Footsteps Newsletter

Footsteps Newsletter

vol 4 Issue 17

Christmas Break- NO SCHOOL

Our Christmas break is coming up. There will be no school 12/21 until January 3rd. Care will be offered on most of the days that we are not in session. Forms are available outside of the classrooms and ext day. Enroll by 12/14/18

Changes to the Extended Day Program!!!

Beginning in January, the PK students will be in the basement playroom between 3-4 PM. The 3 and young 4 year old students will be in the Extended Day program room. After 4:00 PM, all students will be in the Extended Day room.

Please note that the Extended Day program closes at 6 PM. All students must be picked up by this time. Student accounts will be assessed a $1/minute fee for any late pick ups after 6. If your child utilizes PFCC benefits this fee will transition to a private pay fee covered by you.

Recess in cold weather

We will be following the guidelines that you will find by clicking on the link below. If the temperature falls in the green area, children will be going outside. If it falls into the yellow area, they will go outside based on teacher discretion. When the temperature falls into the red, there will be indoor recess. Please be sure to send boots, hats, gloves, coats each day with your child. Dress your child in layers that may be removed in the classroom. Be sure to mark all items with initials or name.

Please note that outdoor play is linked to success in the classroom. Recess is typically 20-30 minutes although teachers may adjust that time to create a shorter outdoor time coupled with an indoor recess as well.

Students who are dressed appropriately for the weather can not catch a cold by just going outside. They must come in contact with a virus. Cold and Flu prevention entails hand washing, avoidance of sick people, adequate food and sleep and encouraging your child to keep his hands out of his mouth and her hands away from her eyes and nose. As always, follow the guidance of your child's doctor for prevention including the possibility of a flu shot.

Weather Guidelines for Recess

Attendance

Please note that school begins at 8 A.M. It is important to have your student arrive on time. Why is this important? Each classroom has a specific morning routine which involves learning self-help skills, preparing for the day meeting, settling in and morning work. When a child misses this time period, it is impossible to catch that child up. This is the time period when students learn about what is happening for the day. It is a time for communicating how they are feeling and for teachers to assess each child's needs for the day through observation. It is a time for noting lunch count, checking parent communication, gauging illness or injury among other things. Teachers use the morning arrival period as an assessment period for report cards as well. It allows teachers to see how each child transitions into school. This is an essential skill that often needs supported in young children. Many classrooms have a free center time during arrival that isn't open at other times of the day. When children arrive late, they miss so much! Even a difference of 15 minutes is critical to your child feeling comfortable for the day. As a preschool/PK, we do not operate like a day care where drop off coincides with parent need, we operate as a school and have a specific agenda from the moment the clock hits 8 AM. Our teachers love what they do and look forward to seeing your child at 8 AM each day!

The Preschool classes (Ms. Ashley, Ms. Danielle, Ms. Mary & Ms. Amy) will have a program in the Siena Center Gym on 12/20 @ 1:30 PM. All are welcome to attend. The classes will sing 2 songs each followed by a song performed by the entire Preschool. Students will be dismissed directly from the classrooms. Please send ONE adult to the classroom to pick your child up following the performance. Half-day students and students who do not attend on 12/20 please let the teachers know if your child will attend. Drop off for those students will be to the classroom at 1 PM.

The PK classes (Ms. Jeanette, Mrs. L & Mrs. A, Ms. Lexie & Ms. Caitlyn, Ms. Erin & Ms. Mikala, Mrs. Lori & Mrs. Meg) will be having an evening performance on 12/20 @ 6:30 PM in the Church*. All are welcome to attend. The classes will sing 2 songs each followed by songs performed by the entire Pre-Kindergarten. Drop off for students is no earlier than 6 PM at the classrooms. Students will be dismissed directly from the classrooms. Please send ONE adult to the classroom to pick your child up following the performance.

Clothing

Do you have 3T, 4T or 5T gently used clothes or small shoes that you are looking to donate? Please send them our way! Our donated pile is getting thin. Thanks!

Congratulations to Guinevere! She is a big sister now!

School Cancellations and Delays

1. Look for "Washington Local" delays or closings on the news or via news station alerts.

2. Sign up for Remind to have alerts sent to you via text or email about delays/closings, event reminders like picture day, field trips, special activities etc.

3.. Check FB for updates

Remind

* Remind will also be used to notify you if there is an emergency or concern that you need to be made aware of immediately.