Please take the time to read the monthly newsletters thoroughly, as they are filled with important information regarding upcoming events. Newsletters (past and present), calendars, and menus may also be accessed on our website gypreschool.com. Please make sure to pick up the hard copy of your newsletter at the beginning of every month.
Reminders
**Children must be at school by 8:45a.m.
**Check your child’s cubby container everyday.
**Count the Mondays in the month to determine the number of tuition weeks when paying monthly.
**When signing your child in/out, you must sign your FULL signature. Signatures must be LEGIBLE so we are able to identify the individuals picking up/dropping off.
**Make sure your child has spare clothes at school. Promptly replace any used items of clothing.
**Children staying for nap must have a CRIB SIZE blanket. Blankets must be able to fit folded in your child’s nap mat. Blankets that are too big will be sent home. Samples of appropriate blanket size are displayed in the main building.
**Share items are allowed WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS ONLY! All share items must fit in your child’s cubby. Books are allowed everyday.
**All jackets, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, water bottles, spare clothes, share items, books, etc…must be labeled with your child’s name. Growing Years is NOT responsible for lost items. LABEL EVERYTHING! Check our Lost and Found Box for missing items.
**Be sure to review the “What We Did Today” board in your child’s classroom to see what fun activities are offered each day. This is a great conversation starter with your child at pick up time!
**Make sure your child is coming to school wearing PLAY CLOTHES. We play hard and get messy! Paint, playdough, dirt and other goodies will get on their clothes. The children are encouraged to participate in many tactile and sensory experiences that are often messy, therefore children must be dressed appropriately when coming to school.
SAFETY REMINDERS
Please read and observe the note on the front gate. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO OPERATE THE LATCH ON THE FRONT GATE! The purpose of the gate is to prevent children from exiting through the front door. When you allow your child to operate the latch you are in essence giving them permission to exit the building and potentially causing a safety hazard. Adults should be the only ones touching the gate and the latch. Please prohibit your child from operating the latch from both sides of the gate.
Make sure to close and latch the gate behind you when you are entering and exiting the building.
Please hold your child’s hand when walking in the parking lot. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO RUN FREELY AND UNATTENDED IN THE PARKING LOT. Our parking lot is busy and drivers may not see your child as they are entering and exiting. Please teach your child parking lot safety and enforce holding hands and staying close to their adults.
Do not leave babies and young children unattended in the car while you drop off and pick up your preschooler.
Growing Years Is A NUT FREE School. We Have Children With Severe Nut Allergies.
Please DO NOT Pack Peanuts Or Tree Nut Products In Your Child’s Lunch.
Tuition
If you have any questions regarding tuition please speak to Miss Shalimar. If you need a monthly receipt for your tuition payment please attach a request to your tuition check. You only need to submit one request and after, a monthly receipt will be provided for you. Receipts are sent out at the end of the month or when tuition is paid in full. Receipts should be picked up at the entrance of the main building.
It is suggested that you request a monthly receipt if you need a record for tax purposes or employment reimbursement programs.
Tuition may be paid weekly, bi-weekly or monthly and must always be paid in advance. Tuition checks should be placed in our tuition box located on the front desk. All cash payments should be handed directly to a staff member (preferably in the afternoon) and a receipt will be provided for you. Dependent care forms should be dropped off in the tuition box and picked up at the main entrance.
Portfolio’s
Your child’s portfolio is a compilation of photographs, art work, stories and observations that document their growth and development throughout the course of the year. Each family is required to contribute $40.00 for the cost of picture developing and portfolio materials. Sample portfolio’s are on display in the main building. We prefer the portfolio fee to be paid in CASH (a receipt will be provided). The portfolio / supply fee goes directly to your child’s portfolio therefore we ask for cash payments. Please submit payment for your child’s portfolio by Friday 9/23. The portfolio fee was referred as the supply fee in your admission agreement.
Safety Drills
Throughout the year we will regularly conduct Earthquake and Fire Drills. We’ll teach the children when and where to use “Duck And Cover” and practice evacuating our classrooms in the event of a fire. Occasionally during these drills we will activate the alarm to familiarize the children with the sound. Conducting drills and educating the children on the proper way to react during an emergency is essential. Discussions of earthquakes and the sound of the alarm can trigger feelings of anxiety and nervousness in children. You may notice a change in your child’s behavior around the time of our practice drills. We recommend creating a safety plan and practicing drills at home as well.
Book Orders
When ordering books from our book clubs, please be sure to make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. NO CASH will be accepted. Drop off your order form and payment in the tuition box. Orders can also be placed online (preferred).
Birthday Celebrations
Please keep your child’s birthday celebration simple. Do not bring Pinata’s or Goody Bags. Bringing a special snack is a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday at school. Our class will sing and make the birthday boy or girl feel special.
Some suggestions for birthday snacks: fruit salad, Jello cups, yogurt, rice krispy treats, ice cream cups, cereal bars, cookies, fruit snacks, popsicles, donuts. Please NO CAKE OR CUPCAKES or anything with nuts, as we have children with severe nut allergies. Please consult with your child’s teacher in regards to the number of students in the class.
Star Of The Week
Star of the week is a great way for everyone to get to know your child. It builds self-esteem and shows our class that everyone is special and unique. Every week we will have a new Star Of The Week. The week before your child is the Star we’ll send home instructions and ideas on how to decorate your child’s special Star Of The Week Board. Return your decorated board the start of their special week. During your child’s week, feel free to come in and share stories about your child with the class. You may also bring a special (nut free) snack for the class if you so choose. (You are not obligated or required to visit or provide a snack). Your child’s Star Of The Week board will be displayed in our classrooms for the entire week.
Please DO NOT BRING GOODY BAGS. Bringing a snack to share with your child’s class for their birthday or star of the week is more than enough.
Website–Facebook–Smug Mug
Monthly newsletters, menus, calendars, tuition rates, our parent handbook and lots of other informative information can be accessed on our website~ gypreschool.com
Like and follow us on Facebook! facebook.com/gypreschool
Be sure to check out our PRIVATE photo sharing site at SMUGMUG.COM. Invitations to join our group on smug mug were sent to the email address you provided on your child’s photo/media permission form. If you did not receive an invitation to join Growing Years Preschool on SmugMug.com, be sure to check your spam folder.
If you did not receive an email or would like to add an additional parent email address, please send us an email to [email protected] with your request to join. Be sure to check smugmug.com regularly to see updated photos and videos of our fun and exciting classroom activities!