This month's newsletter topics
Back to School – First Day of School – September Tuition and Billing – Afternoon Classes – Early Drop Off – Late Pick Up – Drop In Days and Credits – Immunization Form – See You Soon!
This month's newsletter topics
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Hands On Art and Play is excited to be celebrating our 19th school year! Hands On started in my home with 6 children, my youngest daughter included. We quickly moved into classroom space in a neighborhood church that winter and added another teacher and 6 more kids. We started as a small 2 day a week class and now we offer morning and afternoon preschool programs, summer camps and enrichment classes. We love our wonderful community of over 50 families and devoted teachers. Hands On is looking forward to another great school year! -Teacher Jennifer
New Faces In the Classroom!
We are so excited for you to meet our 2 new teachers. It is a special treat that they have already been teaching together at another school and we couldn’t be more happy to have them join us!
Andrew, Monday through Friday -Morning Preschool Teacher
Hello there! My name is Andrew. I’ve been a preschool teacher for the duration of my adult life. I went to Bennington College, in Vermont, studying visual art and theater. The education I received there has greatly influenced my ability as an early childhood instructor. Being from Eugene, I knew I wanted to return to Oregon, and have been in the Portland area ever since. It has now been 10 years teaching preschool, the last 4 teaching with fellow new Hands On teacher Margo. In the classroom, I bring an open and joyful attitude. It is a pleasure to play an important role in the lives of students and their families.
I do many projects outside of the classroom. I love cooking, and wrote a cookbook called The Myrtlewood Cookbook: Pacific Northwest Home Cooking. I am at work on some books for children. I run a small press publishing imprint called Two Plum Press. I also tend a very large backyard garden at my home.
I love spending my days with small children, as their sense of wonder renews my own.
Margo, Monday, Wednesday and Friday-Morning Preschool Teacher
Hello! I am Margo. I’ve worked in preschool classrooms for 24 years (the last 4 of them with fellow new teacher Andrew). I love nothing more than messy art projects and singing and dancing and cooking with children. I have been privileged indeed to spend my career working with young children and their families. I am delighted every year to see children explore their world and make new friendships.
My preschool teaching began when my youngest child went to first grade. (She’s now a first grade teacher herself!) I grew up in Texas and hit the jackpot when I landed in Portland to go to Lewis and Clark College where I studied art history.
I love cooking, rodeo, playing Scrabble and the piano, and being with family and friends.
Here’s to a great new school year!
The rest of will continue to teach on the same days as last year. And we will all substitute for each other to keep familiar faces in our classroom.
Jennifer, Monday through Thursday -Morning and Afternoon Preschool Teacher
Julie, Monday through Friday-Morning and Afternoon Preschool Teacher
Kathy, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday-Morning Preschool Teacher
Back to School! 
Tuesday, September 3rd –
Parents, caregivers and children drop in between 10 AM and noon to see your classroom, make new friends and meet your teachers.
Wednesday, September 4th –
First day of school, 9 AM
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, September 4th. Parents, caregivers and children are invited to join us the day before, on September 3rd between 10 AM and noon, to visit your classroom, meet your teachers and make new friends.
Then on Wednesday, September 4th school begins at 9 AM and ends at 12:30. Please walk your children in and help them find their cubby, coat hook, and their own name to put in the basket. Children can then get started on a table activity. You are welcome to work with your children at the table for a few minutes to help them get settled.
Some children have a hard time saying goodbye. For these kids it seems to work the best to say goodbye quickly and say that you will be back after lunch. Pick up time is 12:30 each day. If your child is having a really hard time we will let you know.
Please make sure your child has a water bottle and a lunch from home each day. Cloth, steel, or any non-breakable food containers are the best for preschoolers as glass containers break too often.
It is also a good idea to have an extra set of clothes to leave at school, and 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.
Lunches and Snacks
If your child is in our morning class they should pack a lunch each day and Hands On will provide a snack. If your child is in the afternoon class then they should eat lunch before school and Hands On will provide a snack.
It is OK for your child to have nut butters and nut products. We are not a nut free school, but we will provide a nut free table if needed.
Preschoolers are a wiggly bunch and often enjoy themselves and act silly during lunch time. We will pack up what they do not eat so they can snack on it later, and we will let you know if they need more.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), hot dogs, carrots and grapes are some of the top choking hazards when it comes to food. If your child loves these foods, it may be best to enjoy them at home or slice them up into manageable bites.
Please make sure your child has a water bottle and a lunch from home each day. Cloth, steel, or any non-breakable food containers are the best for preschoolers as glass containers break too often.
Many kids have the same lunch boxes, backpacks and water bottles, please make your child’s name is on all of their things.
September Tuition and Billing
Your first tuition payment is due no later than September 1. This will secure your child’s space in the preschool. If you need to make special payment arrangements, email Jennifer.
The tuition is an annual fee made up of nine equal monthly payments. Our school year runs September 4 to May 22. Holidays are already calculated into the tuition structure so you are not paying for days we do not have school.
All other tuition payments are due by the 1st of each month and late after the 5th. You will be charged a $25 late fee if you haven’t paid by the 5th. A $25 return check fee will be applied to all returned checks.
Early Drop Off
Early care, 8:30-9AM , will be billed at a rate of $5 per use and is billed the following month after use. Children attending 4 or 5 days of school a week may drop off early free of charge.
Late Pick Up
Pick-up time from morning preschool is 12:30. If your child is not picked up by 12:35 PM, 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 and Credits
Drop in days and credits will show up on the invoices following the month of use. A drop in day is $40. A day credit is $35.
If Hands On is closed due to bad weather you will receive a make-up day. Look at our school calendar by the cubbies to see our drop in day and credit calendar.
Music Class
All students attending Tuesdays and Wednesdays mornings will be charged a one-time fee of $125 for the music program. If you attend both days, you still only pay once. If your child is in the Tuesday afternoon class you have the option of paying for the music class and joining us at 11:45 every other Tuesday. The music fee will be billed on your October invoice. Please let us know if you would like to pay it in two payments, if so, the other half will be due in January.
Afternoon Enrichment Classes
Hands On partners with local children’s programs to offer enrichment classes after school. This year we are pleased to offer classes Monday-Thursday, from 12:30-1:30. You can sign up and learn more about these programs at our visiting day on September 3rd or by contacting the programs directly. An email with more information about each program will be out soon! Children enrolled in the afternoon preschool on Tuesday or Thursday will be part of the enrichment classes at no additional charge.
(Mondays & Tuesdays) –
More info about our new Monday and Tuesday class out soon!
Spanish with Portland Early Learning (Wednesdays) –
Portland Early Learning Project is excited to be offering Spanish again for the 2019-20 school year at Hands On Art & Play. Our classes are energetic and fun and are taught by highly trained teachers who foster emerging language skills in small class settings. Students learn early literacy and Spanish language skills through picture/word pairing, hands-on reading activities, moving, singing and game playing in a fun and comfortable atmosphere. Classes will be on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30.
More information and registration can be found at:
Yoga Playgrounds (Thursdays) –
In these fun and active classes kids will stretch and energize their bodies and minds through individual and group poses, mindfulness games and creative relaxation techniques. Packed with playfulness, positivity and fun, these classes give kids the tools they need to manage their behaviors to lead happier, healthier and more peaceful lives.
Please go to www.yogaplaygrounds.com for more information and registration.
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 are a returning family, the forms will be available the first week of school to add any updates.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer.
Download the Immunization form here.
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.
