First Days of School Workshop
2019-09-09 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
The beginning of a child’s school experience is an exciting time for the whole family. Understanding separation as a process can help to make the adjustment as smooth as possible. There is much the adults in a child’s life can do to help. Join Eileen and Tom to learn how Open House will welcome you and your child into the Open House community. This interactive workshop is the perfect place to ask questions and meet other families.

Phase-In: Savannah, Pond, Garden & Nest
2019-09-10 09:00 - 12:00
Click Phase-In schedules and consult teacher for details.
We are happy to begin a new school year. All the meetings and prepping have finally readied us. Please know that we are not expecting all the children to respond in the same way during the first days of school. Since just being in a new environment is challenging for young children we will not be making many other demands. There will be lots of “invitations,” however we will wait for your child to accept them. Our philosophy is to build on success. When children have a pleasant experience at school they are eager to return.

Extended Day for River and Meadow
2019-09-17 15:00 - 18:00

Extended Day
2019-09-20 15:00 - 18:00
Consult with your child’s teacher to be sure your child is ready for Extended day.

Rosh Hashanah: School Open
2019-09-30
Shanah tovah!

Yom Kippur School open
2019-10-09
G’mar Hatima Tova

Columbus and Indigenous People's Day: School Closed
2019-10-14
School Closed

Fall Social
2019-10-19 11:00 - 14:00
You and your family are invited to brunch from 11;00-2:00 at Open House Nursery School. Drop by for the whole time or just for a bit. There will be bagels, quiche, fruit and treats!

Fire Safety Week
2019-10-21 - 2019-10-25
At Open House we have monthly Fire Drills. We prepare the children by showing them the Fire Bell and letting them know the bell will be very loud. We will also talk about Fire Safety rules.
During a fire children may instinctively try to hide. It is important to let them know never to hide in a closet, under the bed or anywhere during a fire. The most important rule of Fire Safety is to exit the building as quickly as possible.
Despite our efforts to prepare them some children new to Open House may be confused and upset the first Fire Drill. However, overtime Fire Drills will become routine.
Fire Safety Week may be a good time for your family to plan and practice your Fire Escape Route. Here are some tips for planning your Fire Drill at home from the homefiredrill.org

At least twice a year, push the smoke alarm button to start your home fire drill
Think about how you will escape from every room, starting with bedrooms.
If possible, plan two escape routes from each room. Your second route may be to go out a window, or stand at a window where firefighters can see you.
Decide where you will meet outside.
Plan everyone’s role. Who will make sure children get out? Plan for special needs. Do you have: Young children? Older adults?People with temporary or permanent disabilities? Do you ever have overnight guests?
Share your plan with babysitters and frequent visitors.
Keep your floors, hallways and stairs clear of clutter.
Make sure everyone in your household can open all doors and windows. Security bars on windows should have emergency release devices so they can be opened easily from the inside
Fire extinguishers require planning too. Make sure they are visible and ready for use.
Never stop to call 911 from inside. Wait until you are safely outside before making the call.

Curriculum Nights
2019-10-23 18:00 - 2019-10-25 19:30, 2019-10-28 18:00 - 19:30

Diwalli
2019-10-27

Halloween
2019-10-31
As Halloween nears and holiday decorations abound, parades are planned and costumes are readied with much excitement. Most of the little ones at Open House will have no memory of last Halloween and may become confused and overwhelmed by the day’s events. Therefore, we are passing along some tips for helping young children enjoy Halloween’s “kooky” creativity while managing its “spooky” side.
Since most young children enjoy playing dress-up, eating sweets, and visiting neighbors, focus your child’s Halloween on these activities. However, even with the best of preparation children can become overexcited and or frightened by Halloween costumes and decorations. Old anxieties, insecurities, and fears may become activated and compound with new ones, affecting your child’s behavior at home and in school.
Children may show aggression to defend against vague threats and fear of the unknown. They may regress to clinging, and separation fears once thought resolved may reappear. Children may show a sudden drop in verbal communication as they try to process such abstract concepts as ghosts. The dividing line between fantasy and reality may become blurred; making this is a good time to talk with your child about what is real and what is pretend.
To help your child enjoy Halloween, Open House has developed school-wide policies.
• We will read about and discuss Halloween.
• Classroom festivities will be developmentally appropriate.
• Costumes and masks will not be worn at school.
• “Dress-up” or face painting may be a choice in some classrooms.
• Weapons of any kind may not be brought to school.
We also have some general suggestions, which may be helpful:
• Reading books at home about Halloween will provide a forum for your child to ask questions and share feelings.
• When adults or children wear a mask, they should remove it periodically so that young children can be reassured that there “really is a person behind there”.
• Let your child know that there is no failure on his/her part to be afraid. All feelings are valid and should be acknowledged. Calmly reassure your child that you love them and that you will always do your best to keep them safe.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!

