KNOX — The Knox Nursery School is in full swing. Teachers Kim Conklin, Season Poole, and myself were ready when 27 children (14 three-year-olds and 13 four-year-olds) began their school year on Sept. 9 — one that is guaranteed to be an adventure!

On a picture-perfect autumn day at the beginning of October, the 3-year-olds visited the Pumpkin Patch.  Their morning was filled with great story telling; maneuvering through a hay-bale maze; and, of course, the traditional hayride to pick out a choice pumpkin and colorful Indian corn.

Fire prevention

As October is Fire Prevention Month, the 4-year-olds made their annual trek from the school to the Knox firehouse.  There, they learned about the special equipment and clothing firefighters use.

Each student got the opportunity to walk through and sit in one of the trucks. Before returning to school, a group picture was taken of the 13 future firefighters as they stood next to the fire truck sporting red firemen hats. 

To reinforce the importance of knowing what to do in the case of a fire, both classes read books and engaged in fire (not real) related activities. Later in the month, the 4-year-olds participated in a fire drill where they heard the school’s actual fire alarm go off.   The kids did a great job lining up and moving quickly to evacuate the building in under a minute. 

Another high point and most likely the kids’ favorite of our Fire Prevention segment was a visit from Tiger Lily, a yellow lab. Tiger delighted the children by showing them how to stop, drop, and roll in case a piece of their clothing catches on fire.

She also demonstrated how to crawl low to the floor to avoid smoke. We thank Laura Stevens, Tiger’s owner and trainer, for this fun and relevant show.

Halloween

October wouldn’t be October without Halloween projects.  The entrance to our classroom displays bats flying high over floating ghosts with multicolored leaves scattered about.  Halloween parties complete with costumes, songs, crafts, and treats will wrap up this busy month.

Terrific Twos

Now in its fourth year, the Terrific Twos program welcomed eight 2-year-olds on Sept. 24.  This year, Loren Doherty joined the nursery school staff to assist with the program for 2-year-olds. 

Slowly but surely, the tots are becoming comfortable with each other and the schedule.  They love music, but clean up — not so much!  Already, they have favorite songs: Animal Action and “Bus,” also known as “The Wheels on the Bus.” 

The sand table is an attention keeper until craft time starts, then eight little pairs of hands are ready to paint and glue all at the same time!  Our all-seasons tree is currently filled with “apples” crafted from red foam complete with “worms” protruding from them.  A black cat project with bodies made from little black handprints was slightly messy but great fun to make.

There are still openings in each of our programs.  For more information, please call the school at 872-2015.