A Message from the Director
Dear Parents and Families of The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center and Princeton Public School Pre-k 3 General Ed (Hybrid), Pre-k 3 & 4yr old DLI classrooms,

While 2020 has been filled with uncertainty and many have struggled through these trying times, we have also been reminded about what is truly important in our lives.
It has been a year of interesting challenges. It has also given me the opportunity to see the good things that were unnoticed pre-COVID. We can find balance in ourselves by focusing on the things we are so thankful for, especially at this time of year.
The power of positivity allows us the opportunity to reflect on all the wonderful aspects of our lives. Being thankful is a process.
While you’re reflecting on what you’re thankful for, don’t forget to thank yourself for what you put into and get out of life. You deserve to not only enjoy your life but to feel grateful for everything you’ve done to make it happen, and to have some self-respect for the positive influence you’ve had on others along the way.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to slow down and stay connected with my family throughout these last months & celebrate all the good things that have happened to my family, appreciating the outdoor living space and my ability to stay positive.
There’s a reason why you hear a lot about gratitude. It’s more than just a good habit—it actually rewires your brain, improves your physical health, and can increase happiness and reduce depression-related emotional states. After the year we’ve had so far, we could probably all benefit from the positive effects of gratitude. 
 Finally, I am most THANKFUL for my staff’s absolute strength and character and all the New Health & Safety Protocols that are in place to keep us safe while allowing us to be together. Our staff recognizes that your child’s first few years are among the most important for his or her development. The Burke Foundation offers a nurturing educational environment with activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child. Classrooms are organized and supported by Creative Curriculum aligned with Grow NJ KIDS standards. Daily routines are established to provide a structured learning environment designed to enhance your child’s individual strengths. The teachers have created classrooms where children are encouraged to work and play together to have a positive early childhood experience while wearing masks and socially distancing.
So my wish to the staff, children & our families at the center is to take a few minutes & reflect on what you are grateful for this year.

Be safe & stay well!
Tara O’Shea
Notes from your Administrators
Dear Parents/Guardians,

We would like to thank all of our YWCA families for their continued cooperation in keeping our staff and students safe by abiding by the guidelines put in place by the New Jersey Health Department. We understand that some of these guidelines might seem like a big ask but we are doing all that we must to remain open in order to support you and your family. We request that you continue to maintain the following guidelines at home:
  • Keep your children home if they are sick
  • Seek medical advice if multiple symptoms are present in your family
  • Adhere to the 14 day quarantine when you travel out of state
  • Maintain your social distance and wear a mask when you come in contact with someone who resides outside of your household.
Your cooperation shows us that you truly care about the health of your YWCA "family".
We will continue to provide valuable resources to our families through our Community Resource page on our website. Please take a moment to visit our website at www.ywcaprinceton.org/programs/childcare-princeton. This page is updated regularly in order to provide you with advertisements for local events, contact information for important agencies, recalled items, COVID-19 related announcements, as well as any assistance programs being offered to the community.
Flu Shots
The NJ Health Department requires that all children 6 months through 59 months of age attending childcare/preschool receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine between September 1 and December 31 of each year. 
If we do not receive documentation of your child's receipt of the vaccination by Thursday, December 31st, they will not be able to attend our center until Flu season is over. According to the NJ Health Department, Flu season can run as late as May 2021. Please make an appointment today and inform me of the date. 
ASQ-3 Participation
Thank you to all that have participated in completing our ASQ-3 questionnaire. Your results are currently being tallied and you will be contacted by Ms. Cassandra or your classroom teacher if follow-up is needed. We hope to provide as many resources as we can in order for us to work together to be sure that your child's developmental needs are being met both in school and at home.

If you have not received a questionnaire to complete with your child and would like to participate, please send a request to Cassandra Mendoza at cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org.
Strengthening Families Survey
We appreciate that many of our YWCA families have opted to participate in our Strengthening Families survey. We will be sending out this survey within the next few weeks so please keep your eye out for an email from SFEP Support (Mosaic Network) <support@mosaic-network.com> for it may go into your junk mail. This is the Mosaic Stars Network which is the Strengthening Families Evaluation Portal.
Call for Pick-up
For the safety & security of you and your child, please call 609-273-6524 when picking up your child. We ask that you remain in the circular driveway and staff will bring your child out to you. Now that it is getting darker sooner we will be dismissing the children from the front door after 5pm.
Important Reminders for all:
  • The center will close at 1pm on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 for the holiday weekend and reopen on Monday, November 30, 2020.
  • Always use your Parent Handbook as a point of reference for all of our policies and procedures.
  • We cannot accept any drop-off after 10am. The only exception is for doctors appointments, please notify us of the appointment in advance and provide a doctors note for the tardiness.
  • Please adhere to your child's schedule chosen at the time of enrollment. Late pick-ups and early drop-offs put an unfair burden on your child and the center staff who have other obligations. A late pick-up/early drop-off fee of $25 for the first 15 minutes and $1 per additional minute will be charged. Please see page 20 of your Parent Handbook for clarification regarding this policy. If you need morning or afternoon care, please contact us via e-mail to schedule this in order to avoid the fees listed above. The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center offers drop-in care for our enrolled students as well as a before and aftercare program for our Princeton Public School students.
  • A current Universal Health form and immunization records must remain on file at the center at all times. If your child has their yearly physical or any new immunizations throughout the year these records must be updated. Your administrator will contact you if we are missing any records or if they have expired. Please act on these requests immediately in order to allow your child's pediatrician the time they need to complete them.
  • Please keep us informed of any updates to your contact information. A quick email to Myra, mrabanales@ywcaprinceton.org, or Cassandra, cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org, would suffice.
  • Because of unforeseen emergencies, usually related to inclement weather, our center may be delayed, closed early, or closed entirely. Please check our website at www.ywcaprinceton.org as well as our ClassDojo School Story.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,
Ms. Cassandra and Ms. Myra
Cassandra Mendoza
Assistant Director, The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center
Email: cmendoza@ywcaprinceton.org
Phone: 609-497-2100, Ext. 311
Myra Rabanales
Administrative Assistant, The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center