Parent-Teacher Conferences: School closed
2019-11-05 08:30 - 16:30
Teachers will email a sign-up list. Children will not be in attendance.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: School Closed
2019-11-11 08:30 - 16:30
Teachers will email a sign-up list. No attendance for children.

Green Week
2019-11-12 - 2019-11-15
In celebration of the school’s commitment to being environmentally friendly, Open House will kick off Green Week. During Green Week, Open House will highlight our expanding efforts to conserve, recycle, and reduce waste.
The centerpiece of the program is to introduce recycling bins into each classroom for the citywide recycling program. (The school currently recycles only cardboard.) Open House has already switched almost entirely to environmentally friendly cleaning products, compact florescent light bulbs and recycled paper products.
We’ll also be providing families with suggestions for reducing lunchtime waste. The children will be making art projects using recycled products so please bring in any toilet paper/ paper towel rolls, as well as bottle caps and egg cartons.
Green Week will begin and conclude with a Green Parade (children are encouraged to wear green) and both the school and the classrooms will host a variety of activities and projects to educate, raise awareness and promote positive change. The emphasis will be: “even small things can make a big difference”. If you have ideas or suggestions or would like to volunteer for green-related activities, please contact your child’s teacher.

Thanksgiving Feast
2019-11-27 12:00 - 13:00
As is the tradition at Open House we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a luncheon feast. The children will share food they have pre-pared for the whole school. Therefore, children scheduled to leave at 12:00 will be invited to stay for lunch and can be picked up at 12:30. Children will not have to bring lunch unless they have dietary restrictions (self-imposed or otherwise).

Happy Thanksgiving: School Closed
2019-11-28 - 2019-11-29
Enjoy family and friends as you create new traditions and fond memories.

Giving Tuesday
2019-12-03
Our Annual Fund Drive begins! Please be aware your contribution is vital to us. This drive provides us with much-needed funds for our Financial Aid program and for our Arts Enrichment classes. Music, Dance, and Yoga are invaluable experiences for little people, but the cost of instruction is significant. By sending your tax-deductible contribution to the Annual Fund you help keep these programs alive.
Al contributions are appreciated. We are happy to receive gifts to the Annual Fund throughout the school year. To make a contribution click on Support Us and then Donate.

Book Fair
2019-12-09 08:00 - 2019-12-14 17:00
This December fork + pencil and Open House will be collaborating to bring you high quality books and gifts for this Holiday season. A big selection of classics and Caldecott Award winners will be available along with new favorites. There is so much media and “junk” vying for your child’s attention. Do not miss this opportunity to bring home books that will interest your child and you will enjoy reading to them.
As you read to your child release your inner thespian. Create unique voices for all the characters. Talk about the character’s “motivation.” Share values by letting your child know what you might do in the character’s circumstance. Help your child notice that even when characters are faced with “troubles” problems can be solved. Most importantly cuddling together with a book lets your child know how much you love reading and spending time together.
fork + pencil is more than just a neighborhood store. They are committed to improving education and educational funding. Through our fork + pencil book fair Open House will earn 40% of the sales. WOW! Funds raised from the Book Fair will benefit all the children of Open House.

Saturday Morning Movie & Pizza Party!
2019-12-14 10:30 - 17:00
Drop off your kids for a morning of open play, crafts, a movie, a pizza lunch, and lots of fun with Open House teachers Renay and Pema while you get a break — or get a little something done!
Showing this month: Daniel Tiger’s Snowflake Day
The cost is $35 per child, $20 for siblings (pay at the door, credit card payment only)
SIGN UP HERE:
NOTE: Siblings under 3 MUST be enrolled at Open House to attend the party
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE OPEN HOUSE PARENT LIFE COMMITTEE
Mahshad Hall, Mat Hall, Melissa Henrey, Jessica Patrick, Robbie Patrick, Jennifer Young

Family Day
2019-12-20 10:00 - 11:30
Family Day is an Open House tradition. The goal is to celebrate the home-school connection. Family, caregivers and/or friends are invited to visit school. It is very important every child have a visitor. Special snacks are shared and songs are sung. All children will leave after the festivities. Enjoy the holidays knowing that the most precious gift you will ever give your child is your time, your love and your commitment to a caring community.

Hannukkah
2019-12-23

December Vacation Program
2019-12-23, 2019-12-26 - 2019-12-27, 2019-12-30 - 2019-12-31

Christmas Eve/Day
2019-12-24 - 2019-12-25
No children programs available.

New Years Day: School Closed
2020-01-01
Happy New Year- We hope it’s a GOOD one! No programs available.

Welcome Back!
2020-01-02
School Open

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: School Closed
2020-01-20
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
