Grasonville Elementary School

🍁 Hello Pumpkins!!!! 🎃 🍁

The leaves are showing off their colors, the air is getting crisp, and the nights are arriving just a little earlier—Fall is officially here! 🍂✨

Can you believe how quickly summer flew by? Now it’s time to soak in the beauty of autumn—the cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, and that perfect mix of sunshine and chilly breezes. Fall gives us the chance to enjoy nature’s colorful show and prepare ourselves (and our homes) for the exciting months ahead.

We’ve got some spook-tacular events lined up this October, and we can’t wait to celebrate the season with you. Get ready for a month full of fun, family, and a little festive fright! 👻🕸️

Happy Fall,

👻

The Judith P. Hoyer Center Early Learning Hubs, also known as “Judy Centers,” benefit everyone in Maryland by improving the quality of life for families. Through a dedicated staff of early learning professionals, they help prepare children age birth through kindergarten for school readiness. Located at Title I schools in every Maryland county, Judy Centers play an important role in the communities they serve. Judy Centers provide services or connect families with local service providers for some of the following options:

• Adult Education
• Case Management
• Developmental and Health Screenings
• Family Engagement Activities
• Parenting Classes
• Playgroups
• Early Intervention Identification

Each Judy Center is unique in meeting the needs of its communities, but if there is a service you are in need of please let us know!

Multiple Playgroups Weekly …Join Us!!!

Playgroups are open to all and can be attended multiple times weekly.

**Children learn by repetition**

Playgroups are scheduled and offered according to need and interests of all participants. Currently playgroups are offered:

• Tuesday and Thursday from 10-11:30am.
• Afternoon sessions are available from 1-2:30pm with desired interest

• Wednesday scheduling is reserved for Babies and Prenatal Parents.
• Evening playgroups will be available monthly from 5:30-6:30pm (with registration required).

Please register here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpfCKfQi6T8MOhBgJKvOQ-AlSzUKZXiqwad-NsGSUSWB9s3g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/100087158001512/

🎃 Keep it Spooky, Not Scary: Avoid costumes with violent or bloody images. It's okay to look "spooky," but nothing gruesome or violent.

👁️ Masks and Makeup: Masks that cover the eyes and face are fine, as long as your child can see clearly. Please keep makeup minimal and apply it at home. Remember, learning is still happening, so your child will need to remove their mask during class.

🧥 Safe Costumes: Make sure your child’s costume doesn’t have anything hanging below the wrist or ankle to avoid tripping or getting things caught.

🎒 Easy-to-Carry Props: If your child has props, they should be easy to manage, especially if they take the bus.

🚫 No Weapons: Please don’t include any toy weapons in the costume.

🏃 PE-Friendly Costumes: If your child has Physical Education on the 31st, pick a costume that’s safe and easy to move in.

🕷 Fun crafts with stuff you really do have around the house

🍪 A quick and easy recipe for green monster sprinkle cookies

🎶 A clean, fun Halloween-themed playlist

Walk Safely

1. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
2. Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
3. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
4. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
5. the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
6. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
7. Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Costumes for a Safe Halloween

1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
2. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
3. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
4. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

1. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
2. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
4. Get rid of any distractions - like your phone - in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
5. Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
6. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for kids during those hours.