CENTENARY PLANTING A BRIGHT FUTURE

At Centenary, we are hard at work getting our flower beds tilled and ready for planting. In June, we will host our families for a planting event. Children will work with their families to plant flowers, fruits, herbs, and vegetables in their class’s designated bed. Each class has their own themed bed, which the children will work together to maintain throughout the summer. Toddlers will be planting "Berries and Buds" including strawberries and flowers. Preschool will be planting "Creepers and Climbers" such as cucumbers, beans, pumpkins, and watermelons. Pre-K will have a "Salad Garden" made up of different types of lettuce like romaine, iceberg, arugula, and spinach, and KINDergarten will have a "Pizza Garden" with tomatoes, garlic, basil, and other herbs. The gardens will be watered, weeded, and harvested by the children during the summer and the fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers will be available for families to take home and enjoy!

We had a blast celebrating NAEYC's Week of the Young Child in April. Children enjoyed a week of fun with Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, and Artsy Thursday! The week was full of engaging, hands-on learning opportunities that encouraged inquiry and fostered a love of learning. Week of the Young Child celebrates early education, teachers and parents as a team to create successful kids.

In the beginning of May, the students in our Toddler 1 class celebrated the Coronation of Teddy the teddy bear! Children made their own crowns as well as sun tea and English muffins with cream cheese and jam to enjoy during their celebration. Their teachers Ms. Mariann, Ms. Sandra, Ms. Kia and Ms. Isabel report that a marvelous time was had by all!

MelindaWilson,CentenaryEarlyLearningCenterDirector

Welcome Matt DeLaRosa, the new Facilities Director at our Piscataway YMCA! Matt is striving to connect with staff, parents, and the community of Piscataway. Prior to joining the YMCA, he served for three years as Director of Facilities and Construction for Vertex Education in Chandler Arizona. In that role, Matt oversaw the strategic growth and management of Facilities and Construction for 21 campuses in three states. He began his career as an Educational Facilities Director in the state of NJ for over15 Matt graduated from Phillipsburg High School, has a degree from Penn Foster University in HVAC and his (CEFM) Certification Education Facilities Management Degree from Rutgers University. He plans to bring all of his experience to the Piscataway YMCA Family!

Mr. Leon is our Oakcrest Camp Director and has worked summer camp for 5 years. Leon enjoys working at Camp Oakcrest because he gets to do what he loves while staying active and spending his time outdoors.

Elizabeth W. Bradley, 84, of Metuchen, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May17, 2023. Elizabeth was not only the Pre-K teacher at the Edgar Child Care Center in Metuchen for 8 years, she is the mother of Catherine Haugh, Association Advancement Assistant. Please keep Elizabeth’ s family, and especially her daughter, Cathy, in your thoughts at this difficult time.