher conferences are coming up on November 4th (all day) and November 11th (evening). Most of you have received an email from your child’s teachers to sign up for a conference. School will be closed for conferences on Tuesday, November 4th, with no children in attendance.

 

During your conference time, childcare will be available in the gym between 8:30am and 3:00pm. School is open November 11th with a regular schedule. There is no childcare for evening conferences.

 

Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to gain insights into your child’s life at school and help formulate goals for the school year with your child’s teaching team. At the end of the newsletter, we have included an article published by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) outlining how parents can prepare for conferences with their child’s teachers. I hope you find it helpful.

 

Open House for Prospective Families

We are hosting an Open House for prospective families tomorrow Saturday, October 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Please spread the word to your friends in the community! Children are welcome and there is no RSVP necessary.

 

Admissions

Admissions season is underway, and applications are open for the ‘26 – ‘27 school year! Please remember to complete our online application for any sibling applicant by going to the admissions page on our website. All applications for priority applicants, including siblings, should be completed by November 15th. If you have any questions, reach out to Andrea. Re-enrollment for current students will take place in the new year.

 

Yankee Fair

 

Mark your calendars for the Yankee Fair on November 8th from 10:00am to 3:00pm, a fun family festival hosted by Plymouth Church and Plymouth Church School. There will be lots of activities for everyone in the family including a pumpkin patch, rides, games, and a bouncy castle. Everyone is welcome and it is a wonderful way to connect with other Plymouth families! We hope to see you there. To volunteer, please sign up using this link.

 

Yankee Fair Clothing Jumble

 

The Yankee Fair is holding a clothing jumble sale for clothes in good condition from newborn to size 5T. All unstained clothing and jackets will be accepted (no shoes/socks/underwear/swimsuits please). At the end of the clothing jumble sale, whatever is not sold will be donated to migrant families.  

 

Please bring donations to school next week (10/27-10/31). There will be a bin in the front hall to place donations during drop off. Ideally your donations would be separated by sizes: 0-12 months, 12-24 months, 2T-3T, 4T-5T in separate bags to help with the organization of the event. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Chloe DeComo.

 

Label All Clothing

 

Now that the weather has gotten cooler, your children are wearing more layers to school. Please label all clothing, shoes, bags, scooters and helmets with your child’s name. This greatly increases the likelihood that a missing item will be returned to you and helps teachers keep all those articles of clothing organized.

 

Flu Reminder

 

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. 

 

Please email the proof of influenza vaccination to pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org.

  

Important Dates to Remember

 

November
4 - School Closed for Parent/Teacher Conferences
8 - Yankee Fair
11 - School Open – Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
15 - Priority Application Deadline
26-28 - School Closed for Thanksgiving

 

 Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher relationships are most effective when participants have frequent and open communication with each other and demonstrate mutual respect for each other’s role in a child’s life. When families are positively involved in their child’s education, the child will flourish. Teachers prepare for conferences by thinking about each child’s interests and progress. Here are some ways parents can prepare so they too can be active participants in parent-teacher conferences.

 

Be willing and ready to share information about your child and family. Families are the most important influence in a child’s life. You know your child better than anyone else and have valuable insights to share with the teacher. Advocate for your child. Share things about your child’s life at home—personality traits, challenges, habits, friends, hobbies, and talents.  Focus on the things you believe the teacher needs to know. What kinds of things do you enjoy doing with your child? How do siblings relate to their brother/sister and vice versa? What kind of discipline do you use? What are your dreams for your child? What are your concerns?

 

Stay focused on your child. In our childhood, some of us might have been shy students who avoided the teacher’s gaze. Others were very active and seemed to always need the teacher’s help to stay on task. It is natural for our ideas about teachers and their role to be shaped by our own school experiences.  Think about and then put aside your past experiences as a student. Stay focused on your child and his or her unique temperament, individual needs, and special interests.   

 

Attend every parent-teacher conference. If your work schedule makes it difficult to meet during regular hours, make this clear to the teacher and try to set up a meeting time that is good for both of you. If you can’t visit in person, schedule a telephone call to discuss your child’s progress. Whether in person or by phone use the conference as a time to exchange information with the teacher and discuss ways to work together to enhance your child’s education.

 

Arrive on time. Teachers usually have a tight schedule for conferences—typically 20 minutes per child and family. If you would like additional time to talk, ask for it ahead of time so you and the teacher will have plenty of time to discuss your ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Be considerate of other parents whose conferences will take place after yours. Remember that the teacher needs a few minutes between conferences to record the information shared and to prepare for the next parent.

