The children and staff at Hertz Nursery school in Sharon capped their school year last week with a final day celebration and good-byes.

The 2011-2012 year focused on healthy habits in the classroom and at home. The students spent the entire year learning about the benefits of composting as well as understanding what items were compostable, information shared with entire families. As one four year-old explained to her older sister, "When we finish our apples, we can compost the core."

In addition to learning how to compost, the entire school participated in the healthy snack initiative. The preschool revised the snack menu to feature healthier alternatives, including carrots, cucumbers, bananas, oranges and hummus. The new snack choices were well received by the children and the parents.

"The entire school embraced learning how to compost and our healthy habits initiative. The children were thrilled to learn how to improve the earth and it was inspiring to watch them try new healthy foods. It is our goal that a lifelong love of healthy eating will continue,” stated Lisa Kritz, Hertz Nursery School Director. "Our hope is for both the healthy eating and the composting to be lessons our students bring home with them and share with their families," continued Kritz.

While the school year has finished, Hertz will be open this summer for camp and then the 2012-2013 school year will commence on September 7, 2012. The 2012-2013 school year will focus on architecture.

Hertz Nursery School is located within Temple Israel Sharon at 125 Pond Street and is open to children aged 2.9 through Transitional Kindergarten. To learn more about the program, visit www.hertznurseryschool.org or call Lisa Kritz, Director at 781-784-4050.