It is hard to believe that the month of May is already here. We have had a great school year and appreciate you allowing us to be part of your child’s early education. We also want to thank everyone for your continued support in making Polly Panda/Bridgford such a successful program.
In addition to all our fun annual activities we are also celebrating Ms. Tammy Clark's 60th birthday! We will be having a birthday bash for her on Friday, May 3. Please feel free to bring in a card for her any time during this week!
Now take a deep breath and get ready for the May Madness Celebration that takes place each year here at the Panda.
REMINDER: POLLY PANDA & BRIDGFORD WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, MAY 27 FOR MEMORIAL DAY!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out, email: thepanda@pollypanda.com or 317-257-9127.
Tammy & Shannon
Monthly Themes
Infant Theme for the Month:
Flowers, Mommy’s, and Parades
Toddlers and Two Themes:
April 29-May 3 Flowers are Blooming
May 6-10 Mommy and Me
May 13-17 All Thing Parade
May 20-24 Things that Go
Color and Shape of the Month:
Black Review all Shapes
Preschool and Pre-K Themes:
April 29-May 3 Flowers are Blooming
May 6-10 Mommy and Me
May 13-17 All Things Parade
May 20-24 Things that Go
Nursery Rhyme:
Mary Mary Quite Contrary
Math Concept:
Sequencing
Quote of the Month
May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week
We are excited about recognizing our teachers/staff. We ask that you join us in showing how much we appreciate the hard work and dedication that our staff brings to the field of early childhood.
Below are a few suggestions for the week or use your own ideas and creativity. Each teacher has a meet the teacher posted outside their classroom door. Our floats are located next to the TV that displays the camera system. Our office staff is located next to the Panda classroom.
Monday - Relaxation Day: Lotions, candles, flowers, or items to pamper the staff.
Tuesday - Tasty Treat Day: Bring a Yummy treat.
Wednesday - Note Day: Jot an appreciation note and remember teaches love to receive child created notes and pictures.
Thursday - School Supply Day: Stickers, fun pens, markers, craft supplies, fun paper etc.
Friday - Splurge Day: Gift cards to restaurants, gas stations, Target, etc.
May 10 - Muffins for Mom
We invite all moms to join us for Muffins for Mom on Friday, May 10 between 6:30am-9:00am.. This is our way of letting all the moms know how much we appreciate all they do for their children.
The muffins will be located in the breakfast rooms (Teddy Bears, Jellyfish, Panda and Pooh Bear) and the lobbies of the infant area and Bridgford. Please plan on setting aside a few minutes to enjoy a muffin with your child.
May 17 - Polly Panda/Bridgford 500 Parade
All classrooms will be participating in the parade, which starts at 4:00 and will be located in the Polly Panda parking lot.
This year’s theme is Movies/Disney. Classrooms will create costumes and props to go along with whatever movie they have chosen. This is such a fun time for the kids, and they are beyond excited. Bring a lawn chair and plan on arriving early to get a good spot.
Feel free to invite grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The more the merrier! We know parking can be a little tricky during the event. You can park in the Bridgford parking lot, on Parker Street, and the spaces facing Parker Ave in the Ardsley parking lot.
May 20-24 - Spirit Week
*Please check with your child’s teacher to see when they need to bring in a T-Shirt for Friday's spirit day!
May 24 - Carb Day & Race Day!
This year we are combining CARB DAY & RACE DAY!
In the morning please bring your child’s riding toy to school! ALL CHILDREN ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A HELMET IN ORDER TO RACE. Please label all riding toys and helmets with your child’s name. All children who are participating must bring something from home to ride. Siblings can’t share helmets or riding toys. No motorized riding toys can be used.
CLASSROOM PIT LOCATIONS
Back Deck: Teddy Bears, Chipmunks, Butterflies, and Penguins
Outside back door of classroom: Jellyfish, Sea Turtles, Dolphin
Bridgford Back Deck: Daisies and Ladybugs
Each classroom will have practice time to ride their riding toys in the parking lot during their morning outside play time.
In the afternoon, our little Pandas will START THEIR PEDALS!
THE POLLY PANDA/BRIDGFORD 500 WILL START AT 3PM!
Children in the Teddy Bears through the Ladybugs will be racing in the Polly Panda/Bridgford 500 race. The first race will begin at 3:00. Please plan on arriving early and bring the family to experience the race preschool style.
School lunch will be served to the Teddy Bears, Chipmunks, and Butterflies. The children in the preschool hall and Bridgford need to bring a lunch from home as the classrooms will be having a picnic outside.
May 27 - Closed for Memorial Day
Polly Panda/Bridgford will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. We wish all our families a happy and relaxing three day weekend.
Staff Birthdays
May 5 Tammy Clark (Director)
May 10 Jourdinn Kent (Dolphins)
Staff Anniversaries
May 2 Markie Nierhaus (Monkeys)
May 9 Dana Molskness (Ladybugs)
May 9 Kelly Bedner (Pooh Bears)
Employees of the Month
In honor of Teacher Appreciation month, we will be recognizing each one of our staff members as the Employee of the Month. Please take time this month to say thank you to your child’s teacher and let them know how much you appreciate them.