 

Listen with an open mind. Try to concentrate on what the teacher is saying instead of what you are going to say next. Ask questions when you don’t understand. Speak up if you disagree with a strategy or don’t understand how it will support your child’s development and learning. Explain the reasons for your views and voice your concerns but be open to suggestions. Stay on the subject: your child’s progress.

 

Be prepared. You might think about or write down one or two questions to ask the teacher. It’s a good idea to ask the most important question first, in case time runs out. Remember, while teachers have specialized education, they don’t have answers for everything. Teaching just isn’t that simple.

 

Keep the conversation focused on what can be done for your child. When there are problems, both teachers and parents need to stay calm and work together for the best interest of the child.

 

Stay involved. Try to visit the school frequently, not just for conferences and Back to School Night. Ask the teacher to suggest activities you can do at home to reinforce your child’s learning. Look for opportunities to engage yourself in your child’s education.

 

Source: Adapted from H. Seplocha, 2004, "Partnerships for Learning: Conferencing with Families,” Family Ties, Young Children 59 (5): 96–99. © National Association for the Education of Young Children.

October Blessing by the Big Green Room

Chapel

Today our teachers and children gathered in community to celebrate the week and sing together at Chapel. We sang songs, learned about the quiet candle, and ended with a blessing for the month of October written by the Big Green Room.

 

Chapel, a whole school assembly, provides a joyful opportunity for the children to come together as a community and celebrate the wonderful learning that is taking place at Plymouth. We also use this special time to talk about the ways in which young children can be a positive force in their community through discussions of kindness, community service, and helping others.

This year, grownups and caregivers will be invited to join us before the holiday break. The date will be sent in advance. Parents and children in our afternoon classes are also invited.

In the new year, our threes, fours, and fives classes will have the opportunity to lead a Chapel to share their learning. We will let families know when their class is leading Chapel well in advance so that they may attend.

 

Parent Talk: Meet Our Arts Specialists

Join Anetta Kotowicz, our Music and Movement Specialist, and Kara Canal, our Visual Arts Specialist, next Friday, October 24th at 9:00am in the Reception Room to learn more about our rich arts program and the ways in which the arts are integrated into the curriculum here at Plymouth.

 

Open House for Prospective Families

We are hosting an Open House for prospective families on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Please spread the word to your friends in the community. Children are welcome. If you are able to volunteer, please sign up using this link.

 

Admissions

Admissions season is underway, and applications are open for the ‘26 – ‘27 school year! Please remember to complete our online application for any sibling applicant by going to the admissions page on our website. All applications for priority applicants, including siblings, should be completed by November 15th. If you have any questions, reach out to Andrea. Re-enrollment for current students will take place in the new year.

 

Yankee Fair

 

Mark your calendars for the Yankee Fair on November 8th from 10:00am to 3:00pm, a fun family festival hosted by Plymouth Church and Plymouth Church School. There will be lots of activities for everyone in the family including a pumpkin patch, rides, games, and a bouncy castle. Everyone is welcome! To volunteer, please sign up using this link.

 

Label All Clothing

 

Now that the weather has gotten cooler, your children are wearing more layers to school. Please label all clothing, shoes, bags, scooters, and helmets with your child’s name. This greatly increases the likelihood that a missing item will be returned to you and helps teachers keep all those articles of clothing organized.

 

Flu Reminder

 

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. 

 

Please email the proof of influenza vaccination to pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org.

 

 Important Dates to Remember

 

October

20 - School Closed for Diwali

24 - Parent Talk: Meet Our Arts Specialists

25 - Open House for Prospective Families

 

November
4 - School Closed for Parent/Teacher Conferences
8 - Yankee Fair
11 - School Open – Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
15 - Priority Application Deadline
26-28 - School Closed for Thanksgiving

 

News from the Library

 

I'd like to share a little about the library at Plymouth, offer a list of quality books to read together at home, and suggest some ways your family can grow joyful reading habits.

 

Our library is on the second floor between the Blue and Purple Rooms. It has over 6,000 titles, both fiction and nonfiction, curated specifically for our early childhood school.

 

The library is a resource for teachers to collect storybooks and engaging nonfiction books. In addition to collaborating with teachers, each week, I spend time with your children in the classroom and bring a selection of books. These books reflect the children's interests, classroom learning, and project work, and are meant to spark curiosity while nurturing a love of books and exploration.

