December
Winter Holidays 2023
Throughout November and December we are talking and learning about families and holidays. We will share stories about how each of us celebrates with our family, and we’ll learn about holidays around the world. We are helping our students learn that there are many people in our world and many different beliefs and holiday celebrations. Even though holidays have different names and meanings, most are celebrated with a gathering of friends and family, special foods, and sometimes gift giving.
We will learn about several winter holidays and play games, sing songs and do craft projects to learn more about them. If you have a tradition, song, or project you would like to share with our students, we would love to hear from you.
Hands On will be closed from December 16-January 1st for winter vacation. Our first day back to school will be Tuesday, January 2nd.
Fall and Summer Registration
Registration for fall 2024 preschool and summer camps for new families begins in January.
Current families, including siblings, will have first choice of days, and may register beginning December 1st. To secure your child’s space for fall 2024, please email, or bring in a hard copy, of their registration form. A non-refundable fee of $45, and your child’s first month tuition (refundable before Aug. 15th) is due upon registration. You may pay with a check, or we can send an invoice for online payments.
Summer camp information and registration will take place in January. Camp tuition will be due the summer months your child attends camp.
Open House for interested families is in January, date TBD.
Circle Time News
Each day during circle time our students come together to sing songs, and talk about what we will be doing in class that day. Then we split up into two smaller groups to do our circle time work.
This month we are learning about coins and how to count them. The complexities of the problems depend on the age group of the children. For example, the youngest children may count the coins and begin learning to identify them. The older children are learning the value of each coin. Our math problems could be something like, “How many coins do you have on your tray? What kind of coins are they? How much are those coins worth? We have candy canes for sale for 2 cents each, how many will you be able to buy? “ This project is no doubt very exciting, and on the last day of class the children will use our coins and “buy” their own candy cane!
Outside Play
We love to play outside every day and we do so even when it is wet and cold. Most days each class will start and end on the playground, even during the winter. We may spend less time outside but please send a coat to school with your child each day and remember hats and mittens too. Please add your children’s names so we can help them find their things. It is also a great idea to leave extra clothes in your child’s cubby in case they need to change clothes during the day.
Snow Days
We follow Portland Public Schools’ decisions regarding snow days, if PPS is closed, or opening late, due to weather, Hands On will be closed. If Hands On closes because of weather, we will let you know as soon as possible by sending an email, updating our phone message and website. If we have to close we will close for the whole school day, both morning and afternoon. You will be offered make up days or a credit, for each day Hands On is closed due to weather.
Winter Enrichment Classes
Monday
Hip Hop Tumbling
In hip hop/tumbling classes, offered by The Independent Dance Project, students will learn the fundamentals of dance isolations, rhythm, 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! To register go to their registration site here, create a parent account and enroll your child. Email indiedancepdx@gmail.com with questions!
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Spanish with Portland Early Learning, *Children can attend 1 or 2 days
January 2th-March 20 -Contact PELP for prices
If you have any questions, please contact
Kathi@PortlandEarlyLearning.com
Thursdays
NW Children’s Theater – January 4-March 21th-Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.
$192 for 12 class session
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, Embodied Feelings at noon and 12:45, and Soccer Shots at 3:30 PM
Embodied Feelings! With McKinley Hughes.
January 5 through March 22, No class 1/26, Teacher Planning day $176, 11 classes
Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.
Embodied Feelings: This class is an opportunity for students to explore their emotions through storytelling, physical movement, and theatre games. Students will learn to identify different feelings, learn different ways to express them, and practice relating to one another’s emotions through creativity, imagination, and play.
McKinley is a professional actor, musician and goof ball extraordinaire! She has been working in arts education for the past decade. She is currently continuing her education by earning a masters degree in drama therapy. McKinley is extremely passionate about using theatre as a tool to for self expression and emotional healing. In all of her classes, McKinley strives to cultivate a learning environment where kiddos are encouraged to be brave, get silly, and have fun!
Soccer Shots Winter Season, 3:30 PM in the Parish Hall
Colds, flu and sickness, Oh MY!
It is the season of germs!
If your child has a runny nose–Keep them home until they are 24 hours symptom free.
If your child a fever, or cough, keep them home and test for COVID. • If a child with symptoms of COVID-19 tests negative, they may return 24 hours after resolution of cough and fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.
If you, or your child, has COVID-The child needs to stay home for 10 days, and test for COVID before retuning to school. They can return to school after the 10 days if they are symptom free.
See you soon!
