03

Aug
2022

August 2022

Current School Year, Newsletters

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!

Hello everyone,
We are excited to start the 2022-23 school year. Hands On Art and Play is celebrating our 22st school year! Hands On started in my home in SE Portland with 6 children, my youngest daughter, Teacher Quinn, included, all the way back in 2000! Since then, we have added more teachers over the years and moved into classroom spaces in a neighborhood church before finally settling into our current space at St. David of Wales about 19 years ago. You will  learn more about each of our teachers in our September newsletter!
It is wonderful to see how Hands On has progressed from a small two-day-a-week class, into what we offer now: morning and afternoon preschool programs, summer camps, after-school arts classes and so much more. Together as a community we have grown so much!
During the COVID pandemic, there are many things that are different, but also many things are the same.  We love being with your great kids, they are fun to spend the day with and keep us all living in the moment!  Every day our students have the opportunity to play, learn, create art, listen to stories and enjoy the school day with their friends and teachers.  We are excited about all of our outdoor play spaces and we are continuing to add new outdoor components to our school day.  We are very excited to welcome back our music and enrichment programs!
During these last few years I was impressed by our families, and their commitment to the health and safety of our community.  The kids are great about wearing masks and we will continue to wear them, at least for now.
As a school and an educational community, we want to affirm our on-going commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all students, families, and teachers feel valued and respected. Our goal is to nurture a more diverse and inclusive generation of young children who thrive through their experience of equitable learning opportunities in preschool programs. Thank you for your commitment, as parents and community members, in helping us reach this goal! Hands On is what it is today because of each and every one of you. Thank you for being a part of the Hands On community!
We are excited to welcome back returning students and looking forward to getting to know our new class of students and families.  Hands On is looking forward to a great school year!
Cheers to 22 years of Hands On!
– Teacher Jennifer

Back to School!

Tuesday, September 6rd – 
Parents, caregivers and children visit between 10 AM and 1 PM to see your classroom, make new friends and meet your teachers.
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.

First Day of School

Wednesday, September 7th 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. Each morning we will have a Question Of The Day for the students to answer. Then children will get a little hand sanitizer, or wash their hands, and join friends on the playground.
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, coats 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 22th. 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 7 to May 26. Holidays and staff planning days are already calculated into the tuition structure so tuition is the same every month.
All other tuition payments are due by the 1st of each month and late after the 5th. The next tuition payment will be due October 1st. The October tuition will also include your child’s music fee of $125. 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 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 

-PELPHandsOn2022

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.

Colds, flu and sickness, Oh MY!

October 2016 germs Preschool Portland Oregon

Preschool children want to be at home when they are feeling bad.  It is especially important this year with COVID that we all do our part to keep our community healthy.
The kids are great about wearing masks and we are hoping this limits all of the normal colds children may get during the school year.  Thank you for keeping your kids home when they have a cold.
Here is more information and the guidelines for keeping your child home and when they can return to school.
  • 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.
  • Child may return to school 24 hours after symptoms clear up, and they are symptom free.  Unless they lest positive for COVID.
  • Any child or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, will be asked to stay out of school for 10 days, and may return when they are past 10 days, and have been symptom free for 24 hours.

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.

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