  

These are some of my favorite books that children have connected with over the years, while others are some of my favorite new books!  

 

The lists below are divided by age, but please feel free to select books from either.

 

Birth to two

 

Let’s Be Bees by Shawn Harris

Mama Hug by Emma Straub

If You Find a Leaf (board book) by Aimée Sicuro

Little You by Richard Van Camp

We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp

Owl Babies (board book) by Martin Waddell

More, More, More, said the Baby by Vera Williams

 

Threes to Fives

 

Sato the Rabbit series by Yuki Ainoya

Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

The Blue Velvet Chair by Rio Cortez

Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld

Nose to Nose by Thyra Heder

Mouse on the River by Alice Melvin

Goodbye Hello season series by Kenard Pak

Who Will Plant a Tree? By Jerry Pallotta

If You Find a Leaf by Aimée Sicuro

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Ode to a Bad Day by Chelsea Lin Wallace

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (Brooklyn's own!)

 

Some Ideas to foster reading at home:

 

• Read together as a family – set a timer for five to twenty minutes, depending on age. Everyone grabs their own book, sits on the couch together, and reads. Stop when it’s clear the moment has passed – no judgement, just joy.

• Highlight the role reading plays in your daily life – newspapers, books in bags for subway reads, audio books on car trips, recipes, street signs, maps, emails, texts, and books.

• When reading together, your child can "read the picture" or repeat known storylines from beloved books.

• Take turns reading the book – each takes a page, either read the words or the pictures – which means you simply say what you see.

 

Happy Reading!

Sarah Adelman

 

Big Green Room Open House

On Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00pm we are having an Open House for families in our 4s to learn about the Big Green Room. We encourage you to come and meet the teaching team, see the beautiful classroom, and learn about the rich literacy and math curriculum we have developed for our fives.

 

Often, the best choice for a child is to stay at Plymouth for another year. Our fives program is what I like to call “joyfully academic.” We balance rigorous academic skill building with plentiful opportunities to play in an open-ended manner. Children also gain important leadership skills in their role as our oldest students.

 

Admissions

Admissions season is underway, and applications are open for the ’26 – ‘27 school year! Please remember to complete our online application for any sibling applicant by going to the admissions page on our website. All applications for priority applicants, including siblings, should be completed by November 15th. If you have any questions, reach out to Andrea. Re-enrollment for current students will take place in the new year.

 

Open House for Prospective Families

 

We are hosting an Open House for prospective families on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Please spread the word to your friends in the community. Children are welcome. If you would like to volunteer to attend the open house and speak to prospective families about your experiences at Plymouth, please sign up using this link.

 

Office Hours with Kate

Many of you met our psychological consultant Kate Wechsler when she spoke at Plymouth last week. Kate has worked with Plymouth for over 25 years and has helped many families tackle the conundrums of parenting. Plymouth will be hosting monthly office hours with Kate, which provide an opportunity for you to meet individually with her to talk about issues and concerns and get support. These meetings will be on Zoom.

Upcoming dates are November 14th, and December 12th.  There are half-hour appointments available between 9:30am and 12:00pm. Please email pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org to book an appointment.

Yankee Fair

Mark your calendars for the Yankee Fair on November 8th, a fun family festival hosted by Plymouth Church and Plymouth Church School. There will be lots of activities for everyone in the family including a pumpkin patch, rides, games, and a bouncy castle. Everyone is welcome! More information on how to get involved to come.

Willow Room Color Mixing

Big Green Room Open House

On Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00pm we are having an Open House for families in our 4s to learn about the Big Green Room. We encourage you to come and meet the teaching team, see the beautiful classroom, and learn about the rich literacy and math curriculum we have developed for our fives.

 

Often, the best choice for a child is to stay at Plymouth for another year. Our fives program is what I like to call “joyfully academic.” We balance rigorous academic skill building with plentiful opportunities to play in an open-ended manner. Children also gain important leadership skills in their role as our oldest students.

 

LGBTQ+ Families Connect: The Independent School Experience

 

LGBTQ+ families are invited to hear from parents, administrators, and admissions representatives from participating schools across Brooklyn. The informational fair and panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, October 8th from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Packer. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there! RSVP: admissions@packer.edu 

Admissions

Admissions season is underway, and applications are open for the ’26 – ‘27 school year! Please remember to complete our online application for any sibling applicant by going to the admissions page on our website. All applications for priority applicants, including siblings, should be completed by November 15th. If you have any questions, reach out to Andrea. Re-enrollment for current students will take place in the new year.

