PEREGRINE PRESS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
• GET OUT AND PLAY
• FAMILY EVENTS
• TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
• BOOK OF THE MONTH
• PARENT’S CORNER
• FOOD DRIVE
• OCTOBER RECAP
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING
November is all about healthy habits, gratitude, and learning where our food comes from. This month, our classes will explore the theme of Nutrition and Thanksgiving, helping children understand the importance of good food choices and thankfulness for what we have.
It’s sure to be a month filled with learning, creativity, and gratitude as we celebrate the season together!
We’ll be learning through fun, hands-on activities such as:
Hand Turkeys: Children will create their own colorful handprint turkeys while talking about what makes Thanksgiving special.
Gratitude Paper Quilts: Each child will decorate a square with something they are thankful for, and we will combine them into a classroom “quilt” to display our gratitude.
Grocery Store Signs: Children will practice early literacy and math skills by designing signs for a pretend grocery store and sorting play food items.
Canned Food Drive: Together, we will collect canned goods to donate to local families in need and discuss the importance of helping others.
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - CLOSED - VETERANS DAY
NOVEMBER 24-28 - CLOSED - THANKSGIVING BREAK
DECEMBER 12 - VPK ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
DECEMBER 15 - 18 - SPIRIT WEEK
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 - PAJAMAS WITH SANTA DECEMBER 19 - JANUARY 2 - CLOSED - WINTER BREAK
Contact Us
The Child Development Center is located on the Massey Campus in Fort Pierce, Florida. 772-462-7645
irsccdc@irsc.edu
https://irsc.edu/child-development-center/
GET OUT AND PLAY
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE TREASURE COAST
Looking for a fun and educational family outing? The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is the perfect destination for hands-on learning and play! Located in Jensen Beach, this museum is packed with interactive exhibits that encourage children to imagine, explore, and create. Kids can role-play in a mini town, build and design in creative spaces, and discover science through exciting, hands-on activities. It’s a wonderful place for curious minds to learn through play, rain or shine!
If you’re looking for a fun spot where kids can play, imagine, and make new friends, check out Simply Play in Vero Beach! This indoor play space is designed especially for young children, with safe, clean, and creative play areas that inspire imagination and movement. From pretend play zones to climbing structures and sensory activities, there’s something for every little explorer to enjoy. It’s the perfect place for playdates, rainy days, or a weekend family outing. Stop by Simply Play and let your child’s imagination run wild!
NOVEMBER FAMILY EVENTS
November is the perfect time to enjoy the cooler weather and make special memories together as a family. Our community is filled with fun events this month, from fall festivals and holiday markets to tree lighting and craft workshops. We’ve gathered some great opportunities for families to explore, connect, and celebrate the season together.
Check out the upcoming events below and mark your calendars for a month full of family fun and community spirit!
EVENTS
Kid Space at Hallstrom Planetarium
November 8 & 22, 11:00am
Fall Festival at Eastside Acres
November 8, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Preschool Storybook Craft at Hurston Library
November 14, 10:30am (ages 4-5)
Tales & Play at Morningside Library
November 14, 10:30am
Harvest Festival - Olive Branch Outdoor Market
November 14, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
ManateeFest at the Manatee Center
November 15, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Lowe’s Kids Workshop
November 15, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Schacht Groves Fall Festival
November 15, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Riverside Dance Playtime in the Park
November 15, 11:00am
Pawsgiving Festival Paws Fur Recovery Rescue Ranch
November 22, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Vero Beach Holiday Tree Lighting
November 22, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Fairground Festival of Lights
November 27 - December 28, 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Christmas On Main, Stuart
November 28, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
The Home Depot Kids Workshop
November 29, 9:00am
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
Ms. Jessica is our wonderful VPKB teacher, and this year marks her second year of teaching VPK. She brings warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to her classroom every single day. Her students love coming to class because she makes learning fun, engaging, and full of discovery.
Beyond her classroom, she is always willing to lend a helping hand to other classes and teachers whenever they need support. Her colleagues appreciate her positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to step in wherever she’s needed. The children at the center absolutely adore her, and she has built strong, loving relationships with so many of them across all classrooms.
