Special Events

September

Work and Play Day - Truly a "work and play" occasion design to meet the needs of sprucing up the school by replacing bark mulch, washing windows, cleaning the toys and other sundry tasks while meeting the Acorn staff and other school families in a community spirit.

Open House - This is when each class gathers together to sing songs, have snack, review some Acorn policies, and play together on the playground with family members. Open Houses generally last about one hour.

Class Tea - Class Tea happens the first full day of school for each class. The Class Parent hosts a tea at their home inviting respective families to meet together while your child is enjoying his/her first day at Acorn School. All are encouraged to attend, as it's a time to meet old friends and make new ones, get those lingering questions answered, and sign up for classroom activities.

School Picture Day - Acorn arranges with a photographer to come to school to take individual and class pictures. Your child may wear 'fancy' clothes for his/her picture. We promise we will do no painting that day.

October

Harvest Days - These days are generally for the children only. We celebrate the Fall Harvest time with cider making, teepee construction, pumpkin bowling, scarecrow making, and square dancing. We ask the parents to help us by donating pumpkins, cornstalks, and apples in advance.

Parents Night - Each class has a designated night when only parents are invited to come back to Acorn in the evening. There is a brief presentation by the Director and the Board, but the major focus of the evening is an informational discussion by the teachers describing a typical day at Acorn, an opportunity to view your child's artwork, and to enjoy refreshments created by your child's class.

Halloween - Chipmunks do not dress up in costumes for Halloween, but will have a parade at the end of the day to which all family members are encouraged to attend. They enjoy a Halloween treat together at snack time. Woolly Bears, Chickadees, Tadpoles, Puffins, and Mighty Oaks do celebrate with costumes. We meet off-campus at Coppal House Station in Leee where we have a costume parade, sing songs, navigate through a corn maze, have a hayride, play games, and enjoy a special Halloween snack together. This is a family affair so all are invited.

November

Parent Conferences - A specific time set aside for you to meet with your child's teachers to discuss their development. Generally there is a book and game fair set up in the big room for you to take advantage of.

Thanksgiving - Chipmunks have a regular school day with a special shared snack. Woolly Bears, Chickadees, and Mighty Oaks share in a musical presentation and feast together, to which only adults are invited to attend due to space restrictions. Tadpoles and Puffins also share in a musical presentation and feast together to which only adults are invited to attend due to space restrictions.

December

Mr. Bingle - Woolly Bear, Chickadee, Tadpole, Puffin, and Mighty Oak families can participate in a community gift-giving opportunity in connection with the Exeter Adult Education Program.

Holiday Programs - Each class presents a holiday program to which all families are invited to attend. Refreshments are served.

February

Bake Sale - A Valentine's Bake Sale is held to benefit the Becky Shepard Scholarship Fund. All families are encouraged to contribute and attend.

Valentine's Day - Chipmunks do not exchange Valentines but share a special Valentine's Day treat generally provided by the teachers. Woolly Bears, Chickadees, Tadpoles, Puffins, and Mighty Oaks do exchange Valentines and share a special treat generally provided by the teachers.

April

Chipmunk Parent Conferences - A specific time set aside for you to meet with your child's teachers and discuss their progress.

Acorn Marathon - Woolly Bears, Chickadees, Tadpoles, Puffins, and Mighty Oaks run a 'marathon' around Acorn, fashioned after the Boston Marathon.

Earth Day - Woolly Bears, Chickadees, Tadpoles, Puffins, and Mighty Oaks meet at Stratham Hill Park to celebrate Earth Day by singing songs, hiking up the hill, picking up trash, planting flowers, and playing games. This is a family affair so all are welcome.

May

Spring Clean-Up - A similar day to our Work and Play Day in September with the focus on sprucing up the school after the winter snow and spring mud.

Family Open House - Each class has a designated night to come back to Acorn and play outside, look at artwork, and enjoy an ice cream cone. All family members are welcome.

May Day Celebration - Chipmunks celebrate the arrival of spring with a family affair including face painting, cookie decorating, ice-cream making, singing, and dancing around the Maypole. Woolly Bears, Chickadees, Tadpoles, Puffins, and Mighty Oaks also celebrate the arrival of spring with face painting, cookie decorating, ice-cream making, singing, and dancing around the Maypole.

Parent Conferences for Woolly Bears, Chickadees, Tadpoles, Puffins & Mighty Oaks - This is a specific time for you to meet with your child's teachers and discuss their progress.

June

Year-End Programs - All classes present a musical program on the last day of school with refreshments being served. All family members are encouraged to attend.