 

Open House for Prospective Families

We are hosting an Open House for prospective families on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Please spread the word to your friends in the community. Children are welcome. If you would like to volunteer to attend the open house and speak to prospective families about your experiences at Plymouth, please sign up using this link.

 

Office Hours with Kate

Many of you met our psychological consultant Kate Wechsler when she spoke at Plymouth last week. Kate has worked with Plymouth for over 25 years and has helped many families tackle the conundrums of parenting. Plymouth will be hosting monthly office hours with Kate, which provide an opportunity for you to meet individually with her to talk about issues and concerns and get support. These meetings will be on Zoom.

Upcoming dates are November 14th, and December 12th.  There are half-hour appointments available between 9:30am and 12:00pm. Please email pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org to book an appointment.

Yankee Fair

Mark your calendars for the Yankee Fair on November 8th, a fun family festival hosted by Plymouth Church and Plymouth Church School. There will be lots of activities for everyone in the family including a pumpkin patch, rides, games, and a bouncy castle. Everyone is welcome! More information on how to get involved to come.

News from Plymouth Church

Blessing of the Animals

Plymouth Church is hosting a Blessing of the Animals for furry friends big and small this Sunday, October 5th at 3:00pm in Beecher Garden. All are welcome! No RSVP required.

 

Important Dates to Remember

October

10 - Parent Talk with Elizabeth Young, Associate Director of Curriculum and Learning

13 - School Closed

15 - Big Green Room Open House for Parents in our 4s

20 - School Closed for Diwali

24 - Parent Talk with Specialists

25 - Open House for Prospective Families

 

November
4 - School Closed for Parent/Teacher Conferences
8 - Yankee Fair
11 - School Open – Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
15 - Priority Application Deadline
26-28 - School Closed for Thanksgiving

Watercolor Tree Rings by the Big Green Room

  Admissions Begins

 

Believe it or not, the admissions season has already begun, and applications are now open for the ’26 – ‘27 school year! Please complete our online application for any sibling applicant by going to the admissions page on our website. All applications for priority applicants, including siblings, should be completed by November 15th. If you have any questions, reach out to Andrea. Re-enrollment for current students will take place in the new year.

 

Open House for Prospective Families

 

We are hosting an Open House for prospective families on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Please spread the word to your friends in the community. Children are welcome. If you would like to volunteer to attend the open house and speak to prospective families about your experiences at Plymouth, please reach out to Andrea.

 

Big Green Room Open House

 

On Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00pm we are having an Open House for families in our 4s to learn about the Big Green Room. We encourage you to come and meet the teaching team, see the beautiful classroom, and learn about the rich literacy and math curriculum we have developed for our fives.

 

Often, the best choice for a child is to stay at Plymouth for another year. Our fives program is what I like to call “joyfully academic.” We balance rigorous academic skill building with plentiful opportunities to play in an open-ended manner. Children also gain important leadership skills in their role as our oldest students.

 

LGBTQ+ Families Connect: The Independent School Experience

 

LGBTQ+ families are invited to hear from parents, administrators, and admissions representatives from participating schools across Brooklyn. The informational fair and panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, October 8th from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Packer. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there! RSVP: admissions@packer.edu 

 

Parent Talk with Elizabeth Young, Associate Director of Curriculum and Learning

 

Join Elizabeth Young, our Associate Director of Curriculum and Learning, on Friday, October 10th at 9:00 am to learn more about the literacy and math curricula we use here at Plymouth.

 

Office Hours with Kate

 

Many of you met our psychological consultant Kate Wechsler when she spoke this morning with our families. Kate has worked with Plymouth for over 25 years and has helped many families tackle the conundrums of parenting. Plymouth will be hosting monthly office hours with Kate, which provide an opportunity for you to meet individually with her to talk about issues and concerns and get support. These meetings will be on Zoom.

 

Upcoming dates are October 10th, November 14th, and December 12th.  There are half-hour appointments available between 9:30am and 12:00pm. Please email pcsadmin@plymouthchurch.org to book an appointment.

 

Important Dates to Remember

 

October

2 - School Closed for Yom Kippur

10 - Parent Talk with Elizabeth Young, Associate Director of Curriculum and Learning

13 - School Closed

15 - Big Green Room Open House for Parents in our 4s

20 - School Closed for Diwali

24 - Parent Talk with Specialists

25 - Open House for Prospective Families