September 2022
*some photos pre-COVID
Welcome to Hands On! School starts Wednesday, September 7th and we are very excited to see you!
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, September 7th.
Drop-off and check-in for morning preschool begins at 8 :45 AM. Afternoon preschool starts 1 PM and ends at 3:30 PM. Drop-off begins at 12:45 PM for the afternoon class.
Your child should bring a water bottle and a lunch from home each day. Afternoon preschoolers can bring a snack, or lunch, along with their water bottle. Cloth, steel, or any non-breakable food containers are the best for preschoolers as glass containers break too often. Many water bottles, lunch boxes and coats look the same, please have your child’s name on their things. It is also a good idea to leave an extra set of clothes at school, including an extra mask, and bring a coat or sweater for outside play. We play outside every day, even in the rain, so feel free to leave boots or gloves in your child’s cubby.
Some children have a hard time saying goodbye. For these kids it seems to work the best to say goodbye quickly reminding them you will be back after lunch, or snack in the afternoons. Pick up time is 12:30 and 3:30 each day. If your child is having a really hard time transitioning we will let you know, and if it helps to send along a favorite toy or stuffed animal, that is OK!
To keep all students, their families and our teachers safe, we ask children, and adults, to wear face masks while inside and outside.
Teachers
This year we have 10 teachers in the classroom, along with 4 enrichment teachers, and musicians and early intervention specialist visiting each week. You will receive a cohort list, names of students and parents, as well as email contact information for all families and teachers. In our next newsletter we will introduce you to the enrichment teachers and the other adults in our classroom. To learn more about our current teachers visit, https://www.handsonartandplay.com/about-us/
Drop-Off
Our classes will start each day on the playground. You are welcome to connect with other parents/caregivers in the parking lot before and after school, afternoon preschool families are welcome to play on the playground after school.
Pick-Up
You will pick up your children from the same location in the parking lot as you checked them in. If we are not on the playground, there will me a message on the easel on where to find us. Sometimes we will be upstairs , or in the back, for music class.
With different cohorts of children it is really important parents be on time so the the teachers have a few minutes in between groups for cleaning and setting up. If your child is not picked up on time, you will be charged a late fee. $15 for the first 15 minutes you are late and $40 if you are later than 15 minutes. If you are 15 minutes late teachers will begin calling your emergency contact numbers to arrange for someone to pick up your child
Drop-in Days
You may add an occasional drop in day if there is space in your child’s cohort. Children will not be allowed in to another group other than their own. The best way to check for availability is to text or email Jennifer, or look at the drop-in calendar that is located in the classroom. Drop-in days and credits will show up on the invoices following the month of use. A drop-in day is $40 for the morning and $30 for the afternoon class. Credits are $35 for morning and $25 for the afternoon.
If Hands On is closed due to extreme weather you will receive a make-up day. We follow PPS in deciding when to close. If PPS is closed, or opening late due to extreme weather, Hands On will be closed. You will get a make up day or a credit.
Important Dates
Please see our academic calendar for a glance at the entire school year. Music classes and special guests will be announced each month.
September
Tuesday, September 6th –
Parents, caregivers and children visit between 10 AM and 1 PM to play on the playground, see your classroom, make new friends and meet your teachers. When you arrive, check-in near the playground.
Wednesday, September 7th –
First day of school, 9 AM, Drop-off begins at 8:45 AM for morning class.
First day of school, 1 PM, Drop-off begins at 12:45 PM for afternoon class.
*Enrichment classes begin September 19th.
16th-Free Soccer Shots Demo class, please email Jennifer to sign up.
19th-All of the enrichment classes begin this week
October
11th-NO SCHOOL, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
TBD-School Pictures
18th and 19thh-Talk About Trees
31st-Halloween Dance Party with Red Yarn, all families invited. Morning class 11:45-12;30, afternoon class 1-1:45 PM.
Visiting Artists, Musicians and Special Guests
Hands On Art & Play works with many artists and musicians to build a well rounded and diverse music program for our students each week. All students are automatically enrolled, the days of the class vary to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate. The fee for this program is $125 a year and includes all classes from September to May. The fee will be added to your October invoice This month we are excited to have these guest join our class!