Family Liaison, Princeton Public School Preschool Expansion
Email: mrabanales@ywcaprinceton.org
Phone: 609-497-2100, Ext.336
Notes from the Teachers
Weather Appropriate Clothing
All children who are well enough to attend school will be taken outdoors on a daily basis. The only exceptions are if there is active precipitation, or public announcements that advise people to remain indoors due to weather conditions such as
high levels of pollution, extreme cold or heat that might cause health problems. On these days, children may go outside for a short walk and return inside to participate in gross motor activities.
It is the centers policy that all children go out at the same time in order to maintain our child-staff ratios. Please dress your child in weather appropriate clothing so that the class can enjoy some fresh air and our playground equipment. During the winter months please send your child to school in the following:
  • Warm clothing
  • Winter coat
  • Winter hat
  • Gloves
Thank you for your assistance!
Wash Cloth Masks Daily
Although it may seem time-consuming to wash your child's mask on a daily basis, this is an essential habit to form in order to prevent the spread of germs. Now that wearing a mask has become mandatory while in a public setting, we suggest that you keep several masks on hand for each family member in order for you to maintain the health and safety of your family as well as those they come in contact with.
Also, don't forget to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after handling soiled masks.
Limit Items to be Brought into the Classrooms
In order to maintain the health and safety of our students and coworkers we are requesting that you limit the items you send back and forth from school with your child. Other then the occasional extra clothes and diapers/wipes, please limit the items to the following:
  • Lunch box
  • Water cup
  • Jacket
These items can easily be carried by your child (age appropriate of course) in order to support their independence. If there is a need for a bag, please use a washable bag that can be laundered at home regularly. Please do not send items in an oversized backpack. All other items should remain at home.

Don't forget to label EVERYTHING with your child's name. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Serving a Safe and Healthy Snack and Lunch
Please keep the following safety guidelines in mind when packing your child's lunch and snack:
  • The YWCA Princeton is a Nut Free Facility. Please label anything that may resemble nuts.
  • Round firm foods that might lodge in the throat of a child less than 4 years of age are not permitted. These foods include whole grapes, popcorn, raw peas, chunks of raw carrots, celery, and meats larger than can be swallowed whole.
If the staff feel that your child's lunch may contain nuts or is unsafe for consumption they are instructed to send it home and provide an alternative lunch option.

In our classrooms we continue to serve snacks that fit our goals to promote healthy eating habits. We are requesting that you continue these habits at home and with your child's lunch to the best of your ability. You may have noticed some sweet treats coming home in your child's lunch box. In accordance with the Grow NJ Kids initiative, we are limiting the amount foods with added sugar or sodium served at the center.

Click the image below to visit the MyPlate website which provides an abundance of resources to assist you in implementing healthy eating habits at home.
Mark Your Calendars
Virtual Book Fair
November 13 - 26, 2020

We hope that you have had the chance to browse our virtual book fair! Our teachers have taken great care in creating their classroom wish lists. They have selected the best and most appropriate books to meet their students’ reading levels and learning needs and posted the list on ClassDojo. While this is a great tool to use for personal purchases, please consider purchasing a book from their wish list to add to their permanent classroom library.
Every generous gift you make will be recognized with a special name sticker and Class Dojo shoutout, identifying your family or child as the donor. 
Your support can help a classroom blossom with new and exciting adventures in reading, stimulating young minds for years to come. We ask that you please notify your classroom teacher after purchase so that we can prevent duplicate purchase.
Thanksgiving in the Classroom
November 23 - 25, 2020
As we all know, Thanksgiving will look very different at the center this year with the COVID-19 restrictions in place. While we would normally invite you all in to share a Thanksgiving feast, we still want you all to know how Thankful we are to have your child(ren) in our classrooms.

Each classroom has decided to celebrate Thanksgiving with their students in their own way. Please look to ClassDojo for pictures and notes about how your child's classroom is showing what they are Thankful for.
Winter Art Show
December 14, 2020
The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center will continue the YWCA tradition of our annual Winter Art Show through a virtual showing this season. Your children have been working on special projects and a performance that will be shared with you on December 14, 2020. They are all very proud of what they are creating and can't wait to share it! I am sure some of you have been given a few hints at home.
Enjoy your classes participation through our ClassDojo app. This years theme is Candyland.
To learn more, call (609) 497-2100 ext. 325