Parent & Family Resources

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Responsibility is the virtue of the month. Raising responsible kids is an undertaking. At The Berry Patch School, we encourage children to be responsible for themselves in words and actions. Here are a few ideas for you to enhance the responsibility lessons at home.

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Generosity is a virtue we practice all year long at The Berry Patch School. We’re learning about generosity as a virtue in December. Sharing with friends, expressing kindness in word and deed, and providing for others are examples of how families can instill this characteristic in young children.

Generosity is displayed daily in the classrooms at The Berry Patch School. This virtue is exemplified in Children Serving Others (C.S.O.). Participate as a family in the various Children Serving Others (C.S.O.) opportunities throughout the school year. A very special thank you to all who participated in our December C.S.O., Twin City Toy Drive.

Dear Berry Patch Families,

“Thank you!” Just two little words that make us feel appreciated, respected, and loved. Instill the virtue of gratitude in your home through modeling an attitude of gratitude. Set the expectation bar high for your children to express thankfulness in words and actions. 

This month, students are focusing on gratitude in their classrooms. Children express thankfulness through sharing, taking turns, and being kind to others in both words and actions. Use the tips listed below to enhance the lessons at home. As a family, plan to take part in The Berry Patch School’s Children Serving Others (C.S.O.). During the month of November, we are collecting art supplies for the Washburn Center for Children.

Tips for Raising Grateful Kids 

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Are your kids willing to eat new foods, try new things, meet new people, and embrace new opportunities to learn? Some children dive right into unfamiliar situations while others hold back. Both responses are normal for young children. Whether outgoing or timid, children benefit from parents and teachers who help them to be brave.

The Berry Patch virtue of the month is courage. Ask your kids to describe the lessons on courage learned in the classroom. Enhance the learning at home with the following ideas to inspire your child to be brave.

Tips for Raising Courageous Kids 

Dear Berry Patch Families,

The school year is in full swing! The Berry Patch is all about love and learning with our friends. I hope you and your child are connecting with friends, both old and new. 

Each month, you will receive a parent and family education newsletter. The topics will focus on the nine Berry Patch virtues: friendship, courage, gratitude, generosity, responsibility, kindness, patience, honesty, and cooperation. The virtues will be taught in a variety of ways throughout the month in your child’s classroom. Extend the lessons at home to reinforce the learning. 

Tips for Friendship Skill Building

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year to all new and returning Berry Patch families. We are busy preparing for another fabulous year of love and learning. 

Preparing for the school year is a great way to build excitement and relieve anxiety. Use these tips to get ready as a family for the beginning of the school year. A little preparation can go a long way to make the transition to school smooth for everyone.

• Take part in Classroom Visits to meet the teacher, explore the classroom, and meet new friends. 
• Read The Berry Patch Parent Handbook for important information.
• Print a calendar for your child with school days highlighted in Berry Patch colors. Cross off the days to practice counting skills and prepare for school days.
• Choose appropriate school clothing. Learning can get messy, so plan accordingly.
• Send a backpack that can accommodate school projects, winter clothing, and other items.  
• Download our tips to avoid separation anxiety: Separation Anxiety in Young Children. 
• Take advantage of our Parent and Family Education Program at no additional cost for support, guidance, and encouragement in all aspects of parenting and family life. 
• We highly recommend phasing out morning naps for Raspberries and Huckleberries so your child will be prepared for a full morning of learning.

May 15, 2022

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Summer is right around the corner! The next three months provide a time for less structured play and activities. Plan to enrich your child’s summer with learning activities to spark the imagination, expand the mind, and foster social interaction skills.      

April 15, 2022

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Spring conferences are scheduled for April 21 and 22. This is a valuable opportunity to collaborate as a team to discuss how your child has developed academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. It’s a time to talk about what skills your child should be focusing on during the summer months to be prepared for the next year of school.

Tips to Make the Most of Parent Teacher Conferences 

1. Arrive on time.

2. Keep the conversation focused on the child. Use the questions below as a guide.

3. Take notes. Don’t forget a notebook and pen. 

4. Stay within the scheduled conference time. 

March 15, 2022

Dear Berry Patch Families,

Tattling, it’s one of THOSE topics for many parents.

Parents, have you heard anything like this at your house?
“Mom, Matthew is ….”
“Dad, tell Sophia to stop…”
“She touched me!”
“He looked at me!”

Tattling… it’s enough to drive a parent crazy!

Dear Berry Patch Families,

This month’s focus for Parent and Family Education is the topic of FRIENDSHIP. Most of the conversations I’ve had with parents in the last 18 months have centered on social emotional skill building and getting along with others. The pandemic has isolated our kids from the normal activities of childhood. As a result, they haven’t had the experiences needed to learn to socialize well. 

Making and keeping friends is an ongoing skill. Practice is necessary! The Berry Patch staff assist your children daily in friendship building skills. Kindness, polite behavior, and respect are all rolled into everyday lessons. The Berry Patch School’s Parent Tip Sheets are helpful resources for your family. Download the tip sheets: Social Emotional Learning, Communicating Well with Young Children, and The Power of Play for additional tips and strategies.