Tallulah’s Daddy
Tallulah’s Daddy, aka Matt Lynch, has been playing music since he was seven years old. He’s played in bands across the country, in a variety of styles including funk, reggae, ska, jazz, rock and more. He’s taught lessons to kids and adults and has worked at camps and vocational training programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. He can teach you to play by ear or sight-read written music. He’s been playing children’s music on his own and with some of Portland’s favorite kindie bands and loves every minute of it!
www.makemusicwithmatt.com
World Fusion Events and THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC SERIES FOR CHILDREN
Fosters friendship and dialogue through dance, music, stories and the arts from various Latin countries and neighbors from other countries – in short, a cultural collaboration! The exchanges bring people and cultures closer together. Also, the Children’s Language of Music Series opens doors to music and culture by bringing together the best art teachers for a fascinating learning experience. http://www.worldfusionevents.com/
Talk About Trees
Talk About Trees is an interactive, science-based program for pre-school through eighth grade students. Programs are presented by experienced facilitators and offered free to classrooms throughout Oregon. To encourage awareness and appreciation for the value of trees and forests in our daily lives; and to encourage an understanding about the protection, management and conservation of the renewable forest. Http://talkabouttrees.us/
Enrichment Classes
All of the the enrichment classes begin the week of September 19th. Soccer Shots is offering a free trial class on Friday, September 16th.
Hands On partners with local children’s programs to offer enrichment classes after/before school. This year we are pleased to offer classes Monday-Friday. Each class is 45 minutes. These classes are optional, and you may join in the fall, winter or spring. Children enrolled in the afternoon preschool will join the enrichment classes starting at noon, and children attending morning preschool will stay until 1:30. You can learn more about these programs at our visiting day in September, checking out their websites or by contacting the programs directly. Often these classes fill up quickly as the maximum amount of kids is smaller than our class size, so don’t wait too long! Make sure to sign up for the appropriate time, morning kids sign up for 12:45-1:30, afternoon kids sign up for noon-12:45.
Mondays
The Independent Dance Project – https://www.idppdx.com
September 19-Decemebrer 12- $192 for 11 class session *No class October 10, November 21
In ballet/tumbling classes, offered by The Independent Dance Project, students will learn the fundamentals of ballet and tumbling through games, play, and fun. With music and movements dancers will develop strength, coordination, and confidence with a fun performance at the end of the session!
Register here, create a parent account and enroll your child. https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/index.php?account_id=3102
Email indiedancepdx@gmail.com with questions!
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Spanish with Portland Early Learning
September 20 & 21-December 13th & 14th -Contact PELP for prices
*No class November 22 & 23
- Click on above link for poster to register for classes. If you have any questions, please contact
Kathi@PortlandEarlyLearning.com
Welcome! Our small, play-based, interactive Spanish classes are a wonderful opportunity for children to learn and practice Spanish in a warm, supportive environment. Our classes are full of songs, games, books, and lots of movement! Plus, our teachers are trained to teach to a wide range of skills levels and ages. We’re glad you chose us!
In addition to our in-person classes, did you know that you can take your whole family on a Spanish learning adventure through GoGo Español? It’s a virtual subscription program that only costs $25 a month. We offer new themes every month which include online AND offline activities.
Thursdays
NW Children’s Theater – September 22-December 15-Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.
$192 for 11 class session *No class November 25th
First Stage classes are specially designed for ages three to six years old. Children will explore theater through music, movement and storytelling with an emphasis on physical and emotional self-expression. First Stage teachers use role-playing and improvisation techniques to act out fairy tales and other stories. These classes promote a love for the performing arts and nurture creative energy while supporting developmental milestones, including: Confidence • Self-expression • Critical thinking Cooperation • Social Skills • Imagination • Motor skills
Fridays
Soccer Shots! – September 23-October 28th * Please note shorter season than other classes –https://www.soccershots.com/
Soccer Shots Classic utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. We also highlight a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork and appreciation.
Immunization Form
Oregon law states that all children in school or day care (including preschool and Head Start) must have the required immunizations or a medical or religious exemption. Here is a link to the immunization form for you to print, fill out and bring to school.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer.
Download the Immunization form here.
October School Pictures
School pictures will be taken in October, date TBD. Douglas Frierott is a former Hands On parent and has enjoyed taking our class pictures for the last few years. They are great, you can see some examples in our classroom as well as at http://www.douglasfrierott.com
We will start photos in the morning and children will have their individual pictures taken and we will also do class photo each day. You do not have to purchase the photos, but if you do please bring a check for Douglas the day of photos. A 5 x 7 class picture is $25. For $35 you get the class picture and a 5 x 7 print of your child. Photos will be emailed to you so you can choose the one you want him to print. Digital files will also be available. Please let us know if you would like to have your child’s siblings photos taken, as well. If your child does not attend school on school picture day, you can still join us for photos.
See You Soon!
We are all very excited to start another great year of preschool!
Please feel free to call or email us with any questions you have before the beginning of the school year.