She shows up each day with a smile, ready to give her best, and her dedication shines through in everything she does. Her patience, compassion, and commitment to helping children grow make her such a valuable part of our team. We are so grateful to have her as part of our Child Development Center family!
BOOK OF THE MONTH
Bear says Thanks
By Karma Wilson
Bear wants to host a feast for his friends but realizes his cupboard is empty. One by one, his friends arrive bringing delicious food to share. Together, they enjoy a cozy meal filled with laughter, thankfulness, and love. This story beautifully teaches children the joy of giving, sharing, and being thankful for the special people in their lives.
PIZZA PREPAY PLAN
Make pizza day a breeze with our Pizza Prepay Plan—the easiest (and cheesiest) way to keep your kids fueled all year long! For just $1 per slice of cheese and $1.50 per slice of pepperoni, you can prepay for half or the full year, so your child never has to miss out. No more digging through your glove compartment for spare change in the drop-off line. With the Pizza Prepay Plan, pizza day is simple, stress-free, and delicious—all year long!
PARENT’S CORNER
Gratitude with Little Ones
The season of thanks is the perfect time to introduce gratitude. Encourage your child to say “thank you,” draw a picture for someone special, or share something they’re grateful for each day. Try creating a “gratitude tree” and adding leaves with words or pictures of things your child appreciates. You can also talk about the little things that bring joy each day, like a sunny morning or a favorite snack. Sharing these moments together helps children notice the positive in everyday life and builds stronger connections with family and friends.
FOOD DRIVE
Each month, we are sponsoring different ways that we can give back to our community, while also teaching our little ones the importance of kindness and community stewardship. This month, we are hosting a canned food and ramen drive to help support families in need within our community. Instant noodles are always a hit and are easy to store, cook, and share.
Bring in canned goods or ramen packs to help fill our collection boxes and spread a little warmth this season. Thank you for helping us teach kindness and generosity through giving!
OCTOBER RECAP
Our little learners had a fantastic time getting up close and personal with a variety of friendly animals during our recent petting zoo visit! From goats and rabbits to sheep and more, children had the chance to touch, feed, and learn about each animal in a fun and safe environment.
It was a wonderful hands-on experience that brought smiles, laughter, and plenty of excitement. A big thank you to Mrs. Robin for arranging this special visit!
EARLY LEARNING COALITION
We were honored to welcome the Leading the Way Directors’ Network of St. Lucie County to the Child Development Center this month! Director Samantha and our amazing team shared all the wonderful things happening here, from our bright, engaging classrooms to the strong safety measures that keep our children, families, and staff secure every day.
Our visitors enjoyed seeing the child-friendly kitchen where children learn cooking and self-help skills, along with our state-of-the-art playground and train that takes little ones on adventures around campus. The group was especially impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of our teachers, who bring learning to life each day through hands-on experiences. Officer Monty joined us to highlight our safety features, including bulletproof glass in classroom windows and doors, and a well-organized drop-off and pick-up process.
We are grateful to the Directors’ Network for celebrating the hard work and dedication of our teachers, families, and children. It was an inspiring day for everyone!
TRUNK OR TREAT & FALL FEST
Our annual Trunk or Treat was a huge success! Indian River State College faculty, staff and amilies came together for an evening filled with laughter, costumes, and community spirit. With 41 decorated trunks lined up across the parking lot, children paraded through in their costumes, laughing and collecting treats from each stop.
A special thank you to Double H for setting up their coffee truck and keeping our families and staff warm and energized. We also want to thank Chick-fil-A Fort Pierce for providing delicious lunches for all our teachers and surprising the children with a visit from the Chick-fil-A Cow. Your kindness and generosity helped make the event extra special.
Thank you to all the families and staff who participated and helped create such a memorable event. We cannot wait to see everyone’s creativity shine again next year!
CLOTHING DRIVE UPDATE
A huge thank you to our amazing families for your generosity during our October clothing drive! Together, we collected and donated over 40 jumbo bags of clothing to help families in need right here in our community. Your kindness and support truly made a difference and helped spread warmth and comfort as the cooler season begins. We are so proud of our center’s caring spirit and the way our families come together to help others.
