This month's newsletter topics
Back to School – First Day of School – September Tuition and Billing – Enrichment 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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Back to School!
Tuesday, September 7rd –
Parents, caregivers and children visit between 10 AM and 1 PM to see your classroom, make new friends and meet your teachers.
Wednesday, September 8th –
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.
First Day of School
Wednesday, September 8th is our first day of school. School begins at 9 AM and ends at 12:30. We will continue to have drop-off and pick up outside of the playground. Please walk your children to the check in area and take extra care while walking, biking or driving through the parking lot.
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!
Lunches and Snacks
If your child is in our morning class they should pack a lunch each day. If your child is in the afternoon class then they should eat lunch before school and pack a snack. We always have filtered water and extra snacks if someone needs it, or forgets one day.
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 August 20th. This will secure your child’s space in the preschool.
The tuition is an annual fee made up of nine equal monthly payments. Our school year runs September 8 to May 27. 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. If you need to make special payment arrangements, email Jennifer.
Late Pick Up
Pick-up time for preschool is 12:30 and 3:30 PM. If you are 5 minutes or more later, 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 get your child. Since we have two cohorts of children and 15 minutes between them, it is really important to be on time for pick-up and not too early for drop-off.
Drop-In Days and Credits
We will have a drop-in calendar for families to use. If you are going on vacation you can offer up your days, if someone takes your days, then you will get a credit. Drop-in days and credits will show up on the invoices following the month of use. A drop-in day for the morning class is $40, a credit is $35. A drop-in day for the afternoon class is $30, credit of $25,
Hands On follows Portland Public Schools decisions to close due to inclement weather. If PPS is closed, or opening late, Hands On will be closed, you will receive a make-up day. Our school calendar will be located near our check in table.
Music Class
All students will be charged a one-time fee of $125 for the music program. Our music program brings musicians and artists into the class weekly. The days will alternate so that everyone has a chance to participate in music several times a month. Our music calendar will be emailed to you. The music fee will be billed on your October invoice. Please let Jennifer 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/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 20-Decemebrer 13- $165 for 11 class session
*No class October 11, November 22
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. Email indiedancepdx@gmail.com with questions!
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Spanish with Portland Early Learning
September 21-December 22 -Contact PELP for prices
*No class November 23 & 24
- 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 23-December 16-Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.
$165 for 11 class session
*No class November 11 & 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 17-November 19th –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.
Colds, flu and sickness, Oh MY!
- Exclude from the program any child or staff member, regardless of vaccination status, if they
exhibit COVID-19 symptoms including new loss of taste or smell, fever, new cough, or shortness
of breath in the last 10 days.
New cough means out of the ordinary for this person – e.g., not typical asthma, allergies.
Fever means 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more, without the use of
fever-reducing medication.
Exclusion from the program should be for 10 days after onset of symptoms and 24 hours
after both fever and cough resolve, without the use of a fever reducing medication.
Programs should consult with the Local Public Health Authority for additional guidance. - The 10-day exclusion period can be shortened:
If an individual with symptoms of COVID-19 tests negative at any time
during the 10-day period. They can return to the child care program 24
hours after resolution of cough and fever without the use of
fever-reducing medication.
If an individual’s only symptom is fever and is advised by a medical
professional they can return to the child care program. Documentation from the medical professional is recommended. The
person should be fever-free for at least 24 hours.
• Exclude from the program any child or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless
of vaccination status, for the time period specified in the rules adopted by the Oregon Health
Authority under OAR 333, Division 19, in accordance with rules adopted by the Authority.
• Exclude from the program any child or staff member who is susceptible and who is exposed to
COVID-19, for the time period specified in the rules adopted by the Oregon Health Authority, in
accordance with the rules adopted by the Authority.
Immunization Forms
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.
See you soon!
Please feel free to call, or email, with any questions you have before the beginning of the school year.
